List price as of May 12, 2008:
S$649
S$649
Product Summary
Excellent
The good: Stylish design; intuitive 3-inch touchscreen; manual exposure control; 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens; improved image quality. 8
out of 10View score
The bad: Slow startup time; Face Detection didn't recognize faces with spectacles; oddly shaped stylus.
The bottom line: Besides the startup time and stylus, it is hard to find fault with the FX520. Image quality has also improved and we really like the features that are incorporated with the touchscreen.
Read full review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX520 »
Average User Rating
from 7 users
Very good
7.1
out of 10CNET Asia Review
Until now, touchscreen has always been associated with Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T300 and Cyber-shot DSC-T70. But with a new challenger on the block, the competition is heating up. Panasonic announced the Lumix DMC-FX520 in March and it recently won the prestigious TIPA (Technical Press Image Association) award for Best Compact Camera of 2008 with the FX520. So how did this camera fare in the contest of touchscreen compacts? We find out.
Design
The FX520 takes on a minimalist approach for its design. Encased in a sleek brushed-metal chassis, it's easy to pick out the point-and-shoot from the lot of compact cameras that have flooded the scene. It looks silent, pretty much like a good-looking broody actor who doesn't talk much.The camera offers a firm grip and is complemented by a small strip of metal that runs down the right side of the shooter. Even with sweaty palms, the sturdy build of the shooter offers assurance that it won't slip out of our hands.
A stylus comes with this touchscreen device. But if you are thinking a conventional pen-shaped stick, think again. It is a round, flat piece of plastic with a protruding side that acts as the tip of the stylus. We attached it to the other end of the strap as the manual stated and we don't think it looks good when paired with the camera. We hope Panasonic can improvise on this aspect and probably have a slot for a normal stylus instead.
)
Tipping the scales at 175g with battery and memory card, this digicam is not a lightweight champion. It is a matter of preference, because some of us prefer the more solid feel that a camera should have.
Rate It Now
User Reviews
A complement for my DSLR
Jan 21, 2009Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: Manual Controls, Optical Image Stabilizer, Wide-angle, Fits in my pocket,
Cons: Minor noisy images (especially at higher ISO's), cannot use filters
Opinion:
My D200 can't follow me everywhere. That's where my FX520 comes in. Small enough to fit in my pocket, it can be quickly whipped out to snap a photo faster than you can remove the lens cap from a DSLR.
At long last, a credible P&S with manual controls and a good wide-angle (25mm equivilent) lens. These two features alone set it apart from the endless sea of P&S that aim to capture the consumer market.
Add in the OIS which is on almost every Panasonic camera and you have yourself a surefire winner.
My only disappointment - Panasonic should have put in a lower megapixel sensor with better picture quality at high ISO's, rather than succumbing to their Marketing Department (why do we need a 10 Megapixel P&S?).
Can't Zoom During Video Recording!!
Jan 19, 2009Rating: 2 out of 10 (Terrible)
Pros: Easying Menu
Cons: Can't Zoom During Video Recording!!
Opinion:
I've just purchased a FX520 for it's great reviews, but it disappointed me to learn that of all the great features a camera could have, it cannot zoom during video recording!
The problem is stupid, really stupid! I mean, it zooms during still image shooting, it zooms before video recording, but locks zoom DURING video recording, so one has to pre-set the zooming BEFORE recording, and if I'm filming something that's closing up or moving away from me - well, tough luck friend 'cause your viewfinder ain't going anywhere!
I brought it back to the shop and asked to exchange to a different model, only had learned that similar Panasonic models such as FX38 also have the same limitations.
I can't understand why such limitation is set? For it¡¦s a very basic function that a user needs when video recording, and can be found on other brands like Sony and Canon.
Panasomix Lumix DMC FX520
Sep 12, 2008Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: Picture Qualities are Good, Easy Maneuvering & Navigation, Good Manual Controls.
Cons: Video's: Can't Zoom while Shooting, exposure are PAR
Opinion:
Just got the camera three days ago and i am very impress with the FX520. The iA features provides users with 0 knowledge or experience to operates the camera and yet shoot a good quality images like a pro.
It delivers a very good picture quality and easy maneuvering and controls of your camera.
The 3" touch screen LCD are very handy not like the Sony DSC T300 where all the controls are on the screen...it's slows down your navigation.
After three days of using it...overall i would say it meets my expectation and i was very happy with the buy. Thumb up for Panasonix Lumix DMC FX520, worth buying.
User Discussion
kennedy5781:
IXUS 860 IS was the camera I compared with FX520. IXUS 860 IS didn't attracted me when i see ...
niemrieng:
You can have a full manual control over this camera, which is a good side of the FX520. The ...
kennedy5781:
I haven't used the canon cameras you've mentioned but I own a FX520. The image quality is okay, not ...
keduadoi:
I heard that FX520 is the best compact in 2008 in TIPA,so is it really good?, image quality is ...
gohleonard:
Hi,
the FX520 is known as FX500 in US. but in most parts of asia pacific it is known ...
