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-------------------------------------------------------------- This story was printed from CNET Asia. --------------------------------------------------------------
How to select the right Panasonic point-and-shoot 
By Leonard Goh
15/10/2009 URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001469,62045217,00.htm This article has been updated as of October 15, 2009.
Panasonic has a long history of producing electrical components and appliances. From its humble beginning in 1917 till today, the company has undergone several changes, and has successfully overcome several economic recessions. The founder of the firm, Konosuke Matsushita initially branded its products as National, but most of them are under the Panasonic umbrella now. Today, many people still affectionately refer to the company as Matsushita Electrical.
 The Lumix DMC-FT1 is Panasonic's first rugged digicam. The Lumix DMC-F7 and DMC-LC5 were the first point-and-shoots to roll out from the factory, and Panasonic kept building on the success of each camera to improve on the next and introduced several features that became a model for other brands to follow. The Japanese firm was one of the first companies to incorporate an optical image stabilizer (known as Mega O.I.S.) in its point-and-shoots, and this was a challenge as it had to integrate the stabilizer elements into a compact form factor. It succeeded, and soon other manufacturers quickly adopted this feature as well. This year, Panasonic's introduced a new image stabilizer system--Power O.I.S.--which promises to let users shoot, handheld, at even slower shutter speeds. Last year, scene recognition technology, or intelligent Auto (iA) as Panasonic calls it, was introduced, and this feature proved to be very popular among consumers because it made snapping pictures a zippier affair. To make its cameras more appealing to consumers, the company has included HD-quality video capture in most of its point-and-shoots, even entry-level ones. This has become a trend for competing brands to replicate. Panasonic told CNET Asia it will continue to innovate and bring more "revolutionary concepts and value-added features" to the industry, so consumers can expect even better cameras in the future. After much research on the various markets globally, Panasonic diversified its shooters to satisfy different the target audience in specific regions. This is why there are so many classes for its point-and-shoots. If you've set your eyes on one but not quite sure which is suitable, we've put together a comprehensive guide for its lineup. Click on the images to find out more about the series. The LS series Point-and-shoots in the LS family use AA-sized batteries which explains the slightly bulky camera bodies. However, these entry-level shooters have advanced features such as optical image stabilizer and intelligent scene recognition to help amateurs snap decent shots. The downside is that, these snappers don't have wide-angle lenses and usually come with only 3x optical zoom, which some users may find limiting. In this series
Lumix DMC-LS85 The LS85 has the most basic features among the Lumix lineup, and is probably targeted at first-time digicam buyers who don't need the bells and whistles. But this model does offer useful functions such as Panasonic's intelligent Auto (iA) mode and a wide selection of scene modes which are helpful for beginners looking to take good pictures. Other related model: LS80 Click on the images to find out more about the series.The FS series According to Panasonic, the FS group of compact cameras complements the higher-end FX series. Users looking for an easy-to-use snapper can consider the FS series which encompass a wide lineup of shooters with varying specifications, from image resolution to LCD size and zoom range. In this series
Lumix DMC-FS12 Among the FS series lineup, the FS12 has the most features. It comes with 4x optical zoom lens, 2.7-inch LCD and 12-megapixel sensor. Besides the usual iA mode and other scene recognition functions, Panasonic has also included advanced face detection which allows users to register profiles into the camera so these people get exposure priority in future shots. Other related models: FS62 and FS42 Click on the images to find out more about the series.The FP series The FP series is one of the latest lineups to join the Lumix family targeted at the young and trendy. By employing a periscopic-like lens system, Panasonic has managed to keep the shooter slim without sacrificing on features. The company has dubbed this line of shooters "advanced stylish", indicating that good-looking snappers can deliver on performance, too. In this series
Lumix DMC-FP8 At first glance, you may mistake the 12-megapixel FP8 for the rugged FT1. Besides looks, the specifications for both shooters are pretty similar, with a 28mm wide-angle lens and 4.6x optical zoom. While the slim facade and multitude of body color options are attractive, the lack of a lens cover can be a deal-breaker for some users since it expose the optics to potential hazards. Click on the images to find out more about the series.The FT series The FT series is Panasonic's answer to Olympus' Mju Tough rugged cameras. What the Japanese company did was to gather all the useful functions in all its Lumix point-and-shoots, and combine them into its hardy shooter. The tough metal body is shock-resistant, while strategic seals are placed around the camera's body to keep it waterproof. Do note that in some regions, the FT series is known as TS. In this series
Lumix DMC-FT1 Although the FT1's rugged specifications may not be as hardy as the Olympus Mju Tough-8000, it still holds up pretty well against the competition. The FT1 is shockproof from drops of 1.5m and can dive to depths of 3m. What's appealing about this shooter is its HD video-recording capability with AVCHD compression so users can record more clips. Click on the images to find out more about the series.The FX series With their stylish designs, the FX series point-and-shoots are targeted at teenagers and young adults. Certain models offer users more creative control with a manual exposure mode, while others have premium features such as touchscreen operation. With a good mix of performance and features, we're pretty sure one of these snappers will satisfy your photographic needs. In this series
Lumix DMC-FX48 This compact shooter houses a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens not commonly found in typical point-and-shoots. Like its predecessor, the FX38, the FX48 is able to record HD-quality video and has a 5x optical zoom lens. However, it's a pity that its LCD is only 2.5 inches, which is usually found in entry-level shooters today. Other related models: FX48 and FX36 
Lumix DMC-FX180 At 14 megapixels, this compact powerhouse has one of the highest-resolution sensors found in a point-and-shoot camera today. It also has a full manual exposure mode and RAW capture capability for photographers who want more creative control when shooting and post-processing on the computer. To complete the package, it has a standard 28mm wide-angle lens. Other related model: FX100 
Lumix DMC-FX580 The 12-megapixel FX580 succeeds the FX520, and has the same hybrid touchscreen/button navigation system. What we like about the FX580 is that it has manual exposure control which enthusiasts will appreciate. Users can tap anywhere on the screen to lock focus on the subject even as it moves around the frame. Other related model: FX520 Click on the images to find out more about the series.The ZR series With a long-zoom range and slim body, point-and-shoots in the ZR series are suitable for travelers. Initially, we found its specifications very similar to the TZ series, but Panasonic clarified that the ZR family is a complementing camera category and not a competitive product to the other Lumix lineups. In this series
Lumix DMC-ZR1 The main draw for this 12-megapixel camera is that despite its thin body, Panasonic has managed to implement an 8x optical zoom lens which is widest at 25mm. The shooter also has a wide array of scene modes to help beginners start taking proper shots. As with most other Lumix compacts, the ZR1 comes with 720p-quality video recording in AVCHD compression to keep file sizes small so you can capture longer clips. Click on the images to find out more about the series.The TZ series The TZ family comprises Panasonic's long-zoom compact cameras and has a good reputation with consumers for being efficient snappers. Panasonic told us this series is the most successful in the Lumix family, which can be attributed to the "unique value it represents to the market". The unique values here would be the minimum 10x optical zoom and wide-angle optics. Frequent travelers will also appreciate the small footprint of these point-and-shoots. In this series
Lumix DMC-TZ7 Although the TZ7 faces tough competition from similar offerings by Canon and Samsung, it has managed to stand its ground against its rivals. The optical zoom range is now 12x (up from 10x on the TZ15) and has a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens which is useful for taking group shots in small, enclosed spaces. Other related models: TZ6 and TZ15 Click on the images to find out more about the series.The LX series Like how Ferrari cars are highly desirable to automobile fanatics, the LX-series of shooters are the luxury performers. The retro-styling reminds us of rangefinder cameras from the old days, and the complete set of exposure modes together with a variety of scene options make snappers in this series a good companion to photographers who want a camera that offers the same amount of control they have with more advanced cameras. In this series
Lumix DMC-LX3 Even before its release, this point-and-shoot has created lots of buzz in the imaging industry. Keeping with the LX tradition, the LX3 lets you change the aspect ratio between 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 with ease for more creative framing. The large sensor size also ensures maximum image quality even at high ISO sensitivity and the wide range of shooting control options will most probably satisfy even the pickiest photographer. Other related model: LX2 Click on the images to find out more about the series.The FZ series The most features and advanced modes can be found in the prosumer FZ-series. Styled like dSLRs, these cameras offer full manual control and long zoom range. It is also a highly expandable system considering there are a lot of accessories such as conversion lenses that can be used with it. It is targeted at camera hobbyists who are familiar with digital imaging and want more control over their shots. In this series
Lumix DMC-FZ35 The FZ35 (or FZ38 in some countries) is a souped-up version of its predecessor, the FZ28. While most specifications remain the same, Panasonic has upgraded the FZ35 with a faster startup time, snappier autofocus and Power O.I.S. Not to mention that the top-of-the-line camera houses a stereo microphone to complement the HD-quality movie. Other related model: FZ28 Click on the images to find out more about the series. |
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