The Panasonic FX-55 Digital Camera

Panasonic have focused on making the DMC-FX55 the ultimate point and shoot camera, with a new Intellligent Auto mode that achieves great results in most situations with very little input required from the user. The large, high resolution 3 inch LCD digital photo screen is also very welcome, although I missed having a true optical viewfinder in very bright sunlight. Panasonic Lumix DMC FX-55 has a review at Good Gear guide and final verdict is “We also ran our speed tests, and this model performed quite well. It exhibited a fairly tiny 0.05-second shutter lag, 1.8 seconds between shots and a slightly more sluggish 2.5 seconds power up time.

Image quality is about average for 8-megapixel cameras we've tested recently. The FX55 earned middle-of-the-field scores for sharpness and for color and exposure accuracy in the PC World Test Center. Image noise has to be the biggest issue with the entire Panasonic line of camera, and it predictably shows up in the Lumix. Image noise is the introduction of slight distortions that distract from the image accuracy and sharpness. Images are slightly soft overall, and downright blurry around the corners of the frame. Purple fringing is well controlled by the camera’s image processor.

Intelligent Auto mode is made up by adding three new features to the optical image stabilization and Intelligent ISO control technologies. A continuous AF helps minimize focus time, the face detection lets you focus on and expose up to 15 faces correctly, and the Intelligent Scene Selector will choose between settings for Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Scenery, and Night Portrait. Intelligent ISO Control gives you stunning images with ease because there is no need for complicated settings.

20.7.08 17:26