Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 Review

The "Intelligent Auto" shooting mode, is the basic point and shoot mode that allows anyone to pick up the camera and start shooting. The camera makes all of the adjustments, including ISO, white balance and will even put the camera into the correct scene mode or macro mode if needed, for you. This mode also automatically enables the MEGA O.I.S. and face detection, making sure you have clear photos every time.

Pressing the Q.Menu button on the camera brings up the "Quick Menu." Here you are given a couple of options that are available to you in IA mode. You have the choice of O.I.S. modes, burst modes, image size and LCD options.

IA menu options:

Picture Size - 8M, 5M EZ, 3M EZ, 0.3M EZ
Aspect Ratio - 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Burst - Off, Burst, Unlimited
Color Mode - Standard, Natural, Vivid, B/W, Sepia
Stabilizer - Mode 1, Mode 2

Normal mode gives you more control over the settings of the camera. It allows you exposure and bracketing options, additional flash options, macro mode, AF mode and white balance selection. On the screen you will see the shooting mode, flash mode, image size and quality, number of available pictures left and O.I.S. mode.

Program Quick Menu options:

Stabilizer - Off, Mode 1, Mode 2
Burst - Off, Burst, Unlimited
AF Mode - Face Detection, 9-Area, 1-Area High Speed, 1 Area
White Balance - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set
ISO - Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Picture Size - 8M, 5M EZ, 3M EZ, 0.3M EZ
LCD - Off, Auto Power LCD, Power LCD, High Angle

Normal menu options:

Picture Size - 8M, 5M EZ, 3M EZ, 0.3M EZ
Quality - JPEG Fine or Standard
Aspect Ratio - 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Intelligent ISO - Off, Max 400, Max 800, Max 1600
ISO - Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
White Balance - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set
AF Mode - Face Detection, 9-Area, 1-Area High Speed, 1 Area
Quick AF - On or Off
Burst - Off, Burst, Unlimited
Digital Zoom - On or Off
Color Mode - Standard, Natural, Vivid, B/W, Sepia, Cool, Warm
Stabilizer - Off, Mode 1, Mode 2
AF Assist Lamp - On or Off
Clock Set - Set the time and Date

Selecting one of the two Scene modes gives access to 22 scene specific modes that are optimized for a variety of shooting environments. You can choose from Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Scenery, Night Portrait, Soft Skin, Self Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby 1, Baby 2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo and Underwater.

Pressing the 4-way controller "Up" gives you access to the exposure menu. Pressing it again takes you to the Auto Bracket menu.

Pressing it "Right" brings up your flash options.

Pressing it "Down" enables macro mode. In macro mode the camera will focus as close as 5cm.

Pressing it "Left" will give you the self timer options.

Movie mode captures QuickTime video at either 4:3 (640x480 or 320 x 240) or 16:9 (848x480) aspect ratios at either 30 or 10fps, with audio. The length of capture is limited only by the amount of available memory. Because sound is recorded, the zoom may be preset before recording, but it can not be used during.

Movie Quick Menu:

Stabilizer - Off, Mode 1
AF Mode - 9-Area, 1-Area High Speed, 1-Area
White Balance - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set
Picture Mode - VGA 30/10fps, QVGA 30/10fps (16:9 30fps/10fps in 16:9 aspect)
LCD Mode - Off, Auto Power LCD, Power LCD, High Angle

Movie mode recording options:

Picture Mode - VGA 30fps, VGA 10fps, QVGA 30fps, QVGA 10fps
Aspect Ratio - 4:3 or 16:9
White Balance - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set
AF Mode - 9-Point, 1-Point High Speed, 1-Point
Digital Zoom - Digital zoom option, On or Off
Color Mode - Standard, Black/White, Sepia, Cool, Warm
Stabilizer - Off, Mode 1
AF Assist Lamp - On or Off
Clock Set - Set the time and date