Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 Review

Click on the Lumix FX35 to take a QuickTime VR tour

To achieve a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens in the slim design of the FX35, Panasonic developed a new unevenly thick concave meniscus EA (Extra high refractive index Aspherical) lens. Working closely with Leica to meet their strict standards on lenses, the LUMIX FX35's lens compromises of seven elements in six groups, including four aspherical lenses with six aspherical surfaces.

The Advanced Intelligent Auto mode expands Panasonic's system of intuitive technologies with the addition of Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red-eye Correction. Consisting of seven advanced and intuitive technologies, with Advanced Intelligent Auto mode, the consumer is able to rely on the advanced technologies happening automatically, without them changing any settings, thus taking high-quality photos is easy and effortless. The Intelligent Auto mode on the FX35 includes:

• Intelligent Exposure - With this new feature, photos will no longer be under- or over-exposed. Instead, the FX35, instantly analyze the framed image and adjusts the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The camera will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly.
• Digital Red-eye Correction- This feature helps to eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at the night. Incorporated into the camera, the built-in flash emits a small preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and will digitally correct it.
• MEGA O.I.S. - Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.
• Intelligent ISO - With Intelligent ISO, the FX35 can determine if the photo subject is moving and change the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo.
• Intelligent Scene Selector - Intelligent Scene Selector senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. This intuitive technology, helps the consumer use the most common scene modes that are built into the camera, but often go unused, without making any manual adjustments.
• Face Detection - Face Detection detects faces anywhere in the frame, even if they are moving, and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. Panasonic's Face Detection detects up to 15 faces.
• Quick AF - The Quick AF (auto focus) system starts focus on the subject by just pointing the camera to the subject, thus minimizing the AF time.

As stated above, the FX35 features a fourth-generation high-performance image processing LSI, the Venus Engine IV. The Venus Engine IV produces higher-quality digital photos, as compared to the Venus Engine III predecessor, with an advanced signal processing system that produces a quick response time. The shutter lag is as short as 0.005 second, making it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the DMC-FX35 can snap 2.5 shots per second at full resolution (up to 5 frames). Also, in High-Speed Burst shooting mode, it fires an incredible 6 shots-per-second (at 2M resoltuion), plus unlimited consecutive shooting, which lets the consumer snap photos until the memory card is full.

The FX35 is also capable of recording 720p High Definition motion pictures and 1920 x 1080 pixel High Definition-ready photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV. Panasonic VIERA Plasma or LCD HDTVs that have an integrated SD Memory Card slot, so viewing still images is simple as inserting the SD card. In addition, with the newly added HD component output capability, consumers can enjoy watching still and motion images in stunning HD quality taken by simply taking the DMC-FX35 and connecting the camera via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).

Major DMC-FX35 Features:

• 10-megapixel imager with 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratios
• 4x Leica zoom lens, equivalent to 25-100mm on a 35mm camera
• Optical image stabilization to prevent camera shake and blurring
• 9-point AF system with Face detection technology
• 2.5-inch TFT color LCD with High Angle mode and 100% frame coverage
• Intelligent Auto, Normal Picture (Program), Movie and 23 scene modes
• ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; High Sensitivity Mode (1600 - 6400)
• 2.5fps Burst mode (Max 4 JPEG Fine images)
• QuickTime movies 30fps or 10fps at 640x480/320x240
• Wide aspect movie mode offers video at 848x480 (30/10fps) or 720p HD video at 1280x720 (30/15fps)
• Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow synchro and red-eye reduction modes
• TTL Auto White Balance, 5 presets and custom set
• 27MB of internal flash memory
• Card slot supports SD/SDHC/MMC card storage
• Plug-n-Play USB, Mass Storage compliant
• PictBridge Direct-Print compatible
• Powered by rechargeable Li-ion battery

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is available silver, black and blue with an MSRP of US$349.95. The camera kit includes: battery charger, battery pack, battery carrying case, AV & USB cables, hand strap, and software CD-ROM.

Please help support our site and visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability.