Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5 Review
By: Steve's Digicams

Review posted 6/01/2004
Introduction
Click on the Lumix FX5 to take a QuickTime VR tour
The Lumix DMC-FX5 is a compact, durable and lightweight 4-megapixel camera that features a
metal body, high quality Leica DC-VARIO ELMARIT all-glass aspherical 3x optical zoom lens
with Panasonic's Mega Optical Image Stabilization system. The FX5's captures up to 2304 x
1728 pixel still images which are sufficient to produce up to 11 x 17" photo-quality
prints. Still images are saved in standard Exif JPEG format as Fine or Standard quality.
The FX5 can also capture 320 x 240 pixel motion video at 30 or 10 frames per second with
audio. The length of these QuickTime movies is limited only by available memory on the SD
card. The user can select to capture 5-seconds of audio with still images or during
playback you can dub up to 10-seconds of audio caption per image.
Using the FX5 is very easy. The mode dial lets you select the desired operating
mode from Simple, Normal, Picture, Macro, Portrait, Landscape, Night Portrait or Movie.
The Simple mode turns the FX5 into an easy to use Point-n-Shoot camera with a simplified
menu that even the total novice can understand quickly. When you want more control just
turn it to the Normal position and the full menu of options is at your disposal. The
other modes let you quickly set the camera for capturing close-ups, people portraits,
scenic landscapes and night portraits using a special slow-synchro flash mode and slow
shutter speed.
Power is supplied by an included rechargeable Li-ion type battery. Images and
movies are stored on removable Secure Digital (SD) memory cards which are available in
capacities up to 512MB. The data is easily transferred from the camera to the host PC via
its built in USB port. Pictures and movies can also be replayed on a television set with
the supplied audio/video cable.
Lumix FX5 Features:
- 4-megapixel CCD for images up to 2304 x 1728 pixels
- Image stabilized Leica 3x zoom lens (35-105mm on a 35mm camera)
- Macro focus as close as 3.9 inches in wide angle
- 1.5-inch TFT color monitor with 114,000 pixels
- Mega Burst, 3.3fps to 3 frames Fine/5 frames Standard
- Auto Exposure Bracketing, 3 frames
- QuickTime Movie mode, 30/10fps w/sound, length limited by available memory
- Record 5-sec audio with still image or add up to 10-sec audio memo later
- Real-time exposure histogram display
- Automatic shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 8 seconds
- Adjustable ISO speed: Auto / 50 / 100 / 200 / 400
- Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow synchro and red-eye reduction modes
- Intelligent Multiple and Spot exposure metering
- Color saturation and color effect settings
- TTL Auto White Balance, 4 presets and custom set
- Secure Digital/MMC memory card slot, 16MB SD card included
- Plug-n-Play USB connectivity with PC/Windows
- USB PictBridge/Direct-Print compatible
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Physical Views







The Lumix FX5 compared in size to a standard CD disc.

The Lumix FX5 and the Kodak EasyShare LS-743.
Lumix DMC-FX5 Specifications
Lens
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Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens with MEGA O.I.S. (optical image stabilizer)
7 elements in 6 groups (3 aspherical lenses)
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Camera Effective Pixels
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4.0 Effective Megapixels
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Image Sensor
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1/2.5", 4.23 Total Megapixel CCD, Primary Color Filter
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Resolution
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2304 x 1728 pixels, 1600 x 1200 pixels, 1280 x 960 pixels, 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels (Motion Image Recording)
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Aperture (Iris)
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F2.8 - 4.9
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Optical Zoom
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3x
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Digital Zoom
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3x Variable
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Focus Distance
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f=5.8-17.4mm (35mm equiv: 35-105mm)
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Focusing Area
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Normal: 19.7" (50cm) - infinity Macro: Wide: 3.9" (10cm) / Tele: 19.7" (50cm) - infinity
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Focus
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Auto Focus System, Normal/Macro (Dial), Spot AF On/Off (Spot Mode)
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ISO Sensitivity
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Auto / 50 / 100 / 200 / 400
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White Balance
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Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Halogen / White Set
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Exposure
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Program AE
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Exposure Compensation
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1/3 EV Step, ± 2 EV
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Auto (AE) Bracketing
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1/3 EV-1 EV Step, 3 Frames
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Light Metering
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Intelligent Multiple / Spot (Spot Mode)
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Shooting Modes
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Simple, Normal, Picture, Macro, Portrait, Landscape, Night Portrait, Self-Portrait, Moving Image
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Shutter Speed
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8 - 1/2,000 sec
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Self Timer
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10 seconds / 2 seconds
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Image Quality Adjustment
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Natural, Standard, Vivid
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Color Effect Mode
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Cool, Warm, Black & White
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Image Modes
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Fine/Standard
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Image Formats
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Still Image: JPEG Exif 2.2 (design rule for camera file system)
Still Image w/ Audio: JPEG (design rule for camera file system) & QuickTime (Still Image w/ Audio)
Motion Image: QuickTime (Motion Image with Audio)
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Motion Image Recording with Audio
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Approximately 30 or 10 frames/second @ 320 x 240 pixels (maximum recording time deponds upon memory card capacity)
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Mega Burst Imaging
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High speed - 4 frames/second
Low speed - 2 frames/second
Max. of 5 frames (Fine Mode) / 7 frames (Standard Mode)
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Still Image Recording with Audio
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5 seconds
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Audio Dubbing
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Maximum of 10 Seconds
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Flash
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Range 1.31 ft - 10.83 ft (W), 1.31 ft - 6.56 ft (T) at ISO Auto
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Flash Modes
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Auto, Auto/Red Eye Redux, Slow Synchro/Red Eye Redux, Forced On/Off
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LCD Monitor
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1.5" Diagonal Polycrystalline TFT Color LCD with 114,000 pixels & Adjustable Brightness (± 3 steps)
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Viewfinder
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Optical Viewfinder
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Built-in SD Card Slot
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Yes
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Memory Types
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SD Memory Card (16MB Card Included) MultiMediaCard (Optional)
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Microphone
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Built-in
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Speaker
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Built-in
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Interface
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DC Input, A-V Output, USB
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USB Port
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Yes, USB v1.1
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Power Supply
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Lithium-ion rechargable battery (3.6v 680mAh) and charger included
AC Adaptor (Optional)
Battery life: Up to 120 pictures with LCD on, 240 pictures with LCD off (alkaline type.)
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Software Package
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ArcSoft® PhotoImpression™
ArcSoft® Panorama Maker™
ArcSoft® PhotoBase™
ArcSoft® PhotoPrinter
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SD Viewer for DSC
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Yes
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Included Accessories
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16MB SD Memory Card, Battery pack and charger, A/V Cable, USB Cable, Strap, Software CD-ROM
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Auto Review
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Image Automatically Displayed for Approx. 2 seconds
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Delete
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Single Page Delete / Multi Page Delete / All Delete
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LSI Type
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Venus Engine LSI
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Multi-Task Image Processing
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Yes
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Model Color
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Silver-gray
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Dimensions (H x W x D)
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2.0 x 4.24 x 1.08 inches
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Weight
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0.36 lbs (without batteries or SD card)
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(Specifications as represented by the manufacturer)
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Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.