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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 Digital Camera

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 Digital Camera

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B&H $199.95
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Key Features of the Panasonic DMC-FX500 :
  • Ultra Compact Digital Camera with 10-megapixel resolution.
  • Large 3.0" touch-screen LCD.
  • 5x optical  zoom.
  • 25mm/f2.8 wide-angle Leica DC lens
  • Face Detection.
  • Advanced Optical Image Stabilization and Intelligent ISO
  • Capture images to SD/SDHC/MMC (not included)
  • Detects faces anywhere in the frame.
  • Records HD video.
The Lumix DMC-FX500 is Panasonic's first digital camera with a 3-inch touch-screen LCD, and also features a 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica DC lens, 5x optical zoom and 10.1-megapixel resolution. With a dual control system using both touch-screen and joystick operation, the ability to record high-definition video and advanced Intelligent Auto technologies, the FX500 packs both innovative features and intuitive design.

The FX500 has a hybrid control system that combines joystick control with touch-screen operation, so users can make fine adjustments by touch, using their finger, or the included Lumix stylus-pen. In manual exposure mode, adjustments can be made using the on-screen sliders to adjust aperture and shutter speeds. You can also set the auto focus and exposure in frames by simply touching the subject, on screen, while recording. In playback mode, a new Easy Organization menu allows for photos to be selected and viewed by scrolling through the thumbnails located below the main window. Then, users can edit the titles using an on-screen keyboard.

Plus, with an ultra-wide-angle, 25mm lens, the FX500 can capture almost double the photo area at the same shooting distance compared with a conventional 35mm lens. Also new is Auto Focus (AF) tracking, a feature that tracks the photo subject even if it moves after the AF is set -- especially helpful for catching active children or pets.

Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode is an advanced system of technologies that engage automatically, so the user does not have to change any settings. Maximizing the iA mode, users can go a step further and easily set auto focus and exposure by simply touching the screen. This kind of quick, easy operation is made possible with the touch-screen technology.

Additional Features
  • Intelligent Exposure: To help correct photos from being under- or over-exposed, the FX500 instantly analyzes the framed image and adjusts the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash.
  • Digital Red-eye Correction: Helps eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at the night. Incorporated into the built-in flash, the camera emits a small preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and digitally corrects 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: Determines if the photo subject is moving and changes the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly.
  • Intelligent Scene Selector: Senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and automatically selects the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode.
  • Face Detection: Detects faces anywhere in the frame and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. Detecting up to 15 faces, Panasonic’s Face Detection can even track a face if the subject is moving.
  • Continuous AF: Maintains focus on the subject even without the user pressing a shutter button halfway, thus minimizing the AF time.
Other features include the ability to take1280 x 720p HD video content and still photos with a 16:9 aspect ratio, perfect for viewing on an HDTV. In addition, the FX500 incorporates the Venus Engine IV processor, featuring more advanced digital signal processing technology for taking even higher-quality images. The fdsa proprietary Venus Engine IV also heightens the detection accuracy and corrective features in both MEGA O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO Control.



Panasonic DMC-FX500 Photo Samples

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These are actual photos taken with Panasonic DMC-FX500.
Photos courtesy of Flickr and belong to respective users. To view a larger image click on thumbnail.

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 with similar cameras

Name: Panasonic DMC-FX500 Canon A2000 IS Canon E1 Canon A1000 IS
Megapixels: 10.1 10.0 10.0 10.0
Optical Zoom: 5 X 6 X 4 X 4 X
Max Res: 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2756 3648 x 2756 3648 x 2756
LCD Screen: 3.0 " 3 " 2.5 " 2.5 "
Digital zoom: Yes, 4 x Yes, 4x Yes, 4x Yes, 4x
Image stabilizer: Yes, Lens Yes Yes Yes
Media Card: SD / MMC / SDHC card, Internal SD / SDHC / MMC card SD / SDHC / MMC card SD / SDHC / MMC card
Battery: Lithium-Ion rechargeable & charger AA (2) NiMH batteries AA (2) NiMH batteries AA (2) NiMH batteries
Weight (with batteries): 175 g (6.2 oz) 190 g (6.7 oz) 160 g (5.6 oz) 155 g (5.5 oz)
Lowest Price: $199.95 $169.95 $149.95 $149.95
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Panasonic DMC-FX500 User Reviews

Avg. Rating
4.0
Out of 5
This item is reviewed by 62 people so far.
Click here for complete reviews.

3
Out of 5
flimsy video quality
- Reviewd on: 2/14/2010 12:00:00 AM By: Z. Li
pros: large touch screen, boxy appearance
cons: video quality especially under/facing strong sun shine or indoor light
4
Out of 5
Girlfriend loves it.
- Reviewd on: 1/30/2010 12:00:00 AM By: Kristopher J. Clouden
I got this for my girl about a year and a half ago now. Takes great wide angle pics. Outdoor pics are great. MY issue is indoor pics when using the flash. It creates lense flare that end up looking like big opaque DOTS.... most likely on your face.
5
Out of 5
Well pleased!
- Reviewd on: 12/30/2009 12:00:00 AM By: D. Allred
I purchased this camera primarily for its wide angle capability (25mm lens). Although it is a subcompact, due to the photo quality, size of the display and the numerous (more than I'll likely ever use) features, it appears as though it will amply satisfy my requirements.
1
Out of 5
Picture Banding
- Reviewd on: 12/17/2009 12:00:00 AM By: David A. Watkins
I have had this camera for a year and have had a banding problem with it since new. Panasonic refuses to admit that this is a common problem with their cameras. About 20% of the photos that I take with the camera will be split in half horizontally with a very visible line across the middle. The the top half of the photo will have either a magenta, green, or washed out appearance and the bottom half of the photo a contrasting magenta, green or dark appearance. I have tried all kinds of different settings indoor and out, different PC programs for display, and different SD cards. Nothing worked. It has to be a problem with the camera. The banding problem also appears on the camera LCD, so it can't be with the PC or software as Panasonic claims.
5
Out of 5
Make sure you lower your ISO when you done with ISO 1600
- Reviewd on: 10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM By: P. Ho
Had the camera for over a year, and it's been awesome.

Took the camera to aquarium last week, set the ISO to 1600. The pictures were fantastic.

When I got outside, I completely forgot about the ISO setting. Took a few shots, and the CCD is now messed up. The picture has lines going across it now. The video is still good.

Unfortunately, it's out of warranty.

I am debating on getting the same replacement or not.

Lesson learn here:
can't expect the firmware to protect camera from extreme settings.
Make sure you set the ISO sensitivity back to auto or 200 when finished.