Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20S 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)
- 10-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-sized prints
- 4x wide-angle optical zoom; Mega Optical Image Stabilized
- 3.0-inch Intelligent LCD; Face Detection
- Intelligent ISO; Intelligent Scene Selector
- 50 MB built-in memory; captures images to SD memory cards (not included)
Rating: 5 of 5
best camera
Rating: 4 of 5
Good snapper
I use a DSLR when I want great photos, & a "snapper" when pocket-size portability 4 travel & 4 fun are more important. My excellent, old Casio "snapper" was 2-1/2 years old, without image stabilization like my DSLR, so it was time 4 a new one. I seriously looked-at, tried-out, & read all the literature & reviews I could lay my hands-on 4 four models retailing under $240 (in July 2008): Nikon CoolPix S600, Canon PowerShot SD850, Casio Exilim EX-Z200, & this Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20. Each of these cameras has their own virtues & their own faults.
I do not have the space 2 review all four cameras properly & mention each of their good points, so I will limit this 2 mostly a couple of downside issues I saw in each:
** CoolPix: This snapper probably would get my vote 4 best overall images, HOWEVER, it has a very annoying - & 4 me, hard-to-use -spin/scroll-wheel control, is slowest 2 focus, slowest 2 record image, has ill designed internal software menus, manual controls are lacking, & it has a horribly short battery life.
** Powershot: Obvious barrell distortion due 2 the lens (why Canon, why?!), more noise in high ISO photos than Nikon or Lumix, oddly designed rounded body does not allow the camera 2 stand upright (for selftimer 4 example).
** Exilim: This camera has a lot going 4 it - especially great software & incredible battery life that seems 2 go on-and-on-and-on, HOWEVER, the photo quality is worst of the group with noticeable blue-purple haze at edges where highest contrast areas meet (e.g. sky & trees). This not visible if you are only viewing images on your computer screen at normal sizes, or are not making enlargements, but it is there none the less.
** Lumix: In most ways, best overall (and best reviewed) - - The images have extraordinary clarity 4 a camera in this price range. The Lumix image stabilization system & Venus engine is the same in this camera as in their high-end cameras, & it shows. Simply great! The camera also has a first-rate Leica Vario-Elmar lens with very little detectable distorion edge-to-edge in the frame (puts Canon 2 shame); & has wide-angle 4X optical & 7.1X digital zoom. The Auto Focus system sensor at low-light levels is unmatched by other cameras in this group. The flash is excellent. "Noise" is an issue with all snapper cameras at high ISO levels, & the Lumix no worse than any other brand. The auto-rotation of images in-camera is surprisingly good. The software Manual Override systems are outstanding (they deserve an award) - easy 2 learn & easier 2 use, & delivers pretty much what I am looking for. As 4 hardware, the Joy-Stick Control works so well, I expect that all companies will adopt this design in the future. I also find the camera body solid & attractive (but not a dazzler). It has no view finder - (they are useless on pocket models in my opinion, anyway) - but, the huge 3-inch viewing screen has four brightness levels.
The Lumix has 50MB of memory built-in. I use a 4GB SDHC SanDisk Extreme III with it, which runs fairly fast. (FYI: This Lumix cannot run 2GB SD cards.)
I have not tested video capabilities more than a couple of times, but has worked fine 4 me when tested in different modes.
The drawbacks about the Lumix are these:
* Out-of-the-box, especially in iA mode, photos are slightly "warm." I shot about 350 images outdoors over two perfect days, & the sky veered toward cyan rather than blue without adjustments. This won't bother most people, but it does me, although it can be corrected.
* In iA mode, the sensor will get confused in, 4 example, a green lawn with dappled sunlight - tough 4 any sensor - one image may shift warm 2 compensate 4 shadows, & the next cool 2 adjust 4 the sun, even when the position of the camera is not moved. (This isn't really a complaint, just an observation. To stop this from occurring, put the camera in "Normal" mode & create your own settings.)
* The images from my Lumix camera, in the farthest upper-right corner of the frame, appear very slightly underexposed - up 2 a half stop - compared 2 the rest of the image... but not all of the time. (I can't figure this out at all.) I can crop it out of prints or fix it in Photoshop when it occurs, but it is annoying.
* The battery life is only average, equal 2 PowerShot, but far shy of the amazing Exilim. I am only getting about 190 shots (no flash or playback), which is less than I expected, & less than advertised. - For me, the battery issue is the camera's biggest drawback because I had been used 2 consistently getting over 300 still shots on a charge that could last weeks in my old camera.
Overall: The Lumix DMC-FS20 gets 4 stars - - - I chose the Lumix & I am generally satisified, but after actually owning & using it, I would choose the Exilim EX-Z200 on a do-over because of its strongest point - stellar battery life, which is important 2 me when I travel. (Please note again: In my opinion, the Exilim EX-Z200 does not deliver the picture quality of Lumix, but it is still very acceptable.) If long battery life is not an important concern 4 you, you will find the Lumix 2 be an excellent choice.
I do not have the space 2 review all four cameras properly & mention each of their good points, so I will limit this 2 mostly a couple of downside issues I saw in each:
** CoolPix: This snapper probably would get my vote 4 best overall images, HOWEVER, it has a very annoying - & 4 me, hard-to-use -spin/scroll-wheel control, is slowest 2 focus, slowest 2 record image, has ill designed internal software menus, manual controls are lacking, & it has a horribly short battery life.
** Powershot: Obvious barrell distortion due 2 the lens (why Canon, why?!), more noise in high ISO photos than Nikon or Lumix, oddly designed rounded body does not allow the camera 2 stand upright (for selftimer 4 example).
** Exilim: This camera has a lot going 4 it - especially great software & incredible battery life that seems 2 go on-and-on-and-on, HOWEVER, the photo quality is worst of the group with noticeable blue-purple haze at edges where highest contrast areas meet (e.g. sky & trees). This not visible if you are only viewing images on your computer screen at normal sizes, or are not making enlargements, but it is there none the less.
** Lumix: In most ways, best overall (and best reviewed) - - The images have extraordinary clarity 4 a camera in this price range. The Lumix image stabilization system & Venus engine is the same in this camera as in their high-end cameras, & it shows. Simply great! The camera also has a first-rate Leica Vario-Elmar lens with very little detectable distorion edge-to-edge in the frame (puts Canon 2 shame); & has wide-angle 4X optical & 7.1X digital zoom. The Auto Focus system sensor at low-light levels is unmatched by other cameras in this group. The flash is excellent. "Noise" is an issue with all snapper cameras at high ISO levels, & the Lumix no worse than any other brand. The auto-rotation of images in-camera is surprisingly good. The software Manual Override systems are outstanding (they deserve an award) - easy 2 learn & easier 2 use, & delivers pretty much what I am looking for. As 4 hardware, the Joy-Stick Control works so well, I expect that all companies will adopt this design in the future. I also find the camera body solid & attractive (but not a dazzler). It has no view finder - (they are useless on pocket models in my opinion, anyway) - but, the huge 3-inch viewing screen has four brightness levels.
The Lumix has 50MB of memory built-in. I use a 4GB SDHC SanDisk Extreme III with it, which runs fairly fast. (FYI: This Lumix cannot run 2GB SD cards.)
I have not tested video capabilities more than a couple of times, but has worked fine 4 me when tested in different modes.
The drawbacks about the Lumix are these:
* Out-of-the-box, especially in iA mode, photos are slightly "warm." I shot about 350 images outdoors over two perfect days, & the sky veered toward cyan rather than blue without adjustments. This won't bother most people, but it does me, although it can be corrected.
* In iA mode, the sensor will get confused in, 4 example, a green lawn with dappled sunlight - tough 4 any sensor - one image may shift warm 2 compensate 4 shadows, & the next cool 2 adjust 4 the sun, even when the position of the camera is not moved. (This isn't really a complaint, just an observation. To stop this from occurring, put the camera in "Normal" mode & create your own settings.)
* The images from my Lumix camera, in the farthest upper-right corner of the frame, appear very slightly underexposed - up 2 a half stop - compared 2 the rest of the image... but not all of the time. (I can't figure this out at all.) I can crop it out of prints or fix it in Photoshop when it occurs, but it is annoying.
* The battery life is only average, equal 2 PowerShot, but far shy of the amazing Exilim. I am only getting about 190 shots (no flash or playback), which is less than I expected, & less than advertised. - For me, the battery issue is the camera's biggest drawback because I had been used 2 consistently getting over 300 still shots on a charge that could last weeks in my old camera.
Overall: The Lumix DMC-FS20 gets 4 stars - - - I chose the Lumix & I am generally satisified, but after actually owning & using it, I would choose the Exilim EX-Z200 on a do-over because of its strongest point - stellar battery life, which is important 2 me when I travel. (Please note again: In my opinion, the Exilim EX-Z200 does not deliver the picture quality of Lumix, but it is still very acceptable.) If long battery life is not an important concern 4 you, you will find the Lumix 2 be an excellent choice.
Rating: 4 of 5
A good camera, but....
Before you get into this, please note that the 4 stars above should really be 3 & a half. I bought this camera as a replacement 4 my Casio Exilim EX-Z750, which was damaged by sand. I did a lot of research, & was almost set 2 buy the Canon SD870 IS, largely 4 the wide angle. However, while in the store, I saw the Lumix DMC-FS20, which had a more solid feeling than the Canon, & -to me- it also looked better.
There were only few reviews about the FS20 online (mainly good), & I had read good things about other Lumix models, so I ordered it. This camera is basically like the FS5, except 4 three things: the FS20 has a bigger LCD screen & a joystick-like control, instead of buttons; the FS5 has, among its accessories, an underwater case. The FS-20 is slightly bigger. The reason I went 4 the FS-20 was the joystick, with which I fell in love immediately.
The camera has a limited set of manual controls, which become even fewer if you choose the "intelligent" mode, so if you like being able 2 adjust most of your setting, this is not the camera 4 you. However, there are a few things one can set manually in the non-intelligent mode (and I discovered that I'd better use them), & quite a few scene modes (including one 4 sport). Not much can be done 2 the photos in the camera, but I use Paint Shop Pro, so I don' t mind.
Although I only had this camera 4 a few days (and not in a place where I can get great panoramic photos), I am, overall, pleased -but not delighted- with it:
What I like:
I am very impressed by the stabilizer. My previous camera did not have it and, boy, does it make a BIG difference!
Good close-ups: one can get really good, crisp photos at 5 cm. I took a pic of my shirt and, on zooming in, I could see all the threads, which was pretty neat. You get the fuzz on a peach, & all the details in a caterpillar (if you are so inclined).
In general, images are very crisp. I took a photo of a Word text on my laptop screen, & I could read it & see the pixels when zooming in on the camera screen. Did the same with a page from a paperback book, & it was perfectly readable & neat.
I took several photos of myself with the flash, & was pleasantly surprised by the absence of major red-eye -a rarity in these point-and-shoot models (I have brown eyes -maybe it is different with blue or green eyes).
There is the possibility of changing the exposure & also of "bracketing", which means that you can set the range of exposure you want the camera 2 try, & it takes three photos in a row, from which you can pick the best.
The image quality is reasonable - but has problems (see below)
I like the wide angle (although it is not as wide as in the Canon (30 mm here, vs. 28 mm in the Canon)). I only tried it on rather uninspiring landscapes, however.
The previously mentioned joystick is great 2 use.
The manual is on paper, which meant that I actually read it, & discovered things I would never have found out otherwise.
The software included with the camera includes a program 2 make panoramas & stitch together photos (the Canon has a similar feature). I was fairly impressed by it, because it actually stitched together a couple of sets of photos I had taken before, without having this in mind. Sometimes, however, the program picks photos that really do not match, so check your results....
It has face recognition (it even recognizes faces on TV).
It comes with a 4X optical zoom (most of the small models come with 3, although some have 5 or 7). It is not the fastest on the planet, although it has a button 4 fast complete extension.
What I do not like:
It does not have a viewfinder (although I knew this upon buying it, of course). The LCD screen is nice in good light but, in sunlight, I really miss a viewfinder.
So far, most of the images I wanted 2 keep needed some retouching (so did most of those taken with my previous camera, however). The colors were at times dull (I used mostly standard colors), & the auto white balance does not always work properly (this was specified in the manual). It can be set manually, although you need 2 have something white at hand 4 that, & this improves things somewhat. Generally, indoor shots seemed under-exposed, but exposure can be adjusted.
When taking an indoor photo of a white piece of paper during the day, I noticed that the corners tend 2 be darker than the middle (also without flash), even if no shadow was visible 2 me. This, too, improves a little by fiddling with white balance & exposure. Outdoors this is much less of a problem.
The speed (or lack thereof) of the card when you connect the camera 2 your PC is a shortcoming. I generally dislike the photo viewers that come with cameras, & I tend 2 use the camera as an external drive. If you do this, don't even think of rotating a picture while you pretend that this is a USB drive, because your youth will be gone before the thing has rotated 90 degrees... Looking at the images is also painfully slow, & the software that comes with the camera only speeds things up a little, but it is slow 2 start. Fortunately, you can neatly delete multiple pics (even not in sequence) on the camera in few strokes, & I suggest you be selective before you connect 2 your PC.
Although viewing your photos on the 3-inch screen is great, that's a lot of real estate 2 leave your fingerprints on. The camera can hardly be handled without touching the screen, which occupies most of the back.
Battery life is about 270 photos (and I stressed the battery quite a bit by using flash & playback a lot). This is as promised, & the large LCD probably eats up a lot of energy. This is worse than my Casio, but better than other cameras with similar features - so not quite a negative.
Overall, I like this camera, but you should be prepared 2 retouch several of your images. Also, don't expect the whitest of whites if lighting is not optimal. The manual settings may be too few 4 those who like them & too many 4 those who don't (although one can just use the intelligent mode, even if that will not always be satisfactory).
Thank you 4 getting 2 the end of this long review. I hope it helps those who are trying 2 make up their mind....
There were only few reviews about the FS20 online (mainly good), & I had read good things about other Lumix models, so I ordered it. This camera is basically like the FS5, except 4 three things: the FS20 has a bigger LCD screen & a joystick-like control, instead of buttons; the FS5 has, among its accessories, an underwater case. The FS-20 is slightly bigger. The reason I went 4 the FS-20 was the joystick, with which I fell in love immediately.
The camera has a limited set of manual controls, which become even fewer if you choose the "intelligent" mode, so if you like being able 2 adjust most of your setting, this is not the camera 4 you. However, there are a few things one can set manually in the non-intelligent mode (and I discovered that I'd better use them), & quite a few scene modes (including one 4 sport). Not much can be done 2 the photos in the camera, but I use Paint Shop Pro, so I don' t mind.
Although I only had this camera 4 a few days (and not in a place where I can get great panoramic photos), I am, overall, pleased -but not delighted- with it:
What I like:
I am very impressed by the stabilizer. My previous camera did not have it and, boy, does it make a BIG difference!
Good close-ups: one can get really good, crisp photos at 5 cm. I took a pic of my shirt and, on zooming in, I could see all the threads, which was pretty neat. You get the fuzz on a peach, & all the details in a caterpillar (if you are so inclined).
In general, images are very crisp. I took a photo of a Word text on my laptop screen, & I could read it & see the pixels when zooming in on the camera screen. Did the same with a page from a paperback book, & it was perfectly readable & neat.
I took several photos of myself with the flash, & was pleasantly surprised by the absence of major red-eye -a rarity in these point-and-shoot models (I have brown eyes -maybe it is different with blue or green eyes).
There is the possibility of changing the exposure & also of "bracketing", which means that you can set the range of exposure you want the camera 2 try, & it takes three photos in a row, from which you can pick the best.
The image quality is reasonable - but has problems (see below)
I like the wide angle (although it is not as wide as in the Canon (30 mm here, vs. 28 mm in the Canon)). I only tried it on rather uninspiring landscapes, however.
The previously mentioned joystick is great 2 use.
The manual is on paper, which meant that I actually read it, & discovered things I would never have found out otherwise.
The software included with the camera includes a program 2 make panoramas & stitch together photos (the Canon has a similar feature). I was fairly impressed by it, because it actually stitched together a couple of sets of photos I had taken before, without having this in mind. Sometimes, however, the program picks photos that really do not match, so check your results....
It has face recognition (it even recognizes faces on TV).
It comes with a 4X optical zoom (most of the small models come with 3, although some have 5 or 7). It is not the fastest on the planet, although it has a button 4 fast complete extension.
What I do not like:
It does not have a viewfinder (although I knew this upon buying it, of course). The LCD screen is nice in good light but, in sunlight, I really miss a viewfinder.
So far, most of the images I wanted 2 keep needed some retouching (so did most of those taken with my previous camera, however). The colors were at times dull (I used mostly standard colors), & the auto white balance does not always work properly (this was specified in the manual). It can be set manually, although you need 2 have something white at hand 4 that, & this improves things somewhat. Generally, indoor shots seemed under-exposed, but exposure can be adjusted.
When taking an indoor photo of a white piece of paper during the day, I noticed that the corners tend 2 be darker than the middle (also without flash), even if no shadow was visible 2 me. This, too, improves a little by fiddling with white balance & exposure. Outdoors this is much less of a problem.
The speed (or lack thereof) of the card when you connect the camera 2 your PC is a shortcoming. I generally dislike the photo viewers that come with cameras, & I tend 2 use the camera as an external drive. If you do this, don't even think of rotating a picture while you pretend that this is a USB drive, because your youth will be gone before the thing has rotated 90 degrees... Looking at the images is also painfully slow, & the software that comes with the camera only speeds things up a little, but it is slow 2 start. Fortunately, you can neatly delete multiple pics (even not in sequence) on the camera in few strokes, & I suggest you be selective before you connect 2 your PC.
Although viewing your photos on the 3-inch screen is great, that's a lot of real estate 2 leave your fingerprints on. The camera can hardly be handled without touching the screen, which occupies most of the back.
Battery life is about 270 photos (and I stressed the battery quite a bit by using flash & playback a lot). This is as promised, & the large LCD probably eats up a lot of energy. This is worse than my Casio, but better than other cameras with similar features - so not quite a negative.
Overall, I like this camera, but you should be prepared 2 retouch several of your images. Also, don't expect the whitest of whites if lighting is not optimal. The manual settings may be too few 4 those who like them & too many 4 those who don't (although one can just use the intelligent mode, even if that will not always be satisfactory).
Thank you 4 getting 2 the end of this long review. I hope it helps those who are trying 2 make up their mind....
Simply set the 10.1-megapixel DMC-FS20 2 iA mode & let the four Intelligent Auto functions team up 2 help prevent shooting errors. Intelligent Scene Selector chooses the mode that best fits the situation; MEGA Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) helps prevent blurring from hand-shake; Intelligent ISO Control helps prevent motion blur; & Face Detection helps produce clear portraits by optimizing the focus & exposure settings. The 30mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with 4x optical zoom takes wider shots than an ordinary 35mm lens. This is helpful in small rooms or crowded places, 4 example, letting you fit more people into a group photo. There's also an Easy Zoom button on the camera top - just press it, & the optical zoom & Extra Optical Zoom instantly extend 2 full telescopic position. This quick zooming lets you catch even fleeting opportunities. The brightness & contrast of the large 3.0" diagonal LCD adjust automatically in 10 steps as ambient light conditions change, so images are clear, bright & easy 2 see day or night, indoors or outdoors. f=5.2-20.8mm (35mm Equiv. - 30-120mm) Focal Length 3.0 Diagonal Polycrystalline TFT LCD Display (230K dots) Focusing Area Normal - Wide 50cm/ Tele 100cm - infinity, Macro / Intelligent AUTO - Wide 10cm / Tele 100cm - infinity 8 - 1/2,000 sec. Starry Sky Mode - 15, 30, 60sec. Shutter Speed Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 (High Sensitivity Mode - Auto(1600 - 6400) ) ISO 27MB Internal Memory (additional memory recommended 2 store more photos & video) Built-in Microphone & Speaker SD/SDHC, MultiMedia Card Slot Built-in Flash with Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off modes DC Input, AV Output (NTSC/PAL), USB Connections PictBridge Compatible Approximate Battery Life - 310 pictures (CIPA Standard) Approximate Unit Weight - 0.319 lbs
($160.00)
Buy Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20S 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver) Now!
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