Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 First Impressions Summary

As the headliner for the new FS-series, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 makes a daring entrance into an already packed point-and-shoot market. Panasonic launched the Lumix FS20 to service a broad audience of novice beginners to advanced point-and-shooters. The Panasonic FS camera sits above Panasonic�s budget LS and LZ line and just under the higher-end TZ series. What does the FS20 have to offer in an already crowded shelf of competing cameras? The 10.1-megapixel Panasonic FS20 has a 4x optical zoom Leica lens and 3-inch LCD, along with optical image stabilization, face detection, and a sleek body. The FS debutante will retail for $299.95 when it ships in February 2008. Read on for our First Impressions review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 from the tradeshow floor of PMA 2008 in Las Vegas.

Overall Impressions

Value
At a near-$300 price point, the Panasonic Lumix FS20 is certainly not the least expensive camera around. Consumers can find digital cameras for as low as $150 new, including Panasonic�s LS-series and Fuji�s newly-launched budget J-series. At this value, the FS20 has some strong features, including wide shooting and optical image stabilization that is key for reducing blur. At the same price, though, consumers can find more attention-grabbing features such as more color options or the waterproof or shockproof abilities found on Olympus or Pentax cameras.

Who�s this Camera For?

• Point and Shooters � Chock-full of automatic modes in a portable body, the Panasonic Lumix FS20 certainly caters to this demographic.
• Budget Consumers � Not so much. The $299.95 price tag is on the higher end of pocket cameras. Thrifty shoppers can find cameras for about $150 with budget series cameras.
• Gadget Freaks � Technies prefer touch screen, waterproofing, or Wi-Fi capabilities that other, oftentimes more expensive cameras offer. None of those features are present in the Panasonic FS20.
• Manual Control Freaks � Not really. Users can�t control aperture or shutter speed, which are key components that advanced point-and-shooters might crave for absolute creative control.
• Pros / Serious Amateurs - No way. Professional photographers typically are attracted to SLRs and sometimes compact cameras with manual control to use as backup or vacation cameras.

Comparisons

The Panasonic Lumix FS20 will likely draw comparisons with other point-and-shoots announced at PMA 2008. New similarly-priced cameras include the Olympus Stylus 850 SW ($299.99), Nikon Coolpix S600 ($300), Sony Cyber-shot W170 ($299), and the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS ($249.99).

Conclusion

Likes

• Attractive design
• Optical image stabilization
• Large 3-inch LCD
• Easy to read menu system
• Fast, accurate autofocus
• Three aspect shooting ratios (16:9, 4;3, 3:2)
  

Dislikes

• Tiny buttons and lack of main mode dial
• Ineffective joystick control instead of a four-way controller
• Lack of comfortable grip / handling that previous Panasonic point-and-shoots possess
• Limited manual controls
• Near-$300 price tag

Our first impressions of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 are that it makes an unexciting entry into the pocket digital camera market. It does, though, earn some major points for looks and a generous 3-inch LCD, optical image stabilization, wide 16:9 shooting, and an impressively easy menu system.

The FS20, however, needs more attention-grabbing features to compete with other cameras at this price point, such as the Canon SD1100 IS and the Olympus stylus 1020. It lacks the comfortable handling associated with past Panasonic cameras. There are limited manual controls that most advanced point-and-shooters at this price point would desire. It might be worth it at a lower price, but at $299.95, it�s simply not enough to win over customers.

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