Panasonic DMC-FS20

Viewfinder
The Panasonic Lumix DSC-FS20 has no optical viewfinder. The 3-inch LCD takes the place of an optical viewfinder for framing photos.

LCD
The Lumix FS20 is equipped with a generous 3-inch TFT LCD screen. The FS20’s LCD is one of the few differences between it and its sister, the FS5, which possesses a smaller 2.5-inch LCD. The FS20 has a screen resolution of 230,000 pixels. The 230,000-pixel count is the basic standard for most modern cameras, and the LCD displays images quite well with lots of detail. Users can change the monitor settings to Power LCD Mode at normal brightness or Auto Power LCD Mode, which dims the screen to conserve energy. The camera also includes a High Angle Mode that dims the brightness of the LCD with a fog-like overlay so users can still view the screen for Hail Mary shots or low-angle shots of concerts or other crowded events. The LCD offers advantages with good resolution and a healthy size.

Flash
The built-in flash can be turned on or off with red-eye reduction. Users can access flash control through the east directional on the multi-selector with the following four options: Auto, Auto/Red-Eye, Forced Flash On, and Forced Off. The flash is effective for a reported distance of 1.97 to 20.67 feet (0.6 to 6.3 meters) zoomed out or 0.98 to 10.17 feet (0.3 to 3.1 meters) zoomed in. To assist the flash, the camera has an assist beam that can be turned on or off. It is located at the very tip of the corner and may be prone to being blocked by the left hand.

Zoom Lens
The Panasonic FS20 is fitted with a 4x optical zoom lens, the Leica DC Vario-Elmar 1:3.3 – 5.8/ 5.2-20.8 ASPH. The lens on the Lumix FS20 uses an optical image stabilization system called the MEGA O.I.S., a lens-shifting technology that compensates for hand shake. Many other point-and-shoots skimp on this crucial feature; luckily, the FS20 has it.

It has a focal length of 30-120mm in 35mm film terms, which is a standard range on a point-and-shoot. Users can extend zoom with a dedicated Extra Zoom button for a total of 28.4x zoom. Buyers beware, though, that extra zoom is a digital zoom that downgrades the quality of the image to anywhere from 2 to 7 megapixels depending on focal length, reduced from a possible 10.1 effective megapixels.

Users can control zoom via the toggle that surrounds the shutter release. Zooming is smooth with minimal noise. The placement of the shutter relative to the extra zoom button isn’t laid out as well as it should be. The shutter release/zoom toggle and extra zoom locations should be inverted for easier control.

With the 4x optical zoom and optical image stabilization, the lens is one of the better features of this point-and-shoot - it out-specs competitor pocket cameras.

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