Panasonic DMC-FS20 Digital Camera Review

Panasonic DMC-FS20

Digital Camera Review

Feb 02, 2008 - By Karen M. Cheung
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. 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.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20
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
 
 
Conclusion
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.
Overall Impressions Page 10 of 10
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