Model Design / Appearance
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 is a handsome digital camera with a uniform, sleek design. Just on looks alone, the Lumix FS20 is tempting for point-and-shooters seeking an eye-pleasing camera. The camera is available in pink, black, and silver color options.
Size / Portability
Portability is certainly one of the FS20’s strong suits. The Lumix camera weighs less than a third of a pound at 5.1 ounces. Users can easily slip this digital camera into a pocket for transport. All the ports are properly covered for safekeeping.
Handling Ability
Panasonic has a history of giving its point-and-shooters a comfortable, easy-to-handle body. Unfortunately, the DMC-FS20 lacks the hand grip and the larger, accessible controls of its predecessors. Instead, the FS20 replaces those key components with a tiny sliver of a right hand grip, itty bitty buttons, and an ineffective joystick. The large LCD takes the place of would-be available real estate for left hand control. Overall, handling is poor for extended shooting, but should suffice for an occasional snapshot here and there.
Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
There is no worse control on a digital camera than the joystick. Guess what the Panasonic Lumix FS20 uses? Panasonic replaces the traditional four-way controller (also called multi-selector) with a joystick control, more akin to some Kodak pocket cameras. While the joystick, on first sight, might appeal to gamers, the joystick is difficult to control. The joystick is much too sensitive and oftentimes inappropriately selects the wrong menu function if held down a second too long or shifted slightly. Not only is the joystick ineffective, it can be infuriating to use. Bring back the four-way controller, please, Panasonic.
Most of the controls on the back of the camera have been shrunk down to Alice-in-Wonderland proportions to accommodate the large 3-inch LCD monitor. While everyone loves a healthy-sized screen, the tiny buttons are a hassle to use. The FS20 replaces the main mode dial, typically located on the top of the camera, with an itty bitty mode button on the back of the camera, which requires the user to select the mode via the internal menu.
Menu
Panasonic has one of the most easy-to-use menu systems out there for digital cameras. The Lumix FS20 keeps that tradition alive. The font is large and easy to read, targeted for beginner shooters. The menus are divided into only two tabbed submenus, Record and Setup. Instead of the red, white, and blue scheme of previous Panasonics, the FS20 simplifies that background to all white and uses colored accent tabs. Most items are properly labeled. There are some icons that might need deciphering for first-time users, including the white balance, compression, LCD mode, and autofocus settings. In general, though, the menu system is simple and helpful for first-time users.
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Rec
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Pict. Size
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10M, 7M EZ, 5M EZ, 3M EZ, 2M EZ, 0.3 M EZ
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Quality
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Fine and Standard (icons)
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Aspect Ratio
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4;3, 3:2, 16:9
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ISO Intelligent ISO
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Off, ISO Max 400, ISO Max 800, ISO Max 1600
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ISO Sensitivity
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Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
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White Balance
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Auto WB, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set (custom white balance)
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AF Mode
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Face Detect, 1-point, 1-point high speed, 9-point
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Quick AF
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Off, On
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Burst
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Off, 4-image Burst, High Speed Burst
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Digital Zoom
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Off, On
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Col. Mode
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Standard, Natural, Vivid, B/W, Sepia, Cool, Warm
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Stabilizer
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Off, Mode 1, Mode 2
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AF Assist Lamp
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Off, On
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Clock Set
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Year, Month, Day, Time
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Setup
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Clock Set
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Year, Month, Day, Time
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World Clock
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Destination, Home, Year, Month, Day, Time, Cancel, Select, Set
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Monitor
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+/- 3 steps (on sliding scale)
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LCD Mode
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Off, Auto Power LCD Mode, Power LCD Mode, High Angle Mode
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Beep
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Beep Level, Beep Tone, Shutter Vol., Shutter Tone
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Volume
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0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
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Guide Line
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Rec. Info., Pattern
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Travel Date
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Off, Set
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Economy
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Power Save (Off, 2 Min., 5 Min., 10 Min.), Auto LCD Off (Off, 15 sec., 30 sec.)
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Auto Review
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Off, 1 sec., 2 sec., Hold, Zoom
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No. Reset
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Yes, No
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Reset
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Yes, No
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USB Mode
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Select on Connection, PictBridge (PTP), PC
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Ease of Use
The Panasonic Lumix FS20 is a strange mix of exceptional and infuriating. The camera has a strong menu system and convenient portability. The unsuccessful control system, however, is so terribly convoluted that is hinders usability. Although it gains some brownie points for looks, those tiny buttons and awful joystick control would steer away both novice and advanced point-and-shooters.
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