Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 First Impressions Review

Auto Mode
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 has an automatic shooting mode called “Intelligent Auto,” represented by a red iA switch.  Intelligent Auto combines image stabilization, face detection, continuous AF, and the Intelligent Scene Selector as a one-touch capture mode. In this automatic mode, certain functions are turned off for simplicity. Menu options include Picture Size (reduced to only a few: 10M, 5M, 3M, and 0.3 M), Aspect Ratio, Burst, Color, and Stabilizer. Flash options are reduced to Auto and Forced Off.  For the most part, the iA mode works well, although users might want to consider turning off the flash for close-up objects that can get overexposed.

Movie Mode
Called “Motion Picture,” the Movie mode records at 30 or 10 frames per second (fps) at QVGA quality (320 x 240) at 4:3 ratio in QuickTime Motion JPEG. The QVGA quality is ideal for low-res posting to the Web, but most digital cameras have higher quality video modes at VGA quality. 

The Panasonic FS20 spec sheet reports the camera is also capable of VGA quality (640 x 480) and wide 16:9 movie capture, but the pre-production unit we looked at didn’t have those features. When asked about the missing movie features, Panasonic representatives took note and said they would get back to us about VGA and 16:9 video shooting. At the time of publication, we had not heard back; we'll update this section when we do.

Because the FS20 lacks a main mode dial like some other Panasonic point-and-shoots, users have to access the Movie mode through the tiny “mode” button. That makes the Movie mode a bit hidden, but once users know where to access the feature, it isn’t difficult to find.  

Drive / Burst Mode
For full resolution photos, the FS20 captures at 2.5 fps for up to four photos in fine compression mode or up to seven photos in standard compression mode.  

The camera can capture at a faster burst called High Speed for up to 10 frames per second, but like Barry Bonds’ home run record, the fast burst rate comes with an asterisked footnote. That 10 fps rate is only applicable when resolution is cut to 2 MB (for 4:3 and 16:9) or 2.5 MB (for 3:2).

 

Users can adjust burst shooting through the main Record menu for 4-Image Burst or High-Speed Burst. High-Speed burst is accessed through first the mode button, then either Scene mode 1 or 2. It’s a bit hidden whereas other Panasonic cameras have a dedicated button for the burst. 

 

Like most burst shooting, flash is disabled to save time that would otherwise be wasted on recharging the flash. Therefore, burst is only useful in properly lit situations.

 

The self-timer operates on a 2- or 10-second delay.

 

Users can access playback functions via the “display” button. Users can view their images as 12- or 20-thumbnail indexes, calendar view, or as single frames. As single images, users can zoom up to 16x and make edits such as rotate, resize, and trimming. 

 

The LCD displays the following EXIF data with each image: aperture, shutter speed, flash setting, white balance, ISO, date and time, file name, resolution, compression, and storage location (internal memory or memory card).

 

 

There is additional Setup menu that can also be accessed through the Record mode.

 

Overall, the Playback menu offers a standard feature set for built-in editing and viewing. That should make it easy for users to carry around their FS20 as a portable photo album or for direct printing with PictBridge-compatible printers.

The Lumix DMC-FS20 has 21 Scene modes. That’s a pretty healthy dose of scene options without overwhelming the user with too many choices for automatic shooting modes. The FS20 has plenty of presets for different outdoor and indoor, day and night conditions. 

 

The FS20 includes an Intelligent Scene Selector. It’s the most auto of the automatic modes. Bless Panasonic for its overuse of the word “Intelligent” – Intelligent Auto, Intelligent ISO, Intelligent Scene Selector. The scene selector detects ambient light and automatically chooses from six of the existing 21 Scene modes: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait, or Night Scenery. The Intelligent Scene Selector is only really useful for those who can’t figure out how to change the custom image presets. 

 

 

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