Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 First Impressions Review

Connectivity
Software
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 does come with included software for post-production image editing. The camera comes with ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker and ArcSoft PhotoBase software applications. They are certainly not as extensive as the controls found on PhotoShop, but they should at least be a functional starting point for the casual user.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 manages to provide users with jacks and ports on the small camera body without exporting these features to a clumsy and breakable dock, a common solution to the problem of shrinking cameras without reducing functionality. The ports on the right side of the camera are beneath a port cover; when opened, it reveals two well placed ports, an A/V / USB out port and a DC in port. On the base of the camera is a port cover with a lock, which conceals the rechargeable lithium-ion battery and SD memory card slot. This cover is well designed and users needn’t worry about it accidentally unlocking and exposing these features.

Direct Print Options
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 is PictBridge compliant and connects directly to a printer via the USB out located on the right side of the body. Printing is accomplished through the playback menu, but a dedicated external button would’ve been preferable.

Battery
On the bottom of the camera, beneath the same port cover that protects the memory card, is the Lithium-ion Battery Pack for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01. This battery will supposedly provide users with 230 shots per battery charge, and although recharging takes longer than putting in new disposable batteries, the drastically higher shot count of this battery type in comparison to alkaline models makes this a far superior option for most users.

Memory
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 accepts SD memory cards via the slot located beneath the port cover on the base of the camera. Although no internal memory is included with the FX01, this camera does come with a 16MB memory card. If extended shooting, high resolution stills or video files are expected to be shot with this camera, the purchase of extra memory will be a wise investment since 16 MB isn’t going to suffice for very long.

Other Features
MEGA Optical Image Stabilization - The DMC-FX01, like all of Panasonic’s current Lumix offerings comes equipped with an optical image stabilization system that is heavily marketed by Panasonic throughout their camcorder and digital camera lines. The FX01 comes with MEGA O.I.S, which can be engaged when shooting with shaking or unstable conditions resulting from cars, caffeine or earthquakes. It is enabled via the image stabilization button in the front right corner on the top of the camera.

16:9 Image Format - Although Panasonic camcorders aren’t able to produce 16:9 in their lower-end models, the FX01 digital still camera can shoot in both 4:3 and 16:9 formats when recording both still images and video clips. These formats can be selected within the aspect ratio submenus listed within the record menu.