Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 First Impressions Review

Auto Mode
Auto mode for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 is accessed by turning the jog dial to the rec. mode, represented with a red camera icon. This mode also lets users adjust manual controls, image size/quality and other features since there isn’t a separate manual mode for this camera. Manual options in auto mode include: flash mode, exposure compensation, AE bracketing, white balance, AF modes and ISO. The auto focus settings for the camera performed with speed and accuracy when shooting was done in well lit scenes, although the camera did take a few moments for focal adjustment in low light. Check back in the coming months to see the full review when we can better test auto mode efficiency and accuracy when it comes to low light, white balance and color accuracy.

Movie Mode
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 does come with a movie mode option for users to shoot video clips with simultaneous mono audio recording. The movie mode is entered by turning the jog dial on the back of the camera to the film camera icon. The movie mode allows three image sizes to be engaged, two with 4:3 aspect ratios and one with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. These image sizes have frame rates of 30 fps. To ascertain and alter image ratios the user must enter the rec. menu where the aspect ratio submenu is located. The following options are provided: 320 x 240, 640 x 480 or 848 x 480. The user of the FX01 will also find that the color effects options found in still mode are also accessible when shooting video clips. Audio is recorded via the microphone on the top of the camera and while this is not a great position for recording frontal audio, the noise produced by the mechanics of the lens barrel won’t be picked up during recording.

Drive / Burst Mode
To access the burst mode the user must press the burst button beneath the four-way controller. According to Panasonic, the FX01 will shoot in either standard mode for 8 images at an approximate rate of 2 to 3 frames per second while the fine mode will shoot 6 frames at the same rate.

Playback Mode
Playback mode may be entered through two controls. The jog dial, located in the upper right corner on the back of camera, easily turns and allows the user to select the playback setting from amongst its shooting options. The second way of entering review/playback mode is through the down arrow of the four-way control, which doubles as the review button when the camera is in regular shooting modes and not entered into a menu structure.

Once the FX01 is in playback mode, the user has access to images as singles, in groups of 9 or 25 or in a calendar view that allows the user to navigate photos by date taken. Moving between display setups is simple with the zoom ring surrounding the shutter button on the top of the camera body. If a single image is zoomed in upon the camera is capable of providing 4x, 8x and 16x playback digital zoom levels. The playback feature also displays image information that includes aperture, shutter speed, date captured and histograms.

Although not as extensive as the separate image editing software included with the camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 does possess some in-camera editing abilities to allow the user to resize, trim and rotate images.

Custom Image Presets
If users find themselves acclimated to the auto mode of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 but still not quite comfortable enough to enter into manual control operations, a handful of preset shooting modes will allow the user to tailor shooting parameters to better suit more complicated lighting situations. To enter the scene mode setting, the jog dial needs to be turned to the appropriate icon. Once this mode is entered the user can immediately scan the presented scene options to select a mode which fits the parameters of the composition.

The scene modes are presented in a list form within an opaque menu and are described with a simple illustration as well as a full text label. The camera also provides an additional info screen that displays a full description of when and how each mode can be used. The preset shooting options for the FX01 are portrait, sports, food, scenery, night scenery, night portrait, baby, soft skin, fireworks, party, snow and self portrait. These options should appropriately cover many situations, and while it’s not a 33-preset list (ahem, Casio) the short list at least means that you will be able to scan through all the options sometime before judgment day.