Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5

Model Design / Appearance (8.0)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5 contains a brushed exterior in cool gray, with polished silver highlight grips and lens barrel to add contrast. Rectangular and thin, this camera has been purposefully designed, with confident lines throughout that make for an elegant appearance.

Size/Portability (8.0)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5 fits easily in my palm or my pocket. The LCD screen might scratch easily, being raised from the body of the camera, but only extensive use can reveal whether this really will be a problem. It is lightweight, at approximately 6.53 ounces with both memory card and battery attached. Since the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5 uses a lithium ion rechargeable battery, it maintains a low weight even when in use, making it a comfortable 2 x 4.24 x 1.08-inch digital camera to hold.

Handling Ability (7.5)
Considering its small size, the overall handling of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5 is fairly smooth. Panasonic's Mega Optical Image Stabilizer or a tripod will make sure that slow shutter speeds or dark shots will not be compromised by hand motion, which is often an issue with a smaller camera. The FX5 is compact and comfortable, making it a dream to handle.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (6.5)
The positioning of the controls on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5 is logical and fairly ergonomically suited to my hand. The raised segment of the camera body around the LCD, and partially beneath the mode dial, allows for heightened ease on a feature my fingers are normally too large to smoothly use. This was perfect for quick mode changes, and allowed for precise control; I chose the mode I wanted to use the first time, not the fourth or fifth. On the down side, I wish camera manufacturers would take the time to consider the viewfinder more carefully when new cameras are produced. It’s positioned to perfectly rub my nose sweat onto the LCD screen when framing a shot, and its small size puts my eyelashes constantly in the way. There really is no practical application for the viewfinder, yet is seems to continuously be included for novelty purposes. The microphone is positioned in a place that is consistently handled, compromising the sound quality and eager to record stray fumbling. These two features greatly compromise the overall layout, as they allude to a less thoughtful approach to design and stay within the over-utilized basic "blueprint" and remain content to blend into the crowd.

Menu (6.5)
The menus for all control functions will appear on the LCD screen, allowing the user to view and toggle through options for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5. The menu options allow the user to control White Balance, ISO, Sharpness and Saturation, and Image Presets, among others. However, this camera falls short of the mark on many of the manual control settings that are standard features on other digital cameras in this price range. Also, the menu is fairly complicated in its layout and navigation, leaving me at times wondering whence I came and where I was going--a thought I prefer to ponder when I'm not dealing with a camera’s menu.

Ease of Use (7.5)
This camera's overall use and functions are fairly straightforward, with its sleek design and comfortable carrying capabilities. It’s not a complex camera, and if silly features like 10 second WAV files for audio are ignored, this camera could be a fairly strong contender in the point-and-shoot market, at least in the ease of use category.