Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50

Color (9.87)
Equipped with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50, proper studio lighting, and a GretagMacbeth color chart, we tested the camera’s ability to reproduce accurate colors. We took several pictures of the chart using the FX50, then uploaded them into Imatest Imaging Software, which analyzed them and compared the pictures to the original version. The program modified the chart, shown below, to show the original colors in the vertical rectangle of each tile. The Panasonic FX50’s colors are shown in the outer square of each tile, with the inner square showing the ideal color as corrected for luminance by the software.

Nothing looks awful in the chart, but just to be sure our eyes aren’t fooling us, Imatest output another more quantitative chart. This graph shows the ideal colors of the original GretagMacbeth chart as squares. The FX50’s colors are depicted as circles. The two shapes are tethered together with a line that represents the degree of error; sometimes only the circle shows up because it is directly atop the square, meaning that the particular color is very accurate.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50 performed extremely well with an impressive overall color score of 9.87. In general, Panasonic cameras have been getting better and better at reproducing colors without completely over-saturating them. The FX50 had a mean color error of 6.77 and over-saturated by 11.4 percent, which is still within normal limits. These results are much better than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX5’s 8.58 color score, 6.99 mean color error, and 37.9 percent over-saturation.

The Panasonic FX50 has three color modes, but these results come from the default Standard color mode. There are Natural and Vivid color modes as well; these basically tweak the saturation of the colors more than anything else. The first mode dulls colors and the latter mode boosts it.

Still Life Scene
Below is a shot of our still life scene, captured with the Pansonic Lumix DSC-FX50.

Click on the image above to view the full size image.

Resolution (2.40)
The Panasonic comes with an advertised 7.2 megapixels of resolution on its image sensor. Because not all sensors are created equal and some pixels are more effective than others, we tested the FX50’s resolution with an industry standard resolution chart. In our optimal studio lighting, we took pictures of the chart and uploaded them into Imatest. The program analyzed the files and determined how many pixels were used in each.

Imatest output the results in units of line widths per picture height (lw/ph). This measurement shows how many alternating black and white lines of equal thickness the camera can image without blurring them together. The image sensor isn’t the only component to play a part in resolution either; the Leica lens has to "see" a sharp picture and not distort it.

Click on the chart above to view the full resolution image

We took lots of pictures of the resolution chart at various focal lengths and apertures, but the sharpest picture was taken using a focal length of 16.8 mm and an aperture of f/5.6. On the longer horizontal plane of the image, the FX50 resolved 1342 lw/ph and under-sharpened by 12.6 percent. On the vertical plane, the camera read 1232 lw/ph and under-sharpened by 17.2 percent. This performance is disappointing, especially when compared to other compact digital cameras with similar pixel counts. For example, the Canon PowerShot A620 read 1708 lw/ph horizontally and 1787 lw/ph vertically. The Panasonic Lumix FX50 received a poor resolution score of 2.40 and shouldn’t be counted on for printing enlargements.

Noise – Auto ISO (4.18)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50 did a decent job metering the brightly lit scene, as it automatically chose an ISO 100 setting. However, the FX50’s ISO 100 setting has more noise than most other models. So instead of achieving an amazing score, the camera received an average automatic ISO noise score of 4.18.

Noise – Manual ISO (10.63)
The FX50 has sensitivity options ranging from 100 to 1250. We tested the noise level at each of these while shooting in optimal lighting. The noise levels are depicted on the vertical axis of the chart below, with the manual ISO settings on the horizontal axis.

There is a steady curve across the entire range. Images are good and usable through the ISO 800 setting, but get muddled at the highest 1250 setting. We used the results of each ISO’s noise level and input them all into a regression analysis, which came up with the overall manual ISO noise score of 10.63. This is very respectable and shows a big improvement over previous Panasonic digital cameras. The noise control may could be better, however, it is at the expense of detail. Pictures weren’t nearly as sharp as other manufacturers’ models at ISO 400.

Low Light (6.0)
All of our other testing is done in perfect studio lighting. Because most point-and-shooters won’t snap pictures in optimal studio lighting every day, we switched things up by testing the camera in low light. We dimmed the lights to 60, 30, 15 and 5 lux. Many photographers shoot at 60 lux, which is about the lighting found after dusk in a softly lit living room. 30 lux is also common; many restaurants turn the lights down after dusk to the point that reading the menu is a stretch. 15 and 5 lux are uncommonly dark, but show us any limitations the image sensor may have.

There are several ways to shoot pictures in low light without the flash. We mounted the Panasonic FX50 on a tripod to keep it from shaking, used the self-timer to eliminate any shake from pushing the shutter release button, and used the optical image stabilization system within the camera. We also boosted the ISO to its top setting: 1250. Below are the color charts as shot in 60, 30, 15, and 5 lux, respectively.

All of the images remain illuminated and fairly well focused in low light. While subjects will be visible in low light, they will be plagued by the awful noise that creeps into pictures with the higher ISO sensitivities.

Speed/Timing
Start-up to First Shot (7.81)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50 certainly isn’t very speedy. It takes 2.19 seconds to boot up, stick its telescoping Leica lens out, and snap its first shot. This is quite slow compared to other digital cameras, so users of the FX50 will have to have the camera powered up and ready to go long before any action takes place.

Shot to Shot (9.39)
The Panasonic FX50 has a so-called high-speed burst mode, but it snaps just over two frames a second. The camera took a shot every 0.41 seconds for its three-shot burst. The burst doesn’t last very long, so users need to be sure the action they want recorded isn’t going to last longer than a second and a half.

Shutter to Shot (7.4)
Like so many other compact models, the Panasonic FX50 has substantial shutter lag. The auto focus system takes its time.― 0.8 seconds of time, to be exact. This shutter lag will surely capture more than a few blinked eyes.