Panasonic DMC-FX580

	Product Tour
	Introduction	Page 2 of 8	Hardware

Overview

The Panasonic DMC-FX580 packs in a 5x optical zoom into its compact design. The 3-inch LCD screen takes up about 3/4 of the back of the camera and has touchscreen capabilities for nearly everything. Since the camera is small and rectangular, it doesn't have the best or tightest grip, but it's light and will easily fit into pockets of all sizes. The lens automatically retracts and extends when the camera is turned on and off.

The DMC-FX580 with lens extended

Front

The front of the DMC-FX580 is flat and silver, with the lens taking up half of the right side. The flash and autofocus-assist light flank the lens at the top left and top right.

The front of the DMC-FX580

Back

The LCD screen takes up 3/4 of the back of the camera and a collection of buttons line up to its right. At the top is a switch to go between playback and shooting mode. Beneath this are the mode and display button followed by a directional pad. Each button on the d-pad also has another function: up is exposure adjustment, right is flash control, down is macro focus, left is self-timer, and middle is menu/set. At the bottom of the back side is the quick-menu/trash button.

The LCD screen has touchscreen capability.

The LCD screen also functions as a touch screen for most adjustments and controls (except for the camera's main menu system).

Sides

The right side of the DMC-FX580 has a small bar at its top for connecting a wrist strap. Beneath this is a hinged door that opens to reveal the component-out and USB port. The door is a bit flimsy, but it doesn't feel too bad.

The right side has a port cover.

Only one little screw prevents the left side from being a flat, smooth swath of metal.

A lonely screw inhabits the left side.

Top

The top of the camera has your most important controls—the on/off switch, the shutter button, and the zoom toggle. An E Zoom button, which will automatically put the camera at its maximum zoom level, is located on the far right side.

The most important controls are on the top of the camera.

Bottom

The left portion of the bottom is a pop-out door that opens the battery and memory card compartment. The DMC-FX580 uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and captures photos to SD/SDHC memory cards. A tripod mount is on the far right.

The DMC-FX580 uses a rechargeable battery.