Digital Photography Equipment Review—The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700 Camera

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700 is another camera that is knocking, even pounding, on the DSLR door. This Lumix model is both a simple compact and a camera that can shoot full-resolution video, which many DSLRs cannot. Add the DMC-FX700’s 5x Leica zoom lens, a touch-sensitive LCD screen, Full HD video and a price from many retailers of less than $200, and this camera could be the favorite of many kinds of photographers. Because Panasonic thinks this camera deserves to be compared to DSLRs, the DMC-FX700 is an excellent choice for the on-the-go lifestyle as well as a secondary, or back-up, camera for more serious photographers (even pros).

Read real customer reviews of the Lumix DCM-FX700 here.

The Attractive Features
With a 14.1 MP sensor, the DMC-FX700 can produce a high quality still image at a maximum pixel of 4320x3240. Then, switch to Full HD mode for AVDHD Lite video at 1920x1080 or 1280x720 pixel resolution. Shoot in Motion JPEG instead for 1280x720 or 320x240.

The touch-sensitive LCD screen will be a surprise for many photographers, but once they use it that fingertip control is a handy tool. Touch the appropriate symbol to select easily and quickly continuous-shooting modes, auto-focus (AF) modes, ISO and stabilizer settings, white balance and many other functions. Explore the touch screen further and you’ll discover you can drive the zoom as well as choose Program AE metering, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual and scene modes.

Read more about Panasonic’s touch screen feature on another of its camera in the PhotographyTalk.com article, Photography Equipment Review—The Panasonic DMC-GH2 Camera, Part 1 and Part 2.

Continuous shooting is very versatile. Shoot as many as 15 full-image photos at as much as 10 frames per second (fps). That speed increases to 40 or 60 fps with a smaller image size. The DMC-FX700 is also fully capable of recording a burst of still frames while in movie mode.

ISO settings to 400 produce images with very little noise, but increase it to ISO 800 and you’ll have to be more selective about what you shoot because the resolution will suffer at that ISO level. Generally, most photographers won’t like the results at ISO 1,600.

The DMC-FX700 is fully powered for its first exposure in approximately two seconds; additional shots can be fired as fast as the shutter is released.

A Few Negatives

Some barrel distortion occurs at the wide end of the zoom, plus a bit of pincushioning at the telephoto end.
You can’t perform in-camera panorama stitching, which some comparable models will. The DMC-FX700 does have a panorama assist mode that will help you create that effect in photo-editing software.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700 Specifications

Image Sensor: 14.1 million effective pixels.
Metering: Intelligent multiple.
Sensor Size: 11mm MOS.
Lens: Leica DC Vario-Summicron f/2.2–5.9, 4.3–21.5mm.
Exposure Modes: Auto, Program AE, shutter and aperture priority, manual.
Shutter Speed: 60 to 1/2,000th second.
Burst Speed: 2, 5, 10, 40, 60fps.
Memory: SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, plus 40MB internal memory.
Image Sizes (pixels): 4320x3240 to 480x480. Movies: 1920x1080i/p, 1280x720p, 848x480, 640x480, 320x240 at 30fps.
Viewfinder: 3-inch LCD screen (230,000 pixels).
File Formats: JPEG, AVCHD/QuickTime Motion JPEG.
Color Space: Adobe RGB and sRGB.
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 6,400.
Interface: USB 2.0, AV, HDMI mini, DC input.
Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, AC adaptor.
Dimensions: 4”x2.2”x1” (104x56x25mm) WHD.
Weight: Approximately 6.2 oz. (176g) (with battery).

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700 is a wonderful combination of compactness and many excellent features; and at a price point that makes it affordable for many casual photographers who aren’t yet ready to commit to a DSLR. They may never be necessary once they buy and use this camera.

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Digital Photography Equipment Review—The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700 Camera