Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 review

Shutter lag measured 0.6 seconds in our high-contrast test and 1.1 seconds under low-contrast conditions, which mimic bright and dim shooting conditions respectively. At 12 megapixels, the burst mode clocked an average of 1.3 frames per second, but rose to 4.4fps when we lowered the pixel resolution to VGA.

Shooting speed (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Typical shot-to-shot time

Time to first shot

Shutter lag (typical)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100

1.4 

1.1 

0.4 

Canon Digital IXUS 950 IS

1.7 

1.2 

0.5 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W200

2.2 

1.6 

0.5 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100

2.3 

2.4 

0.6 

Image quality
Image quality is generally good, with sharp images, accurate-looking colours, a healthy amount of shadow detail, and consistently accurate white balance and exposures. However, noise remains one of Panasonic's weakest points. Even at the camera's lowest sensitivity setting of ISO 80, we saw noise in our test images. The noise is minimised in prints but is readily noticeable when viewing images at full size on computer monitors.

The noise is less obvious on subjects with texture, such as the plush ape in our test scene, but creates a mottled look on dark-coloured smooth surfaces, such as the navy-blue toy car in the same scene. Panasonic's noise-reduction algorithms manage to keep noise under control up to ISO 200 with only very slight falloffs in sharpness and shadow detail. At ISO 400, noise bumps up, colours start to wash out and shadow detail begins to decline, but images are definitely still usable.

At ISO 800, conditions worsen as both sharpness and shadow detail deteriorate, though you'll likely still be able to get pleasing 100x150mm (4x6-inch) prints. At both ISO 1,250 and ISO 1,600, noise becomes very heavy and sharpness and shadow detail take a nose dive. We suggest staying below ISO 800 whenever possible and below ISO 1,250 altogether. That said, Panasonic is doing a much better job at combating noise than it did even a couple of years ago. Given that this is a 12-megapixel compact camera, we were surprised at the results it produced.

Conclusion
Considering the usefulness of the 28mm wide-angle lens, the convenience of the Intelligent ISO mode, and the FX100's impressive white balance and metering, this camera is a good choice if you feel you absolutely must have a 12-megapixel compact camera.

You probably don't need so many pixels, however. If you don't plan on cropping heavily or making extremely large prints, you'd be better served going for a camera with a lower megapixel count and better noise results, such as the Canon Digital IXUS 950 IS or if you don't mind ultracompacts, Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T100, both of which cost around the same price as this Panasonic.

Additional editing by Nick Hide