Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33A 8.1MP Digital Camera (Blue) Review
This camera just feels good. This particular (black) body is rubberized (but all-metal underneath the rubber coat), something not apparent in the pictures or description. It’s a small camera, smaller than the Canon SD870, but not as small as the Canon SD1000. Slim and pocketable, easily.
I was trying to decide between these three cameras, and I got the Lumix because of it’s optical image stabilization (SD1000 does not have this) and because it felt better in my hands than the SD870.
This camera has a wide-angle lens (28mm equivalent), which REALLY makes a difference when you’re taking a group picture in a small room or trying to fit a cathedral into a shot when you’re standing in front of it.
Optical image stabilization will help remove your hand jitter in low-light situations. Possibly the best new, real feature to hit digital cameras since 7 megapixel resolution.
The other major feature on this camera is the new “Intelligent Auto” mode which works great, but it basically detects between 4 different scenes, not every single scene mode as I was led to believe. Face detection really does work, but I don’t think it’s any better than any other autofocus system.
Image quality is average, whatever that means. For a point and shoot though, nobody should be expecting SLR-quality shots on such a tiny camera, tiny lens, and tiny CCD sensor. I think it’s ridiculous how anyone expects SLR quality at all. Physics people! So for it’s size, the pictures come out great, and I am not disappointed.
Video quality is great – it supports a really high 848×480 (widescreen) resolution, higher than most (if not all) other compacts out there right now. The audio quality does suck. To me, it sounds like it’s underwater compared to my old Sony or Nikon digital compacts. However, it’s good enough, and if you want better, get a real camcorder. Caveat – the “Video” mode is on the opposite side of the mode dial from “Picture” mode. Somebody missed the usability memo.
Screen is sharp and is covered by glass, not plastic. This means greater scratch resistence, but since the glass protrudes a little from the body of the camera itself, it might also attract more scratches, too.
The only major downside to this camera is that from power-on until picture-taken, it’s about 3-4 seconds. This is bad for when you just have to get that once-in-a-lifetime shot. However, if that moment only lasted 3 seconds, I don’t think anyone could have gotten a good picture of it.
Look to this camera as a real alternative to the insanely popular Canon digital elph line. Hands down, Lumix cameras look cooler and have all the important features Canon has. I agonized between Canon and Panasonic, but I have no regrets with my choice. Do it!
Product Description
The Panasonic DMC-FX33A Lumix 8.1 Megapixel Digital Camera comes equipped with advanced Mega O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilization that detects even the tiniest camera movement so it can automatically adjust the lens to compensate. Get clear pictures every time without any loss of image detail or clarity with Mega O.I.S. This camera will not only help eliminate blurring from hand-shake or subject movement, but it will also automatically detect up to 15 faces to select the focus, exposure and scene modes for the best results. Intelligent ISO lets Panasonic Lumix digital cameras capture crisp, clear images while your subject is moving. Intelligent Scene Selector will sense the ambient conditions and automatically select Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode accordingly to get beautiful results every time you shoot.Face Detection for Blur-Free Portraits Backlight Compensation at Intelligent Auto mode Burst Shooting Mode -Full-Resolution Image, 3 frames/sec Max. 7 images (Standard Mode), Max 4 images (Fine Mode) High-speed Burst Mode -approx. 7 frames/sec Built-in Flash Mode -Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction and Forced Off Shutter Speed -8 – 1/2,000 seconds Power Supply -Lithium-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, 1000 mAh) for up to 280 pictures Dimensions -Height 2.04” x Width 3.74” x Depth 0.87” Weight -0.29 pounds
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