Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150 review (black)

While I'm still on the fence on the value of a 14-megapixel resolution in a camera this small, the FX150 at least takes decent photos--especially at ISO 100. Photos are sharp in the center, though on the sides there's the distortion typical of a point-and-shoot lens, which results in softness there as well as a tendency to exhibit purple fringing. They display good detail, color, white balance, and exposure. There's also enough resolution to make cropping possible without a significant loss of quality. Global softness kicks in at ISO 200, but detail remains good through ISO 400. At ISO 800 detail and color are degraded because of the amount of noise, but should still be usable at small sizes and onscreen.

None of the 14-megapixel cameras we've tested has been a particularly fast performer, and the FX150 falls in the middle of its class. With a slide of the power switch, the FX150 is ready to shoot in 1.9 seconds. Focusing and shooting in good light takes 0.8 second and 1 second in less optimal conditions, both on the high side relative to its peers. Its shot-to-shot time is 2.4 seconds in JPEG and 2.5 seconds in raw. Turning on the flash adds 0.6 second to the time. The camera averaged 1.2 frames per second in CNET Labs' tests. It didn't feel quite as slow as the numbers suggest while I shot with it, however.

As mentioned earlier, the FX150 does have a 720p HD movie capture mode. The results look really good in comparison with other HD-capable compacts we've tested. However, its optical zoom is crippled while recording.

While the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150 doesn't offer much for shooters seeking manual controls, it isn't overly complicated to operate and provides a very satisfying point-and-shoot experience with plenty of features for experimentation.

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

Time to first shot

Typical shot-to-shot time (flash)

Typical shot-to-shot time

Shutter lag (dim)

Shutter lag (typical)

Samsung TL34HD

1.3 

2.5 

1.7 

0.8 

0.4 

Canon Powershot SD990 IS

1.8 

3.6 

1.9 

0.6 

0.5 

Nikon Coolpix S710

3.7 

4.1 

4 

0.8 

0.6 

Fujifilm FinePix F60fd

1.2 

3.2 

3 

0.8 

0.6 

Panasonic Lumix FX150

1.9 

3 

2.4 

1 

0.8