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CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 11/28/2005
- Released on: 09/15/2005
The camera's stabilization, which works using tiny mechanical sensors and lens motors that counter hand shake, really works wonders. Shots taken without a tripod or flash at 1/8-second shutter speeds were as sharp as shots taken at 1/30 or 1/60 second, the typical limits for handheld shooting. This feature, common to all current Panasonic models, is useful for indoor spaces like museums or theaters, where tripods and flash aren't usually allowed, as well as distant landscapes where a flash wouldn't reach anyway.
While the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 has excellent automatic white balance and solid color rendition, including natural, pleasing flesh tones, it does suffer from noticeable lens aberrations and image-processing artifacts--visible purple fringing in backlit and high-contrast scenes, for example. There is also significant vignetting, with not only the corners but also the sides of the image being a bit darker than the center. This is usually only visible with uniform backgrounds such as clear skies or walls, though. While generally clean at the camera's lowest sensitivity, ISO 80, areas of uniform color exhibit blotchiness that appears to be the result of poor blue-channel processing. At ISO 400, the camera's highest setting, a dithered fuzziness with yellowish noise patterns make some pictures look unsightly. The camera's optical stabilization, though, should eliminate the need to use ISO 400 in most situations.
Note the vignetting (dark areas around the edges) in the photo on the left and the severe fringing in the photo on the right.
Despite its jewel-like finish and solid build quality, the FX9 does suffer from some interface quirks in which cryptic icons and features will force you to read the instruction manual--not necessarily a bad thing. Once you're familiar with its functions, though, using the camera is a pleasure. There are 12 scene modes to help you shoot using the best settings, for example.
If you predominantly take snapshots at parties, concerts, bars, or other dimly lit indoor venues, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9's image stabilization makes it a great choice. Daylight denizens, however, may be frustrated by the artifacts that become visible in brightly lit shots.
Shooting speed in seconds
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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Shutter lag (typical) | |
Time to first shot | |
Typical shot-to-shot time |
Typical continuous-shooting speed in frames per second
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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