In summary
Panasonic’s DMC-FX7 is small enough to take anywhere in a pocket or purse. Its mode dial, which is partly enclosed in the camera’s body, has six settings: normal picture mode, simple mode, macro mode, scene mode (with nine pre-sets), motion image mode (QVGA movies at 10 or 30fps) and playback. The simple mode sets all controls to auto and provides three picture settings: enlarge (for A4 prints), 10 x 15cm, and email. . . [more]
Full review
Panasonic’s DMC-FX7 is small enough to take anywhere in a pocket or purse. Its mode dial, which is partly enclosed in the camera’s body, has six settings: normal picture mode, simple mode, macro mode, scene mode (with nine pre-sets), motion image mode (QVGA movies at 10 or 30fps) and playback. The simple mode sets all controls to auto and provides three picture settings: enlarge (for A4 prints), 10 x 15cm, and email. The other modes allow adjustments to white balance, ISO, picture size and quality, AF mode, audio recording, burst capture, digital zoom and slow shutter speeds. Four picture effects are provided, along with natural and vivid colour adjustment and flip animation for creating movies from a sequence of still shots.
In our tests, the FX7 produced sharp images with accurate colours and natural saturation. Most shots had a wide dynamic range, even in bright conditions. The white balance produced good colour accuracy under different types of lighting but flash coverage was limited to about two metres. Shots taken at ISO 400 were noise affected. Capture lag averaged 1.0 seconds, reducing to 0.3 seconds with pre-focusing. The burst mode captured shots at 0.8 second intervals.
Strengths
- Leica lens.
- Large 2.5-inch LCD monitor.
- Four display options – including live histogram.
- Mega OIS stabilisation minimises blurring from camera shake.
Weaknesses
- No viewfinder.
- Small control buttons and mode dial. [BG05]
Specifications
Image sensor: 5.34 x 4.01mm CCD with 5,360,000 photosites (5.0 megapixels effective)
Lens: Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 5.0-17.4mm f2.8-5.8 zoom (35-105mm in 35mm format)
Zoom ratio: 3x optical. Up to 4x digital
Dimensions (wxhxd): 94.1 x 50.0 x 24.2mm
Weight: 135g (without battery and card)
Retailers
CamBuy
www.cambuy.com.au
Digital cameras, lenses and accessories with 100% genuine Australian manufacturer’s warranties.
Ph: (02) 9029 2219
Camera House
www.camerahouse.com.au
Ph: 133 686
The largest speciality photographic retail chain in Australia.
Camera Pro
www.camerapro.net.au
CameraPro Pty Ltd
Suite 607, 180 Queen St, Brisbane 4000
Tel: 07 3333 2900
Australian owned and run company based in Brisbane.
Camerasdirect
www.camerasdirect.com.au
Retailer of digital camera equipment and more.
Secure online shopping and delivery across Australia.
Ph: 1300 727 056
Camerastore.com.au
Camerastore.com.au
Ph: 1800 155 067
Camera-Warehouse
www.camera-warehouse.com.au
Comprehensive range of digital cameras and accessories online (www.camera-warehouse.com.au) and an online print service (www.royalexpress.com.au).
Digital Camera Warehouse
www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au
174 Canterbury Road 367 High Street
Canterbury Northcote
NSW 2193 VIC 3070
Ph: 1300 365 220
Electronics Warehouse
www.electronicswarehouse.com.au
1300 801 885
Australian retailer of Vapex rechargeable batteries offering factory direct prices and fast, free shipping Australia wide.
<
Photographic Equipment & Supplies – Retail & Repairs. Click here for list of stores.
Ted’s Cameras
1800 186 895
Big range of cameras and photographic products with stores in most states and online.
Rating