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FS20 |
Panasonic FS20 Review |
Review
Date: Apr 29, 2008 |
Category: Point-and-Shoot
HANDLING & FEEL
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 is a stylish
and ultra compact digital camera with a 30mm wide-angle
lens that can be easily slipped in a trousers
pocket or small fashion purse. It uses the Secure
Digital (SD and large capacity SDHC) memory card.
The FS20 is a new series targeted to those looking for an affordable and easy-to-use point-and-shoot digital camera. The build is very good with a clean design and
intuitive controls. A vertical chrome bar serves as a handy grip. The use
of the wrist strap is still highly recommended.
The lens is almost flush with the body when the camera
is off, but powered on, the lens extends out approx.
19mm (0.75 in.).
Performance is good: startup time is about 1
sec., shot to shot times about 3 sec. (with writing the image to memory card taking about 2 out of these 3 seconds). In good lighting and with a contrasty subject, there
is no practical shutter
lag. Otherwise, autofocus which is fast and precise in good lighting, can take up to 1 sec. in low-light.
| STYLE |
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Colours: black, silver or pink |
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Looks: clean and elegant design |
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| FEEL |
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Quality |
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Controls are on the small side
but quite intuitive to use |
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| DIMENSIONS &
WEIGHT |
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Ultra Compact |
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Dimensions: 94.9 x 57.1 x 22.9 mm /
3.74 x 2.25 x 0.9 in. |
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Weight: 154 g ( 0.34 lb) with Battery and SD Memory Card |
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Takes 1 rechargeable Li-ion battery
DMW-BCE10PP 3.6V 1000mAh (@ 280 shots/charge) |
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| SPEED OF OPERATION |
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Startup with lens extension and LCD
turning on in approx. 1 sec. |
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Shot to shot time approx. 3 sec. |
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No practical shutter lag in good lighting and with contrasty subjects |
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Included in the box is a rechargeable Li-ion
battery that can take about 280 shots with LCD
on (CIPA standard) on a fresh charge and a Battery
Charger DE-A39B that will recharge a new battery
in approx. 120 min. The Battery Charger is of
the type that plugs directly into a wall electrical
socket.
Controls
The top of the camera has, from right to left, the E.ZOOM (Easy Zoom) Button, the Shutter Release Button, the Zoom Lever
around the Shutter Button, and the Power ON/OFF
switch. The one hole to the left is the Microphone, and the 3 holes are for the Speaker. There is no Mode Dial; it has been replaced by a MODE button on the back of the camera.
The Easy Zoom button allows you to conveniently and quickly zoom all the way to max. Tele (Optical, Extended, then Digital, if set ON). Then press E.ZOOM again to quickly return to max. wide.
The Zoom Lever is around the Shutter Button and
it takes about 2.5 sec. to zoom from wide to tele.
I counted about 22 intermediate steps, which makes it
possible to stop the zoom pretty much at the point
where you want it to. This is is excellent since
other digicams typically give you only 9 or less
steps.
To select an Optical Image Stabilizer mode, you'd
need to go into the Menu or Q.MENU: set it to OFF when putting
the camera on a tripod; MODE 1, if you want to
see the effect of image stabilization at all times;
MODE 2, for the most effective stabilization,
which takes place just before the image is taken.
Burst Mode allows you to take up to 3 or 5 images
(depending on Quality selected) at 2.5fps, and an unlimited
number of images (depending on the space available
on your memory card) at approx. 2fps in Unlimited
mode.
# Images (Fine) |
50MB |
4GB |
4:3
|
3648x2736 |
10M |
9 |
799 |
3072x2304 |
7M EZ |
14 |
1127 |
2560x1920 |
5M EZ |
20 |
1611 |
2048x1536 |
3M EZ |
32 |
2481 |
1600x1200 |
2M EZ |
51 |
3877 |
640x480 |
0.3M EZ |
249 |
17729 |
3:2
|
3648x2432 |
9M |
11 |
898 |
3072x2048 |
6M EZ |
15 |
1265 |
2560x1712 |
4.5M EZ |
22 |
1797 |
2048x1360 |
2.5M EZ |
36 |
2757 |
16:9
|
3648x2056 |
7.5M |
13 |
1060 |
3072x1728 |
5.5M EZ |
18 |
1494 |
2560x1440 |
3.5M EZ |
27 |
2102 |
1920x1080 |
2M EZ |
47 |
3649 |
# Images (Standard) |
50MB |
4GB |
4:3
|
3648x2736 |
10M |
20 |
1570 |
3072x2304 |
7M EZ |
28 |
2215 |
2560x1920 |
5M EZ |
40 |
3101 |
2048x1536 |
3M EZ |
62 |
4772 |
1600x1200 |
2M EZ |
97 |
7299 |
640x480 |
0.3M EZ |
405 |
24821 |
3:2
|
3648x2432 |
9M |
22 |
1772 |
3072x2048 |
6M EZ |
32 |
2481 |
2560x1712 |
4.5M EZ |
45 |
3446 |
2048x1360 |
2.5M EZ |
69 |
5170 |
16:9
|
3648x2056 |
7.5M |
26 |
2067 |
3072x1728 |
5.5M EZ |
37 |
2885 |
2560x1440 |
3.5M EZ |
53 |
4002 |
1920x1080 |
2M EZ |
92 |
6894 |
You can record 2GB clip movies with sound (until the memory
card is full) at either
848 x 480 (16:9 aspect ratio) or 640 x 480 or
320x240 pixels (both at 4:3 aspect ratio) at 30fps
or 10fps. You cannot zoom during movie recording.
|
Video Storage Capacity |
4GB |
|
16:9 |
848x480 |
30fps |
19m 21s |
|
10fps |
57m 37s |
|
4:3 VGA |
640x480 |
30fps |
22m 34s |
|
10fps |
1h 07m 05s |
|
4:3 QVGA |
320x240 |
30fps |
1h 07m 04s |
|
10fps |
3h 14m 55s |
On a 4GB SDHC card you will be able to record about
22m 34s of 4:3 VGA (640x480 pixels) at 30fps.
If you plan to record lots of clips plus still photos, we recommend
using a 4GB high-speed (at least 10MB/s)
or higher capacity SDHC memory card. [Note than if you opt to use
a 4GB card, ensure it has the "SDHC",
and not just the "SD", logo; only the
SDHC 4GB card is usable in the FS20.]
| FUNCTIONS ACCESSIBLE
BY CONTROL BUTTONS |
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PLAYback / RECording switch. |
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The Mode Button brings up a selection of Shooting Modes on the LCD:
- Intelligent Auto
- Normal Picture
- Scene Mode 1
- Scene Mode 2
- Motion Picture
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DISPLAY. Press button repeatedly
to cycle through: Normal, add Guide Lines (selected in SETUP), No Info displayed. |
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JOYSTICK.
There are no ARROWS button per se, but there is a small joystick that juts out and you move it UP, DOWN, RIGHT and LEFT to act as the ARROWS buttons:
- UP ARROW (Exposure Compensation,
Auto Bracket)
- RIGHT ARROW
(Flash)
- DOWN ARROW (Macro)
- LEFT
ARROW (Self-timer 10s, 2s)
Bringing up Auto Bracketing using
the UP ARROW (press twice) is super
convenient!
In Intelligent Auto mode, UP ARROW toggle the LCD Backlight ON and OFF.
Press the JOYSTICK in to activate MENU/SET, which calls
up the Menu. |
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Q.MENU/DELETE button.
Recording Mode: Q,MENU. Press to bring
up a Quick Menu displayed across the top of the screen; a quick and convenient way to change options
without going into the Menu proper.
Playback Mode: DELETE. I've always
loved the way the Delete function
is implemented on Panasonic digital
cameras. All three Delete options are now conveniently accessible on this one screen: Single, Multi and All. No need to access
the Menu! |
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| EXPOSURE COMPENSATION |
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Exposure Compensation is accessed
with the UP ARROW |
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Once set, the Exposure Compensation
Indicator conveniently stays displayed
on screen until it is reset to "0" |
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Range: -2 EV to +2 EV (13 steps in
1/3 EV increments) |
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The screen brightness will increase
or decrease to reflect the value you
use |
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Note: the exposure compensation value
selected is retained even when the camera
is turned off. So remember to reset
to "0" after using it or the
next time you turn the camera on, your
shots may be over- or under-exposed. |
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Press UP ARROW again to call up Auto
Bracket. Very convenient. |
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| SHUTTER SPEED RANGES |
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P: 1 - 1/2,000 sec.
Fireworks scene mode: 2 sec.
Night Scenery scene mode: 8 sec.
Starry Sky scene mode: 15, 30, 60 sec. |
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LCD & Menus
There is no viewfinder but an extra large 3.0 in. LCD
monitor with a high 230,000 pixels resolution.
The LCD has a fast enough refresh rate for a smooth
display. The LCD monitor's brightness can be adjusted
in MENU/SETUP. An Auto Power LCD function boosts the
LCD backlighting automatically depending on the ambient lighting and makes it easier to
view when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine. The LCD gains up only slightly
in low-light.
There is an effective AF-assist Illuminator and
I've found auto focusing to be quite fast and
precise in low-light situations. Of course, it depends on your subject having good contrast.
Panasonic's menu structure is probably the best
there is. It is very easy to understand and use.
Where necessary, the menu becomes transparent
to allow you to see the effect of your choices
(e.g. for WB and Color Effect). There are 3 RECord
and 4 SETUP pages worth of menu settings.
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REC 1 of 3
- Picture Size
- Image Quality
- Aspect Ratio
- Intelligent ISO
- ISO Sensitivity |
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REC 2 of 3
- White Balance
- AF Mode
- Quick AF
- Burst
- Digital Zoom |
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REC 3 of 3
- Color Mode
- Image Stabilizer
- AF Assist Lamp
- Clock Set |
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PICTURE SIZE
- 10M
- 7M
- 5M
- 3M
- 2M
- 0.3M |
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IMAGE QUALITY
- Fine
- Standard |
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ASPECT RATIO
- 4:3
- 3:2
- 16:9 |
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INTELLIGENT ISO
- Camera automatically selects Shutter Speed and ISO depending on subject movement in order to reduce blur
- Camera will not go above selected max ISO
- 400
- 800
- 1600 |
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ISO SENSITIVITY
- Auto
- 100
- 200
- 400
- 800
- 1600 |
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WHITE BALANCE 1 of 2
- Auto WB
- Outdoor, Clear Sky
- Outdoor, Cloudy Sky
- Outdoor, Shade
- Halogen Lighting
- Manual WB |
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WHITE BALANCE 2 of 2
- Set Manual WB |
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AF MODE
- Face Detection
- 9-Area
- 1-Area High Speed
- 1-Area |
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BURST
- Off
- 2.5 fps (max. 3 Fine, 5 Standard)
- @ 2 fps (becomes progressively slower, until memory card is full)
Note: - For even faster burst, see Hi-Speed Burst scene mode |
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COLOR MODE 1 of 2
- Standard
- Natural
- Vivid
- B/W
- Sepia
- Cool |
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COLOR MODE 2 of 2
- Warm
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OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZER
- Off
- MODE 1 - Stabilizer is continuously on (useful when trying to compose at full tele)
- MODE 2 - Stabilizer is most effective
and acts only when the shutter button is
pressed |
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SETUP 1 of 4
- Clock Set
- World Time
- Monitor Brightness
- LCD Mode
- Beep |
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SETUP 2 of 4
- Volume
- Guide Line
- Travel Date
- Economy
- Auto Review |
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SETUP 3 of 4
- No. Reset
- Reset
- USB Mode
- Video Out
- TV Aspect |
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SETUP 4 of 4
- m/ft
- Scene Menu
- Format
- Language
- Demo Mode |
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WORLD TIME |
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MONITOR BRIGHTNESS |
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LCD MODE
- Off
- Auto Power LCD
- Power LCD (for sunny situations)
- High Angle |
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BEEP
- Beep Level
- Beep Tone
- Shutter Volume
- Shutter Tone |
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VOLUME
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GUIDE LINE
- Rec. Info
- Pattern |
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SETUP - Auto Review
- Off
- 1 sec.
- 2 sec.
- Hold (the picture is displayed until you touch the shutter release or another button)
- Zoom (the picture is displayed for 1 sec.
then enlarged 4x and displayed for 1 more
sec.) |
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LANGUAGE 1 of 2
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LANGUAGE 2 of 2
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QUICK MENU - STABILIZER
- Off
- Mode 1
- Mode 2 |
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QUICK MENU - BURST
- Off - Single
- Burst
- Unlimited |
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QUICK MENU - AF MODE
- Face Detection
- 9-Area
- 1-Area High Speed
- 1-Area |
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QUICK MENU - WB
- AWB
- Daylight
- Cloudy
- Shade
- Halogen
- White Set |
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QUICK MENU - ISO
- Auto
- 100
- 200
- 400
- 800
- 1600 |
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QUICK MENU - PICTURE SIZE
- 10M
- 7M
- 5M
- 3M
- 2M
- 0.3M |
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QUICK MENU - LCD MODE
- Off
- Auto Power LCD
- Power LCD
- High Angle |
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PLAYBACK MENU 1 of 3
- Calendar
- Title Edit
- Text Stamp
- Resize
- Trimming |
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PLAYBACK MENU 2 of 3
- Aspect Conv.
- Rotate
- Rotate Disp.
- Favorite
- DPOF Print
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PLAYBACK MENU 3 of 3
- Protect
- Copy |
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PLAYBACK INFO
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REVIEW ENLARGE
- 2x, 4x, 8x and 16x using Tele |
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SHOOTING MODES
- Shooting Modes are selected on the LCD screen after pressing the MODE button
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PROGRAM AUTO
- Normal (Programmed Auto), Flash mode
Auto, WB Halogen, ISO 400, Color Mode Natural, Picture
Size 10M in 4:3 aspect ratio, Image Quality
Fine, Battery Indicator
- Stabilizer Mode 1, Macro ON, Space left for 399 images
- Quick AF
- Auto Power LCD, Self-timer 10s
- Guide Lines displayed |
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SCENE MODES 1 of 2
- Portrait, Soft Skin, Self-portrait, Scenery,
Sports
- Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party,
Candle Light
- Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity |
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SCENE MODES 1 of 2
- Hi-Speed Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial
Photo
- Underwater
- Hi-Speed Burst scene mode allows you to take up to 100 pictures at a fast 6fps (resolution limited to 4:3 2M, 3:2 2.5M, 16:9 2M) |
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SCENE MODE HELP
- Press the DISLAY button to bring up a help screen |
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MOVIE MENU 1 of 2
- Picture Mode
- Aspect Ratio
- White Balance
- AF Mode
- Digital Zoom |
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MOVIE MENU 2 of 2
- Color Mode
- Image Stabilizer
- AF Assist Lamp
- Clock Set |
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MOVIE MENU - PICTURE MODE 4:3
- 640x480 @ 30fps
- 640x480 @ 10fps
- 320x240 @ 30fps
- 320x240 @ 10fps |
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MOVIE MENU - Image Stabilizer
- Only Mode 1 is available |
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SELF-TIMER
- Off
- 10 sec.
- 2 sec. |
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FLASH
- Auto
- Auto Red-Eye
- Forced Flash (Fill-in Flash)
- Flash Off |
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EXPOSURE COMPENSATION
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DELETE
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A couple of other nice features: the hinged plastic
Terminal door opens up wide to allow unimpeded
access [don't you hate fighting with a rubber
flap?] to the AV OUT/DIGITAL (USB) socket and
DC IN socket. There is a very nice Battery/Card
door and the battery has a latch to keep it from
accidentally falling.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 is another of Panasonic's beautifully designed digicams with lots of attention to details. Being ultra compact, the FS20 can be easily slipped into a jeans pocket. It is an easy-to-use entry-level digital camera with an intuitive
menu structure and well designed controls.
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