|
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500K 10.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) | 
 enlarge | Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
Buy New: Too low to display
New (6)
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Optical Zoom: 5
Display Size: 3
Maximum Focal Length: 125
Minimum Focal Length: 25
Maximum Resolution: 10.1
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 2.1 x 1 x 3.8
MPN: DMC-FX500K
Model: DMC-FX500K
UPC: 037988987825
EAN: 0037988987825
Release Date: April 21, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
|
| Features:
| • | 10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints | | • | 5x optical zoom; 25mm/f2.8 wide-angle Leica DC lens | | • | 3.0-inch touch-screen LCD monitor | | • | Face Detection; Advanced Optical Image Stabilization and Intelligent ISO | | • | Capture images to SD/SDHC/MMC (not included) |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
10.1 MegaPixel / 5x Zoom / 3.0" LCD Touchscreen / HD Movie / Picture Adjustment
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
One of the best cameras I've had to return. May 27, 2008
22 out of 23 found this review helpful
I have had quite a few point and shoot cameras and this one is the nicest I've owned. I've alway been a fan of the Canon line of cameras and was a bit skeptical about switching brands, but the lackluster reviews of the recent Canons made me look at other options. The FX500 has met or exceeded all my expectations for the camera. The pictures are exceptional, the touchscreen is a joy to use, and the battery life is above average. Our pictures have been bright and vivid with minimal user intervention, the HD video is wonderful and its compact size and durable case means we can take it anywhere.
If I had any negatives to report, it's the same issues with other PnS cameras, we experienced some red eye, a bit of noise in the pictures and the audio quality wasn't all that great.
********UPDATE*******
After having the camera for almost a month it pains me to say it, but its being sent back. I mentioned noise in my review and after looking at all the pictures we've taking in great detail the pictures are just not crisps and clear. My wife is the main user of the camera and she constantly take pictures, runs them through photo shop and then prints them. When she sat down to do the first set from our vacation she found when zooming the pictures really become grainy and are blurry when printed. They look fine without the zoom, but when you start to zoom in you loose detail that our older camera captures.
Its really disappointing, the camera has the best interfaces I've seen and the touch screen is very nice. If your just wanting a nice point and shoot and aren't into photo manipulation, then this would probably be a decent camera, otherwise you may want to look at other options.
 Big disappointemtn if Quality of Picture is Important! June 8, 2008
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
I've been a Photo enthusiast for 50 years and go way back with many film and at least 10 digital cameras from near SLR-size to pocket compacts and was so thrilled when I ordered the FX500 (because of the Leica lens and the wide angle shooting capability) I could barely sleep until it arrived... Sad to say the camera construction & layout itself, the interface is wonderful but the quality of pictures (its "reason for being" in the first place, right?)is borderline horrible (in comparison say to the Canon SD850IS which is an almost perfect comparison in size & specs...to the FX500 side-by-sde, picture-for-picture using the exact same settings, light and subject...). Urg! I am so disappointed. The photos are so grainy and un-sharp... fuzzy by comparison... My bad! as my son would say, I did not wait for the DP Review to come out, but bought it the first week it was available... Well, it makes a fine paperweight on my desk and for shooting those "unimportant" fun shots of the dog playing onthe rug beside my desk... Don't buy this just for the pazazz unless you are using it only for email-sized postcard shots. Sorry Panasonic! this is the unvarnished truth about your otherwise wonderfully designed camera.
Compared to FX-35 it pros, it has cons... July 6, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Just upgraded from the FX-35 and did quite a few tests yesterday. Overall, the FX-500 is an excellent camera but dollar for dollar you get a little more with the FX-35. That being said, I am selling my FX-35 and keeping the FX-500 (see eBay!) because some small specific differences weigh in favor of the FX-500 for me as a photographer, but not necessarily because the camera is better. There were a few primary issues I want to mention between the two cameras though.
First, the FX-500 is noticeably larger than the FX-35. I know specs are specs, but just the weight and feel make it larger and it is less comfortable in a shirt pocket. The bonus is that for those of us with larger hands it is more comfortable to use without always hitting buttons with your thumb. Second, the lens is not quite as wide as the FX-35. This could be a number of factors, but since we know the chip processes not only noise but some optical distortions (try comparing the RAW and JPEG versions of a few Lumix camera images!) this could be post processing by the chip. I would guess the FX-500 is about a 25.5mm or 26mm wide angle compared to the FX-35. That, or the FX-35 is a 24.5mm :)
The most disappointing aspect of the FX-500 is that the images are not quite as good as the FX-35. Look close, mainly in low light. I notice significantly more noise artifact in the FX-500 images compared to the FX-35 in all ISO's. This make sense since the FX-500 has a much larger screen sitting right behind the chip and more electronics. I am sure the FX-500 generates more electronics noise from this fact alone and that has to be processed out. Luckily, the FX-500 has many more manual controls and you can adjust contrast, sharpness and noise reduction and little. Still, making as many adjustments as I could I could not get the same quality out of the FX-500 that I could get out of the FX-35. Let me stress that this image difference is small and only available to Pixel Peepers when you zoom in 100%, but it is noticeable. So, if you shoot wide and hope you can later crop in to get the image you want you will do better with the FX-500 to frame tight to reduce the amount of cropping.
Those were the largest issues I saw, but let me say the build quality is excellent as it always is with Lumix cameras. The menus are intuitive and the touch screen works wonderfully (even with a screen protector on the LCD). I think the actual number of items the touch screen is useful for is smaller than the number of things you can actually do with it, but for those things it is nice. The focus control is sweet, changing modes and scenes is quicker and easier and things like the playback control for movies now offer you real buttons on the screen which is very intuitive.
When you compare the fact that the FX-500 has more manual controls, a larger LCD, fancy gadget points for the touch screen and a slightly longer lens at 125mm, I decided to stick with it. This is also because I got one on eBay for about $350. If you are not really going to play with the gadgets on this camera that much and want a pocketable point and shoot with excellent, amazing optics, pick the FX-35. If you want a little more manual control, some sweet gadget novelty with the touch screen and perhaps a slightly longer lens and don't mind spending $100 more, get the FX-500. I decided on the FX-500 but really I am just waiting for a new and improved upgrade for my FZ-18! (I want a 10M chip and fancier processor, other than that I love the FZ-18!)
Two last notes: the rubberized case feel of the FX-35 is more secure in your hand in some ways and I really miss that on the FX-500. Also, the FX-500 seems to eat batteries a little faster. (makes sense though, expected...)
Pros:
1. longer zoom range nice
2. larger, heavier body easier to hold for large hands
3. intuitive touch screen, fast & easy
Cons:
1. more chip noise than FX-35, but manageable
2. larger heavier body less pocketable
3. costs $100 more than FX-35 for minor upgrades
4. battery life a little shorter than FX-35
 Lumix Cameras June 2, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is my fourth Panasonic Lumix and each has been excellent from the FX01 to the FX 07 and FX 100 they have all been first rate products. I moved to the FX 500 because I wanted the 25mm wide angle view and have now taken roughly a 100 pictures in the 10 meg size. No problems it's a great camera sufficient battery life easy to charge, simple to use and good pictures. I found that Microsoft has a program to update a computer SD slot to SDHC so I flip the 8gig card straight to the SD slot on my laptop. The FX 500 is slightly larger than my earlier Panasonics so I needed a new case and yet the battery is smaller so I can't share my chargers. I've no reservations about recommending this camera it is excellent. Note an English version is cheapest in America the export models overseas are more expensive while there are Japanese language only versions deeply discounted.
Those that sent it back should have had it replced June 19, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have shot 200 or so pics with his great little camera, and if you leave to it's own devices you will be very satisfied. I have a 17" plasma monitor on my computer and I have to tell you the detail is beyond my expectations after reading some reviews that complained that thier pictures were not clear, they must have had a defective camera or they must have had some settings wrong. I would definatly reccomend this camera to a friend.
My only gripe is that the Hi Def cable should be included as the suplied A/V cable degrades the picture on my 60" flat screen.
Buy it, try it, you'll keep it!
|
|
|
|
2005-2007 Zone1electronics All rights reserved.
| |
