Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX60 Grange-over-Sands
Now to the inside, and finally the 12.1MP FX60 comes into its own. This is one of four new compacts to feature Panasonics Power OIS and Ultra High-Speed AF. Panasonic claims Power OIS is twice as effective as the previous Mega OIS system (as seen on the FX40) at reducing the low-frequency hand vibrations that so often mar low-light photography.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX60
Competition in the compact camera market is pretty fierce around the 200 price-point. That might explain why Panasonic has replaced the FX40 with this shiny new snapper the FX60 after barely six months on the market.
Sit them beside each other and youll be hard-pressed to spot any difference at all. In fact, physically there isnt any; the FX60s attraction lies on the inside.
Look and feel
But before we get there, its worth a quick rundown of things from the outside, as design and desirability are important to the Lumix FX-Series. For the most part, the look is clean and unfussy: the LCD sits flush with the camera body, the sides are pleasantly rounded and the blend of matte and gloss metal finishes is broadly pleasing.
The mode dial is part recessed under the top surface of the body, while theres a dedicated switch to toggle between camera and playback modes and a standard set of directional and select buttons to the right of the 2.7in LCD. Its an unfussy layout but a touchscreen display would have allowed for an even tidier design.
Now to the inside, and finally the 12.1MP FX60 comes into its own. This is one of four new compacts to feature Panasonics Power OIS and Ultra High-Speed AF. Panasonic claims Power OIS is twice as effective as the previous Mega OIS system (as seen on the FX40) at reducing the low-frequency hand vibrations that so often mar low-light photography.
Got the power
Does it work? Very much so in fact, better than we thought it would. The threat of shutter shake can render optical zoom all but unusable in many compacts. By moving that point considerably further down the line, Power OIS gives you greater creative flexibility.
The effect of the high-speed AF is more difficult to measure. A startup time of 1.1sec is impressive, but other than that responsiveness is something only really noticed by its absence. Panasonics Face Recognition tool, which can detect and identify up to six peoples faces, is as fun as it is gimmicky, while AF tracking remains a genuinely impressive feature, allowing you to keep moving objects in focus regardless of where they are in frame.
Thinking for you
Of course, if that all sounds too complicated, simply flip the FX60s dial into Intelligent Auto (iA) mode and the camera will decide pretty much everything except when you press the shutter.
720p video shooting is no more than par for the course these days, especially without optical zoom, and the whole lot is stored on SD card, with proprietary component out or digital A/V out as connectivity alternatives to just pulling out the card.
Verdict
Overall, the FX60 is a good digital compact with no glaring weaknesses, but no showstopping features either. It delivers exactly what its target market wants: fuss-free photography in a stylish package, with a few advanced features at the end of a fairly gentle learning curve.
Combining Panasonics electronics nous with fast and flexible Leica optics has delivered a solid upper-mid-range compact, but one we cant quite bring ourselves to love.
Sit them beside each other and youll be hard-pressed to spot any difference at all. In fact, physically there isnt any; the FX60s attraction lies on the inside.
Look and feel
But before we get there, its worth a quick rundown of things from the outside, as design and desirability are important to the Lumix FX-Series. For the most part, the look is clean and unfussy: the LCD sits flush with the camera body, the sides are pleasantly rounded and the blend of matte and gloss metal finishes is broadly pleasing.
The mode dial is part recessed under the top surface of the body, while theres a dedicated switch to toggle between camera and playback modes and a standard set of directional and select buttons to the right of the 2.7in LCD. Its an unfussy layout but a touchscreen display would have allowed for an even tidier design.
Now to the inside, and finally the 12.1MP FX60 comes into its own. This is one of four new compacts to feature Panasonics Power OIS and Ultra High-Speed AF. Panasonic claims Power OIS is twice as effective as the previous Mega OIS system (as seen on the FX40) at reducing the low-frequency hand vibrations that so often mar low-light photography.
Got the power
Does it work? Very much so in fact, better than we thought it would. The threat of shutter shake can render optical zoom all but unusable in many compacts. By moving that point considerably further down the line, Power OIS gives you greater creative flexibility.
The effect of the high-speed AF is more difficult to measure. A startup time of 1.1sec is impressive, but other than that responsiveness is something only really noticed by its absence. Panasonics Face Recognition tool, which can detect and identify up to six peoples faces, is as fun as it is gimmicky, while AF tracking remains a genuinely impressive feature, allowing you to keep moving objects in focus regardless of where they are in frame.
Thinking for you
Of course, if that all sounds too complicated, simply flip the FX60s dial into Intelligent Auto (iA) mode and the camera will decide pretty much everything except when you press the shutter.
720p video shooting is no more than par for the course these days, especially without optical zoom, and the whole lot is stored on SD card, with proprietary component out or digital A/V out as connectivity alternatives to just pulling out the card.
Verdict
Overall, the FX60 is a good digital compact with no glaring weaknesses, but no showstopping features either. It delivers exactly what its target market wants: fuss-free photography in a stylish package, with a few advanced features at the end of a fairly gentle learning curve.
Combining Panasonics electronics nous with fast and flexible Leica optics has delivered a solid upper-mid-range compact, but one we cant quite bring ourselves to love.
Author:Martin James
Copyright 2009 Dennis Publishing All Rights Reserved.
