Panasonic Sets a Standard For Digital Cameras

The following review is for the Panasonic digital camera model DMC-FS3P. I will briefly review pros, cons, and overall performance on the camera according to my experience with this particular camera. I have owned and operated many different brands, types, and levels of digital cameras over the years and have grown to appreciate different features from several manufacturers. Both Panasonic and Sony have proven, in my personal experience, to be the best overall performance and value in a single camera. So why would I decide to investigate a brand of camera that has limited history and expertise in digital camera technology as opposed to the industry standards of Nikon, Sony, and Canon? Panasonic has partnered with the legendary Leica lens company to produce Leica lenses in many Panasonic cameras. The cameras are essentially Leica cameras re badged to be sold under the Panasonic name. If you look online at the very high end and expensive Leica cameras, you will notice they have the exact same body and design as the Panasonic cameras. Like Sony featuring the coveted Carl Zeiss lenses on some of their cameras, the Leica company is a leading manufacturer of high quality, clear, and long-lasting lenses and other optic devices.

I decided to try out the Panasonic brand of camera because the camera that I have been using at work for the past 2 years is a Panasonic Lumix. The camera takes such good pictures in virtually any condition, that I and several other people have been buzzing around the office at how much better it is than any other camera we have ever used. Several co-workers have been fighting for, reserving, and chatting about when they can use the camera to take home for personal use and are astonished at how great it is. No one in my office has seen a camera perform quite like this one, and it is only a 6 mega pixel lens.

The camera in this review is a similar and upgraded version of my work camera. The DMC-FS3P that I have purchased for personal use lives up to the reputation and performance of the previous model. The only complaint I have between the two cameras is that the older model has a black rubber surface that protects it from all kinds of impact and damage while the new model does not. Our work camera has been on several construction sites and is generally used outside in varying conditions. The camera still looks brand new because of the durable surface protection. The new model (DMC-FS3P) is a different because the outer surface is a brushed (textured) aluminum that is designed to resist scuffing, scratching, or cracks as well. Time will tell if the surface will equate to the previous model.

The following is an overall analysis of the DMC-FS3P that I have been able to identify up to this point in my experience.

Finish- the camera is a brushed, not shiny or glossy finish, so it will most likely maintain a nice appearance over time.

Size- it is very convenient and easy to store in many places, even comfortably in your front pants pocket of jacket pocket. There are smaller cameras on the market right now such as the Casio comparable model, but the difference is minimal. Smaller is definitely not always better.

Body- the camera’s body design influenced my decision for this camera. Because of the updated design, the weight is huge advantage over similarly priced and featured cameras. The reduction in weight between this camera and the old camera from work is substantial for such a similarly sized camera. The camera body material is most likely the cause because it is made of a thin aluminum-like material. The body also has a wrist cord to prevent dropping it, but also has a streamlined apparatus that does not protrude away from the camera which adds to the low profile design.

Power source- not all Panasonic cameras are powered by a rechargeable battery pack. Many of the lower priced models require two AA batteries. This model however features the batter pack that can be removed from the camera and charged in a sleek charger that plugs directly into the outlet, with no long cumbersome power cord. Digital cameras use a significant amount of power, so consider the extra cost of the battery pack. Not only does it make the camera much smaller and lighter, but it saves money in the long run and makes the camera much more convenient. The battery packs have lasted for me up to 12 hours of shooting due to the efficient use of power and advanced features.

Leica lens- it does not get much better than having a Leica lens on board the camera to ensure quality exposures with cutting edge optics. Cameras take good pictures because of many factors, but one is the clarity and quality of the lens and the processor behind it. Leica is a leader in this field of expertise. A comparison of this would be to consider stereo amplifiers displaying the THX certification. THX certified products among many brands are designed and tested under the most rigorous conditions or they cannot display the THX name.

Zoom- the zoom on the DMC-FS3P is a 3x zoom factor which is more than some cameras and less than others. The zoom is not too much for the camera to not be able to handle in terms of processing. There are many cameras that boast a long focal zoom length, but with longer zooms come poor quality. The camera has an intentional zoom limit that is most likely to ensure quality photos at all times. The camera also features an auto-zoom feature. Why would a camera need an auto zoom you many ask? Because many times you want to take a picture of an object that you know is very far away and only by maxing out the zoom will you want to take a picture. Instead of having to aim at the subject while holding your hand on the zoom button, you have the option of zooming in instantly by pushing the E. Zoom button. Upon pushing the button, the camera instantly zooms as much as possible under optical limits. Then, upon pushing the button a second time allows the camera to engage its digital zoom feature. Pushing the button a third time will cause the zoom to retract and return to normal zoom length. Awesome feature!!!

Memory card- the memory card is an industry standard SD type. If you ever need to get another memory card in bind, these are the most common ones. Other manufacturers such as Sony are very hard to come by if they require the Memory Stick format. The mechanism to insert or remove the card is also very simple. Just by pushing down on it engages a spring load that releases the card, and it is not a micro sized card that can be lost of misplaced.

Speed- the overall speed of the camera is very, very good. The camera turns on and off in a very quick manner allowing you to shoot your subject without risking a lost moment. The camera is also very quick in how it loads photos and allows the user to review photos that have been taken. Many cameras have a second delay while the user cycles through their photos, but this camera displays the photos almost as soon as you thumb leaves the button.

Flash- the flash is precise and modest amount for the camera. It automatically knows how much flash to emit, and recharges very quickly. Many other cameras will require 5-10 seconds to recharge the flash, but this camera requires just a couple of seconds until it can take another photo. The photos that I have taken with the flash have very good lighting and saturation, and are not washed out or overly bright. The flash communicates properly with the shutter and processor for perfect photos.

User Interface- this part of the camera is also very user friendly and simple. The user is free to make quick adjustments and view different menus on the screen with ease. There is no need to go searching for functions in unconventional places. The menu is easy to view and understand with functions located in sensible places.

Screen- the screen plays a more important function in the camera than most think. This camera features a 2.5” display in a glossy finish. The problems with most other camera screen are that some are too small and do not allow the user to properly evaluate the photo they have taken. If the user can properly see the photo, they can determine if another shot is necessary. Imagine your screen being so small that you thought a picture was good until you uploaded it on your computer with no ability to go back and re-take the picture. The finish is glossy which makes it easier to clean. A matte finish screen is much more difficult to be cleansed of face oil or dirt than the glossy screen.

Case- this is the only drawback of the camera. The older model we use at work came with a simple, superficial case that really is just a sleeve. The DMC-FS3P does not come with any kind of case. I did however buy a nice little hard shell case that is the same size of the camera by Samsonite for only $4.99.

Colors- the colors vary by store but are also limited to just a few. I opted for the silver color because of its neutrality and resistance to show scuffing and scratches, should they occur.

In conclusion, I would give this camera a top rating in terms of overall performance and value. The price is affordable for almost anyone that is looking to purchase a high quality camera that will yield several years of trouble-free enjoyment. Cameras can be like cell phones in many ways because users come to realize the features they need and don’t need only after they have made the purchase. They realize this and immediately desire a new model to try. Seeing that I have positive experience with two models from the Panasonic Leica camera line, I can conclude that they are wonderful products that are most likely representative of the entire line of cameras. I will definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for an excellent product, and will consider their products in the future as well.