Panasonic FX520 ; My Best Shot!

Panasonic Lumix Camera
Model: DMC-FX520


Feature

- Optical sensor : CCD
- Sensor Resolution (max) : 10.7 megapixels
- Optical zoom : 5x
- Focal length : 25mm to 125mm (35mm equivalent)
- Macro focus range (min) : 5 cm
- Shutter speed : 60 to 1/2000 seconds
- LCD capability : Touchscreen
- Light sensitivity : ISO 100/200/400/800/1600/Auto
-Other useful features : Intelligent Auto; Intelligent Exposure; Digital Red Eye Correction; Auto angle detection; Travel Date/World Time; Text Stamp; Histogram
- Software : Photo Fun Studio; Arcsoft (MediaImpression/Panorama Maker); QuickTime; Adobe Reader; USB driver


My Comment

Since I came back to Singapore three years ago, I have gone through many technology exhibitions and great sale of cameras, computers and mobile phones, usually accompanying different technologists to look for cool and interesting gadgets. For the first time, I have decided to make a purchase in the PC Show 2008 over last weekend. For the longest time, as an amateur photographer with a Nikon FA601 SLR camera, I resisted the change to digital photography. As a super late adopter for digital camera (considering I move quick on other technologies), I finally made my purchase.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX520 is my first foray into digital photography, and actually it is going to be used for a project which I am planning to start. You can check out the review on the camera from CNET. At least for a start, I can go to all the unconferences and gatherings and take pictures with friends for a change. Here are some reasons why I have decided on this camera.

Here is how I consider what I want to look for a digital camera:

Minimalist design of the camera: As you can see that the digital camera is pretty minimalist in design, it blends with my taste for Apple Design products. My first instinct is to check whether the camera is compatible with Apple products. The other thing is that I will like to carry the camera while attending important networking and party occasions. Hence I picked something pretty compact and simple similar to Apple gadgets. The grip of the camera is firm and I find it comfortable to take pictures.

Resolution & Quality of Images are important to me: The main thing I was looking for is the resolution. I almost bought a Lumix camera three months back with 8 Megapixels. I decided to wait a bit longer for a higher end camera that can give me better digital images.

A few people appreciate that it is Leica lens: Most people don't appreciate that most amateur photographers in the past decades yearn not a Canon or Nikon lens, but Leica lens. The lens produced by Leica is considered very high quality by design. Of course, I chose this camera for the 25mm ultra wide angle lens and the optical zoom.

I want a touchscreen camera: As the world is going to be touchscreen pretty soon given that the iPhone will dawn on Singapore soon, it will be great if I get a touchscreen camera.

Word of Mouth marketing from other users: A lot of people told me that the Lumix camera is the best at dealing with shaky images, and told me not to buy the other brands. Besides, I did some research by checking out the different cameras from gadget stores and find that the other brands don't match up to the Lumix.

So, I am now starting to learn how to use this new digital camera for my own purposes. Believe it or not, I actually spend some time reading the short instruction manual that comes with it, particularly the parts on how to control the aperture and shuttle, along with the IA mode of the camera.

IA Detail

http://panasonic.net/pavc/lumix/popup/ia_beautiful_pictures/index.html

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