Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 - Test Shots - Detail and Lens Performance

A range of general test shots are shown over the next two pages. In some cases, the full size image has been reduced for bandwidth purposes, and a crop taken from the original full resolution image has been placed below it to show the overall image quality. Some other pictures may be clicked to view the original full-size image.

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Here's the usual test shot of the west window of Exeter cathedral to compare detail and sharpness with other cameras. See below for a full-res crop or click to download the full-sized version.

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Despite the grey overcast day the FX500 has managed to capture a lot of fine detail.

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The Leica-branded lens produces virtually no wide-angle barrel distortion - or is it all done in processing?

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Centre sharpness is very good.

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Corner sharpness is also good, with minimal chromatic aberration.

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15 comments

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Orinj

10:32 PM on 3 November, 2008

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This could be the answer to my photographic requirements! I've waited almost a year to find something to replace my appalling Ricoh R6. Both the Casio Z1080 and Panasonic FX30/FX35 were on my hit list but I held back for some of the new models.

Thankfully this review didn't focus on just Mega Pixels. Is this the best ultra compact camera? I need one mainly for indoor night time (flash) shots.

Score:

SpiderJacek

11:24 PM on 3 November, 2008

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Not only Cliff gave the FX500 a warm review, just take a look here:

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_panasonic_lumix_dmc_fx500_6.php

PK Son

6:32 AM on 4 November, 2008

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Great review! I'm still on the hunt for a point and shoot, and this sounds great! (It's not as expensive here in Korea..)

I found an error in your tech specs on video, though..

The FX500 can record 1,280 x 720 pixels at 30/15 fps (although not sure what the 30/15 means, on other websites I've seen it at 15fps.) check it out here : http://www.panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/fx500_fx520/hd_photo.html#motion

Thanks for the review!

CliffSmith

1:29 PM on 4 November, 2008

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Thanks for spotting that PK Son, I've ammended the features table accordingly.

PS3½

8:44 PM on 4 November, 2008

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I have an FX500 and I can tell you that it shoots 1280 x 720 at 30fps; however you can lower this to 15fps if you want to save memory space.

9:48 AM on 5 November, 2008

PS3 : wow! really? it shoots at 30 fps? So full HD with mono sound? How's the video quality? This just might be my point-and-shoot!

Cliff : No problem! Great to be of help! I always enjoy your reviews. :)

2:33 PM on 5 November, 2008

PK Son: The video quality is very good for a stills camera, even in low light. I have noticed that occasionally bright lights in otherwise dark scenes / rooms can cause a vertical 'streak' effect, something which I have observed with video on other stills cameras, but for the most part the video quality is very good. You can't use the zoom whilst filming, but this is much less of a drawback than you might think. The files are stored as .mov files which are quite large, however I re-encode mine to much smaller MP4 AVC (ie h.264) files in Nero Recode with no discernable loss of quality.

7:00 PM on 5 November, 2008

Thanks a bunch PS3. (how's the PS3 btw?) Thanks for the info, I am seriously contemplating getting this camera.. it sounds pretty cool. I was looking for a camcorder, but if this supports HD (regardless of size), then I am almost onboard. Plus Cliff gave it a pretty good review, so that would tip the scales for me. (Which is why I got my Nikon D40x, and then D80, and D300)

So, I guess you enjoy the FX500, and the video features? This sounds like gold.. It means I don't need a Sanyo Xacti.. Exactly what I was waiting for.. Thanks man.

smx

5:15 PM on 9 November, 2008

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A bit puzzled what to choose. Do u plan to review Lumix FX-150? Seems better one, considering much larger sensor 1/1.72 to opposite 1/2.33 FX500 has?

Supreme1

5:12 PM on 11 February, 2009

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Can someone tell me if the sound quality is sharp? i am on the verge of buying this but if the sound quality for the video is muffled and horrible i won't bother

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