Thumbnails - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3

Panasonic's Lumix-series digicams have evolved over the years into one of the more popular choices among shoppers seeking well-designed point-and-shoot cameras that deliver robust image files. One of the newest models to join Panasonic's digicam line-up is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3.

 Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FP3 is clad in a slim (0.65"/16.4mm) brushed aluminum body and features a 14.1MP CCD sensor that captures pictures through a 4x (35-140mm equivalent) Lumix DC Vario zoom lens. The camera's zoom lens features 4 aspherical elements, 7 aspheric surfaces, 1 ED element, and macro focusing down to 3.94" (10 cm). 

Along with a choice of 5 JPEG compressions (14M-0.3M) the DMC-FP3 can also capture 1280x720 HD video @ 30 frames-per-second. And to smooth out the bumps when shooting either format, the DMC-FP3 features Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S image stabilization technology, which can be set to a choice of 3 shooting modes.

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FP3 is available in Black, Red, Blue, & Silver

One of the neater features on the DMC-FP3 is its 3" (230,000-dot) hybrid touchscreen LCD, which allows you to set many of the cameras control settings with the tap of a finger. Equally cool is the camera's touch-focus feature, which allows you to focus on your subject by simply tapping the screen on the spot you want to be in focus. (And yes, this feature works quite well). Speedy response times are another strong point of the DMC-FP3 including a maximum AF speed of about 0.33-second, which results in less chances of 'missing the moment'.

In addition to the traditional on/off switch located on the camera's top deck the Lumix DMC-FP3 also features a sliding panel that serves as both an on/off switch. This sliding panel also serves to protect the camera lens far better than the delicate metal curtain-style blades found on most pocket cameras.

Other features found on the DMC-FP3 include 40MB of built-in memory, up to 300 images-per-battery charge, and ISO ratings up to 6400. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 is available in black, red, blue, and silver and records imagery onto a choice of SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. .