Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40 Camera Review

August 6, 2009

Exclusively for point and shoot camera lovers, here’s another nice offer from Panasonic; Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40. It’s light, compact and highly competent. Looking at the product profile, one cannot simply ignore the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40 standing out high and prominent amongst the thousands point and shoot cameras available in the market.

Lens and Focal Specs

Offering an exceptional 5X optical zoom lens with a focal range of 25-125mm (for a 35mm camera) that is a rather unusual feature for a tiny camera measuring 3.75X2.08X0.85 inches. Apart from the lens specifications, another feature of DMC-FX40, breaking the norms is the ability to shoot video clips at a high definition of 1280X720p at the rate of 30fps- also found in the previous model FX37, but relatively new feature for this class of cameras.

The Screen

The standard features are still present such as the 2.5 inch LCD screen. Though no touch screen or any sophisticated feature in this area, the screen is fair with auto-adjustment to brightness and 230K dot resolution. At 4:3 ratio, the displays gives vibrant results and at 16:9 ratio for the movies, black bars appear at the top and bottom of the screen to give a cinematic feel and to indicate the resultant image in a better manner.

User friendly, as always has been the specialty of Panasonic cameras, DMC-FX40 is also so designed. The on-screen menus and options are easy to understand and use. A “Display” button is provided to access the screen information and the famous “Rule of Thirds” through the nine zone grid.

ISO Setting

Having a 12.1 mega pixel sensor, DMC-FX40 has a range of ISO settings. Where image noise gets noticeable from ISO 400 onwards, the image is still bearable up to ISO 800 but at ISO 1600, the overall noise makes it difficult to have a cleaner and clearer picture.

Performance and Price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40 compromises of a Venus Engine V processor that gives warm and beautiful colors in your snaps and videos. Improving the overall image quality are the options such as Auto Face Recognition, Auto Face Detection and Red Eye Reduction. The various Scene Modes and White Balance options also make it easier for amateur photographers to create movies and photo with ease and excellence. The astounding “extra” optical zoom is suitable to portraits and landscapes both though the resolution would drop to 3MP.

All these wonderful features are within your reach in just £259 which is the official list price and for a camera of this caliber, it is quite appropriate.

Design

Available in red, black and silver colors in UK, and similar in looks to FX550, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40 adorns a plastic and metallic casing. Weighing only 150g (with card and battery included) the camera fit well in your palm and as well as in your pocket! The metallic lens is susceptible to scratches and marks, never the less, being light weight in the reason one would like to take this camera on adventures.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40 Camera Specs

Camera effective pixels
12.1 mega pixels
Sensor size/ Total pixels/ Filter
1/2.33 inch/ 12.7 total mega pixels/ Primary Color Filter

Aperture
F2.8-5.9/ Iris Diaphragm (F2.8-8 (W)/ F5.9-8 (T))

Optical Zoom
5X

Focal Length
F=4.4-22.0mm (25-125mm in 35mm equiv.)
Extra Optical Zoom (EZ)
6.1X (4:3 / 8M), 7.8X (4:3 / 5M), 9.8X (under 3 M)

Lens
LEICA DC VARIO –ELEMARIT / 7 elements in 6 groups / (4 Spherical Lenses / 6 Spherical surfaces, 1 EA lens)

Optical Image Stabilizer
MEGA O.I.S (Auto / Mode1 / Mode2)

Shutter Speed
8-1/2000 seconds Selectable minimum shutter speed) / Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60 seconds

File Format
Still Image: JPEG (DCF / Exif2.21) / Image with Audio: Jpeg (DCF / Exif2.21) +Quick Time / Motion Picture: Quick Time Motion JPEG

Recording
Self Timer
2sec / 10sec

Focus Icon Select
Yes (in Face Recognition Only)

OSD language
Japanese, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish

Travel Date / World Time
Yes / Yes

LCD Monitor
2.5 inch TFT Screen LCD Display (230k dots) / Field of View: approx. 100% Wide Viewing Angle / Auto Power LCD mode, Power LCD Mode

Built in memory
Approx. 40MB

Microphone / Speaker
Mono / Yes
Interface
HD Component Output, AV Output (NTSC/PAL or NTSC only) / USB2.0 high speed, DC input (requires optional DC Coupler)

Power
ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, 940mAh) (included) / AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (optional)

Battery Life (Approx)
350 pictures (CIPA Standard)

Dimensions (WXHXD)
95.3X52.9X21.5mm (3.75X2.08X0.85 in)

Weight
Approx. 128g (0.28 lb) approx. 150g with battery and SD Memory Card (0.33 lb)

Others
Recording
Face Recognition
Optical Image Stabilizer
Photo and Movie
Intelligent ISO control
Face Detection
Intelligent Scene Selector
Photo (Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Macro)
Intelligent Exposure
AF Tracking
Digital Red Eye Correction