Panasonic's latest wide-angle compact camera is small, can record at 720p and is optically stabilized. Check out our in-depth Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 review.
Review summary of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35:
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 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is a decent all-around digital camera with a few desirable traits that set it apart from its peers. First off, it sports a 25mm wide angle lens, which allows shooters to capture more of that landscape or family portrait. The camera also offers a nice array of manual and automatic controls, including 22 Scene Modes and an Intelligent Auto (Easy) mode. This camera can capture 720P HD video, although its chosen compression is not impressive. In optimal shooting environments the Lumix DMC-FX35 will shine, but when the lights dim, so does the image quality. Images are brighter than most other cameras in low light, but noise is the same. There's also nothing exhilarating about the overall design of this camera, aside from a Mode dial and quick preset buttons. If typical compact zooms don't capture wide enough images and are too basic in terms of functionality, then the Lumix DMC-FX35 might be the answer. Release: March 2008. Price: $225.
Pros: Good image quality. 25mm wide-angle lens. Decent array of manual and auto controls.
Cons: Low light images are too noisy. Video uses a low-quality compression format. Sluggish to first shot.
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Full Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 Review:
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Design – Good
Right out of the starting gate, there's nothing particularly alluring about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35's exterior. Architecturally, the camera falls in line with hundreds of other compact zoom designs—slim body, large LCD screen, sleek looks. Panasonic gave it a sturdy construction, utilizing brushed aluminum and rigid plastic. This camera can certainly withstand an inadvertent plummet and look hot while doing it.
Panasonic kept the external controls to a minimum here, as you'll notice the 4-way directional pad, constituted by four small buttons that surround a circular set button. The d-pad is large enough to accommodate most fingers, but it doesn't engulf the majority of the real estate in back. One caveat is that the Up, Down, Left and Right buttons also double as quick adjustments when they are accessed from the standby screen. So, if you are not wading through a menu, don't be surprised when Exposure control suddenly surfaces when you press Up on the d-pad.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35's sides are rounded, which is an ergonomic blessing to the insides of your fingers—no harsh boxy design to dig into your skin here. The camera can be braced on both sides by the thumbs and index fingers comfortably. Panasonic also went with a Zoom ring, mounted around the shutter button. This is what we like to see here, as a Zoom ring can be accessed with the same finger used to access the shutter button. You'll have more time to compose a shot rather than fiddle with separate Zoom control buttons like the Casio Exilim EX-Z9.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is equipped with a handy Shooting Mode dial consisting of Clipboard, Video, Scene Modes, Normal Picture and Intelligent Auto. The only downside is that the dial only gives you about two seconds to make your selection before returning you to the standby screen. We'd like a little more time, or at permit the Set button to select a particular mode.
Features – Good
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is definitely one of Panasonic's more advanced compact zooms. Perhaps the most electrifying feature on the camera is its 25mm equivalent wide angle lens, which lets you capture more in your pictures without having to smash your back up against a wall in order to fit the entire Italian side of the family in the shot (that's a lot of people). By comparison, most cameras in this price range will offer a 36mm or 28mm wide angle lens. In addition to the wide-angle lens, the Lumix DMC FX-35 has a 4x optical zoom lens.
In terms of manual controls, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is chock full of image adjustment goodies that will fulfill the needs of most consumers. Exposure control, auto bracketing, ISO that spans up to 1600, White Balance and numerous focus modes allow you to take the reins of your image. If the advanced control can seem a bit daunting, the DMC-FX35 is equipped with 22 scene modes, Intelligent Exposure (adjusts the exposure automatically), 7 different color modes and even a full auto mode (Intelligent Auto). The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 can be a manual control powerhouse if you want it to be. If not, the auto controls and scene modes will suit most shooting environments.
With that in mind, the camera's menus system can seem a bit labyrinthine at times. There's the Shooting Mode dial, which contains the Scene Mode menu; the Quick Menu; and the Main menu. Panasonic has also tacked HD video recording to the DMC-FX35's roster of capabilities, however, it utilizes the MJPEG format, which is on the lower end of the quality scale. For quick YouTube bits, the video recording feature is great for the average consumer, but serious video connoisseurs will want to buy an actual camcorder.
Hardware – Good
From powered down to first shot, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 takes about three seconds, which is pretty sluggish. It takes another three seconds to snap the second shot. This is definitely a camera that takes its sweet time, but we were pleased with the results.
As we mentioned earlier, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 has a 25mm wide angle lens that will accommodate landscapes and images that require more room on the sides of the image, like family portraits. We were highly impressed with this feature because most cameras within the Lumix DMC-FX35's range cannot compete. The camera also has optical image stabilization that significantly reduces handheld shake via two different frequency settings.
Image Quality – Good
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 surprised us here. Not only did it capture beautiful wide angle images, but it retained brightness in low light, which is one of the biggest concerns with a consumer camera. The camera's large sensor opened the floodgates for adequate lighting and the 10MP images we snapped displayed crisp lines and intricate detail. Unfortunately, noticeable noise is apparent in most low light images, but Panasonic's Scene Modes could help you out. For the most part, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 will tackle most opponents in its price range.
Ideal Outdoor Lighting
When the sun is positioned just right, the camera will provide you with a glorious image. Just look at the crisp lines in the piping and flaking paint on the side of the silo. Noise is present here, especially in the shadowy background and up close in the sky. We wish this wasn't the case, for the actual pixels are glaringly visible. It's not the end of the world, and this is still a beautiful image, but we'd like some more fine detail from it.
Outdoor Contrast
In a shooting environment that is chock full of chrome, contrast becomes an issue. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 does a decent job staving off noise and blown-out whites. Sure, some of the seats, handlebars, and other assorted shiny motorcycle parts are blowing up, but this is a tall order for a compact zoom. You'll notice that the sky underneath the far overpass is on the brink of blowing out, but refrains from spilling into the rest of the image. There's minimal—if any—ghosting with this camera, and that's a good thing.
Portrait
There seems to be an ongoing theme, here, huh? Our subject's name is Harley Davidson. This Harley happens to be a lucky bike because visually it's being represented quite well. You attain textures from this image—the coarseness of the exhaust fabric, the smoothness of the chrome, the rigidness of the frame. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 does a stellar job bringing this bike into the spotlight. Noise is minimal and ghosting is nonexistent. The bottom engine cover looks like a bath of liquid chrome, and this bike shines. The DMC-FX35 excels in detail here.
Macro
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is one of those cameras that allows you to get all up in your subject's grill. Basically, you can get about 3-4 inches away from a subject using the Macro feature and still retain detail that's up close and personal. Here you can even discern the metallic flakes in the decal on the bike's cowling. Lines are crisp and bold—minimal complaints here.
Low Light
Here we're taking a trip back to Art History 101—it's time to talk about Seurat and the Pointillism craze because that's what this image looks like. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 certainly has no trouble maintaining a decent exposure level, but color information has gone out to lunch and noise is causing a scene. A dim lamp and weak computer screen are definitely difficult light sources to deal with, but the noise and washed out color mean we can't take this image seriously. Rare is the consumer camera that can provide sharp detail at this light level, but the camera was actually brighter than some other cameras we're currently testing.
Under the Desk
Now here's a wildcard shot. In person, it was exceedingly dim underneath this desk, but the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 was able to provide enough light in conjunction with significantly less noise than the first low light image. In comparison, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS5 could barely capture the image, displaying a murky jumble of pixels. Intelligent Exposure was used, but this is just a surprise here in extremely difficult lighting.
Out on the Street
And finally, this shot falls between the two. It's pretty no-frills, to be honest. It's noisy, but retains a good deal of accurate color. If you're out at night with friends, the Lumix DMC-FX35 is more than enough camera for you. Otherwise, invest in a nice DSLR.
Extremely Low Light – Candle Test
Extremely Low Light – Candlelight Mode
Here's a little spritz of magic, courtesy of the Candlelight scene mode. In Auto, the image is noisy and lacks fine detail. When Candlelight mode is set, the image is noticeably warmer, but look at the detail along the ring of the candle holder! Noise is decreased and the image is smoother. It's hot—literally.
Sunset
This image displays an exceptional color hue and saturation. The image is warm and captures the overall feeling of the moment—quite romantic! Noise is minimal and detail abounds. Also, look how much the 25mm wide angle lens was able to squeeze in. This is another example of how helpful the Lumix DMC-FX35's Scene Modes can be.
Video quality - Mediocre
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 hypes its ability to record 720p High Definition video, but shooters should beware of a few critical elements before occupying the director's chair. For starters, the video compression used--Motion JPEG (MJPEG)--is not the highest quality. Since the camera is recording 30 JPEG images per second, you'll notice a slight flicker in certain shooting environments due to the varying auto exposure and white balance levels in each individual frame. Also, noise is high and shots can be too blown out in bright environments. Video does not look like it's HD, but rather a slightly jumpy, enhanced Standard Definition. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 video files will also take up a lot of space, due to their high data transfer rate of 25Mbps. A 10 second video clip will cost you 30MB, and on a 1GB SD card, that's not even 5 minutes. Of course you can shoot in lower quality, but where's the fun in that? If you have lots of HDD space on your computer to store these files, then have a field day. Otherwise, invest in a real HD camcorder.
Software/Transfer
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 ships with basic imaging software, but it's also compatible with Apple's iPhoto and Vista machines. The best part is you just pop out the SD card and throw it in a reader and your images are ready to transfer. Images are JPEG format, so if you want to edit with RAW files, you'll have to find something more advanced.
Price and availability
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is available online now for around $250.
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