Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS37 review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS37 : Compact crisis? Millions of pixels aren’t the answer

This sleek compact with touch-screen control will fit right into the iGeneration’s arsenal of gadgets. Living up to the premium brand, Panasonic’s DMC-FS37 is dressed in a classic metallic panel with a hairline finish and will suit most tastes with its variety of colours: silver, black, red, blue or violet. Despite our review model being clad in slimming black, it failed to disguise the fact that this compact is a little chunky. At 99.2mm it’s wider than most pocketable cameras, but it does give the user better purchase while shooting.

It’s a shame, then, that the images captured are not up to the standard of its build quality. A look under the hood reveals a particularly small sensor of only 1/2.33-inch CCD, whereas most other compacts have a larger 1/1.7-inch sensor. The physical size of the sensor has a direct impact on image quality, especially when a large megapixel count like 16.1MP has been crammed onto it.

Unfortunately, some will fall for the ‘more megapixels means better images’ marketing, and they’ll be disappointed with the results. Increased noise and lack of detail are the worst offenders, with chromatic aberration rearing its ugly head in the form of purple tinges clinging to the outlines of subjects. A common result in bright conditions was complete overexposure, which threatened to ruin images. Most are useable as 7” x 5” snapshots, but those photographers who are image-quality-conscious should look elsewhere.

Consumers will expect more from a compact that falls in the £200-plus range, especially when the other specifications make it seem like a viable option for everyday shooting. The Leica lens spans an impressive 28mm at the wide angle, setting up to 224mm at the telephoto end, which provides good flexibility for composition. Focal distance can be altered via the rocker switch that surrounds the shutter release on the top plate, one of the few buttons on board. Next to this is a proper switch to turn the power on (rather than a button) and a minuscule electronic zoom control that should be avoided if you want steady handheld shots.

The distinct lack of controls is due to the large three-inch touch screen LCD that dominates the rear of the camera. Autofocus, zoom and shutter functions can all be achieved with the tap of a finger and a minimal menu allows you to alter ISO, white balance and other common functions such as Burst and Flash modes. However, this is all the control the user can exert over this headstrong camera – the FS37 will determine everything else for you. Scene mode-wise, there is a selection of 27, including Panorama Assist, Self-Portrait and even Candle Light.

The movie mode is one of the few areas that this camera matches up to competitors. It records in HD format at 1280 x 720 pixels at 27fps with mono microphone. There is also a Lumix Image Uploader that enables users to share their videos and stills via email, Facebook and YouTube by simply checking the items and connecting the camera to a PC.

‘Simple’ is certainly the buzzword for the FS37, and you’re ready to start shooting as soon as you switch the camera on. Thanks to the Venus Engine VI, it fires up immediately and pauses between shots are barely noticeable. These are small rewards, though, when the price tag doesn’t afford a fully featured camera that allows you to alter important settings like aperture and shutter speed once you have progressed your skills.