Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS5 Review | Compact Digital Cameras | CNET UK
by richard.trenholm@cnet.co.uk (Rich Trenholm)
In an increasingly packed compact camera market, some of the most exciting snappers have been coming from manufacturers perhaps not traditionally considered as photographic innovators. Casio and Samsung are producing consistently interesting cameras, and Panasonic's Lumix range is always worth a look.
With high expectations, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS5 steps on to centre stage. It's a 10-megapixel compact point-and-shoot that's currently available online for around £170.
Design The FS5 is available in red, black and silver. It's light and pocketable, but a raised screen bezel and lens ring give it a chunkier profile. The matte silver metal frame and chrome accents give it a slick look, although we're not keen on the silver bar at the front. As a design detail it's lumpen, and as a finger-grip it's next to useless.
Still, there are plenty of other details that we do like: a hinged door covers the connections instead of a flap of rubber, while the memory and battery card slot has a locking switch. Instead of a nasty flat switch, there's a pleasingly round collar rocker switch for the zoom. Plus, there's a handy 'easy zoom' button that makes the zoom leap out to its 4x full extension with one touch.