The Panasonic DMC FS3 is an 8 megapixel digital camera with a 3x lens. If you shoot at lower resolutions extra optical zoom becomes available. For example if you shoot at 2 megapixels the maximum optical zoom is 4.8x. 4x digital zoom is also available. The focal length of the lens is equivalent to 33 - 100mm in 35mm format. The lens aperture works in the range Wide: F3.3 - F8 Tele: F5.1 - F14.

• Special resolution for widescreen television playback
• Special resolution for 6 x 4 inch prints
• Image stabilisation
• Self timer
• Colour options - Standard, Natural, Vivid, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm

In macro mode the DMC FS3 can focus from 5cm. Face detection focusing is available for sharper portraits.

The 2.5 inch LCD screen is made up of around 230,000 dots.

The built in flash unit has a maximum range of 6.3m. This falls progressively as you zoom in to 3.4m when the zoom lens is fully extended. The flash modes are Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off, (Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction only in Night Portrait/Party/Candle Light mode only).

There are a range of scene modes. These are Portrait, Soft Skin, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial photo and Underwater.

You can shoot movies for widescreen televisions (maximum resolution 848 x 480) at a top speed of 30 frames per second. As is the current norm with digital cameras sound can be recorded and zoom can be applied before you start shooting, but not while recording is in progress.

Among the more advanced features are ISO (Auto,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 (High Sensitivity Mode : Auto(1600 - 6400) )), white balance (Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set, White Balance Adjustment (only in underwater mode)) and exposure compensation (1/3 EV step, +/-2 EV).

Shutter speeds are set automatically. These work in the range 8 - 1/2000 seconds in automatic modes. They can be extended to 15, 30, 60 seconds in starry sky mode.

There is a burst mode that allows you to shoot 7 photos at a top speed of 3 frames per second. There is also consecutive shooting mode. This allows you to fire away until the memory card is full, but at a slower rate to the burst mode.

All the necessary cables and software are supplied to attach the Panasonic DMC FS3 to a computer, television set and compatible printer. Panasonic DMC FS3

Description:	8 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom lens
Ease of Use:	8
Features:	8
Colour:	8
Macro:	8
Indoors:	9
Value for Money:	8
Style:	9
Movie Mode:	9
Image Quality:	9
Build Quality:	8
Total:	84
Verdict:	"This is an impressive pocket camera. Easy to use, takes a good picture and fits into a pocket. It is well made and has an unfussy design. With a few extras such as image stabilisation it ticks all the right boxes."
Review Date:	April 2008
Related Pages:	Panasonic DMC FS3 Specification Panasonic DMC FS3 Sample Images Panasonic DMC FS3 Features

Click a flag for prices from other countries:

Camera	Rating
Panasonic DMC FX60	86
Canon IXUS 120 IS	86
Sony DSC TX1	86
Canon IXUS 110 IS	86
Canon IXUS 100 IS	86
Panasonic DMC FS62	85
Samsung ST550	85
Nikon Coolpix S570	85

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, please make sure you double check the feature set and specification at the point of purchase.

Panasonic DMC FS3