The idea of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 may seem like an anomaly at first. After all, who but professional photographers needs 12 megapixels? And don’t prosumers prefer DSLRs? In short, the answer is yes, but even power users want a break from heavy zooms without sacrificing quality, which is where the compact DMC-FX100 fits in. It’s the first camera to feature 12-MP resolution and a 28mm wide-angle lens. The FX100’s 3.6X optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, and new 16-meter flash all help make this an impressive performer for $399.
For a camera so rich in features, the silver FX100, also available in black, is unassuming in design. At 6.2 ounces, it isn’t the lightest camera, but its 3.8 x 2.1 x 1-inch stainless-steel chassis is still small enough to carry with ease. The 2.5-inch LCD is big enough and bright enough to see both indoors and out. The camera also features an LCD mode, which lets you choose from three brightness levels.