Bookmark & Share
Expert Recommendation
.
Overview
Panasonic has again raised the bar on point-n-shoot cameras with its Lumix DMC-FX37 and its unprecedented Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 5x 25mm to 125mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens. Coupled with a 10.1 megapixel sensor, optical image stabilization, and an array of useful features, it’s no wonder that this camera is a “Best in Class” for Interiors.
My Best In Class Pick
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37’s Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens is what sets this camera apart from the competition. With its impressive 25mm (35mm equivalent) focal length, it has the extra coverage to meet those situations that most point-n-shoots cannot hope to match. With little or no distortion throughout its zoom range, excellent contrast, plus the built-in Panasonic Mega O.I.S. optical image stabilization, you’ll get razor sharp images even at very slow shutter speeds. The lens’ only caveat is some image softening in the corners; however, this would only be apparent, and only if you looked closely, in an extreme enlargement, say 16x20 or larger. In real world use, you’ll never see it.
To ease your shooting burdens, this camera comes with a host of useful features including macro focusing down to two inches, ISOs from 100 to 6400, 5 preset white balance options, plus manual; shutter speeds from 60 seconds to 1/2000th second, 5 flash options, +/- 2 EV exposure compensation, Intelligent multi-segment metering, a plethora of shooting modes, including Intelligent Auto, which lets the camera pick the mode that best suits the scene conditions; up to 2.5 frames per second, 5 resolutions of movie mode with two frame rates, three still formats (4:3, 3:2, 16:9), and USB 2.0 Hi-Speed for fast image transfers.
All in all, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37 is a great little camera, and with its reasonable street price, a deal.
Comparison with Nikon Coolpix S610
Its lessor zoom range of 28-112mm (equivalent) and 4 sec to 1/1500th shutter speeds relegated this fine little camera to the Number 2 position. However, it still has a very good lens with optical image stabilization, and produces sharp, low noise images. Additionally, Nikon’s exclusive D-Lighting feature corrects overly dark shadows in high contrast scenes or grossly underexposed images automatically.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot SD870 IS
Traditionally, Canon cameras, whether point-n-shoots or pro models, produce some of the most remarkable noise free images I ever seen, but this model from 2007 with its 28mm - 105mm equivalent lens, no internal RAM, slightly, but insignificantly less resolution (8.0 MP) earned it a Number 3 position. However, it is superbly built and finished, has optical image stablization, and produces amazingly good images. If it had had a 25mm wide zoom lens, regardless of the maximum focal length, it would have been my Number 1 “Best in Class” pick. Still, it’s an excellent little camera.
Pros
- +Outstanding lens
- +Optical Image Stabilization
- +Excellent, sharp, very low noise images
- +Manual compensation (exposure, white balance, flash)
- +Orientation sensor
- +50MB internal storage
- +Price
Cons
- -No full manual exposure modes
- -Images slightly soft in corners
- -2.5" LCD
- -No optical viewfinder
Where to buy
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37
-
Best Price:
$249
See It »
- $249 - $468 Compare Prices »
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
| Product |
 |
2
 |
3
 |
| Customer Rating |
 
(from 27 reviews)
|
(from 42 reviews)
|
(from 447 reviews)
|
| Price | $249 - $468 | $188 - $325 | $469 - $494 |
| Easy to Use | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
?
Close
Min Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. On any 35 mm film camera, a 30 mm or less lens is considered a wide-angle lens.
|
25 mm | 28 mm | 28 mm |
|
?
Close
Image Stabilization Available
Image stabilization features are designed to reduce the blur that results from normal, minute shaking of a lens due to hand-held shooting. However, image stabilization does not prevent motion blur caused by the movement of the subject or by extreme movements of the camera.
|
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Image Stabilization Type | Optical (lens shift) | Optical (lens shift) | Optical (lens shift) |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 2.0 EV | +/- 2.0 EV | +/- 2.0 EV |
|
?
Close
LCD Screen Size
The LCD Screen Size is the length of the miniature LCD monitor measured diagonally.
|
2.5 in. | 3.0 in. | 3.0 in. |
Nikon Coolpix S610
The newly announce (August 2008) Nikon Coolpix S610 packs a host of features into a slim (22.5mm), compact body featuring a 10 megapixel sensor, a Nikon 28-112mm equivalent 4x zoom lens with VR (Vibration Reduction) optical image stabilization, and a 3.0 inch 230,000 pixel LCD with anti-reflective coating. Additionally, it has 16 scene modes, Auto Scene Selector, AF modes that recognize faces or tracks movements automatically, ISOs from 100 to 3200, 45 megabyte internal memory, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, and Nikon’s exclusive D-Lighting to automatically correct underexposure and overly dark shadows in contrasty scenes. With a reasonable under $300 retail price, the Nikon Coolpix S610 is a good choice for either the occassional or serious snapshooter.
Where to buy
Nikon Coolpix S610
-
Best Price:
$188
See It »
- $188 - $325 Compare Prices »
Canon PowerShot SD870 IS
Don’t be put off just because this model is over a year old and “only” has an 8.0 megapixel sensor. It can match or better the image quality of a lot of the newer point-n-shoots sporting up to 12 or more megapixel sensors. The reason? Canon, early on, seems to have solved the problem of reducing noise while still maintaining image sharpness. Images from Canon cameras are so “smooth” that one just has to say “Wow!” Add to this the SD870’s abundance of features, build quality, and very low street price, and you’ve got a “sleeper” that will take a beating and still produce quality images for a long time.
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot SD870 IS
-
Best Price:
$469
See It »
- $469 - $494 Compare Prices »
How It Works
You tell us your budget, intended uses, and desired features. We show you personalized recommendations from unbiased experts to quickly identify the best digital camera for you.
Advertisement
How to Pick Digital Cameras
- For Travel Photos
- For Photos of Children or Pets
- For Action or Sports Photos
- For Photos in Low Light
