Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 intro

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is a slim 10.1 Megapixel compact with a 4x optically stabilised lens. Announced in January 2008, it comes just six months after its predecessor the Lumix FX33, which itself came only seven months after the Lumix FX30.

Panasonic may have kept essentially the same body design as its predecessor, but has equipped the FX35 with a new lens: a 4x optical zoom to the FX33’s 3.6x. While you’d assume this would simply allow greater magnification at the telephoto end, Panasonic has in fact chosen to extend the wide angle range. So rather than having the 28-100mm equivalent coverage of the FX33, the new FX35 boasts 25-100mm coverage. This equips it with unusually wide angle facilities for a compact camera.

Like its superzoom stable-mate the Lumix TZ5, the new FX35 also sports High Definition video recording options in addition to the already decent standard definition options. The new HD mode records 720p video with a 1280x720 pixel frame at either 10 or 30 fps, and the FX35 is also equipped with a port for an optional component video cable for connection to HDTVs.

Like its other 2008 models, Panasonic has also equipped the FX35 with its latest Intelligent Auto mode which combines a number of new and existing technologies to detect scenes, motion and adjust the sensitivity as required. This latest revision includes Panasonic’s own take on the dynamic range boosters seen on many recent DSLRs which reduce the exposure to preserve highlights, while brightening shadow areas. Interestingly Panasonic does this by actually adjusting the sensitivity in different parts of the sensor.

Which finally brings us to the sensor itself, which inevitably has an increase in resolution. Since noise was already an issue with its predecessor, it would be too much to hope that Panasonic made better use of its light gathering power, but of course marketing strategies dictate more Megapixels, so the 8.1 Megapixels of the earlier FX33 have been increased to 10.1 on the new FX35.

The earlier Lumix FX33 was one of the most desirable slim compacts on the market, so by adding a wider lens range, High Definition movies and a clever auto mode, have Panasonic made it even better? Find out in our Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 full review where we’ll compare its quality and features to its predecessor and key rivals. And as always, for a demonstration of its features, check out our FX35 video tour.

Note: The Lumix FX35 is known as the Lumix FX36 in Asia, Australia and New Zealand; both models are identical other than the name. Also note some portions of the following review are based on our existing review of the Lumix TZ5, where some features are identical.