Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS62: Does everything so you don't have to
There isn't much the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS62 won't do for you -- when it comes to taking photographs, anyway
Panasonic has quietly snuck out the Lumix DMC-FS62, a 10.1-megapixel compact camera. It boasts a host of automatic features and comes in pretty colours. How would you describe this one? Aquamarine? Turquoise?
Let's call it blue and move on. On the front there's an F2.8 Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens with 4x optical zoom. The focal length is equivalent to 33-132mm. Round the back there's a 64mm (2.5-inch) 230,000-dot LCD screen. We did think the days of 64mm screens were behind us, but never mind.
Panasonic compacts are aways crammed with automatic features that do everything for you, and the FS62 is no exception. Intelligent auto mode picks the scene, checks the ISO, straightens your shirt and takes the picture for you.
Face detection? Check. It'll find up to 15 faces, so all you have to do is find 15 people to pretend to be your friends. Panasonic reckons it'll work even if a face moves or turns into profile.
The face system will also digitally correct red-eye effect. Excellent. Other features include a passel of scene modes, including portrait, image-vaselining soft skin, sports, fireworks, aerial photo... all the essentials. Oh, and 4:3 VGA or lower video with mono sound.
The DMC-FS62 will be available from May 2009, in silver, black, blue, red or pink flavours for £150.