Sample photos: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8

Overall photo quality is very good from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8, though those planning to make prints larger than 8x10 inches will be less happy with the results. Like most cameras in its class, the FP8 produces its best photos below ISO 200. The results are decent from ISO 200 all the way up to ISO 800. Photos above ISO 800 are fairly unusable; there's a lot of graininess, color shifting, and yellow splotches throughout pictures. While its simple enough to say, "Keep your sensitivity setting at or below ISO 800," the camera is first and foremost a point-and-shoot camera. Panasonic's otherwise reliable Intelligent Auto mode unnecessarily favors higher ISOs and in that mode there is no way to set a limit on sensitivity.

This is at ISO 250 in macro. Detail is strong and subjects are sharp, but when viewed at 100 percent things look a little overprocessed. The same applies to photos not taken in macro.

The wide-angle lens exhibits some mild barrel distortion on the left side (top) and there is also a little pincushion distortion when the lens is fully extended (bottom). Though the occasional test shot showed chromatic aberration, it was only noticeable in larger prints.

Colors were generally accurate, bright, and natural. At ISO 800 there was a little color shifting, but the worst of it happens at sensitivities above that setting.