Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)

by Panasonic

• Optical Zoom 4x; Extra Optical Zoom 4.9x, 6.3x, 7.8x / 4x Digital Zoom / 4x optical has focal length of 35-140mm in 35mm equiv
• Optical Image Stabilizer-2 MEGA O.I.S. (Off / Auto / Mode1 / Mode2) Photo and Movie modes
• Focus Range Display / AF Metering / Focus - Normal / Macro, Zoom Macro, Quick AF (Always On) / AF Assist Lamp
• ISO Sensitivity Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / High Sensitivity (ISO 1600-6400)
• White Balance Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / White Set
• Selectable at Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Sports, Baby, Pet, High Sensitivity, High-speed Burst, Photo Frame mode

Product Details

• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00395Y9WS
• Item model number: DMC-FP1K
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,958 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The flat body and compact size of the DMC-FP1 allow it to fit nicely into a small handbag. Built of high-quality aluminum, the DMC-FP1 also brings a wide range of colors to the series. The new lens cover both protects the lens from scratches or dusts and serves as the camera's power switch, making it fast and easy to slip the camera out of a pocket or a bag and turn on the power.

Lumix DMC-FP1 Highlights

4x Optical Zoom / Up to 7.8x Extra Optical Zoom
The DMC-FP1 has a 4x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 35-140mm) and 7.8x Extra Optical Zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 273mm). Adding the Extra Optical Zoom to the 4x digital zoom extends the total zooming power to a maximum of 31.3x.

Sonic Speed AF
The Sonic Speed AF system in the DMC-FP1 has a maximum speed of approx. 0.33 second for auto focusing*. It includes numerous re-engineering enhancements, including a higher-speed actuator, optimized algorithms and parallel software processing. The result is fast and accurate AF performance. You can quickly get moving subjects in focus, such as when you're shooting sports scenes.
_{* Using the 1-area AF, at the wide-end.}

HD Movie Recording
The DMC-FP1 can record motion images in high-definition (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format). The pixel mixed readout method enables bright motion-image recording even in low-light settings. The DMC-FP1 can also record full-size motion images in WVGA (848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) or standard motion images in VGA (640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps).

Venus Engine IV
The image-processing engine, Venus Engine IV, uses advanced signal processing to give you beautiful images even when the sensitivity is high. Multi-task signal processing is employed for all images to enable high-speed, high-performance shooting. Venus Engine IV also effectively raises the precision of various functions, such as MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control. Along with its extremely high performance, Venus Engine IV reduces power consumption thanks to a number of energy efficiency improvements.

Extended Battery Life
The energy-saving Venus Engine IV image-processing engine and the efficient, rechargeable lithium-ion battery which has been slimmed down to fit into thinner camera bodies work together to extend the shooting time of the DMC-FP1. This lets users take approx. 300 shots on a single battery charge*.
_{* Based on the CIPA standard.}

Product Description

A Colorful, New, 12. 1 Megapixel,Ultra-slim Compact Camera with 4x Optical Zoom and iA Mode Futuristic, Flat Design with Folded Optics Technology The flat body and compact size of the DMC- FP1 allow it to fit nicely into a small handbag. Built of high-quality aluminum, the DMC- FP1 also brings a wide range of colors to the series. Choose from 8 colors. The new lens cover both protects the lens from scratches or dusts and serves as the camera's power switch, making it fast and easy to slip the camera out of a pocket or a bag and turn on the power. 4x Optical Zoom / Up to 7.8x Extra Optical Zoom The DMC-FP1 has a 4x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 35-140mm) and 7.8x Extra Optical Zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 273mm)*1. Adding the Extra Optical Zoom to the 4x digital zoom*2 extends the total zooming power to a maximum of 31.3x. Sonic Speed AF The Sonic Speed AF system in the DMC-FP1 has a maximum speed of approx. 0.33 second for auto focusing*. It includes numerous re-engineering enhancements, including a higher-speed actuator, optimized algorithms and parallel software processing. The result is fast and accurate AF performance. You can quickly get moving subjects in focus, such as when you're shooting sports scenes.* Using the 1-area AF, at the wide-end. HD Movie Recording (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG Format) The DMC-FP1 can record motion images in high-definition (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format). The pixel mixed readout method enables bright motion-image recording even in low-light settings. The DMC-FP1 can also record full-size motion images in WVGA (848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) or standard motion images in VGA (640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps). Venus Engine IV The image-processing engine, Venus Engine IV, uses advanced signal processing to give you beautiful images even when the sensitivity is high. Multi-task signal processing is employed for all images to enable high-...

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 92 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but look a little higher! May 9, 2010

By Andrew

This camera is overall pretty good and has a competitive MSRP. However, be sure to consider the older but higher-end Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8. When Panasonic came out with the new FP1 and FP3 (the touchscreen version of the FP1), I was hoping they would be the same as the well-reviewed FP8 but with an improved look and a lens cover. Well, I was slightly disappointed.

Let's forget the gimmicky touchscreen FP3 and compare the FP1 to the FP8. The FP1 is $40 cheaper than the FP8 regarding market price (as of when I wrote this review) but it has:
-0.6x less zoom (4.0x rather than 4.6x)
-Mega OIS rather than Power OIS (Panasonic claims Power is 2x better, maybe dubious)
-No wide-angle lens (35mm rather than 28mm)
-80 shots less per battery charge (300 rather than 380)
-No zoom during video recording

Personally, that last drawback breaks the deal for me as I need the best video recording experience possible (and I've found that the FP8 has THE best 720p quality in point-and-shoot cameras under $200). But it's up to you on whether those drawbacks are worth the $40 savings.

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Consumer Reports Best Buy November 16, 2010

By Blake

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this camera solely on Consumer Reports ratings. I wanted a slim camera to carry in my pocket at parties, events, etc. with friends. I am not doing any "professional" photos, just fun pics. This camera is AWESOME!!! It is about $100 cheaper than comparable Nikon and Sony cameras, it does great with night pics, some movement, etc. I post all my party pics on FB and everyone talks about how good they turned out. I LOVE this camera!! Can't be beat for the price! Consumer Reports knows what they were talking about. :)

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Neat little camera July 27, 2010

By Mac S. Harris

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great little camera to carry around for capturing images that come up while driving along or visiting somewhere. I have a Nikon SLR that I use for planned photographs, but this is a great camera to carry around for picture opportunities that pop up unexpectedly. It is small and very easy to use, and it has a rechargable battery that seems to have a very long cycle between charges. It uses a SDHC card that holds more pictures than you are likely to take before you download them, and the image quality is very good.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Lumix FP1 is like shooting thru a Smoke Screen December 3, 2010

By J. Conner

Amazon Verified Purchase

Do you wonder why the FP1 price has dropped to $79 from about $109 in the past 3 weeks ? (What was it a couple of months ago, about $169 !! ) I think I know why. I tried two different ones, and both have terrible glare on the lens and the glare has the same effect as if you were in a smoke-filled room !! This is true indoors, worse of course outdoors, and even is very visible in its videos. Its pictures look as though they need a polarizing filter...And if that weren't enough, the low-light ability w/o flash is just pitiful. So very disappointing compared to what I expected from Panasonic. Ok for $79, but it never should have started any higher.
All its pretty bells and whistles and durable body cant help.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good camera for the size and price June 30, 2010

By lisa

I have a Panasonic DMC TZ3. It's a bulkier model but gets a 60x zoom, quite large for still a non-DSLR pocket camera. I liked the Lumix line by Panasonic. After playing with many ultra compact models in the store (Samsung TL205 with dual view and Samsung TL105), I decided this was the way to go! I am happy thus far. Please, let me say I am no expert, but I have had 5-6 digital cameras and can compare.

The good:
zooms up to 33.8x, which is HUGE for a camera this size (the optical zoom is internal! takes up no space but quite effective)
lots of scenes and modes to choose from
super small size (0.7" wide), smaller than my blackberry phone!
lightweight
sliding the cover down is an easy and quick power on, makes catching the 'right' moment easier when you don't have a long start up
very quick when using a SDXC card, class 4 or the higher the better
selects and determines the best scene and shot for you
speaker for playback of films is actually quite good

The Bad:
menu and scene selection is not as easy to go through as other models, needs a clicker or round changer on the unit itself (like choosing to film a movie, you must go through menu rather than hitting a button)
quite grainy and noisy in some modes, almost unusable. just have to find right ones

The Indifferent:
the camera colors are a little funky, choose wisely
when pressing buttons, you can notice a slightly 'cheaper' feel than others (the sound, the feel, etc.)

Overall it's a good, solid camera. I dont know if I would use it as my only camera because I personally like a nice, big zoom, but definitely a nice addition to the collection.... Definitely great for beginners, people who take pics with friends, and casual shooting. It's no DSLR, but a good, daily pocket camera. Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Camera September 19, 2010

By R. Whitehead

Amazon Verified Purchase

We used this camera on a recent trip to San Francisco and it worked great. The pictures were in focus, the color was good and we were very satisfied with its performance. Never had a problem with the battery, just charged it up each night even though it was far from being depleted. The controls are easy to use and intuitive if you've used a digital camera before. It's small, about the size of a deck of cards, so it fit in my shirt pocket or my wife's tiny purse without any problems and feels solid so you can take it with you everywhere.

If your a professional photographer, you might want something better, but if you just want pictures of your vacation and the family for pictures or screen savers, this camera is hard to beat and it's a lot easier to haul around than the big "professional" cameras.