Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX8 five megapixel digital camera

Panasonic just busted out the Lumix DMC-FX8, a new ultracompact five megapixel digital camera that's almost exactly the same as its predecessor, the Lumix DMC-FX7 (same resolution, same 2.5-inch LCD screen, same 3x optical zoom lens), save for one crucial difference: they fixed the DMC-FX7's dismal battery life and slapped a much longer lasting battery that is supposed to more than double the number of shots you can take before you run out of juice. There are a few other minor improvements, but you probably don't really care that it has three new scene modes, do you?

[Keta @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

I don't know what is considered dismal battery life, but my FX7 (the sweet black one) goes an entire weekend before running out of juice. That is a weekend of taking a few hundred photos, some video, plus a few slide shows when we sober up the next day. The FX7 is sweet and very pocketable.. highly recommended.

[Tom Scola @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

I love my FX7, but I've never been able to get anywhere near 100 photos before the battery dies on me.

I went out and got a second battery. A lot cheaper than getting a new camera.

[Dod @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

I wonder if we FX7 owners can get the new battery?

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

Oh man, why do they have to do this to me. I was gonig to buy the FX7 (upgrade from Cybershot U-20) before my summer study program in a couple weeks. Now I don't know what do do! :-p

[ArC @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

New battery, Dod? I think the camera was changed to use less power...

[k-dogg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

i was planning on getting an FX7K (K = black) too... the question is: is it a new battery, or is the battery consumption lowered, or a combo. Very valid question #3

[paultakeda @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

"The DMC-FX8 boasts high picture quality, large LCD, compactness and stylish design, all those desired for a compact camera. Not only that, FX8 also incorporates the highly commended MEGA O.I.S. while extending the battery life over two times as long as that of the previous FX7, by increasing the included lithium-ion battery capacity by 162% and adopting the power-saving Venus Engine PLUS."

From: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0505/05050902panasonic_fx8.asp

[ArC @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

Oh good, so it's both lower consumption and higher capacity.

[Sheil @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

I am very interested.... when is the FX8 actually going to be available for purchase????

[Sally Falkow @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

The digital camera megapixel shoot out on the Samys Camera website is an awesome comparison of 6 and 7 megapixel cameras. The article on how megapixels work is on the home page and
the link to the shoot out is in this article
http://www.samys.com/shootouts/2005-05.php

[mchipk @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

What about the color fringing, Venus II engine vs Venus Plus engine!!!?

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfx7/page5.asp

"One of Panasonic's claims for the Venus II engine is that it all but eliminates purple fringing, and it's no hollow claim; you have to search through a lot of pictures - and at high magnifications - before you find any really noticeable fringing."

Does it mean that the FX8 Venus Plus engine will have the color fringing?

[BigD @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

The VE2 is better than the VE+. I was going to buy the fuji F810, But after seeing the DMC-FX8, I want one! But darn, when is it going to be in north america?

[Nicolas Betancur @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

I'm dissapointed I didnt read this before going out and buying my Fx-7 but who knows when the fx-8 will be out and i got a pretty good price on my fx-7k.

In any case, it takes amazing pictures, the stabilizer works, and the design cant be beat.

However, the battery life can suck. Ive gone from taking 120 pictures with flash in a row to taking 40 and having the battery give up. However, to solve this problem, I bought 3 more batteries (which is excessive) so now I have enough to last me a long time and i get the benefits of the camera.

I will definetly buy Panasonic LUMIX cameras in the future.

[Kimnicho @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

The NEW buzz is that there is an FX9 in the horizon...check Panasonic Camera Forums - the manual was available thru Panasonic's website. The consensus seems to be that the FX8 is an "interim" camera and they will most likely not release it in the US and just introduce the FX9 . Now is the time to find a sweet deal on the FX7 - I got mine for $250 on eBay. Plus, $10 for a spare battery.

[GaryK53 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

Kimnicho is correct...the FX9 is being hyped heavily with a target USA release date of 25 September.

However, there are many places to buy FX8 now. Used FX7 go for ~270USD and new go for ~300USD on eBay. New FX8 go for ~330USD from the online retailers and ~350USD on eBay. Not sure whether these FX8 are "gray market" but that may not matter to some of us.

If the consensus is correct that FX8 is a temporary camera, then September and October will be the months to grab an FX8 as the FX9 are introduced. My guess is that ~250USD will buy an FX8 then.

To me, it would seem that the added battery life, reinforced battery door, and enhanced VGA movie mode are worth opting for an FX8 over FX7. But the added bells and whistles of the FX9 will not be worth the extra ~100 over FX8 to me.

[Joel Gabelman @ Dec 19th 2005 12:14AM]

When I looked at the FX8, it appeared that when I zoomed in and out, the focusing wasn't smooth, but almost "blotchy", as if the camera wasn't constantly adjusting, but moving to a different zoom range. Other cameras I'm considering are the Canon SD550, and the Casio Exilim S500. I'm looking for great size (small), great pictures and great battery life. What are your thoughts?