Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS16

The Panasonic DMC-FS16 is a budget-conscious compact with a number of specs which wouldn't look out of place on a model 100 more expensive. From the 14MP sensor to the 720 HD movie mode there's little to differentiate the FS16 from a number of supposedly higher-end cameras. The features on offer should entice those without a huge amount of cash to spend, mainly because each is geared towards taking a decent shot with as little fuss as possible. Sporting a 4x optically-stabilized zoom lens, coming from a 28mm wide angle. The MEGA portion of the optical stabilization supposedly allows the system to operate in low light, and when focusing closely to the lens. As with the majority of Panasonic cameras an Intelligent Auto mode is present, which reacts to available light and subject to adjust the camera to a specific scene mode. A 720p HD movie mode is a touch underwhelming when compared to the 1080 Full HD options on show from a number of other models, but the end quality is decent enough to show on a large TV screen. Similarly the 2.7inch LCD screen isn't anything spectacular, but does the job of previewing and reviewing the images in a perfectly acceptable manner.