The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 is a 7.2 megapixel compact camera with a 3.6x optical Zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD display.

It comes bundled up in an ultra slim casing (just 22mm wide) and features an optically stabilized wide angle lens (28mm at the widest) and an ISO range of up to 1250.

Panasonic Introduces Lumix DMC-FX30, World's Slimmest Digital Camera With 28mm Wide Angle Lens

7.2 Megapixel Camera Features Intelligent Image Stabilization

Panasonic today introduced the new Lumix DMC-FX30 compact digital still camera, the successor to the widely-popular DMC-FX07. The 7.2 megapixel DMC-FX30 is currently the world's slimmest camera available with a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, which allows users to fit more people in a photo when space is tight or to capture beautiful landscapes with sweeping scenery or large structures.

The slim downed DMC-FX30 -- which is 10-percent smaller than its predecessor -- also boasts a 3.6x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-100mm on a 35mm film camera), f/2.8 brightness and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. When married with the Intelligent Image Stabilization system -- which combines MEGA O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer) with Intelligent ISO Control -- takes the blur out of photos caused by unsteady hands and moving subjects -- the camera packs top line features into one of the slimmest form factors available.

Using Leica's advanced lens technology, the DMC-FX30's lens unit is comprised of seven elements in six groups, including five lenses with six aspherical surfaces. Furthermore, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function uses the center part of the CCD to provide additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 5.3x. This advanced lens unit passes Leica's stringent standards and delivers exceptional optical performance.

"The smart, sleek design of the DMC-FX30 combines the power of a wide-angle lens and Intelligent Image Stabilization, with a compact body of one of the smallest point-and-shoot cameras," said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "The DMC-FX30 is the perfect camera for the person on the go because it enables consumers to capture high quality images with unmatched convenience and style."

With the incorporation of Intelligent ISO Control, Panasonic is the first in the industry to fight motion blur that can occur when a subject moves as the photo is being snapped. The Intelligent Image Stabilization system detects whether or not the subject is moving and automatically raises the ISO setting accordingly, allowing the camera to shoot at a higher shutter speed when needed. With the combination of Intelligent ISO Control and MEGA O.I.S., Panasonic has equipped its entire line of cameras with the industry's most advanced countermeasures against blurring.

In addition, the camera accepts large capacity SDHC memory cards, giving the user more flexibility in shooting and recording. The DMC-FX30 also incorporates a wide variety of scene modes for different situations including the new Pet and Sunset modes. These modes take advantage of the Intelligent ISO Control to fight against unexpected motion and give the user great results.

The DMC-FX30 will be available in silver, black, blue and light brown, each with a specially textured finish that takes best advantage of the color. Intelligently designed and packed with features, the DMC-FX30 adds to the Lumix legacy of delivering advanced digital cameras that capture clear, crisp, beautiful images.

Photoxels has a review of the Panasonic FX30 and writes, "The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 is a well-built, beautifully designed digital camera that will make many point-and-shoot photographers happy. Just remember that if you need large prints, stay at the low ISO of 100 (and perhaps 200); otherwise for small prints and for Web only display, switch to Intelligent ISO to make the most of this digital camera. The FX30 is a point-and-shoot digital camera you may want in your pocket at all times ready to catch those precious moments of life!"

DigiCam Review has a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 and writes, "The camera has very good image quality - the camera has good detail and very good colour (accurate, and well saturated) and there was little to no noticable corner softness in the images - despite the wide-angle lens. Images have good saturation and contrast, with fairly low noise at the lower ISO settings. The higher ISO settings of ISO400 and above are probably best avoided as detail is lacking from images. Indoors photos were good, although noise was noticeable in some shots and red-eye occurred occassionally. Purple fringing was noticed in very few shots, and wasn't a problem in the majority of shots. The camera was good at focusing indoors thanks to the focus assist lamp. I did not notice any vignetting, barrel or pincushion distortion."

NeoCamera has a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 and writes, "In the end the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 turns out to be an average ultra-compact camera with a wide-angle lens. ... Images from this digital camera are overly contrasty, lack dynamic range and show visibly more noise than its competitors. At ISO 100 and 200, noise is only slightly noticeable but starting at ISO 400 it gets worse. Another image quality problem is the smudging of low-contrast details present even at ISO 100. One major problem that cannot easily be overlooked is that the FX30's LCD does not accurately represent exposure."

Megapixel has a review of the Panasonic DMC-FX30 and writes, "The Panasonic DMC-FX30 is a camera that produces mixed reactions. It allows capturing fleeting moments thanks to a fast auto focus and a negligible shutter delay. The images the camera yields have an excellent colour rendition, exposures turn out perfectly without any particular effort on the part of the photographer, and images print very well. At the same time, this is a camera that is clearly sensitive to noise, yielding its best results when given plenty of bright light and when the photographer tries to avoid framing shots that contain numerous shadow areas."

Camera Labs has a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 and writes, "Ultimately if you can live with the noise and mostly automatic controls, then the FX30 is a lovely compact to use. It’s slim and light while packing in a decent lens with genuine wide angle and optical stabilisation. The sensor issues prevent us from awarding our highest recommendation, but since this is par for the course with today’s compacts coupled with the overwhelmingly positive aspects of the FX30, means it’s a model we can still comfortably Recommend."

DigitalCameraReview has a review of the Lumix DMC-FX30 and writes, "The FX30 is an excellent choice for family photographers, snap-shooters, casual photographers, and first time digital camera buyers who want a digicam that is capable of capturing excellent images, small enough to be dropped in a pocket and taken along just about anywhere, and simple enough to be used easily by just about anyone. Consumers who want the convenience and immediacy of a pocketable ultra-compact P&S digicam, but yearn for the performance and image quality of a more complex camera may find the FX30 an acceptable compromise – especially when potential purchasers consider that the FX30 is significantly lower in price than other 28mm (equivalent) zoom digicams. Serious photographers and those who may occasionally need large prints should look elsewhere."