Panasonic brings in a new era where compacts have sensors with more pixels than most semi-professional reflexes.  With the Lumix DMC-FX100, this manufacturer offers the first 12 million pixel compact.  Does this astronomical quantity of photodiodes improve image quality?

In hand

More than just a simple update by integrating a 12 megapixel sensor, the FX100 is an entirely new product with a new design for the occasion. The size of the sensor increases from 1/2.5'' (roughly 6.4 x 4.8 mm) for the FX30 to 1/1.72'' (7.6 x 5.7 mm). The bigger sensor also required a revised and corrected lens. In the end, the FX100 is more imposing than the FX30 while at the same time it stays relatively compact. 

With its slight stoutness, handling of the FX100 is moreover more enjoyable. The interface underwent some slight modifications and buttons are not as round. We also noticed the  addition of an e.zoom shortcut which allows to entirely and automatically use the optical and/or numeric zoom. The dial is still the main control for the FX100 with which you can choose the different shooting modes, notably the ISO intelligent setting, which determines the ISO depending on the subject’s movements. Another indispensible element is the FUNC button allowing adjustment of the main parameters (stabilization, burst mode, light meter, white balance, sensitivity, and size/compression). It’s simple and efficient.   

The LCD screen is of high quality, fluid, and has relatively large viewing angles. Is there something we didn’t like? Yes, the 3.6x zoom, which was a bit too slow. It also affects the other functions of the FX100.   You will have to wait 2.8 to take the first photo and more than 2 seconds between shots. Here, the 12 million pixels seem a bit too heavy to manage. In addition, the burst mode is a bit symbolic with a speed of 0.8 i/s in unlimited number.  The autofocus, however, is entirely satisfactory. Finally, battery autonomy improves to 1150 mAh (it’s also larger) and according to the CIPA standard there are now 300 photos versus the 280 of theFX30.

Quality of images

So, do the additional two million pixels really change the outcome? In terms of definition, the gain is undeniable. On the screen at 100%, the image with 12 million pixels results in more detail, and this is a surplus of information useful first and foremost for large format printing or resizing. On a 10x15 cm print, the interest is nil. We also could have feared the worst in terms of noise and processing. However, this is not an issue and the Venus Engine III functions quite well, though without any miracles. A slight blur is perceptible from 80 ISO and nothing too dramatic at 400 ISO. Beyond 800 ISO, the image is strongly degraded by excessive smoothing (colors seem washed out), which is necessary to eliminate colored pixels. While the automatic white balance leans towards yellow with tungsten lighting, it’s much better outdoors and colors are impeccable and lively but not distorted. Finally, and this is a first, the video mode surpasses 480 pixel with an HD format in 1280 x 720 at 15 i/s, but unfortunately without zoom. A record breaking FX100!