Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 (Lumix DMC-FS22 / Lumix DMC-FS22) Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 is a slim, stylish compact camera with a 16MP CCD sensor and a 4x optically-stabilized zoom lens, which covers a useful 28-112mm (equivalent) range. Similar in most respects to its predecessor the FH5, the FH7 features a new touch-sensitive LCD screen, which enables Touch AF - a feature which has trickled down from higher-end Lumix cameras which allows you to focus and release the shutter by simply touching the display.

With the FH7, Panasonic is squarely targeting the consumer-level point-and-shoot market, and as such, apart from its stylish, minimalist design, the camera is packed with beginner-friendly and 'lifestyle' features. Beauty retouch, Aesthetic and Makeup filters are all designed to quickly polish portrait photographs, and a built-in Image Uploader is intended to make it easy to upload captured files to Facebook or YouTube when either the camera, or memory card, are connected to an Internet-enabled computer. Speaking of connectivity,the FH7 does not feature an HDMI connection, only USB 2.0 for connection to a computer or television (AV out).

Specification at-a-glance 16.2 effective Megapixels 28-112mm equiv lens with optical stabilization 3in touch-sensitive LCD screen with 230k dot resolution 720p (30fps) video mode ISO sensitivity up to 1600 Built-in Image Uploader (requires PC with Internet connection) Street price $179 (£110) Click here for full product information including reader reviews and image samples (opens in new window)

Design / Key Features

The FH7's slim metal body is free from the plethora of buttons that we'd expect to see on higher-end Lumix models. In fact, there are only two buttons (power on/off and the shutter release) on the top plate, and none on the rear. The only thing on the rear of the FH7 is its 3in touch-screen, and this is the camera's main control point. Virtually every aspect of the camera's operation is (or can be) controlled via the screen, using touch. Even the shutter release can be reassigned to touch operation if desired.

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