Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The Lumix DMC-FX37 digital camera features a 25mm ultra wide-angle Leica DC lens, enabling you to capture almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance as compared to 35mm cameras. The 10.1-megapixel FX37, capable of High Definition video recording, also includes a powerful 5x optical zoom while maintaining a sleek, ultra-compact body and expands Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), Panasonics system of intuitive technologies that help you capture better photos.
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Customer Reviews:
  Quality camera, responsive, great 25-125mm f/2.8-5.9 lens December 8, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
The exemplary build quality gives this camera a luxury feel. The camera is dense, feels hefty for its size when picked up, unlike many similar cameras that feel like a piece of plastic. This is a fine example of Japanese craftsmanship. It is fast and very responsive in operation. The lens is fantastic, 25mm (effective) wide angle is rare among such cameras, significantly wider angle than the 28mm of the FX33. In wide angle lenses every mm counts. Thankfully, the max aperture is back to f/2.8 - the FX35 maxed at f/3.3. The lens is sharp edge to edge with very little, if any, in the way of distortion and chromatic aberration. Certainly, the lens is better than the sensor. The wide aperture (f/2.8) at the wide angle is great for low light [The lenses on the FX35, TZ3, TZ4 and TZ5 are not as fast].
The flash is weak [manufacturers under-power the flash in order to gain on the "shots per battery charge" scale.].
Hints: In low light, including indoor shots with flash, use the wide angle (zoom out) to make use of the f/2.8 aperture, and you'll get less dark underexposed pictures. Stick with ISO 100 and 200. Keep ISO 400 for emergencies, but never go beyond 400. In auto-ISO mode, you can limit the max ISO. You probably read a lot about image noise. Yes, it is there, but you will not see it in 4x6 or 8x10 prints. You won't see it on a typical 20" monitor (12"x16") when viewing the whole image on the screen. You will see it if you view part of the image 1:1, which amounts to close up inspection of a 57"x38" print (assuming the monitor is running at 1024x768). Those wanting 57"x38" prints will be using a medium-format digital back, not this camera anyway. Reduce the resolution to 3 or 5 mp and you'll see less noise (per pixel), and save hard disk space!
I recommend an extra battery and a 4 GB memory card (minimum).
Optical image stabilization is very effective indeed. Video (1280x720x30) is very good.
I took out one star for: 1) Lack of full manual controls, 2) sensor noise.
This camera needs a larger sensor.
The more expensive TZ3, TZ4 and TZ5 lack the f/2.8 aperture (they max at f/3.3).
If you like the size and build-quality of the FX37, but want a better picture-taking machine, look at the LX3. It has a larger sensor, manual controls, RAW, and an excellent 24-60mm (equiv) f/2-2.8 lens. The LX3 is destined to be a big hit.
 Great small camera September 24, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
Bought this camera after a lot of online research. I had a Sony 5 MP camera before. This one takes better pictures, the quality of the images is incredible, and the auto focus/shutter speed is fast. The menus and options are very well designed and easy to use. This camera looks great and does a fantastic job!
 stay away September 19, 2008
6 out of 32 found this review helpful
I don't normally write reviews but I felt compelled to attach a warning to this camera's page. After using the 37 for a week, I have since returned it. Almost every picture looks like it was taken with a webcam--very pixelated and grainy at 10MP shooting 4:3. Also, the LCD screen is very low-quality. Lastly, there is a lot of shutter lag. It's too bad since it boasts such a wide lens (although this does cause more-than-moderate fish-eye effect with images close up) and the HD 16:9 video (although, I don't really need that anyway). This is the first time in awhile that I have purchased a non-Canon camera and I will not do so again. Oh, and as with other Panasonic Lumix cameras, the usb input is non-standard (usually a mini-usb). Anyway, avoid this camera: Panasonic has ruined the Leica name with this one.
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