Budget Camera Grouptest - Panasonic FS25

As one of the pricier cameras in this test the Panasonic FS25 offers an impressive number of features, from the 5x optical zoom lens through to the impressive 3in LCD screen. Fortunately this doesn't come at the expense of bulk, and the Lumix styling is still in place to keep the FS25 within the same design parameters as the models ahead of it.

The Leica lens is bound to get plenty of attention due to its name-designation, although the widest angle of 29mm isn't quite as wide as the wideangles of some of the FS25's rivals. The 3in LCD is excellent, making framing images far easier.

As we've often seen with many of the cameras that rely on digital stabilisation a 5x zoom lens can be tricky to keep steady, so it's gratifying to see an optical stabilising option in place. The Intelligent Auto mode ensures that the camera caters to the surrounding environment, so the absolute beginner is able to take a decent shot.

Results from the FS25 were a touch dark but achieved a very wide range all the same. Highlights kept the majority of detail, and colours were far more faithful than the majority of the competitor cameras here managed. The lens was quick enough to grab a sharp image of anything barring the most rapid of movers, and the focal range was perfectly serviceable for macro photography.

PRICE            £120
Megapixels    12.7MP
LENS    29-147mm (5x Zoom)
APERTURE    F/3.3-5.9
Stabilisation    Optical
SCREEN SIZE        3in
ISO    80-1600
MODES    Auto, P, 23 Scene modes
MEMORY CARDS    SD/SDHC
SOCKETS        USB, AV
DIMENSIONS     93 x 58 x 22mm
WEIGHT        148g

Summary

The Panasonic FS25 quickly justified its higher price with some excellent features and above average image quality.