Panasonic FX48 camera both wide and slim
(Credit:
Panasonic)
Coming to a store near you (or possibly far if you shop online) in April is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48, an ultracompact camera with a wide-angle 5x f2.8-5.9 25-125mm-equivalent lens. The 12.1-megapixel camera also has the company's Mega O.I.S. optical image stabilization and new face recognition technology.
Yes, that's right, face recognition--not detection. As part of Panasonic's suite of Intelligent Auto features, the system allows you to register a face once it's been shot several times. It'll then pop up the name of registered faces when they appear in the frame, and then prioritize those people for focus and exposure. If it's a child less than three-years-old is the subject, it'll automatically switch to Baby scene mode.
Available in silver and black, it'll sell for $349.95.
Josh Goldman is a senior editor for CNET Reviews, covering digital cameras, camcorders, and related bits and pieces, along with writing the occasional laptop or software review. He doesn't have a podcast, newsletter, or CNET TV show, but you can follow him on Twitter if that's something you do. E-mail Josh. 
