Panasonic touch-screen camera gets megapixel bump
(Credit:
Panasonic)
The new Lumix DMC-FX580 is a lot like the FX48 (that Panasonic also announced Tuesday). Both are 12.1-megapixel cameras (up from the previous gen's 10.1 megapixels) with a wide-angle 5x f2.8-5.9 25-125mm-equivalent lens with optical-image stabilization. Many other features are the same, too. Well, except for one big one: the FX580 has a 3.0-inch touch screen.
A refresh of the FX500, the FX580 has what Panasonic calls a "hybrid operating system," which lets you use a standard cursor key system for some settings, while leaving shooting options for touch control. Things such as adjusting white balance or selecting subjects to focus on are done by touching the screen.
You'll also find all of Panasonic's Intelligent Auto features, including the new facial recognition system, which allows you to register frequently snapped faces with names so that the camera will properly expose and focus on who's important.
Look for it in April in black and silver for $399.99.
On Sale Now: $295.00 - $349.97
View the latest prices for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 (black)
On Sale Now: $308.00 - $349.95
View the latest prices for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 (silver)
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. 
