The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 disappoints more because it is one of the rare ultra-compact cameras to include a wide-angle lens (28mm equivalent) but it turns in an unremarkable performance. At low ISO settings, image quality is pleasing, with highly saturated colors, good exposure and generally accurate focus. At first glance, images from the FX30 are overly contrasty and lack dynamic range. A closer look shows that fine details are also being smudged and that noise is above average at all ISO settings. At ISO 800 and up, noise is quite disturbing. Also, this digital camera is fairly slow by today's standards, particularly considering its price. One major drawback of the Panasonic FX30 is that its LCD does not accurately represent an image's exposure. Our full-review goes through each of these points and more in greater detail.

Had the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 been the only ultra-compact camera with a stabilized wide-angle lens, that would have been a reasonable selling point. However, the Canon Powershot SD800 IS exists and performs better, particularly outdoors where the SD800 can capture more dynamic range. Without the wide-angle requirements, there are a plethora of superior ultra-compact digital cameras including the Fuji Finepix F31fd, the Fuji Finepix F30 and the much cheaper Fuji Finepix F20.