Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX30 arrived in early 2007 as what the company claimed was the world's slimmest camera with a 28mm wide-angle lens — a bold statement that happened to be true. At just 22mm thick with a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 3.6× optical zoom and MEGA O.I.S. optical stabilization, it packed genuinely useful specs into a body slim enough for any pocket. The FX series cameras feel properly premium in hand, and that satisfying power-on slider switch is something you have to experience to appreciate. These Leica-equipped Lumix models commanded serious money when new, and based on our experience, they've stood the test of time better than most compacts from the same era.
NO FILTER: SHOT ON FX30
THE LOOKS
In silver, the FX30 keeps Panasonic's signature minimalist aesthetic with a slim metal body that feels solid despite its size. The lens sits completely flush when retracted, maintaining that genuinely pocketable profile. The control dial mounted partially under the top metal strip gives it a distinctive look — slightly awkward to use, but distinctive. At 94.9 × 51.9 × 22mm and 154g, it disappears into a jacket pocket without adding bulk. Also available in black, blue, and light brown.
THE SPECS
7.2-megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD sensor, ISO 100–1250 (3200 in High Sensitivity mode). Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 3.6× optical zoom, 28–100mm equivalent, f/2.8–5.6, seven elements in six groups including five aspherical lenses, MEGA O.I.S. optical stabilization. Venus Engine III processor with Intelligent ISO Control. 2.5-inch LCD (207,000 pixels) with Power LCD mode (+40% brightness) and High Angle mode. 21 scene modes. 848×480 widescreen video. 27MB internal memory plus SD/SDHC. 280 shots per charge.
DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
- World's slimmest 28mm-lens camera at launch: 22mm thick with a stabilized wide-angle zoom was a genuine engineering achievement — most 28mm compacts at the time were noticeably bulkier.
- Dual blur-reduction system: MEGA O.I.S. handled camera shake while Intelligent ISO Control independently detected subject movement and automatically raised sensitivity for faster shutter speeds — two separate problems, two separate solutions.
- Power-on slider with 0.005-second shutter lag: The satisfying mechanical slider powers the camera on instantly, and the Venus Engine III's near-zero shutter lag meant you never missed a moment after.
THE VERDICT
The DMC-FX30 is Panasonic's mid-2000s ultracompact at its most purposeful: the thinnest 28mm camera available, Leica glass, dual stabilization, and build quality that feels premium two decades later. The CCD sensor delivers warm, natural images at base ISO, and that wide-angle starting point remains genuinely useful where most compacts of the era felt cramped at 35mm. A slim, considered piece of hardware that earned its price tag when new and holds up extremely well today.