"Picky Details" for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 Digital Camera
(Timing, Power, and Storage Info)
Timing
When you press the shutter release on a camera, there's usually a lag time or delay before the shutter actually fires. This corresponds to the time required for the autofocus and autoexposure mechanisms time to do their work, and can amount to a fairly long delay in some situations. Since this number is rarely reported on (and even more rarely reported accurately), and can significantly affect the picture taking experience, I routinely measure both shutter delay and shot to shot cycle times for all cameras I test, using a test system I designed and built for the purpose. (Crystal-controlled, with a resolution of 0.001 second.) Here are the numbers I collected for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9:
(secs) |
||
| Power On -> First shot | LCD turns on and lens extends forward. |
|
| Shutdown | First time is time to retract lens, second time is worst-case buffer-clearing time. |
|
| Play to Record, first shot | Time until first shot is captured. |
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| Record to play | First time is that required to display a large/fine file immediately after capture, second time is that needed to display a large/fine file that has already been processed and stored on the memory card. |
|
| Shutter lag, full autofocus | First time is at full wide-angle, second is full telephoto. | |
| Shutter lag, prefocus | Time to capture, after half-pressing shutter button. |
|
| Cycle Time, max/min resolution | 1.89 / |
First number is for large/fine files, second number is time for "TV" mode (640x480) images. Times are averages. In both modes, shoots this fast continuously, clearing the buffer after each shot. |
| Cycle Time, Flash exposures | 4 | (Flash at maximum power output) |
| Cycle Time, continuous High mode, max/min resolution | 0.35 (2.85 fps) |
Times are averages. Cycle time is the same regardless of resolution. Shoots a burst of 6 large/fine frames or 8 TV size frames, then stops. Buffer clears in 2 seconds for large/fine images, 1 second for lowest resolution. |
| Cycle Time, continuous Low mode, max/min resolution | 0.48 (2.05 fps) |
Times are averages. Cycle time is the same regardless of resolution. Shoots a burst of 6 large/fine frames or 8 TV size frames, then stops. Buffer clears in 2 seconds for large/fine images, 1 second for lowest resolution. |
| Cycle Time, continuous Unlimited mode | 0.82 / 0.68 (1.22 / 1.46 fps) |
First number is for large/fine files, second number is time for "TV" mode (640x480) images. Times are averages. In both modes, shoots this fast continuously, clearing the buffer after each shot. |
Power
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 uses a custom rechargeable LiIon battery for power.
| CIPA standard runtime See description below |
240 Pictures |
The Panasonic Lumix FX9 uses a custom rechargeable 3.7V, 1150 mAh LiIon battery for power. The table above shows maximum run times based on the CIPA standard.
(Panasonic's statement on CIPA standard outline: Shooting conditions: 73.4°F with 50% humidity;LCD On; Using the included SD Memory Card; Starting to shoot 30 seconds after turning on the power; Shooting once every 30 seconds with the flash in full operation for every other shot; Changing the zoom setting from telephoto to wide, or wide to telephoto, for each shot; Temporarily turning the power off after each 10 shots (long enough to lower the battery temperature. For DMC-LC1: Shooting once every 30 seconds, flash in operation for every shot, 77°F(25°C) ambient temperature.)
Storage Capacity
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 stores its photos on Compact Flash memory cards, and a 16 MB card is included with the camera. (I strongly recommend buying at least a 64 MB card, preferably a 128 MB one, to give yourself extra space for extended outings.) The chart below shows how many images can be stored on the included 16 MB card at each size/quality setting.
Resolution/Quality 16 MB Memory Card |
Fine | Normal | |
| 2816 x 2112 | Images (Avg size) |
5 4.8 MB |
10 9.4 MB |
| Approx. Compression |
5:1 | 9:1 | |
| 2048 x 1536 | Images (Avg size) |
9 1.7 MB |
18 849 KB |
| Approx. Compression |
6:1 | 11:1 | |
| 1600 x 1200 | Images (Avg size) |
15 1.0 MB |
30 533 KB |
| Approx. Compression |
6:1 | 11:1 | |
| 1280 x 960 | Images (Avg size) |
23 683 KB |
43 366 KB |
| Approx. Compression |
5:1 | 10:1 | |
| Images (Avg size) |
73 216 KB |
120 133 KB |
|
| Approx. Compression |
4:1 | 7:1 | |
Download Speed
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 connects to a host computer via a USB interface. Downloading files to my Sony desktop running Windows XP (Pentium IV, 2.4 GHz), I clocked it at 875 KBytes/second. (Cameras with slow USB interfaces run as low as 300 KB/s, cameras with fast v1.1 interfaces run as high as 600 KB/s. Cameras with USB v2.0 interfaces run as fast as several megabytes/second.)
FX9 Test Images
FX9 Specifications
FX9 "Picky Details"
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