Look at me!
The 12.1-megapixel DMC-FX550 packages a ultra-wide* 25mm Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT high-quality lens with 5x optical zoom(equivalent to 25-125mm on a 35mm film camera), offering F2.8 brightness. Comprising 7 elements in 6 groups, including 4 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit passes Leica's stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance. Notably, the unevenly thick concave meniscus EA (Extra high refractive index Aspherical) lens makes it possible to achieve the 25mm ultra-wide angle high optical performance while keeping the lens unit thin and the body slim. The 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens records almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance compared to ordinary 35mm cameras.

* 35mm film camera equivalent: 25-125mm

The zoom ratio can be extended up to 9.8x in 3 megapixel resolution mode with minimal deterioration thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom. By using the central part of the CCD, this powerful zooming function allows you to easily capture and magnify distant subjects. The DMC-FX550 also has an Easy Zoom feature that, at the touch of a button, shifts the lens instantly to full 5.0x zoom power. A second touch of the button activates the Extra Optical Zoom function and extends zoom all the way to 9.8x. The iris diaphragm allows the users to adjust aperture at fine steps manually.

Recognise Me
Panasonic incorporated Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. This mode is also further advanced with the inclusion of the Face Recognition feature - a function that 'remembers faces'.

When a familiar face is recorded several times, the camera will prompt you to register the face. Once complete, if the familiar face appears into your frame again, the camera will display the name you specified for that person and prioritize focus and exposure so that the registered face is bright and in sharp focus. Perfect for group shots for example - this new feature will give auto focus and auto exposure priority to a single person, ensuring their loved ones face will be captured beautifully.

During registration, you can change the icon that indicates when the registered subject is in focus - for example you can attach a love heart to your partner. You can also manually register a persons details and the camera will remember them whenever you take a photo.

To further add to its appeal, you can also specify the age of the registered subject and have both the name and the age of the subject stamped onto your photos. When babies under 3 years-old are registered, the camera will automatically switch to Baby mode if the baby appears into the frame. In playback, you can choose to display only photos that contain a specific registered face using Category Playback - so you can search for all photos of your Aunt Yvonne, for example - perfect for compiling a surprise birthday collage.

You can also view image slideshows of only a selected person. Face recognition makes sorting archiving incredibly easy. This advanced face detection system also digitally corrects unwanted red-eye during recording.

Track Me
With AF Tracking, the DMC-FX550 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves - making it easy to get beautiful, clear shots when a great photo opportunity suddenly arises. Simply aim, lock, and shoot. And the Intelligent Scene Selector automatically detects common shooting situations and switches to the appropriate scene mode and automatically turns backlight compensation on when necessary.

In iA mode the camera does all the work, activating AF tracking, Face Detection with Face Recognition, Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, and Intelligent Exposure. This leaves the user free to simply compose the shot and press the shutter button, with the assurance that the image will be clear, beautiful and properly exposed.

Touch Me!
The DMC-FX550 incorporates a large 3.0-inch touch-screen interface to achieve amazing ease in both shooting and playing back the images. Effortlessly easy to navigate thanks to the responsive interface, the FX550's touch screen is streets ahead of its competitors.

The enhanced hybrid control system in the FX550 combines cursor key control with touch screen operation, allowing a smooth and intuitive operation. Users can make basic settings directly with the cursor key while they can make extensive adjustments intuitively by touching or moving the slider on the screen. Users can set the auto focus and exposure at the desired part of the frame by simply touching the subject at that part while recording. In manual exposure mode, aperture and shutter speed can be adjusted by moving the slider. You can also make fine adjustment of white balance and colour temperature with the touch screen.

In playback mode, even large, high resolution images can be comfortably played back with a touch scroll. The Easy Organization menu is provided to simplify image organizing. The user can quickly select an image to view by scrolling the thumbnails located below the main window, and then edit the image by resizing, trimming and inputting the text title of the picture. You can also flag the desired image as your favorites or delete them in one menu interface.

This touch-screen interface features a high-resolution Intelligent LCD which automatically controls the brightness at a total of 11 fine steps by detecting the surrounding lighting condition. This function gives the display the most appropriate clarity in any situation.

If this wasn't enough, the menus now look clearer and easier to navigate, even for seniors, thanks to the new Display Size option. Thanks to the Venus Engine HD, smooth image playback at very high speeds is now available and is approx.17x faster for thumbnails and approx. 4x for a single image, even with image resolutions as high as 12.1-megapixels.

High Performance Venus Engine V
The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine has been re-engineered and reborn as the even more powerful Venus Engine V. Apart from the conventional imaging engine, the Venus Engine V has twin CPUs to boast approx. 2.4x processing speed. In addition, this high performance LSI elevates the artificial intelligence of the camera, making it possible to "recognize" the human faces individually.

In the image processing, parallel noise reduction in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing systems is performed. Then, the luminance noise is further two-dimensionally separated into high-frequency and low-frequency noises and only the low-frequency noise, which tends to be conspicuous, is eliminated without affecting the high-frequency noise that greatly influences resolution.

The multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine V supports super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.007 second and the camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the DMC-FX550 can snap approx. 2.3 shots per second at 12.1-megapixel large full resolution*. And in High-Speed Burst shooting mode**, it fires off an incredible approx. 10 shots per second***. You also get unlimited consecutive shooting which lets you keep shooting until the memory card is full . Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take continuous shooting with continuous emission of flash****. In addition to outstanding performance, the high performance engine is also superior in its energy efficiency by approx.16% compared with the conventional Venus Engine IV to extend the battery life up to 350 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.

* Max.5 images in standard mode / 3 images in fine mode.
** In speed priority mode. 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording. (6 images in Picture Priority mode).
*** The consecutive shooting speed varies with the memory card, image size, and image compression mode. The number of shots depends on the memory card size, battery life, image size and image compression mode.
**** Max. 5 images. In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording

Enjoy Me
Highly specified, yet remaining easy to use - the new FX550 features a variety of features to expand the fun and convenience for users. For example, the new scene mode for shooting still images includes the Panorama Assist mode, which allows you to create powerful panoramic images - both vertically and horizontally. Simply align your shots according to a guide which overlaps the frame when you shoot, then use the included PanoramaMaker software to create your panorama images.

With the new Macro Zoom function, the user can pull subjects even closer than the closest point possible with the wide-angle setting by using 3x digital zoom, and capture dramatic close-ups. Additionally, all Lumix cameras can take 1920x1080 pixel high-definition quality photos that are ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV.

The new DMC-FX550 even records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480). With HD component output capability, you can enjoy watching still and motion pictures in stunning HD quality taken by your DMC-FX550 by simply connecting the camera to a TV via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).

Lens	LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 7 elements in 6 groups (4 Aspherical lenses / 6 Aspherical surfaces, 1 EA lens)
Optical Image Stabilizer	MEGA O.I.S. (Auto / Mode1 / Mode2)
Zoom
Optical	5x
Extra Optical	4:3 Aspect Ratio: 6.1x for 8 Mega, 7.8x for 5 Mega, 9.8x for 3.0 / 2.0 / 0.3 Mega
Digital	4x (Max. 20.0x combined with Optical Zoom without Extra Optical Zoom) (Max. 39.1x combined with Extra Optical Zoom)
Focal Distance	f = 4.4 - 22.0 mm (35 mm Equivalent: 25 - 125 mm)
Focusing Area	Normal: Wide 50 cm (1.64 feet) / Tele 100 cm (3.27 feet) - infinity Macro / Intelligent AUTO: Wide 5 cm (0.16 feet) / Tele 100 cm (3.27 feet) - infinity
Focus Range Display	Yes
AF Metering	Face / Touch AF/AE Tracking / Multi (11-area) / 1-area high speed / 1-area / Spot
AF Assist Lamp	Yes
Camera Effective Pixels	12.1 Megapixels
Image Sensor	1/2.33", 12.7 Mega Total Pixels CCD, Primary Color Filter
Focus	Normal / Macro, Touch AF/AE Tracking (On / Off), Quick AF (On / Off)
Focus Icon Select	Yes (in Face Recognition only)
ISO Sensitivity (Standard Output Sensitivity)	Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 (High Sensitivity Mode: Auto (1600-6400))
Max. Auto ISO Setting	Yes
White Balance	Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / White Set / Color Temperature / White Balance Adjustment (2-axis adjustable, ±9 steps each, Blue / Amber and Magenta / Green bias) (Selectable at Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Sports, Baby, Pet, High Sensitivity, Hi-speed Burst, Pin Hole, Panorama Assist Modes)
Exposure	Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
Exposure Compensation	1/3 EV step, -2 - +2 EV
Backlight Compensation	Yes (only in Intelligent AUTO Mode)
Auto (AE) Bracketing	±1/3 EV - 1 EV step, 3 frames
Color Bracketing	Standard / Black & White / Sepia (3 images)
Light Metering	Intelligent Multiple / Center Weighted / Spot
Mode Switch	[Recording] / [Playback]
Rec Mode (Mode Button)	Intelligent AUTO, My Scene Mode, Scene Mode, Motion Pucture, P (Program) Mode, A (Aperture Priority) Mode, S (Shutter Priority) Mode, M (Manual) Mode
Still Picture Scene Mode	Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Hi-speed Burst (Image Priority / Speed Priority), Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo, Pin Hole, Film Grain
Shutter Speed	60 - 1/2,000 sec (Selectable minimum shutter speed) Starry Sky Mode: 15, 30, 60 sec
Aperture	F2.8 - 5.9 / Iris Diaphragm (F2.8 - 8.0 (W) / F5.9 - 8.0 (T))
Self Timer	2 sec / 10 sec
Auto Review	1 sec / 2 sec / Hold / Zoom
Quick Menu	Yes
Picture Adjustment
Contrast	±2 steps
Sharpness	±2 steps
Saturation	±2 steps
Noise Reduction	±2 steps
Color Effect Mode	Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm
Recording Format
Still Image	JPEG (Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif 2.21 standard), DPOF corresponding
Image with Audio	JPEG (Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif 2.21 standard) + QuickTime
Motion Images	QuickTime Motion JPEG
Aspect Ratio	4:3 / 3:2 / 16:9
Recording Image Size (Still Image)
4:3 Aspect Ratio	4,000 x 3,000 pixels (12M), 3,264 x 2,448 pixels (8M EZ), 2,560 x 1,920 pixels (5M EZ), 2,048 x 1,536 pixels (3M EZ), 1,600 x 1,200 pixels (2M EZ), 640 x 480 pixels (0.3M EZ)
3:2 Aspect Ratio	4,000 x 2,672 pixels (10.5M), 3,264 x 2,176 pixels (7M EZ), 2,560 x 1,712 pixels (4.5M EZ), 2,048 x 1,360 pixels (2.5M EZ)
16:9 Aspect Ratio	4,000 x 2,248 pixels (9M), 3,264 x 1,840 pixels (6M EZ), 2,560 x 1,440 pixels (3.5M EZ), 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (2M EZ)
Image Quality	Fine / Standard
Motion Picture* (QuickTime Motion JPEG)
4:3 Aspect Ratio	VGA: 640 x 480 pixels, 30 fps (Motion JPEG) QVGA: 320 x 240 pixels, 30 fps (Motion JPEG)
16:9 Aspect Ratio	WVGA: 848 x 480 pixels, 30 fps (Motion JPEG) HD Movie: 1,280 x 720 pixels, 30 fps (Motion JPEG)
Continuous Shooting Mode	Full-Resolution Image, 2.3 frames / sec Max. 5 images (Standard Mode), Max. 3 images (Fine Mode) Hi-speed Burst Mode: approx. 6.0 frames / sec (Image Priority), approx. 10 frames / sec (Speed Priority) (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9) Approx. 15-100 shots. * Maximum is 100 shots. ・The number of consecutive shots is limited by the shooting conditions, card type, and card condition. ・The number of consecutive shots may increase immediately after the card is formatted.
Unlimited Consecutive Shooting	Yes (1.8 frames / sec)
iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode
Face Recognition	Photo
Optical Image Stabilizer	Photo & Movie
Intelligent ISO Control	Photo
Face Detection	Photo
Intelligent Scene Selector	Photo (Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Macro)
Intelligent Exposure	Photo (Low / Medium / Strong / OFF)
AF Tracking	Photo
Digital Red Eye Correction	Photo
Easy Zoom	Yes
Macro Zoom	Yes
Still Image with Audio Recording	5 sec
Audio Dubbing	Max. 10 sec
Real-time Histogram	Yes
Composition Guide Lines	Yes (2 patterns)
Built-in-Memory	approx. 40 MB
Scene Mode Help Screen	Yes
Orientation Detector	Yes
Travel Date /  World Time	Yes / Yes
Copy / Title Edit / Text Stamp	Yes / Yes / Yes
Built-in-Flash	Auto, Auto / Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync. / Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off 0.6 - 6.0 m (Wide / ISO Auto), 1.0 - 2.8 m (Tele / ISO Auto)
LCD	3.0" TFT Touch Screen LCD (230,000 dots) Field of View : approx. 100%, Wide Viewing Angle Auto Power LCD Mode, Power LCD Mode
Playback Mode	Normal Playback, Easy Organization, Thumbnails, Calendar Display, Slideshow, Category Playback, Favorites Playback, Dual-Image Playback
Easy Organization	Set Favorites / Delete / Edit (Resize / Trimming / Leveling / Title Edit / Text Stamp / Protect)
Touch Zoom	Yes
Thumbnails / Zoomed Playback	12, 30 thumbnails / Max. 16x
Calendar Display / Dual-Image Playback	Yes / Yes
Set Favorites	Yes
Playback Still Images with Audio	Yes
Playback Motion Picture	Yes (Motion JPEG)
Slideshow Mode	All Still Images / Favorites / Category BGM Effect (Natural / Slow / Swing / Urban / OFF)
Show Histogram	Yes
Show Highlights	Yes
Delete Image	Single / Multi / All / All except Favorites
DPOF Print Setting / Set Protection	Yes / Yes
Resize / Trimming / Leveling	Yes / Yes / Yes
OSD Language	English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Russian, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), Netherlandic, Thai, Korean,Turkish, Portuguese, Arabic, Persian, Japanese, Swedish, Danish, Finnish
Recording Media	Built-in Memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard (Still image only)
Microphone	Yes (Mono)
Speaker	Yes
Interface	HD Component Output, AV Output (NTSC/PAL or NTSC only)*, USB2.0 High Speed, DC Input (requires optional DC Coupler)
PictBridge Support	Single / Multi / All / Favorites / DPOF
Power	ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, Typical: 1,000 mAh / Minimum: 940 mAh) (Included) AC Adapter (Input: 110 - 240V AC) (Optional)
Startup Time	Approx. 1.4 sec
Release Time Lag	Approx. 0.007 sec
Shutter Interval	Approx. 1.1 sec (minimum) *Not including the time for AF.
Battery Life	Approx. 350 pictures (CIPA standard)
Dimensions  (W x H x D)	Approx. 94.9 x 57.1 x 21.9 mm
Weight (Approx.)	145 g 167 g with Battery and SD Memory Card