Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS33

From the front, Panasonic's 14-megapixel DMC-FS33 looks like a conventionally boxy digital compact camera. From the rear, however, it's a different story, with its 3in touch-sensitive screen for composing and viewing photos and controlling the camera.

The screen was quick to respond to touch, but Panasonic has not done away with physical controls entirely. As with previous models a mode button on the back panel is used to summon recording modes on screen.

Merely tapping the screen without using the controls alongside only allows the auto-focus (AF) point to be moved from its usual central position. This is useful if you wish to creatively compose your frame without a main subject slap-bang in the middle, but you still want them (or it) sharply in focus.

The camera is lightweight at 162g, with the SD, SDHC or SDXC memory card and rechargeable battery. However, its main talking point is the 8x optical zoom lens, equivalent to a superb 28-224mm on a 35mm film camera. It also has image-stabilisation to counter camera shake.

The zoom makes the FS33 as useful for photographing landscapes as it is for pulling faraway objects closer. The folding mechanism of the lens means that it’s hidden within the body when not in use so the camera will conveniently slip into any pocket.

There is an Intelligent Auto mode that recognises common types of scene and adjusts the settings accordingly. It’s activated by a button on the camera’s top and delivered reliable high-quality results. As with many new cameras it can record high-definition video at a resolution of 720p.

The FS33’s operating speed was only average: a couple of seconds to power up and a further three to save a maximum-resolution photo to the memory card. Again, as with similar cameras, the zoom lens is frustratingly disabled when shooting videos, and there it has no HDMI for directly hooking the camera up to a flat panel TV (just standard AV-out and USB connections).

For under £200, however, Panasonic has packed a lot into its FS33. Its features are well up to date, image quality was consistent from shot to shot, and build quality is good too.