Panasonic's 2011 entry compact — 14MP CCD, stabilised 28mm-wide 4x zoom, 720p video; US name FH2
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS16 was an entry-level compact announced in January 2011, sold in North America as the Lumix DMC-FH2. It sat in the value tier of the 2011 Lumix line-up, offering a slim 19mm-thick body and Panasonic's Intelligent Auto system to point-and-shoot buyers.
It used a 14-megapixel CCD producing stills up to 4320x3240, paired with a stabilised 4x optical zoom starting at a 28mm-equivalent wide angle. A 2.7-inch LCD handled framing and playback, and video recorded in 720p HD. Intelligent Auto with Intelligent Scene Selector chose settings automatically, with storage on SD-family cards and power from a proprietary lithium-ion battery in a very light body.
The FS16 suits first-camera buyers and anyone wanting a cheap, genuinely pocketable CCD compact with a useful 28mm wide end. Operation is automatic throughout, with no raw or manual exposure, and the small sensor rewards good light; as a late-generation budget CCD it delivers the punchy colour that draws current interest in these cameras.
When buying used, confirm the battery and charger accompany the camera and the pack still charges. Test the stabilised zoom for extension errors, record a 720p clip to verify video and sound, and inspect the light plastic shell for cracks around the tripod boss and door hinges. Clean examples are plentiful and inexpensive, so avoid faulty units.