Panasonic's 2005 stabilised ultracompact — 5MP CCD, 35-105mm f/2.8-5.0 zoom with Mega OIS and 2.5in screen
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX8 was an ultracompact point-and-shoot announced in May 2005, part of the early wave of Panasonic's FX series that made optical image stabilisation a standard feature in pocket cameras. It arrived alongside the near-identical FX9 generation and was aimed squarely at everyday snapshot use.
It combines a 5-megapixel CCD with a 3x zoom covering 35-105mm equivalent at f/2.8-5.0, stabilised by Mega OIS. Framing and review happen on a 2.5-inch, 114,000-pixel LCD, shutter speeds reach 1/2000 sec, and contrast-detect autofocus handles focusing. The body weighs about 155g and runs on a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery, recording to SD cards over USB 1.0 connectivity.
This is a straightforward automatic compact for casual shooters and CCD-compact enthusiasts. The stabilised lens and simple controls make it easy to use, but the low-resolution screen, slow USB transfer and limited ISO ceiling date it, so it appeals more as a characterful period piece than a daily workhorse.
Confirm the proprietary battery still takes a charge and that a charger is present, since these are the parts most often missing from used kits. Look over the LCD for delamination and scratches, test zoom and OIS operation, and check the battery and card doors latch cleanly. SD card support means storage is no obstacle.