[Keiron]

I've had Panasonics before and been disappointed with the pic quality - even the new LX3. So I now have a DSLR.

Nevertheless, I want a compact for other occasions, and (don't laugh) I want the HD(ish) video. The Panasonic FX500, for somewhat less than £200, fits the bill perfectly in terms of spec.

But, some of the images look simply appalling. Here's a link to a full res image at ISO 100 and I cannot believe how bad it is. This is in a review that gives it 4.5 out of 5.

I was just looking at the images I took 6 years ago with my 4mp Ixus 400. They are clean as a whistle - even at 100% the images are perfectly usable. What in God's name have camera manufacturers been up to?

Has anyone got this FX500 cam? Is this typical of the quality? Alternatively, can someone recommend a shirt pocket cam with wide angle lens (28 mm at least) and HD video that produces images of at least reasonable quality?