Five New Panasonic Digicams

July 21, 2006: Panasonic has unveiled five new Lumix digital still cameras featuring, Leica lenses, increased capture resolution and improved image stabilisation facilities.
Complementing the Mega O.I.S. stabilisation system found in all five models is a new ‘Intelligent ISO Control’ that automatically boosts sensitivity to an appropriate level when the camera’s image processor detects subjects that might be blurred (e.g. long zoom shots, low lighting, close-ups and moving subjects). With the new Venus Engine III processor that is found in four of the five models, a special ‘I.I.C.’ mode can be selected. This supports ISO settings up to 3200. With the entry-level DMC0FX3 model, which has the same Venus Engine Plus processor as current models, ISO settings can be boosted to 800 or 1600.
Top of the new range are two models, the DMC-FZ50 and the DMC-LX2, which are available in silver or black and represent significant upgrades to existing cameras. Both offer 10-megapixel resolution plus the choice of three aspect ratio settings: 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. They also include the ability to record both VGA and 16:9 wide VGA (848 x 480 pixel) video at 30 frames/second, the latter being ideal for wide screen TV sets. The FZ50 can also allow zooming during video capture.
The FZ50, which replaces the FZ30, sports a 7.4-88.8mm f2.8-3.7, 12x optical zoom lens with a focal length equivalent to 35-420mm and a minimum aperture of f11. It also offers a wide range of manual controls, including P, A, S and M shooting modes, graphical white balance fine-tuning, a manual focusing ring and a new Function button that provides short cuts to frequently-used camera settings. The camera’s 2.0-inch flip-out LCD is adjustable through 180 degrees vertically and horizontally and has high resolution and brightness adjustment. The 235,000-pixel EVF is clear and bright and allows users to check white balance settings and preview depth of field before shooting. A histogram display can also be accessed.

Replacing the popular DMC-LX1 model is the new DMC-LX2, which has a 10.2-megapixel wide (16:9 aspect ratio) CCD chip and Leica DC 4x optical zoom lens with a focal length range equivalent to 28-112mm on a 35mm camera. A joystick accesses the LX2’s manual controls, which include P, A, S and M shooting modes. Unusually for a compact digicam, the LX2 includes raw file capture in addition to the standard JPEG format.

For snapshooters, Panasonic will release three new models, the DMC-FX50, DMC-FX07 and DMC-FX3. The first two models come with 7.2-megapixel sensors and 3.6x optical zoom lenses. They differ mainly in the size of the LCD screens, with the FX50 having a 3-inch display and the FX07 a 2.5-inch LCD. The FX3 sports a 6-megapixel CCD and 2.5-inch LCD.

No pricing details or local availability dates have been released as yet. Nor has Panasonic disclosed the release date and local pricing for the new Lumix L1, which was announced earlier this year. We will post this information when it becomes available. Check the Panasonic Australia website at www.panasonic.com.au.