New Panasonic Lumix Cameras

: Panasonic has released details of five new Lumix cameras, which will be released internationally in coming months.

Top of the line is the DMC-FZ20, a 5-megapixel upgrade to the popular DMC-FZ10 model, which features a Leica 12x optical zoom lens and dual-mode optical image stabilisation. It also includes the latest Venus Engine II image processor, which claims to improve horizontal and vertical resolution by more than 10% and reduces noise in shadowed areas by 33% without affecting highlight resolution. The new model has also been made more responsive and Panasonic claims a minimum release time lag of 0.008 second and shutter interval of 0.4 seconds plus continuous shooting at three frames/second for full resolution images. A new Infinite Consecutive Shooting function provides “limit-free” burst shooting to the capacity of the installed SD card. The new model also features some improvements in overall styling plus enhanced AF and flash functions.
A second 12x zoom model, the DMC-FZ3, features a 3.1-megapixel (effective) sensor and compact body. Its lens covers a focal length range equivalent to 35-420mm and optical image stabilisation is included, along with the latest Venus Engine II image processor. The AF system allows users to select between 9-point AF, 3-point AF, 1-point AF or spot AF and the 3-point AF uses CCD-based autofocusing where fast focusing speeds are required. Like other Panasonic 12x zoom cameras, the FZ3 supports a wide range of user-adjustable controls and includes P, A, S and M shooting modes plus a ‘simple’ setting with backlight compensation.

The DMS-FX2 and DMC-FX7 ultra-compact models combine a compact body size with a new Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 3x optical zoom lens and optical image stabilisation. The FX7 has a 5-megapixel sensor and a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, while the FX2 has a 4-megapixel sensor and 2.0-inch monitor. Both models incorporate the new Venus Engine II image processor and both feature nine scene mode selections, four colour effects and a new on-screen display system this is easy to use.

The new point-and-shoot model, the Lumix DMC-LC80, has a 5-megapixel sensor and Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 3x optical zoom lens. Designed to conserve battery power, it features the standard Venus Engine LSI and Mega Burst Consecutive Shooting, which captures up to nine high-resolution images at 2.7 frames/second. The LCD screen can display compositional guidelines or a real-time histogram to assist photographers. QVGA movie clips are captured at 30 frames/second to the capacity of the memory card and a flip animation mode allows users to create short animations and save them as QuickTime files.

Local release dates and prices for these cameras will be posted on this site when they are available. Product details can be viewed at www.panasonic.com.