Panasonic will add two new digital still cameras and two Full HD camcorders to its line-up next month.

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August 29, 2007: Panasonic will add two new digital still cameras and two Full HD camcorders to its line-up next month.
The new Lumix DMC-FZ18 (RRP $879) combines an 8.1-megapixel image sensor with a Leica DC zoom lens that spans an 18x zoom range (equivalent to 28-504mm in 35mm format). Consisting of 11 elements in eight groups, this lens includes two ED elements, three aspherical elements and a dual-sided meniscus lens to maintain high optical performance. Raw file capture ““ and a RAW+JPEG setting ““ are provided to please enthusiast users and the bundled Silkypix Developer Studio 2.0SE software allows them to be processed into TIFF format on users’ computers.

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The new Intelligent Auto mode is also provided in the DMC-FX33 model (RRP $659), which combines an 8.1-megapixel sensor with a 3.6x optical zoom Leica DC lens (28-100mm in 35mm format). No viewfinder is provided on this model, which has a 2.5-inch LCD and supports widescreen photo capture at 1920 x 1080 pixels or WGA video at 30 fps. A new Title Edit function lets users input text to create titles for slideshows and videos. Text Stamp and Travel Date functions are provided. A Clipboard function allows users to capture and retain images that may be useful on a trip, such as maps, schedules and signs.

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DMC-FX33 front

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DMC-FX33 back

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DMC-FX33 top

Both models are driven by Panasonic’s latest Venus Engine

III image processor and can record video clips with VGA or WGA (848 x 480) resolution. They also include Panasonic’s proprietary Optical Image Stabiliser and Intelligent ISO functions.

The new HDC-SD5 and HDC-SX5 camcorders bring Full HD capabilities to Panasonic’s line-up. The HDC-SD5 (RRP $1899), which records to SDHC cards, is the smallest Full HD camcorder on the market. Weighing just over 340 grams, it measures 66 x 66 x 134.6 mm and has a 300,000-pixel LCD monitor with a 170-degree viewing angle. The HDC-SX5 (RRP $1799) is a hybrid model that can record onto both SDHC/SD cards and DVD disks.

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HDC-SD5

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HDC-SX5
Both models feature 3CCD image sensors, Leica Dicomar 10x optical zoom lenses and Advanced O.I.S. image stabilisation. Video can be recorded at 1920 x 1080-pixel Full HD resolution and both models feature a new ‘Pre-Record’ setting that captures three seconds of images before the record button is pressed. Stored in buffer memory, this footage can be recalled to complete a scene. A new HD Crystal Engine processor has been developed to handle the high volumes of data recorded in Full HD format and Panasonic has added a new noise reduction circuit and Intelligent Contrast Control to optimise picture quality and provide longer battery life.
Both models can record up to 180 minutes of video on an 8GB SDHC memory card, while the HDC-SX5 can also record up to 60 minutes of video on an 8cm DVD disk. Images and video on SD and SDHC cards from the new cameras can be viewed directly via the card slot on Panasonic’s Viera TV sets and both camcorders are HDMI compatible for viewing footage on high-definition TV sets. Released concurrently with the new cameras is the VW-BN1 DVD Burner (RRP $299), which supports direct transfer of footage from SD card or 8cm disk to 12-cm DVD.

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The HDC-SD5 pictured with a Panasonic Viera TV set and the new VW-BN1 DVD Burner.
For full product details, visit www.panasonic.com.au or phone 132 600.