Panasonic has released details of the new flagship model in its popular ‘Travel Zoom’ series, the Lumix DC-TZ220.
Angled view of the new Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ220, dark silver version. (Source: Panasonic.)
Featuring a 20-megapixel, 12.8 x 9.6 mm MOS sensor and Leica branded 15x optical zoom lens with a range equivalent to 24-360mm in 35mm format, the TZ220 also comes with a 2,30,000-dot Live View Finder with 0.53x magnification as well as Panasonic’s latest suite of 4K features. Image output between the LVF and the 1,240K-dot rear monitor is automatic, using an eye sensor on the LVF. The LVF and the 3-inch monitor provide approximately 100% field of view.
The new camera includes Panasonic’s 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ stabilisation technology, which can compensate for hand-shake occurring in virtually any direction. DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology ensures fast autofocusing plus support for high-speed burst shooting at 10 (AFS)/6 (AFC) frames/second. As well as supporting 4K video recording, the TZ220’s 4K Photo with 4K Pre-burst mode shoots 30 frames per second before and after the shutter is released to capture the defining shot. Batch Save stores an entire burst sequence of up to 150 frames with one press of a button. On this new model, Panasonic has made it easier to select the best shot from hundreds on a reel with Auto Marking, which highlights images that contain movement or faces. Bracketing modes include focus, aperture, exposure and white balance bracketing.
Post Focus is also available, enabling users to choose the focal point of an image after it’s been taken. Focus Stacking allows the user to combine focal points to achieve complete -to-background focus. A new in-camera Sequence Composition function allows a sequence of images to be shown within one shot ““ for example, the trajectory of a motorbike jump, the arc of a diver leaving the board, or the movement of a dancer. For video shooters, 4K Live Cropping provides flexible cropping to create smooth, slow zooms or stable pans, outputting Full HD picture quality in the final footage.
The new camera has been designed with intuitive dials and a control ring located on the lens barrel, which provide smooth control of exposure and zoom functions. Users can easily access settings such as aperture, shutter speed, focus, filter effects and scene mode. Focus Peaking is also provided, along with raw file capture and in-camera RAW data development.
Like its predecessors, the TZ220 has been designed with travellers in mind and includes Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy connection and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) for easy connection to smartphones. With an always-on connection, images can be geotagged for social sharing and the smartphone can provide a convenient remote control. The TZ220 can be charged on the go via USB cable direct to the camera, anywhere there is a USB power source. A new eco30fps mode gives the TZ220 a maximum battery life of around 370 images/charge.
The Lumix DC-TZ220 will be offered in black or dark silver, with a chassis using aluminium plates for durability, and grips at front and rear for stable shooting. It will be available in April at an RRP of AU$1199. For more information, visit www.panasonic.com.au or phone 132 600.
