Panasonic Unveils Lumix DMC-FZ35

August 13, 2009: Panasonic has released details of the new 12.1-megapixel DMC-FZ35, which replaces the popular DMC-FZ28 and will be added to the Lumix line-up next month.
Boasting a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens with 18x optical zoom and a bright 27mm wide angle focal length (35mm equivalent), the FZ35 is targeted at photo enthusiasts and will sell for an RRP of $769. This new model is a true hybrid – able to record still pictures as both JPEGs and in raw file format and also capture High Definition video with the single touch of a button. It also introduces Panasonic’s POWER O.I.S., a new image stabilisation technology that provides roughly twice the hand-shake suppression power of the previous MEGA O.I.S. This helps to ensure blur-free results in low-light or when zooming.

Front view of the Lumix DMC-FZ35 with the supplied lens hood in place. (Source: Panasonic.)

Rear view of the Lumix DMC- FZ35. (Source: Panasonic.)

Top view of the Lumix DMC- FZ35. (Source: Panasonic.)
As well as offering the P, A, S and M shooting modes required by photo enthusiasts, it also provides Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto (iA) mode which ensures smooth, easy operation in still and video modes. The iA mode includes a new Face Recognition function that ‘remembers’ faces and allows up to three face images per person to be registered in the camera. This dramatically raises the detection accuracy and, once registered, these faces are recognised automatically when shooting and identified by name. The name also rotates either vertically or horizontally, depending on the orientation of the image, for easy reading on the LCD.
The FZ35 also introduces a new generation of AVCHD Lite video recording, which allows users to select from three levels of motion image quality: SH (17 Mbps), H (13 Mbps) and L (9 Mbps). A dedicated button the rear panel provides a quick switch into video recording, carrying over most of the camera’s settings. Dolby Digital Stereo Creator is included to record high quality audio and a Wind Cut function is also available for suppressing noise in video mode.
In-camera creative functions include the My Colour mode, which is carried over from Panasonic’s Lumix G Micro System cameras, a Creative Movie mode, which lets the user set the shutter speed and aperture manually for video recordings and a High Dynamic mode for capturing highlight and shadow detail in scenes with a wide dynamic range. Users can also apply one of three artistic effects: Standard, Art or Black and White.
The new Venus Engine HD has been re-engineered and with its twin CPUs, boasts approximately 2.4x the processing capability, improving the speed of camera operations. This multi-task image-processing engine reduces start-up time to just 1.2 seconds, cuts shutter release time lag to around 0.007 seconds and speeds up autofocusing. It also supports a burst rate of up to 10 frames/second in high-speed mode plus a new Flash Burst mode that enables users to take consecutive shots with continuous firing of the flash.
Both still images and AVCHD Lite high-definition video recorded by the DMC-FZ35 on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic Viera HD TV. Users simply insert the memory card from the camera into the VIERA Image Viewer (SDHC/SD card slot) for immediate playback. For more information, phone Panasonic on 132 600 or visit www.panasonic.com.au.