31.07.09
Panasonic adds to Lumix range
Panasonic has released the DMC-FP8 compact camera. Housed in the stylish exterior is a 12.1-megapixel, 28mm, 4.6x Leica DC Vario Elma lens with a 4.6x optical zoom.
The extra optical zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 9.1x (252mm) by using the centre part of the 12.1-megapixel large CCD.
A key feature of the new DMC-FP8 is its high-speed AF, the industry's fastest in class level, claims the company. Combined with a high-speed start-up of only 0.95 seconds, this gives the FP8 a fast response. The 2.7-inch large Intelligent LCD offers dynamic and clear view out of its small body.
The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.006 seconds, making it easier to capture sudden photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the FP8 can snap approx. 2.3 shots per second at 12.1-megapixel full resolution. In High-speed Burst shooting mode, it fires off approx. 10 shots per second and the Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take consecutive shots with continuous emissions of the flash.
Improved energy efficiency means the battery life can last up to 380 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.
Panasonic's Intelligent Auto mode now includes optical image stabilization to counter hand-shake, which occurs when the shutter button is pressed or while shooting at night with a slow shutter speed.
The DMC-FP8 also features face recognition which “remembers” faces. When a familiar face is recorded several times, the camera will prompt the photographer to register the face. Once registered, the camera will display the name specified for the person if the familiar face appears again, and prioritize focus and exposure so that the registered face is bright and in sharp focus. This mode allows for up to three people to be simultaneously recognized and their names shown on the monitor once registered.
Once you enter iA mode, these functions happen automatically along with other shooting-assist functions such as AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent Exposure and Quick AF- so you can shoot without adjusting settings every time conditions change.
All Lumix cameras can take 1920 x 1080 pixel HD (high-definition) quality video that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV for full-screen viewing. The DMC-FP8 records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480).
A total of 27 scene modes are available with the DMC-FP8. The High Dynamic mode is a new addition. The Photo Frame mode allows you to shoot images with fine frame-like decorations. The user can select one of three options, Standard, Art, or B/W.
In addition, the DMC-FP8 also has PHOTOfunStudio 4.0 as its included Software, making it easy to edit your recorded contents. You may also upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.
The camera is available in red, black and silver.
Following on from the award-winning DMC-FZ28, Panasonic has released the Lumix DMC-FZ38 digital still camera. It features an 18x optical zoom 27mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens, and packs 12.1 megapixels.
The camera also features AVCHD Lite high-definition movie recording, upgraded image stabilization technology and ultra high-speed AF. In addition, it offers Dolby Digital Stereo to record high quality audio. Zoom power can be increased digitally to 35.2x.
Panasonic's Intelligent Auto now includes new improved image stabilization to help prevent handshake even when using high-powered zoom.
The mode also includes face recognition, which will register up to six people’s faces with up to three simultaneously recognized to show their names once registered. The age of the registered subject along with both the name and the age of the subject can be stamped onto photos. When babies under 3 years old are registered, the camera automatically switches to Baby mode if the baby appears in the frame.
In playback, you can choose to display only photos that contain a specific registered face and view image slideshows of only a selected person. This advanced face detection system also digitally corrects unwanted red-eye during recording. With AF Tracking, the FZ38 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves.
There is also Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights.
In addition there is an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects the subject is in backlight. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically detects the five most common shooting situations - Portrait, Night Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery and Macro - and switches to the appropriate Scene mode. The intelligent auto mode is also available in motion image recording.
Panasonic’s new industry-leading, ultra high-speed AF is twice as fast as its predecessor DMC-FZ28 while the start-up time is dramatically shortened too.
The Quick AF system helps keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before pressing the shutter button halfway. This improves the chances of getting the shot because the focus is always near the subject and AF time is minimized. The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by simply selecting iA mode.
The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.007 seconds. In burst shooting mode, the FZ38 can snap approx. 2.3 shots per second at 12.1-megapixel full resolution. In High-speed Burst shooting mode, it fires off approx. 10 shots per second. Newly added Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take consecutive shots with continuous emissions of the flash.
The camera is also more energy efficient with an extended battery life up to 470 shots per a single charge.
Motion image recording can be started by pressing a one-touch button on the camera's back panel. Most of the camera's settings will be carried over when switched to motion picture recording. The powerful 18x optical zoom is available in movie recording, too. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind. The FZ38 also provides a Custom Colour mode and carries over 18 different scene modes from photo scene modes in movie recording. In AVCHD Lite recording, you can select from three levels of motion image quality: SH (17 Mbps), H (13 Mbps) and L (9 Mbps).
In creative movie mode, the user can set the shutter speed and aperture manually. In My Colour mode, the colour, brightness and saturation parameters can be freely adjusted while seeing how the adjustments affect the picture on the monitor.
With the High Dynamic mode, the user can select one of three options, Standard, Art, or B/W, depending on the desired effect and personal taste to make the photo look natural to artistic.
The adoption of AVCHD Lite lets users enjoy watching not only still images, but also HD movies by simply inserting the SDHC/SD Memory Card into the VIERA Image Viewer (Bulit-in SDHC/SD Memory Card slot) on any compatible Panasonic Viera HDTV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player. Alternatively simply connect the camera via an option HDMI cable to a VIERA link-equipped TV and use the TV’s remote control to run slideshows including both still and motion images.
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4/0 HD Edition, it is easy to view and edit your recorded content. You may also upload your videos to YouTube or burn to a DVD disc for archiving.
The camera is available from September.
The DMC-ZX1 compact camera incorporates an 8x optical zoom into a slim and compact body using a 0.3mm super-thin aspherical lens and 0.3mm spherical lens.
It packs a 25mm ultra wide angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with a 12.1-megapixel high resolution CCD.
The zoom also works during motion picture recording. In 3-megapixel resolution mode, the extra optical zoom uses the centre part of the CCD to provide additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 15.6x.
The Intelligent Auto mode now carries advanced image stabilisation and face recognition.
With AF Tracking, the ZX1 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves.
In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions including Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights and helping ensure that gradation and details are reproduced beautifully.
It now features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects the subject is in backlight. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically detects the five most common shooting situations - Portrait, Night Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery and Macro - and switches to the appropriate Scene mode.
The AF is twice as fast as its sister model the DMC-TZ7 and the start up time has been shortened to 1.1 seconds. The Quick AF system helps keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before pressing the shutter button halfway.
The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.007 seconds, making it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photos. In burst shooting mode, the ZX1/ZR1 can snap approx. 2.3 shots per second at 12.1-megapixel full resolution. In High-speed Burst shooting mode, it fires off 10 shots per second and the Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take consecutive shots with continuous emissions of the flash.
In addition, the high performance engine is also more energy efficient to extend the battery life up to 330 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.
The camera can take 1920 x 1080 pixel HD (high-definition) quality photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV for full-screen viewing.
Elegantly finished with a high quality aluminium texture which resists fingerprints – the ZX1 is available in a range of colours (red, white, blue, black and silver). It will be available from September.
The DMC-FX60 features a 25mm F2.8 ultra-wide-angle LEICA DC lens and 5x optical zoom. It packs 12.1-megapixels.
In 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 9.8x by using the center part of the CCD.
The autofocus is improved and start-up time has also been reduced to 1.1 seconds .
This multi-task image-processing engine has a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.006 seconds.
In burst shooting mode, the FX60 can snap approx. 2.3 shots per second at 12.1-megapixel full resolution. In High-speed Burst shooting mode, it fires off an incredible approx. 10 shots per second and the Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take consecutive shots with continuous emissions of the flash.
In addition the engine is also more energy efficient and extends the battery life up to 360 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.
In iA mode the camera does all the work, it now includes POWER O.I.S. and Face Recognition.
Once you enter iA mode, these functions happen automatically along with AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure.
The DMC-FX60 records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480). With HD component output the camera can be connected to a TV via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4.0, it is easy to view and edit recorded contents. Videos can be oploaded to YouTube or burnt to a DVD disc for archiving.
Available in silver, black, violet, and blue, the FX60 will be available from September.
www.panasonic.co.uk
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