Secaucus, NJ—Panasonic today announced five Lumix cameras, including the slim DMC-FX700 that records 1080p Full HD (high definition) video in the AVCHD format; the hybrid DMC-FZ40 with a 24x optical zoom and creative manual operations to take artistic photos and HD video; the DMC-FZ100 with a 24x Leica DC Vario-Elmarit optical zoom lens; the DMC-LX5 with enhanced low-light performance; and DMC-TS10, the latest in Samsung’s TS series of rugged models.
Lumix FX700. With 14.1 megapixels and a 24mm ultra-wide-angle f/2.2 Leica DC Vario-Summicron 5x optical zoom lens, the FX700 is engineered for shooting in low light and capturing moving subjects. It adopts full touch-screen operation, with all menus settings available with one-touch control, and autofocus set by touching the 3.0-inch LCD; once a subject is locked with a single touch, the AF tracking function follows the subject while moving.
Also featured are intelligent scene selector, where the camera automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject selected; 1,920x1,080 HD video recording in the AVCHD format, for almost double the recording time of the Motion JPEG format, with Intelligent Resolution technology and Dolby Digital Stereo Creator to record high-quality audio; iA mode (intelligent auto, with face recognition, face detection, intelligent ISO control, intelligent resolution and intelligent exposure) with an added motion deblur mode; Power OIS to reduce blur caused by handshake or a moving subject; and intelligent burst mode, which determines the frame rate in burst shooting according to the speed of the subject’s motion. Also new is handheld night shot, which uses the high-speed MOS sensor to shoot 10 consecutive shots to simulate and detect the optimal shot without the use of a tripod. $399.95.
Lumix DMC-FZ40. This 14.1MP model has a 3.0-inch LCD, 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 24x optical zoom lens and a new image processing system to achieve high picture quality for stills and videos. The hybrid records HD movies in AVCHD Lite with a dedicated button on top of its body to switch between capturing photos and recording video.
Its Intelligent Resolution technology optimizes signal processing to give “images outstanding natural clarity, specifically focusing on the finer details.” Also featured: Sonic Speed Autofocus (AF); upgraded intuitive manual and creative controls, including a jog dial that lets users change settings quickly; my color mode now available in both still and movie modes, with pin hole, film grain, high dynamic and high dynamic B&W options; Panasonic’s iA mode; a video divide function so users can separate a video they’ve shot into two sections to shorten or delete unwanted parts; and a wind cut function to block out noise from background wind when recording. $399.95.
DMC-FZ100. The top-of-the-line FZ-series model, the FZ100 sports a newly developed 24x Leica DC Vario-Elmarit optical zoom lens and is Panasonic’s first hybrid compact with a MOS sensor. It also records Full HD 1080 AVCHD video as well as captures 14.1MP photos.
Other features are: a free-angle 3.0-inch LCD; 11-fps-burst shooting at full resolution and 60 fps in 3.5MP recording; 5-fps continuous autofocus at full res; intelligent burst shooting where the camera judges the appropriate shutter speed to suppress motion blur according to the movement of the subject and activates high-sensitivity recording; iA mode with motion deblur; my color and happy modes; Dolby Digital Stereo Creator; a port for an optional stereo microphone; and support for SDXC cards. $499.95.
DMC-TS10. For the active outdoor set, the 14.1MP TS10 features a flat profile, a 2.7-inch LCD and folded optics design with a 4x optical zoom lens, and specs say it’s waterproof to 10 feet, shockproof to 5 feet, dustproof and freezeproof to 14 degrees F—and its silicone jacket helps prevent scratches.
It also provides: iA mode; a quick AF system that lets the camera keep focus on the subject while it’s in recording mode even before pressing a shutter button halfway; 720p Motion JPG video recording; and the image-processing Venus Engine IV with advanced signal processing technology for rendering high-quality images and videos. The Lumix TS10 will be available in blue, red, black and silver in September. $249.95.
DMC-LX5. Billed as “the ultimate compact, high-performing digital camera offering photo enthusiasts the ideal camera for capturing professional-quality photos and High Definition (HD) video,” the LX5 boasts a bright f/2.0 ultra-wide-angle 24mm Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens with the optical zoom extended to 3.8x (90mm). Redesigned externally with a thicker grip for easier handling and a turn-and-push jog dial to access settings more quickly, the LX5 also has a hot shoe to attach accessories, such as an optional live viewfinder, wide conversion lens and external flash unit.
Key features include: a 3.0-inch LCD; a 10.1MP CCD with an expanded dynamic range by increasing the sensitivity and saturation; enhanced low-light performance with minimum illumination as low as 3 lux while shooting video in AVCHD Lite; creative movie mode, where users set shutter speed and aperture manually; my color and film modes; Dolby Digital Creator; and a choice of white or black bodies. $499.95. panasonic.com