Panasonic Lumix Digital Camera

Panasonic made a splash in Miami Beach this week while unveiling its new Lumix digital camera line-up. Lucky for me, DemystifyingDigital.com sent me down to Miami to cover the event and I got a chance to test drive several of the latest Panasonic digital cameras while photographing scantily clad models by the pool and on the beach. (Yes, there are some Biz Fast Tracker assignments that are tough to refuse.)

So while my friends and colleagues froze their butts off back in New York City, I was basking in the sun while trying out the brand new Panasonic Lumix ZS3 ($399) -- a high-end consumer camera -- and the Panasonic Lumix TS1 ($399) -- which is the company's first waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof camera. (Did I say already that this assignment was hard to refuse?)

The Lumix Global Seminar 2009 -- as Panasonic was calling the event -- was more than just fun in the sun though. Along with introducing nine digital camera models, Panasonic was spotlighting some interesting imaging technologies at the event including a "hybrid concept" in digital cameras. Though "hybrid" cameras which capture both still images and High Definition Video are nothing new, Panasonic's latest models record video in AVCHD Lite, a new recording format designed to allow longer HD recording while maintaining good image quality.

AVCHD Lite 
With AVCHD Lite, Panasonic is targeting anyone who has grown weary of quickly filling up their memory cards with HD content captured with their pocket camera or camcorder. In my limited time testing this feature, I was pleased with the manageable size and quality of my short HD movies shot with the Panasonic Lumix ZS3.

Technically speaking, AVCHD Lite records HD in the 720p MPEG4 (H.264/AVC) codec which offers improved quality over the conventional Motion JPEG format that most pocket cameras use to record video. In normal person speak, this means Panasonic cameras with AVCHD Lite should capture HD movies much the same way an actual HD camcorder does but without creating huge file sizes. A pretty neat solution though I'm still unclear on how compatible it is with popular video editing software such as iMovie on Macs.

I do like the way that Panasonic has made recording HD video so much easier. Instead of having to go into a confusing menu or turn a mode dial, you can start shooting HD footage with the latest Lumix cameras by just pressing a red button on back.

Cameras that Recognize Faces -- Creepy or Cool?
The other new function Panasonic was spotlighting in its latest Lumix digital cameras was an interesting though somewhat curious feature called Face Recognition. Face Recognition takes Face-Detection in portrait photography one step further by "remembering" faces from previous shots.

After a user "registers" a face in the camera of a frequent subject -- such as of a friend, family member, or loved one -- the camera will display the name of that person on the screen when you take a photo of them the next time. The camera will then give that person improved focus and exposure so they're always looking good in your photos.

Yes, it's a little weird and in brief demos and tests with the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 it was not always accurate -- a person needs to be looking straight at the camera without anything, such as hair or a hat, covering a portion of their face -- but it was pretty cool nonetheless. How many people will actually use Face Recognition remains to be seen and how you explain to your three kids which one takes "priority" in your photos might present an unwanted challenge. For social networking users who "tag" images of friends for their Facebook pages though, Face Recognition should save a step or two.

Underwater, Shock Proof, Dust Proof Cameras
Underwater cameras that are also shock proof and dust proof aren't much of a novelty anymore -- Pentax and Olympus have had them for several years now -- but Panasonic's new Lumix TS1 adds a few new tricks. For one, the 12.1MP Lumix TS1 has a very nice 28mm-128mm Leica-branded lens.

Like all of Panasonic's cameras the Lumix TS1 also comes with Intelligent Auto, a handy feature that automatically picks a scene mode to correspond  to what you're shooting -- such as landscapes, portraits, or close-up "macro" photos. Of course, there's also Panasonic's tried and true Optical Image Stabilizer to steady shaky shots, and the new AVCHD Lite HD video recording mode.

Though I didn't do extensive "on land" testing with the TS1 while in Miami, I took a bunch of underwater shots with it in a pool. Panasonic was nice enough to supply models dressed up as mermaids and mermen in the pool for us to take photos of and my shots of a colorful underwater gal were some of my favorite of the trip. (You can see one on this page.)

Colleagues of mine also had a fun time turning on the HD feature on the TS1 and playing a game of three-way catch with three different cameras on the beach. Since the TS1 is also dust proof there was no problem when it was accidently dropped in the sand a couple of times.

Panasonic Lumix ZS3 -- A Quality Pocket Shooter
I've been a fan of Panasonic's TZ line of pocket cameras going back to the TZ3 which combined a wide angle lens with a built-in image stabilizer. The latest iteration of that line drops the TZ nomenclature for ZS and includes two new models -- the 10MP ZS3 and ZS1. The ZS1 is slightly smaller than the ZS3 and eliminates a couple of features including no Face Recognition.

I tried out the ZS3, which uses a 25mm-300mm (12x) Leica-branded lens, and was pleased with results especially the very wide focal range of the lens. Wide angle shots of the beach and the setting sun were fantastic with great color and decent sharpness. I also used the camera to photograph several pre-arranged scenes that Panasonic set up for us along Miami beach.

We started by photographing rollerbladers along the pathway beside Ocean Drive in South Beach and though the ZS3 isn't the fastest camera in the world it had solid sharpness even when the bladers came zipping by at high speeds. I only wish I could've forced the flash to fire in Intelligent Auto mode to eliminate some of the shadows. For some reason, only Auto Flash and No Flash are offered in Intelligent Auto.

Later we went to photograph volleyballers on the beach and at first the camera struggled to keep up with the action. When I switched on the impressive high-speed burst mode -- which drops the resolution down to 3MP as it fires off a burst of images -- it did a great job freezing the action and I got some very nice shots of the players serving the ball. Even though the drop in resolution made the images look softer and muted the color, the results weren't bad. One of my volleyball shots is featured on this page.

As you can see from my other shots on this page, I also used the camera to capture photos of a binkini-clad snake charmer and cheerleaders for the Miami Dolphins. Did I already mention that this was a tough assignment?

To get more details on all of Panasonic's Lumix digital cameras, click here.