Panasonic today unveiled new models of its Lumix series of digital cameras, including the LUMIX LX5,FZ40, TS10, FX700 and the FZ100 models.
LUMIX LX5
Panasonic's LUMIX DMC-LX5 is a compact, high-performing digital camera that captures professional-quality photos and High Definition (HD) video. With an ultra-bright F2.0 ultra-wide-angle 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, the LUMIX LX5 minimizes image distortion. The 24mm wide angle lens offers large viewing space and now the optical zoom is extended to 3.8x(90mm).
The F2.0 lens is twice as bright as a F2.8 lens, making it easy to produce beautiful photos with a soft-focused background thanks to the shallow depth of field provided by the extra light. In addition to the newly-designed lens, the LUMIX LX5 features an image processing engine that combines technologies resulting in professional-quality photos, especially in low-light situations. Like its predecessor, the LUMIX LX5 features the 10.1-megapixel CCD, but it has an expanded dynamic range by increasing the sensitivity and the saturation.
The newly developed Venus Engine FHD image processor enables higher-speed, higher-performance while compiling the Intelligent Resolution technology. The triple CPUs in this imaging engine speeds up processing while achieving high noise reduction performance. With its high-sensitivity CCD and the brightness of the lens, minimum illumination of the LUMIX LX5 is as low as 3 lux while shooting video.
The LUMIX LX5 can record HD videos in AVCHD Lite, a format that allows almost doubling the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. Creative video shooting modes include Creative Movie mode, where users can set shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive movies. My Color mode and Film mode are available for more extended expression not only in photography but also in videography. The LUMIX LX5 also features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio and the 3.8x optical zoom is available while shooting video.
The LUMIX LX5 has also been redesigned externally ? with a thicker grip making it easier to hold and a newly-incorporated turn-and-push jog dial achieves various selection and setting more quickly. The LUMIX LX5 also features a hot shoe, which allows for the attachment of a wide-variety of accessories, such as an optional Live View Finder which helps shooting under strong daylight with high visibility or an external flash. The 1:1 square format setting is added in the aspect ratio option which can be selected with the switch at the side of the lens barrel.
Other features of the Panasonic LUMIX LX5, include:
- The 3.0-inch 460,000-dot high resolution Intelligent LCD also redesigned by adopting High CRI (Color Rendering Index) backlight LED to increase the color reproduction.
- Battery life is extended to shoot 400 photos (CIPA) per a single charge.
- A wide-variety of accessories, including a Live View Finder (DMW-LVF1), External Optical View Finder (DMW-VF1), Wide Conversion Lens (DMW-LWA52), Conversion Lens Adaptor (DMW-LA6), MC Protector (DMW-MC52), ND Filter (DMW-LND52), PL Filter: DMW-LPL52, External Flashes, Leather Case (DMW-CLX5) and a Battery Pack (DMW-BCJ13).
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX5 will be available in late-August 2010 for a suggested retail of $499.95 and will be available in black and white models.
LUMIX FZ40
Panasonic also announced today the newest addition to its popular LUMIX FZ-Series digital cameras. The LUMIX DMC-FZ40, a feature-packed, hybrid digital camera, combines a 24x optical zoom and creative manual operations to offer photographers of all levels the opportunity to take photos and High Definition (HD) videos. This 14.1-megapixel model features a 25mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and a new image processing system.
The LUMIX FZ40 features Intelligent Resolution technology which leads to optimum signal processing. The Sonic Speed Auto Focus (AF) and high-speed start-up found on the FZ40 are at the industry?s fastest level, helping users to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities.
The LUMIX FZ40 has upgraded manual and creative controls including the new jog dial which helps to elevate the camera?s operability. The jog dial is a focus button which allows users to change settings quickly including shutter speed and aperture, depending on the shooting conditions. Additionally, the new My Color mode which has been popular on LUMIX G Micro System cameras is available in both still and movie modes, and gives users creative freedom with a suite of options, including new Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic and High Dynamic B&W.
Panasonic?s hallmark Intelligent Auto (iA) mode automatically selects the most suitable Scene mode and remembers previously-registered faces. And the system also includes POWER Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.), featuring double the repression power compared to that of Panasonic?s previous image stabilization system, MEGA O.I.S. This system helps to eliminate blur resulting from hand-shake.
Users can now enjoy shooting of HD movies in AVCHD Lite with double the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. Additionally, a separate and dedicated button located on the top of the camera allows users to instantly begin recording in video mode.
Other features of the LUMIX FZ40 include a 3.0-inch 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with 100% field of view, high energy efficiency which extends the battery life up to 580 shots (CIPA) per charge, and a new Video Divide function with which users can separate a video they?ve shot into two sections to shorten or delete any unwanted parts. Also, the LUMIX FZ40?s Wind Cut function blocks out noise from background wind when shooting in video mode.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ40 will be available in black in late-August for a suggested retail price of $399.95.
LUMIX TS10
Panasonic's new LUMIX DMC-TS10 digital camera is the latest addition to the company?s TS-Series of rugged models. Featuring a flat, slim profile, and a folded optics design with a 4x optical zoom lens, the new 14.1-megapixel LUMIX TS10 is waterproof to approximately 10 feet, shockproof to 5 feet, dustproof and freezeproof to 14˚F. For even further protection, the LUMIX TS10 comes with a silicone jacket to help prevent scratches.
Panasonic's popular Intelligent Auto (iA) mode makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos by offering a full suite of shooting-assist functions. The MEGA O.I.S. helps reduce blur due to hand-shake and the Intelligent ISO control prevents a moving subject from being blurred by optimizing the shutter speed and ISO sensitivity setting. Human faces are captured in focus and with correct exposure using the Face Detection mode and unwanted red-eyes are digitally corrected and backlight compensation automatically adjusted. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects one of six Scene Modes ? Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset ? that best suits the shooting situation. The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before pressing a shutter button halfway.
The LUMIX TS10 can also shoot High Definition video in 720p Motion JPG and the image-processing Venus Engine IV features advanced signal processing technology for rendering images and videos.
The Panasonic LUMIX TS10 features a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD. The Intelligent LCD function detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and adjusts the frame rate when shooting in low-lit situations.
The Panasonic LUMIX TS10 will be available in blue, red, black and silver in mid-September for a suggested retail price of $249.95.
LUMIX FX700
Panasonic also added the new LUMIX DMC-FX700 digital camera, which records 1080 full High Definition (HD) videos in the AVCHD format and features a 3-inch touch-screen LCD. The 14.1-megapixel digital camera features a 24mm ultra wide-angle F2.2 super bright LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens with a 5x optical zoom.
The LUMIX FX700 adopts full touch-screen operation, which allows for Auto Focus (AF) to be set by touching the 3.0-inch, 230,000-dot LCD screen. Once a subject is locked with a single touch, the AF tracking function will follow the subject while moving. With the Intelligent Scene Selector, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject selected.
The LUMIX FX700?s 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens, a rarity for a compact camera of this size, makes it easy to capture many subjects due to the great depth-of-field provided by the extra light. Additionally, photographers now have a wider range of composition possibilities with approximately 213% larger viewing space compared to that of a 35mm camera.
The LUMIX FX700 can also record HD video in the AVCHD format. It records in 1920x1080 full HD with enhanced picture quality and Intelligent Resolution technology. Along with this high-quality HD video with a 5x optical zoom, the FX700 also features Dolby Digital Stereo Creator to record high-quality audio.
Panasonic?s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode is further advanced in the FX700 with the addition of Motion Deblur mode by updating the motion detection (Intelligent ISO Control) and brightness control (Intelligent Exposure) to gain the highest shutter speed possible. Combined with the brightness of the lens and the POWER O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer), the LUMIX FX700 reduces any blur either caused by handshake or a moving subject. Intelligent Burst mode now determines the frame rate in burst shooting according to the speed of the subject?s motion, making it easy to capture any image. Included in the iA suite of technologies is: POWER O.I.S., Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure.
The LUMIX FX700 features the new Venus Engine FHD image processor which includes advanced signal processing capabilities. It also incorporates Intelligent Resolution technology, which examines three areas pixel-by-pixel, to automatically detect and enhance any degradation created during the digital zoom process.
Other features of the Panasonic LUMIX FX700 include:
- Handheld Night Shot: Using the high-speed MOS sensor, this new mode shoots 10 consecutive shots to simulate and detect the perfect shot of any subject while simultaneously fixing the subject?s position.
- Battery Life: The high-performance Venus Engine FHD is also highly energy efficient despite its high processing capabilities, extending the battery life up to 300 shots (CIPA) on a single charge.
The Panasonic LUMIX FX700 will be available in black in late-August for a suggested retail price of $399.95.
LUMIX FZ100
last but not least, Panasonic announced the new LUMIX DMC-FZ100, a top-of-the-line model in the FZ-Series of LUMIX digital cameras with a newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens that features a 24x optical zoom. As the company?s first hybrid compact digital camera with a MOS sensor, the LUMIX FZ100 can record full 1080 High Definition (HD) video.
The LUMIX FZ100 has a fast burst shooting in 14.1-megapixel full resolution at 11 frames per second with a mechanical shutter, and increases the frames per second to 60 in 3.5-megapixel recording. Additionally, the LUMIX FZ100 features continuous Auto Focus up to five frames per second at full resolution for great action shots. It also features Intelligent Burst shooting. The digital camera judges the appropriate shutter speed to suppress the motion blur according to the movement of the subject, rising as high as possible, activating the high sensitivity recording.
Panasonic?s Intelligent Auto (iA) mode now includes Motion Deblur mode. By updating the motion detection (Intelligent ISO Control) and brightness control (Intelligent Exposure) users can gain the highest shutter speed possible. Combined with the brightness of the lens and the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), the LUMIX FZ100 prevents any blur created from a handshake or a moving subject. The iA suite of technologies include: POWER O.I.S., Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Panasonic?s iA is also available while shooting video.
Featuring a free-angle 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD, the LUMIX FZ100 features wide-angle viewing with Face Recognition functions that automatically remembers registered faces for future recording. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects one of 6 Scene modes to best suit the shooting situation.
The LUMIX FZ100 also features Dolby Digital Stereo Creator. This high-quality stereo sound offers realistic sounds and effects to any movie. For greater sound quality, the LUMIX FZ100 has a newly-created port for an optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) and a Wind Cut function is available to reduce background wind noise.
The LUMIX FZ100 can record photos and HD video in AVCHD format on SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. Additionally, My Color mode, first introduced in the LUMIX G Micro Systems cameras, is a special option that gives freedom to the user?s creativity. With a variety of options including new Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic and High Dynamic B&W, the My Color mode makes it easy to create images and videos using new intensive color, brightness and saturation levels.
Other features of the LUMIX FZ100 include:
- Bundled Software ? PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.2 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos. Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader, while also letting the user create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in .MOV files. The software is compatible with the Windows 7.
- Happy Mode ? An option in iA that optimizes color, saturation and brightness to make both photos and movies more vivid.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ100 will be available in black in late-August for a suggested retail price of $499.95.