New Panasonic Lumix Digital Cameras Feature Wide-angle Lens
Panasonic expanded its Lumix series of digital cameras with the new LUMIX FX37 (10.1 MP, 25mm lens), the DMC-FX150 (14.7 MP, 28MM lens), the DMC-FZ28 (10.1MP, 28MMlens) and the DMC-LX3 (24mm lens, 10.1 MP).
LUMIX DMC-FX37
The new LUMIX DMC-FX37 digital camera has a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC lens, enabling users to capture almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance as compared to 35mm cameras. The 10.1 megapixel FX37, capable of High Definition video recording, also includes a 5x optical zoom while maintaining a compact body and expands Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), Panasonic?s system of technologies that help consumers take better photos.
Joining the LUMIX family, the FX37 comes with several of Panasonic?s proprietary features, including the new AF (auto focus) Tracking function, which expands the iA system. AF Tracking automatically tracks the subject in the frame by locking it into focus, making it easier to capture well-focused photos. With AF Tracking, the FX37 continually monitors the light source and automatically activates the backlight compensation function if it detects that the light source is behind the subject. AF Tracking also increases Face Detection accuracy.
The LUMIX FX37, which includes 50 MB of internal memory, also features High Definition (HD) video recording capabilities, shooting with a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps. Still photos can also be shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio for optimal viewing on an HDTV.
The new Venus Engine IV supports a faster response time, allowing the LUMIX FX37 to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. The shutter release time lag is as short as 0.005 second, making it easier to capture spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. The engine enables the camera to shoot up to 310 photos on a single battery charge.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX37 will be available in silver, black, blue, and white in August 2008 for a manufacturer?s suggested retail price of $349.95.
LUMIX FX150
Equipped with 14.7 megapixels, the FX150 also boasts a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with F2.8 brightness and 3.6x optical zoom.
The FX150?s manual controls and features distinguish it from many of its ultra-compact competitors. For instance, the Manual Exposure mode lets users choose the shutter speed, giving the freedom to render artistic images of ordinary scenes. The multi-exposure function superimposes up to three consecutively shot images together while the user views the previous image on the LCD, creating a surrealistic effect that cannot be achieved with a single image alone. Furthermore, the manual bracketing function includes typical exposure and adds new color bracketing to capture color, monochromatic and sepia shots of an image simultaneously.
The FX150 also records original photos in the RAW file format and comes bundled with the SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0SE software application, enabling the user to freely adjust RAW data settings such as exposure bias and white balance even after shooting for greater editing and image development.
In addition to manual controls, the FX150 also offers Panasonic?s Intelligent Auto (iA) mode that provides the user with automatic settings adjustments depending on the shooting environment.
The FX150 boasts the high-speed image processing system, the Venus Engine IV, which supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. The FX150 can also record dynamic High Definition video in 1280 x 720p at 24fps.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX150 will be available in silver and black and will begin shipping in August 2008 with a suggested retail price of $399.95.
LUMIX DMC-FZ28
The LUMIX DMC-FZ28 digital camera boasts a premium 27mm wide-angle LEICA lens with an 18x optical zoom. The 10.1 megapixel digital camera also features an enhanced Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), with the new AF (auto focus) Tracking function.
The Venus Engine IV supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and 13 shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. In High Sensitivity mode, the FZ28 can shoot up to ISO 6400 in extremely low-lit situations. The LUMIX DMC-FZ28 also is equipped with a 2.7-inch large, high resolution LCD with 230,000 pixels, and a high resolution electric viewfinder equivalent to 201,600 pixels.
The DMC-FZ28 also features High Defintion (HD) video capabilities with a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 will be available in silver and black in August 2008 for a suggested retail price of $399.95.
LUMIX DMC-LX3
The new LUMIX DMC-LX3 digital camera is the successor to the DMC-LX2. Designed for easy shooting, the DMC-LX3 features a F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, 10.1 megapixels and a 1/1.63-inch CCD developed specifically for this model.
At the heart of the DMC-LX3, is its 1/1.63-inch CCD. Panasonic was able to give more space for each pixel and also redesigned the peripheral circuits and other components to further minimize noise generation. As a result, sensitivity is almost 40 percent higher and saturation is increased by 35 percent, when compared to Panasonic?s 10 MP digital cameras. The CCD is also capable of reproducing images in three aspect ratios ? 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9. The new Multi Aspect mode allows the camera to take an image in all three aspect ratios simultaneously, allowing users to choose the version that best suits their needs.
Another major upgrade to the LX3 is the F2.0 24mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens. The F2.0 is about twice as bright as a F2.8 lens and can shoot at higher shutter speeds to capture clear images in dimly lit environments. In addition, the 24mm lens captures approximately a 213% larger viewing angle than a normal 35mm camera and 136% larger compared to a 28mm wide-angle lens. The lens unit consists of eight elements in six groups with four aspherical lenses with four aspherical surfaces.
The LX3 also incorporates the Venus Engine IV that supports high sensitivity recording enabling the DMC-LX3 to record at up to ISO 3200 at full resolution and even up to ISO 6400 when using high sensitivity mode. The Venus Engine IV also supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode.
The joystick operation which was featured in its predecessor continues with the LX3, allowing selecting different settings on the camera, including focus, aperture and shutter speed ? easy and quick. For setting white balance, the LX3 provides a new color temperature display function, and still includes the Two-Axis white balance adjustment settings offered in previous models.
The LX3 also features a Film mode with six color types and three types of monochrome selections. Much like selecting from different film types, this function gives the user the flexibility and creative freedom to take more expressive digital photos.
The DMC-LX3 has the ability to record High Definition (HD) video in 1280 x 720p at 24fps.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3 will be available in silver and black in August 2008 for a manufacturer?s suggested retail price of $499.95.
The new LUMIX DMC-FX37 digital camera has a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC lens, enabling users to capture almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance as compared to 35mm cameras. The 10.1 megapixel FX37, capable of High Definition video recording, also includes a 5x optical zoom while maintaining a compact body and expands Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), Panasonic?s system of technologies that help consumers take better photos.
Joining the LUMIX family, the FX37 comes with several of Panasonic?s proprietary features, including the new AF (auto focus) Tracking function, which expands the iA system. AF Tracking automatically tracks the subject in the frame by locking it into focus, making it easier to capture well-focused photos. With AF Tracking, the FX37 continually monitors the light source and automatically activates the backlight compensation function if it detects that the light source is behind the subject. AF Tracking also increases Face Detection accuracy.
The LUMIX FX37, which includes 50 MB of internal memory, also features High Definition (HD) video recording capabilities, shooting with a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps. Still photos can also be shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio for optimal viewing on an HDTV.
The new Venus Engine IV supports a faster response time, allowing the LUMIX FX37 to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. The shutter release time lag is as short as 0.005 second, making it easier to capture spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. The engine enables the camera to shoot up to 310 photos on a single battery charge.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX37 will be available in silver, black, blue, and white in August 2008 for a manufacturer?s suggested retail price of $349.95.
LUMIX FX150
Equipped with 14.7 megapixels, the FX150 also boasts a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with F2.8 brightness and 3.6x optical zoom.
The FX150?s manual controls and features distinguish it from many of its ultra-compact competitors. For instance, the Manual Exposure mode lets users choose the shutter speed, giving the freedom to render artistic images of ordinary scenes. The multi-exposure function superimposes up to three consecutively shot images together while the user views the previous image on the LCD, creating a surrealistic effect that cannot be achieved with a single image alone. Furthermore, the manual bracketing function includes typical exposure and adds new color bracketing to capture color, monochromatic and sepia shots of an image simultaneously.
In addition to manual controls, the FX150 also offers Panasonic?s Intelligent Auto (iA) mode that provides the user with automatic settings adjustments depending on the shooting environment.
The FX150 boasts the high-speed image processing system, the Venus Engine IV, which supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. The FX150 can also record dynamic High Definition video in 1280 x 720p at 24fps.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX150 will be available in silver and black and will begin shipping in August 2008 with a suggested retail price of $399.95.
LUMIX DMC-FZ28
The LUMIX DMC-FZ28 digital camera boasts a premium 27mm wide-angle LEICA lens with an 18x optical zoom. The 10.1 megapixel digital camera also features an enhanced Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), with the new AF (auto focus) Tracking function.
The Venus Engine IV supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and 13 shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. In High Sensitivity mode, the FZ28 can shoot up to ISO 6400 in extremely low-lit situations. The LUMIX DMC-FZ28 also is equipped with a 2.7-inch large, high resolution LCD with 230,000 pixels, and a high resolution electric viewfinder equivalent to 201,600 pixels.
The DMC-FZ28 also features High Defintion (HD) video capabilities with a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 will be available in silver and black in August 2008 for a suggested retail price of $399.95.
LUMIX DMC-LX3
The new LUMIX DMC-LX3 digital camera is the successor to the DMC-LX2. Designed for easy shooting, the DMC-LX3 features a F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, 10.1 megapixels and a 1/1.63-inch CCD developed specifically for this model.
At the heart of the DMC-LX3, is its 1/1.63-inch CCD. Panasonic was able to give more space for each pixel and also redesigned the peripheral circuits and other components to further minimize noise generation. As a result, sensitivity is almost 40 percent higher and saturation is increased by 35 percent, when compared to Panasonic?s 10 MP digital cameras. The CCD is also capable of reproducing images in three aspect ratios ? 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9. The new Multi Aspect mode allows the camera to take an image in all three aspect ratios simultaneously, allowing users to choose the version that best suits their needs.
Another major upgrade to the LX3 is the F2.0 24mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens. The F2.0 is about twice as bright as a F2.8 lens and can shoot at higher shutter speeds to capture clear images in dimly lit environments. In addition, the 24mm lens captures approximately a 213% larger viewing angle than a normal 35mm camera and 136% larger compared to a 28mm wide-angle lens. The lens unit consists of eight elements in six groups with four aspherical lenses with four aspherical surfaces.
The LX3 also incorporates the Venus Engine IV that supports high sensitivity recording enabling the DMC-LX3 to record at up to ISO 3200 at full resolution and even up to ISO 6400 when using high sensitivity mode. The Venus Engine IV also supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode.
The joystick operation which was featured in its predecessor continues with the LX3, allowing selecting different settings on the camera, including focus, aperture and shutter speed ? easy and quick. For setting white balance, the LX3 provides a new color temperature display function, and still includes the Two-Axis white balance adjustment settings offered in previous models.
The LX3 also features a Film mode with six color types and three types of monochrome selections. Much like selecting from different film types, this function gives the user the flexibility and creative freedom to take more expressive digital photos.
The DMC-LX3 has the ability to record High Definition (HD) video in 1280 x 720p at 24fps.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3 will be available in silver and black in August 2008 for a manufacturer?s suggested retail price of $499.95.
