Panasonic today announced new members to its growing family of full-featured and high-performing LUMIX digital cameras with the introduction of two more point-and-shoot models, the DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8. Featuring two key enhancements from last year’s DMC-LZ7, the new LZ-Series models feature Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR lenses and wide-angle shooting – 30mm on the LZ10 and 32mm on the LZ8. Furthermore, each new LZ-Series model boasts manual controls, convenient AA-battery operation, a 5x optical zoom, Intelligent Auto Mode and the Venus Engine IV, the new high-speed, image-processing LSI. “Not long ago it would have been hard to imagine a user-friendly and affordable digital camera packed with features professional photographers would envy, such as wide-angle Leica lenses, and manual controls,” said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “However, Panasonic’s commitment to research and innovation, our partnership with Leica, and our dedication to providing our consumers with the technologies they need to take professional-quality images resulted in an extraordinary feat with the 2008 LUMIX LZ-Series.” The LZ10 and LZ8 are perfect for consumers who expect a digital camera that blends power, performance and quality, helping them to maximize the digital photography experience. The LZ-Series’ lenses were developed by Panasonic, passing Leica’s stringent standards to deliver an exceptional optical performance for Panasonic LUMIX consumers. With the LZ10’s 30mm wide-angle lens and the LZ8’s 32mm wide-angle lens consumers can capture larger group photos or more expansive scenic shots. To provide digital photographers with added creative elements and performance, both LZ models sport manual control over aperture and shutter speed, thanks to the camera’s newly-adopted iris. When shooting manually, users can choose from three modes: A-aperture priority, S-shutter speed priority and M-manual and enjoy added control and creativity normally reserved for higher end models. Also new to the LZ-Series is Advanced Scene Mode – a feature that gives consumers manual control using some of the frequently-used scene modes: Portrait, Sports, Landscape and Night portrait.
While in Advanced Scene Mode, when selecting the Portrait or Sports mode, the consumer is then presented with additional settings, with the option of choosing outdoor or indoor. When selecting Landscape mode, there are options to specify if the shot is nature or architecture. For budding photographers who desire even more artistic freedom, they can choose Creative mode, which adds more manual controls over an aperture or a shutter speed.
For consumers not quite ready for complete manual control, the LZ-Series also features Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto Mode, which is comprised of five distinct technologies designed to provide users with intuitive and automatic camera adjustments, regardless of the shooting condition and without the user having to do anything manually. The LZ10, with 10.1 megapixels, and the LZ8, with 8.1 megapixels, both feature Intelligent Auto Mode, consisting of the following features: · MEGA O.I.S. – Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.· Intelligent ISO – Can determine if the photo subject is moving and change the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo. · Intelligent Scene Selector – Senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. · Face Detection – Panasonic’s Face Detection detects up to 15 faces anywhere in the frame, even if they are moving, and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. · Quick AF – The Quick AF (auto focus) system starts focus on the subject by just pointing the camera to the subject, thus minimizing the AF time. Each camera also features new 230,000-dot high-resolution LCDs, complete with the new Intelligent LCD, meaning the 2.5-inch LCD screens detect the lighting condition and controls the brightness level to offer optimal clarity in any situation, whether dark or light; indoors or outdoors. The cameras also include the popular High Angle mode which makes the LCD screen easy to view when held high, to shoot over a crowd or a tall object. Additional highlights of the Panasonic LUMIX LZ-Series include:
- Newly added speaker lets consumer enjoy a slide show with music, selecting from natural, slow, urban or swing tunes; or add voice to a motion video.
- Title Edit function which allows the consumer to input text to accompany a photo, for instance, the names of children or travel locations.
- Ability to record WVGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second in a 16:9 aspect ratio, ideal for viewing on High Definition televisions, such as Panasonic VIERA Plasmas and LCDs.
- The ability to shoot 1920×1080 pixel High-Definition ready photos, ideal for wide-screen viewing on a 16:9 VIERA Plasma or LCD.
- The DMC-LZ10 can shoot up to 160 images and DMC-LZ8 shoots 180 images with the included Alkaline batteries and 460(LZ10) /470(LZ8) images with optional Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (2600mAh)*.
- A record/playback mode switch, which lets the photographer switch between recording and playback modes, while always knowing the current mode
The DMC-LZ10 and the DMC-LZ8 will be available in black and silver models in February for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $249.95 and $179.95 respectively.
Panasonic today announced the newest addition to its popular line of super-slim LUMIX FX-Series digital cameras, with the introduction of the DMC-FX35, complete with Panasonic’s first-ever 25mm ultra-wide-lens. The FX35, with 10.1 megapixels, also features a 4x optical zoom, Panasonic’s Advanced Intelligent Auto mode, a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens offering f2.8 brightness and the new fourth-generation new fourth-generation Venus Engine image processor. “With the Panasonic LUMIX FX35’s 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens, we are providing consumers with a camera that captures remarkable and unprecedented width and depth – all available in a slim camera that is small enough to carry in a pocket or small purse,” said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Consumers are gradually beginning to understand the value of wide-angle lenses. When they fully understand that the FX35 can help them capture almost double the frame, meaning they can squeeze twice as many friends into the group shot, we’re confident we’ll have some happy digital photographers.” To achieve a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens in the slim design of the FX35, Panasonic developed a new unevenly thick concave meniscus EA (Extra high refractive index Aspherical) lens. Working closely with Leica to meet their strict standards on lenses, the LUMIX FX35’s lens compromises of seven elements in six groups, including four aspherical lenses with six aspherical surfaces. Panasonic’s Advanced Intelligent Auto mode expands Panasonic’s system of intuitive technologies with the addition of Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red-eye Correction. Consisting of seven advanced and intuitive technologies, with Advanced Intelligent Auto mode, the consumer is able to rely on the advanced technologies happening automatically, without them changing any settings, thus taking high-quality photos is easy and effortless. Advanced Intelligent Auto mode includes: · Intelligent Exposure – With this new feature, photos will no longer be under- or over-exposed. Instead, the FX35, instantly analyze the framed image and adjusts the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The camera will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly. · Digital Red-eye Correction– This feature helps to eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at the night. Incorporated into the camera, the built-in flash emits a small preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and will digitally correct it.· MEGA O.I.S. – Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.· Intelligent ISO – With Intelligent ISO, the FX35 can determine if the photo subject is moving and change the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo. · Intelligent Scene Selector – Intelligent Scene Selector senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. This intuitive technology, helps the consumer use the most common scene modes that are built into the camera, but often go unused, without making any manual adjustments.· Face Detection – Face Detection detects faces anywhere in the frame, even if they are moving, and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. Panasonic’s Face Detection detects up to 15 faces. · Quick AF – The Quick AF (auto focus) system starts focus on the subject by just pointing the camera to the subject, thus minimizing the AF time. The FX35 features a fourth-generation high-performance image processing LSI, the Venus Engine IV. The Venus Engine IV produces higher-quality digital photos, as compared to the Venus Engine III predecessor, with an advanced signal processing system that produces a quick response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as 0.005 second, making it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the DMC-FX35 can snap 2.5 shots per second at full resolution**. Also, in High-Speed Burst shooting mode***, it fires an incredible 6 shots-per-second, plus unlimited consecutive shooting****, which lets the consumer snap photos until the memory card is full. Consumers can view slideshows on the FX35’s 2.5-inch LCD, and new this year, can also add mood-appropriate music, choosing from natural, slow, urban or swing tunes. The LUMIX FX35 incorporates an Intelligent LCD, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, to offer a display with the most appropriate clarity in any situation. Users can also enjoy slideshows of captured images with music effects to match the mood of the images. Furthermore, the High Angle mode makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as when shooting over a crowd. The LUMIX FX35 is capable of recording 720p High Definition motion pictures and 1920 x 1080 pixel High Definition-ready photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV. Panasonic VIERA Plasma or LCD HDTVs that have an integrated SD Memory Card slot, so viewing still images is simple as inserting the SD card. In addition, with the newly added HD component output capability, consumers can enjoy watching still and motion images in stunning HD quality taken by simply taking the DMC-FX35 and connecting the camera via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2). The DMC-FX35 will be available in March 2008 in silver, black and blue, models with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $349.95.
Panasonic today unveiled a new compact line of LUMIX digital cameras, the new FS-Series, including the DMC-FS3 which features 8.1 megapixels, a f2.8 Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, 3x optical zoom, and Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto Mode. The FS-Series, a sister line to the world-acclaimed FX-Series, also includes the newly announced DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5, and the entire series offers easy and intuitive operation that helps consumers produce high-quality images. The DMC-FS3 features a new image-processing LSI, the Venus Engine IV, which contains a more advanced signal processing technology for rendering higher-quality images and produces a faster response time. In addition, the camera boasts the new Intelligent LCD, meaning the 2.5-inc LCD screen detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level to offer optimal clarity in any situation, whether dark or light; indoors or outdoors. “Many consumers today are looking for pocket-sized, easy-to-use cameras that take crisp, high-quality pictures,” said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With the DMC-FS3, we’re giving consumers what they want: a sleek, stylish compact digital camera that still packs powerful advanced imaging technologies, such as Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto Mode.” Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto Mode is comprised of five distinct technologies designed to provide users with intuitive and automatic camera adjustments no matter the shooting condition and without the user having to do anything manually. Intelligent Auto Mode consists of the following: · MEGA O.I.S. – Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.· Intelligent ISO – Can determine if the photo subject is moving and change the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo. · Intelligent Scene Selector – Senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. · Face Detection – Panasonic’s Face Detection detects up to 15 faces anywhere in the frame, even if they are moving, and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. · Quick AF – The Quick AF (auto focus) system starts focus on the subject by just pointing the camera to the subject, thus minimizing the AF time. Additional features of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FS3 include:
- Title Edit function which allows the consumer to input text to accompany a photo, for instance, the names of children or travel locations.
- 50 MB internal memory.
- Records WVGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second in a 16:9 aspect ratio, ideal for viewing on High Definition televisions, such as Panasonic VIERA Plasmas and LCDs.
- Compatible with optional marine case, DMW-MCFS5, for underwater shooting.
The DMC-FS3, available in blue, pink, green, silver and black models, has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $199.95 and will be available in February 2008.
Nikon just released the COOLPIX L18, a new addition to its Life Series line of digital cameras. Compact and easy-to-use, the L18 is the ideal camera for consumers looking to capture life’s memories at an affordable price. The L18 has 8 effective megapixels for generating superior quality prints, a 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens for creative compositional freedom, an incredibly huge and bright 3.0-inch LCD screen for sharing images, and Anti-shake AE for images with outstanding clarity. Available nationwide starting in March, the COOLPIX L18 will be offered in Navy and Ruby Red.
“The COOLPIX L18 is fantastic for consumers who want a full-featured, but affordable camera,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager, Marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. “The COOLPIX L18 carries on the tradition of previous L-Series cameras, as it is user friendly, ultra-portable and a tremendous value for consumers.”
Adding to the L18’s ease-of-use, the camera is equipped with an Easy Auto Mode, allowing the user to enjoy carefree shooting without having to adjust any settings or controls. The L18 continues Nikon’s tradition of including its unique image innovations in its COOLPIX cameras. The L18 features enhanced Face-priority AF*, which automatically finds and focuses on a subject’s face in a frame; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo; and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images. For composing and displaying images, the L18 is equipped with a huge, bright 3.0-inch LCD screen. When viewing images, the L18 features a special playback option, which magnifies a subject’s face to ensure that each image is scrapbook worthy.
The L18 is equipped with a 3x Zoom-NIKKOR lens for creative control and freedom in a variety of settings, from intimate personal portraits to wide landscapes. Even close-up photography as close as 5.9 inches is as easy as point and shoot.
To ensure steady shots, the L18 has an innovative Anti-shake AE feature that minimizes blurry images by automatically adjusting shutter speeds and ISO settings. For superior low light performance, the L18 has ISO capabilities up to 1600.
In addition, the COOLPIX L18 offers TV-quality movie recording with sound ideal for being played on televisions and computers. The L18 is compatible with AA-size batteries in alkaline, lithium, oxy-nickel and rechargeable forms for ultra-portability. The camera also has 32 MB of internal memory and is compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards.
The COOLPIX L18 even simplifies printing with PictBridge and is USB compatible for transferring pictures to computers and other peripherals. Additionally, the camera includes a complimentary copy of COOLPIX Software Suite for importing, editing and organizing images.
The COOLPIX L18 will be available in stores March 2008 with an MSRP of $139.95
Nikon just released the COOLPIX S550, a stylish new camera that elegantly packs high performance and advanced functions into an ultra-compact body. The S550 boasts 10 effective megapixels of sharp resolution, a 5x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization and two new modes that enhance portrait photography: Smile Mode and Blink Warning. The COOLPIX S550 will be available in an array of new colors - plum, cool blue and graphite black - allowing consumers to not only express themselves with their photos, but with their cameras as well.
“We are excited to enhance the consumers’ photography experience by incorporating Smile Mode and Blink Warning into the new COOLPIX S550,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager, Marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. “With these two features, it will be easier than ever to take perfect portraits of friends and family.”
Built on a custom application of Nikon’s innovative EXPEEDTM image processing system for enhanced noise reduction and improved the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and incorporating the precision optics of a NIKKOR lens, the COOLPIX S550 brings new ease and fun to capturing smiling faces and special moments.
A first for the COOLPIX camera line, the S550 will feature Smile mode, which automatically fires the shutter when the subject smiles as well as a Blink Warning, which displays a warning message when the subject has blinked. In addition to the aforementioned features, the COOLPIX S550 incorporates Electronic VR Image Stabilization technology, which is designed to help produce sharper and clearer images, especially in lower lighting conditions or when capturing moving subjects. It also offers high ISO capabilities (up to 2000), ideal for capturing images in low-light situations. For consumers that might be unsure about the correct ISO settings for their photos, the S550 is equipped with Automatic Sensitivity Control and High-Sensitivity Mode, which selects the optimal ISO setting for the environment and automatically adjusts to reduce blur.
For sharing and composing, the S550 has a bright 2.5-inch LCD monitor, with an anti-reflective coating and protective acrylic panel, easing the composition of photos and preventing scratches and scuffs. Ideal for sharing photos in a group setting, the COOLPIX S550’s LCD monitor features a 170-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angle.
The S550 continues Nikon’s tradition of including its unique image innovations in its COOLPIX cameras. The S550 features enhanced Face-priority AF*, which can now detect and focus on up to 12 faces in a single shot; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo; and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images.
The COOLPIX S550 is compatible with SDHC cards and utilizes the ultra-compact EN-EL10 rechargeable Li-ion battery. The camera comes bundled with the new COOLPIX Software Suite for editing, organizing and sharing images.
The COOLPIX S550 will be available at photo-specialty stores nationwide beginning February 2008 at an MSRP of $229.95
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