Panasonic Intros HD Video Capture In 2008 Lumix Line
By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 1/29/2008
Las Vegas — Panasonic introduced eight new Lumix digital cameras today, including its first models to offer HD video recording.
Among the new features available in select cameras is an advanced intelligent auto mode that builds off the original intelligent auto mode with the addition of intelligent exposure (which automatically compensates for under or over exposed areas in an image) and digital red-eye removal. With the two new modes, Panasonic’s advanced intelligent auto mode now activates a total of seven camera features at once.
All of the company’s new cameras will feature an “intelligent LCD” screen that monitors ambient lighting and adjusts the camera display accordingly. They’ll also share the fourth-generation Venus Engine image processor.
Here’s a look at what Panasonic introduced:
The FX-35: The first Panasonic camera with a 25mm, 4x optical zoom wide angle lens, the 10-megapixel FX-35 incorporates Panasonic’s advanced intelligent auto mode, a 6 fps burst and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Another new feature is the ability to create in-camera slide shows with preloaded music.
The camera can record 1,280 by 720p video and offers an HD component output. It ships in silver, black and blue in March for $349.
The ultra-zoom TZ family gets two new members in March.
 Panasonic's TZ5 |
The TZ5: The 9-megapixel TZ5 incorporates a 28mm 10x optical zoom lens, advanced intelligent auto mode, and a 3-inch, 460,000-dot resolution LCD display. It can record 720p video, sports an HD component output and will be available in blue, black and silver for $349.
The TZ4: The 8-megapixel TZ4 shares most of the features of the TZ5 but includes a 2.5-inch LCD and doesn’t offer 1,280 by 720/30 fps video recording. It also does not incorporate digital red-eye correction. It will be sold in black and silver for $299.
The company also launched a new model family, the FS series, designed to be a slimmer companion to the FX line.
The FS20: A 10-megapixel camera with a 30mm, 4x optical zoom lens, the FS20 incorporates the original intelligent auto mode (which activates a total of five camera features), 50MB of internal memory and a 3-inch LCD. It ships next month in pink, black and silver for $299.
The FS5: Also due in February, the FS5 shares most of the features of the FS20 but downsizes the LCD to 2.5 inches. It will retail for $249 and be sold in red, black and silver.
The FS3: The 8-megapixel FS3 sports a 3x optical zoom lens, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, the original intelligent auto mode and 50MB of internal memory. It will be sold in blue, pink, green, silver and black for $199.
The LZ10: The10-megapixel LZ10 features a 5x optical 30mm zoom lens, manual controls, a 2.5-inch LCD and uses AA-batteries. It incorporates the original intelligent auto mode and an advanced scene mode that lets consumers make additional adjustments to the camera’s preset scene modes.
Additional features include 848 by 480/30 fps movie recording. It will ship in February in silver and black for $249.
The LZ8: The 8-megapixel LZ8 shares most of the LZ10’s features but offers a 32mm 5x optical zoom lens. It ships in February in silver and black for $179.
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Correction: These are not the first panasonic P&S stills cameras to do HD video. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 (launched six months ago) holds that distinction.
Also, the Panasonic cameras can only do HD at 15 fps. To really qualify as an exciting development the video should be being captured at a minimum of 24fps.
Adrian Lewis - 2008-30-1 00:29:00 EST
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