Panasonic Unveils 6 Lumix Digicams

By Greg Tarr On Jan 18 2010 - 8:00am

In addition to unveiling its 3D TV line at International CES, Panasonic also introduced six new Lumix digital cameras.

Panasonic said it will offer three FH-series models in 2010. All will have slim bodies (measuring about an inch thick), wide-angle zoom lenses, and 720p high-definition video capture at 30 fps.

New Lumix models will also be compatible with SDXC memory cards, including Panasonic's newly announced 48GB and 64GB SDXC cards to enable high-capacity content storage and fast data-transfer speeds.

The most advanced of the FH-series models is the DMC-FH20, which includes 14-megapixel resolution, an 8x optical-zoom lens (28mm to 224mm), a 2.7-inch LCD screen, optical image stabilization and Intelligent Auto mode.

The Lumix DMC-FH3 also offers 14-megapixel resolution but steps down in zoom range with a 5x optical-zoom lens (28mm to 140mm).

The DMC-FH1 features 12-megapixel resolution, and a 5x optical-zoom lens (28mm to 140mm).

Pricing and availability dates on the new models were not announced.

Panasonic also introduced two additions to the FP series. Both the DMC-FP3 and the DMC-FP1 feature 4x optical-zoom lenses that range from 35mm to 140mm.

The DMC-FP3 offers 14-megapixel resolution, touchscreen-control, a 3-inch-diagonal touchscreen LCD, 720p HD video capture at 30 fps and Intelligent Auto mode.

The camera includes a touchscreen to control playback navigation and touch-to-focus features.

The Lumix DMC-FP1 omits the touchscreen control and features 12-megapixel resolution, a 2.7-inch LCD view-screen, 720p HD video capture at 30 fps and Intelligent Auto picture taking.

The Lumix DMC-F3 is also a 12-megapixel model with a 4x optical zoom (28mm to 112mm), digital image stabilization, a 2.7-inch LCD viewscreen and 720p HD video capture at 30 fps.

It also features an auto power LCD function that detects light conditions and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by a maximum of 40 percent when shooting outdoors, for clarity of the image on screen.

In addition to supporting conventional SD/SDHC memory cards, the Lumix F3 will also be compatible with SDXC memory cards.