Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×

Panasonic Lumix FZ47 Adds 24x Zoom

Secaucus, N.J. –

Panasonic

introduced Thursday a pair of Lumix digital cameras — the DMC-LS5 and DMC-FZ47
– the latter of which is highlighted by a 24x super-zoom lens and 1080i HD
video capture.

The FZ47, which will ship in August at a $400 suggested retail, has
a 24x optical zoom, starting at a 25mm ultra-wide angle, using Leica DC
Vario-Elmarit optics with Nano Surface Coating technology to help minimize
light reflection that causes ghosting and flare.

Video is captured in AVCHD format at up to 1080i resolution with
stereo sound enhanced by Dolby Digital Stereo Creator. A Wind Cut function
automatically reduces noise from background wind.

While shooting video, users can simultaneously take 3.5-megapixel
still photos. 

“The Lumix FZ series is an extremely popular line for Panasonic,
and we expect this model to be another winner for users who not only want an
impressive 24x optical zoom, but those that seek exceptional image quality, and
thanks to the Leica lens and FullHD video capabilities — the FZ47 delivers,”
said Darin Pepple, Panasonic imaging senior product manager. “New to the FZ series
are the improved AF speeds, 3D-photo shooting and full 1080 HD video
capabilities.”

The Lumix FZ47 features a 12.1-megapixel high-speed CCD sensor and
Venus Engine FHD image processor, which contributes to the camera’s high-speed
continuous shooting capability of 3.8 fps at full resolution and up to 10 fps
at 3-megapixel resolution.

The Venus Engine FHD includes Intelligent Resolution technology
that enables the zoom to be digitally extended 1.3 times to a 32x zoom length
with high-resolution results.

A Sonic Speed Auto Focus (AF) system with auto-tracking
capability offers a quick startup time, said to be 35 percent faster than
Panasonic’s previous FZ40.

A Creative Video mode lets users manually set the shutter speed
and aperture. Changing the shutter speed brings special effects to videos,
which is especially suitable for shooting a fast-moving subject, or gives the
ability to control the aperture when several subjects are positioned at different
distances and it is desired to have each of them stand out.

The creative mode is also available for still photos.

Other creative control effects include Expressive, Retro, High
Key, Sepia, High Dynamic, Miniature Effect, Film Grain and Pin Hole.

Users can also adjust exposure compensation in the Creative
Control mode.

The new Photo Style mode allows finer adjustment of contrast,
sharpness, saturation and noise reduction in settings, including Standard,
Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery and Portrait.

For greatest simplicity, the camera includes Panasonic’s iA
(Intelligent Auto) mode that automatically chooses the best setting based on
the shooting environment. Features in the iA system include Power Optical Image
Stabilizer, Motion Deblur, Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking,
Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Scene Selector.

The iA function can be applied to video to automatically engage
Power OIS, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent D-Range
Control.

Other features in the FZ47 include a 3D Photo Mode that takes 3D
still photos for playback on MPO-compatible 3D equipment, such as a Panasonic
Viera 3D HDTV; a 3-inch 460,000-dot LCD; and a social-media connection for Facebook
and YouTube sharing.

Meanwhile, the DMC-LS5, which is slated to ship in November at a
price to be announced later, features a high-quality 26mm wide-angle, 5x
optical zoom lens with a fast F2.8 aperture, Optical Image Stabilization and up
to 720p HD video capture.

The camera, which was designed around convenience to the user,
takes AA batteries and includes the aforementioned iA automatic shooting
system, similar to that in the FZ47.

“The Lumiz LS5 is the ideal digital camera for an entry-level
user who wants an extremely easy to use digital camera that does not sacrifice
image quality,” said David Fisher, Panasonic imaging product manager.

Other features include Face Detection, which finds human faces on
which to concentrate the appropriate focus and exposure settings; Intelligent
Scene Selector, which detects the environment and sets the best shooting
parameters based on Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Macro;
and easy uploading to YouTube and Facebook.

Featured

Close