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| Click photo for more views of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8. |
Panasonic has introduced a new 7.2-megapixel electronic viewfinder (EVF) camera with a 12x optical zoom range. The Lumix DMC-FZ8 is the successor to last year's FZ7, sporting an optically stabilized f/2.8-3.1, 36mm-432mm (35mm equivalent) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens with a minimum f/8 aperture. The FZ8 accepts conversion lenses as well. For viewing, this 12.5-ounce camera provides a 188,000-pixel EVF and a 207,000-pixel, 2.5-inch LCD. There's also a pop-up flash on the FZ8, although it has no hotshoe for mounting an external unit.
This Lumix offers advanced controls for capturing images in both standard and widescreen aspect ratios. Its exposure options include manual, priority and automatic modes, as well as multi, center-weighted and spot metering modes. Shutter speeds run from 1/2000 to 60 seconds, and the FZ8 has a top light-sensitivity setting of ISO 3200. Manual focus can be controlled via a mini joystick on the camera body, and five selectable autofocus methods are also available. Other notable features include 2- and 3fps continuous shooting modes, flash exposure compensation, white balance fine-tuning tools and adjustable noise reduction.
For automatic photography, you can select from 20 scene modes or use the camera's Intelligent ISO function. Acccording to Panasonic, Intelligent ISO detects subject movement and boosts the shutter speed and ISO setting for optimal image sharpness. The FZ8 also captures voice memos and smooth video with sound at resolutions up to 848x480, and the camera lets you extract video frames to save as JPEGs.
Panasonic provides a useful selection of viewing options on the FZ8. You can select a live histogram, onscreen composition guides or a high-angle mode that makes the LCD image easily discernable when you're holding the camera above your head. There's also an Extra Optical Zoom function that provides a full-screen preview of a cropped 3-megapixel portion of the view that the camera captures in its normal mode. This gives you the shooting experience and results of using a 3-megapixel camera with an 18x zoom lens.
The FZ8 will be available with black and silver finishes in February 2007, for a retail price of $349.95. It comes with a lens shade, and supports high-capacity SDHC memory cards.
Panasonic has also released the DMC-FX10, DMC-FX12 and DMC-FX30, the DMC-LZ7 and DMC-LZ6, the DMC-LS70, and the DMC-TZ3.
Press Release:
PANASONIC DEBUTS 12X OPTICAL ZOOM LUMIX DMC-FZ8
Long-zoom Camera Features 7.2 Megapixel CCD And Intelligent Image Stabilization
SECAUCUS, N.J. (January 31, 2007) – Panasonic today introduced another addition to its expanding Lumix digital still camera line, the long-zoom Lumix DMC-FZ8. The new model boasts 12x Optical Zoom (equivalent to 36-432mm on a 35mm film camera) coupled with Panasonic's Extra Optical Zoom function that provides additional magnification up to 18x when taking photos with 3-megapixel resolution. The new camera also features a 7.2-megapixel CCD and Intelligent Image Stabilization system now available in all new Panasonic Lumix models.
Panasonic's proprietary MEGA O.I.S. technology has earned high praise from users around the world, and has become a standard feature of all Lumix digital cameras. Today, Panasonic is merging this technology with Intelligent ISO Control to create the Intelligent Image Stabilization system which compensates for both hand-shake and motion blur, making it easier than ever to capture clear, sharp, beautiful images.
"Panasonic is continuing to make its mark in the digital camera arena by improving on our already successful line of FZ series long-zoom cameras," said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "The enhanced features of the compact FZ8, coupled with advanced Intelligent Image Stabilization technology, allows for trouble-free shooting in any situation for the advanced photographer or hobbyist alike."
The stylish Lumix DMC-FZ8 features a large, 2.5-inch LCD for easy viewing while monitoring and during image playback and it has been redesigned to include a multi-purpose joystick for improved usability and simplified exposure compensation. The joystick control allows a host of additional settings, such as manual focus and exposure, to make for quick and easy shooting.
Along with easy operation, the DMC-FZ8 also features the Panasonic LSI Venus Engine III, an advanced image-processing engine that can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution -- greatly improving noise reduction, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing. With its multi-task image-processing capability, the Venus Engine III also has outstanding response time with a shutter release time lag as short as 0.005 second, and the shutter interval as short as 0.6 second. This fast response makes it easy for users to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment shots.
In addition, a host of other features make the DMC-FZ8 ideal as a tool for creative photography:
• Date Stamp: Allows users to utilize the Lumix date stamp feature in three ways: (1) Simply stamp the date on photos, (2) Stamp the day of a trip or event on the photos, and (3) For those precious baby photos, stamp the child's age in months on the image itself.
• Added Scene Modes: Offers a total of 18 scene modes, including the new Pet and Sunset modes, making it easy to get beautiful photos in a range of photographic situations.
• The SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE Software Application: Gives users the ability to edit and develop images in the RAW file format by freely adjusting RAW data settings such as exposure bias and white balance even after shooting.
• Long-lasting Battery Life: Allows approximately 380 shots to be taken on a single charge (CIPA.)
• Increased Memory: Accommodates large-capacity SDHC Memory Cards and boasts approximately 27 MB of built-in memory.
• The DMC-FZ8 will ship in February 2007 with a MSRP of $349.95.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
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