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| Panasonic's Lumix FS20. Click photo for more images of the three new FS series cameras. |
Panasonic has launched a new line of ultracompact cameras in the lead-up to the 2008 PMA trade show in Las Vegas, NV. The Lumix FS-series cameras will offer a pared-down version of the feature set provided in the company's FX models, and will emphasize stylish body designs. The series makes its debut with the 8.1-megapixel DMC-FS3, 10.1-megapixel DMC-FS5, and 10.1-megapixel DMC-FS20. The latter two cameras are very similar, their main differences being in the size of their LCDs, the FS5's underwater housing compatibility, and some variations in playback functions. The FS3 is essentially a lower-resolution version of the FS5 with a slightly different optical range.
The FS20 and FS5 both feature an f/3.3-5.8, 30-120mm Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 4x zoom lens, while the FS3 provides an f/2.8-5.1, 33-100mm Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 3x zoom. All of the FS cameras have optically stabilized lenses and use Panasonic's fourth-generation high-performance image processing LSI, the Venus Engine IV, which Panasonic says improves both image quality and operational speed over previous generations. The FS3 and FS5 both offer a 230,000-dot, 2.5-inch LCD, while the FS20 bumps the size up to 3 inches. The LCDs automatically adjust their brightness level as ambient light changes, and offer Panasonic's High Angle mode for making the screen viewable when held above the head.
All of the new FS cameras offer 23 automatic shooting modes, including an aerial photography mode. The FS5 and FS3 add an underwater mode and white-balance fine-tuning for use with compatible Panasonic housings. The cameras' Intelligent Auto Mode combines optical image stabilization; face detection; Panasonic's Intelligent ISO, which uses motion detection to track subject motion and adjust ISO and shutter speed settings accordingly; Intelligent Scene Selector, which evaluates a scene and selects an appropriate scene mode; and Quick AF continuous autofocus. The FS-series cameras provide a top light-sensitivity setting of ISO 6400 and shutter speed range of 1/2000 to 8 seconds. Their Starry Sky mode extends the range up to 60 seconds.
In continuous-shooting mode, the FS5 and FS20 can capture 3 or 5 full-resolution photos (depending on the compression setting) at 2.5fps at full resolution or an unlimited series of 2-megapixel shots at 6fps. With its lower resolution, the FS3 picks up a little speed. At full resolution it shoots at 3fps and in 2-megapixel mode at 7fps. All three models also offer 848x480 widescreen video capture. The FS5 and FS3improve on the FS20 by offering a slideshow function with music in review mode, while the FS20 is the only one of the new cameras to offer a dual image playback function. Another notable feature that the FS cameras share is their Title Edit function, which allows photographers to tag photos with text.
The new FS-series cameras will be available in February 2008. The $199.95 FS3 will come in blue, pink, green, silver, and black. The $299.95 FS20 will be sold with pink, black, and silver finishes, and the $249.95 FS5 will come in red, black, and silver.
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