Panasonic unveiled four new digital cameras today, three of which sound pretty exciting to me. The Lumix FZ35 (or FZ38, as it is called outside of the US) is Panasonic’s latest ultra-zoom/hybrid camera. The camera has full manual controls (which are retained even in movie mode), new HDR mode, 720p video capabilities and is able to take RAW images… that should please the general audience and, hopefully, the people who miss the old FZ30/FZ50 so dearly.
We also have the new Lumix ZR1, a slim compact camera with a big 8X zoom lens, designed to compete with the like of other compact super-zooms (the recently announced Olympus Stylus 7010 comes to mind). Call it a ‘baby ZS3/TZ7′ if you will, because that’s exactly what the Lumix ZR1 is.Then there’s the FP8, which is essentially a slim & stylish (and non-rugged) version of the rugged Lumix TS1/FT1, and the updated FX60 aka FX65.
Something worthy of note is Panasonic also introduced their new generation of image stabilization today, Power OIS, which they claim to be twice as effective as the previous Mega OIS system. All of the new cameras announced today will be outfitted with Power OIS.
Panasonic Lumix FZ35 aka FZ38
(Ultra-zoom camera)
- 12 effective megapixels
- 27 – 486 mm (f2.8 – f4.4) 18X optical zoom lens
- NEW: “Power OIS” (Optical image stabilization)
- 2.7 inch LCD
- Venus Engine HD imaging processor
- NEW: High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode
- Full manual controls with RAW image mode
- Intelligent Auto mode (camera picks a mode automatically) and same ‘Intelligent’ features as Panasonic’s other cameras
- 720p 30 FPS movie mode with stereo sound; optical zoom and Dolby Digital Stereo options available
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in September for $400
Panasonic Lumix ZR1
(Compact super-zoom camera)
- 12 effective megapixels
- 25 – 200 mm (f3.3 – f5.9) 8X optical zoom lens
- NEW: “Power OIS” (Optical image stabilization)
- 2.7 inch LCD
- Venus Engine V imaging processor
- NEW: High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode
- No manual controls
- Intelligent Auto mode (camera picks a mode automatically) and same ‘Intelligent’ features as Panasonic’s other cameras
- 720p 30 FPS movie mode with sound; optical zoom available
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in September for $280
Panasonic Lumix FP8
(Stylish compact camera)
- 12 effective megapixels
- 28 – 128 mm (f3.3 – f5.9) 4.6X optical zoom lens
- NEW: “Power OIS” (Optical image stabilization)
- 2.7 inch LCD
- Venus Engine V imaging processor
- NEW: Backlit controls
- No manual controls
- Intelligent Auto mode (camera picks a mode automatically) and same ‘Intelligent’ features as Panasonic’s other cameras
- 720p 30 FPS movie mode with sound; optical zoom available
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in September for $300
Panasonic Lumix FX60 aka FX65
(Stylish compact camera)
- 12 effective megapixels
- 25 – 125 mm (f2.8 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
- NEW: “Power OIS” (Optical image stabilization)
- 2.7 inch LCD
- Venus Engine V imaging processor
- No manual controls
- Intelligent Auto mode (camera picks a mode automatically) and same ‘Intelligent’ features as Panasonic’s other cameras
- 720p 30 FPS movie mode with sound/li>
- Takes SD/SDHC cards
- Uses a lithium-ion battery
- Available in September for $300