Panasonic announced four compact cameras today – merely updates to last year’s low-end models which probably won’t get any “oohs” and “aahhs” from the crowd but people who want a small, affordable camera might consider looking at these.

Panasonic Lumix FS6 and FS7
(Point-and-snap cameras)

• 8 effective megapixels (FS6)
  10 effective megapixels (FS7)
• 33 – 132 mm (f2.8 – f5.9) 4X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.5 inch LCD for FS6, 2.7 inch LCD for FS7
• No manual controls
• Intelligent Auto mode (camera picks a mode automatically) with face detection and Intelligent ISO
• WVGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March for $160 (FS7)
• Comes in your choice of silver, black, pink, blue or green

Panasonic Lumix FS15
(Compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 29 – 145 mm (f3.3 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• No manual controls
• Intelligent Auto mode (camera picks a mode automatically) with face detection and Intelligent ISO
• Subject tracking and intelligent exposure
• WVGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in March for $200
• Comes in your choice of silver, black or blue

Panasonic Lumix LS85
(Budget camera)

• 8 effective megapixels
• 33 – 132 mm (f2.8 – f5.9) 4X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.5 inch LCD
• No manual controls
• Intelligent Auto mode (camera picks a mode automatically) with face detection and Intelligent ISO
• WVGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses 2 AA batteries
• Available in April for $120
• Comes in your choice of silver, black or pink

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• Two new basic Casio compacts announced
• Panasonic releases six new cameras