Panasonic announced six new compact cameras today, many of them sound really interesting/impressive (especially the Lumix ZS3/TZ7) and I look forward to getting my hands on them for review. Also, Panasonic seems to be entering the “camera name-game”, like another certain Japanese camera company by giving all the cameras announced today different names, depending on where in the world you live (oh, fantastic).

Panasonic Lumix ZS1 (aka TZ6) and ZS3 (aka TZ7)
(Compact super-zoom cameras)

• 10 and 12 effective megapixels (though the ZS3/TZ7 has a higher-res CCD, it still snaps at 10 MP resolution)
• 25 – 300 mm (f3.3 – f4.9) 12X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD (ZS1) and 3 inch LCD (ZS3)
• New Venus Engine HD imaging processor
• Intelligent Auto mode and Panorama Assist functionality
• No manual controls
• ZS1: WVGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
  ZS3: 720p 60 FPS (!!) movie mode with stereo sound (AVCHD codec uses less space); dedicated movie button, windscreen, Intelligent Auto while recording, selectable movie bit rates
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in April for $300 (ZS1) and $400 (ZS3) respectively
• ZS1 will come in your choice of silver or black
  ZS3 will come in your choice of silver, black, blue or red

Panasonic Lumix TS1 (aka FT1)
(Rugged ultra-compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 28 – 128 mm (f3.3 – f5.9) 4.6X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.7 inch LCD
• Rugged design: Waterproof (10 feet), shockproof (5 feet) and dustproof
• New Venus Engine HD imaging processor
• Intelligent Auto mode and Panorama Assist functionality
• No manual controls
• 720p 60 FPS movie mode with mono sound (AVCHD codec uses less space); dedicated movie button, windscreen, Intelligent Auto while recording, selectable movie bit rates, LED illuminator
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in April for $400
• Comes in your choice of silver, green and orange

Panasonic Lumix FX48 (aka FX40)
(Ultra-compact camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 25 – 125 mm (f2.8 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 2.5 inch normal LCD
• New Venus Engine 5 imaging processor
• Intelligent Auto mode and Panorama Assist functionality
• No manual controls
• 720p 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in April for $350
• Comes in your choice of silver or black

Panasonic Lumix FX580 (aka FX550)
(Compact touchscreen camera)

• Essentially the FX48 with a different design and 3 inch touchscreen display
• Available in for $400

Panasonic Lumix FS25
(Compact entry-level camera)

• 12 effective megapixels
• 29 – 145 mm (f3.3 – f5.9) 5X optical zoom lens
• Optical image stabilization
• 3 inch LCD
• Ol’ Venus Engine 4 imaging processor
• No manual controls
• WVGA 30 FPS movie mode with sound
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Available in April for $350 (FX48) and $400 (FX580)
• Comes in your choice of silver, black or gold

Related articles:

• Panasonic introduces four new cameras, and Power OIS system
• Panasonic compacts announced
• Sony announces more cameras
• New Olympus cameras
• Panasonic Lumix GF1 now official