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Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ8 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Panasonic: 7mpix, 12x stabilized zoom digicam
By
(Thursday, February 1, 2007 - 03:07 EST)

Completing a vast group of pre-PMA announcements, Panasonic has unveiled its new Lumix DMC-FZ8 digital camera.

Built around a seven megapixel CCD imager and a 12x stabilized zoom lens with a 36 - 432mm equivalent focal range, the Panasonic FZ8's SLR-like body also includes both a 2.5" LCD display and a 0.44" electronic viewfinder.. Scheduled to reach the market this February priced at $349.95, the DMC-FZ8 draws power from a proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery, and stores images on SD / MMC cards or 27MB of built-in memory. The FZ8 is also compatible with the newer SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) cards. Other features include ISO sensitivities from 100 - 1250 with the ability to extend this to ISO 3200 equivalent in High Sensitivity mode, shutter speeds from 60 to 1/2000 second, P/A/S/M exposure modes plus twenty scene modes, three metering modes, eight white balance modes, and a built-in five mode flash.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ8 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
General
Camera Type EVF
Manufacturer Panasonic
Model Number DMC-FZ8
Dimensions 4.4 x 2.8 x 3.1"
112.5 x 72.2 x 79.0mm
Weight 357.0 g
12.5 oz
Planned Price $349.95
Planned Availability 2007
Image Capture
Sensor Type 1/2.5" CCD
7.38 megapixels (total)
7.20 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type RGBG
Aspect Ratio 4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions 3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
3072 x 2048 (6.3 megapixels)
3072 x 1728 (5.3 megapixels)
2560 x 1920 (4.9 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
2048 x 1360 (2.8 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
1280 x 960 (1.2 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality 2 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder Yes, EVF type, 0.44" 188K pixel color LCD
LCD 2.5", 207,000 pixels
Playback Zoom 16.0x max
Lens
Lens Type LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
12x optical zoom
Image Stabilization Yes
Focal Length 6.0 - 72.0mm (actual)
36 - 432mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/2.8 (wide) / f/3.1 (tele) - f/8.0
Focusing System 1, 3 or multi-point with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Focusing Range Normal: 12" - infinity (30 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - infinity (5.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1250, 3200* (High Sensitivity mode only)
Shutter Speed 60 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes Intelligent Multiple, Center Weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set 1/2, Manual
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced On/Off
Range: Wide: 0.3 - 6.0m (ISO Auto) Tele: 0.3 - 5.4m (ISO Auto)
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Panning, Food, Party, Candle, Fireworks, Starry Sky, Baby 1 & 2, Aerial photo, Snow, High Sensitivity, Beach, Sunset, Pet
Digital Zoom 4x
Self Timer Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie Format QuickTime (Motion JPEG) with audio
848x480 and 640x480
Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second
Storage
Recording Medium SD/MMC, SDHC
File System FAT16, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format TIFF, JPEG (Exif 2.2)
Connectivity
Video Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
Other DC input
Power
Battery Type Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form Factor Proprietary
Product Bundle
Software LUMIX Simple Viewer, PhotofunStudio -viewer-, SILKYPIX Developer Studio, ArcSoft PhotoBase, ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, USB Driver
Battery / Charger 1x Proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory 27.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
PictBridge Compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
More Photos
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ8 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ8 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ8 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
 

Original Source 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., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 http://www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom .

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