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Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FS3 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Panasonic announces Lumix DMC-FS3
By
(Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 12:01 EST)

Among no less than eight new digicam announcements today, Panasonic has unveiled its Lumix DMC-FS3 digital camera.

The Panasonic FS3 is based around an 8.1 megapixel image sensor and a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit branded F2.8 - F5.1 3x optical zoom lens. Images are framed and reviewed on a 2.5" LCD display with 230,000 pixel resolution, and stored on SD / SDHC / MMC cards or the camera's own 50MB built-in memory. Power comes from a proprietary Lithium Ion battery pack, rated for some 330 shots on a charge (CIPA standard testing with 50% flash usage at room temperature).

The Panasonic Lumix FS3 will go on sale in the USA from February 2008, priced at about $200.


Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FS3 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeUltra Compact
ManufacturerPanasonic
Model NumberDMC-FS3
Dimensions3.7 x 2.1 x 0.9"
94.9 x 53.4 x 22.5mm
Weight140.0 g
4.9 oz
Planned Price$199.95
Planned Availability 2008
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.5" Panasonic CCD
8.32 megapixels (total)
8.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Aspect Ratio4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
3264 x 2176 (7.1 megapixels)
3264 x 1840 (6.0 megapixels)
2560 x 1920 (4.9 megapixels)
2560 x 1712 (4.4 megapixels)
2560 x 1440 (3.7 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)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
2.1 megapixels
1.9 megapixels
0.3 megapixels
0.3 megapixels
Capture SpeedContinuous: 3.0 frames per second for 4 frames
Image Preview / Review
LCD2.5", 230,000 pixels
Lens
Lens TypeLEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT, 6 elements in 5 groups
3x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length5.5 - 16.5mm (actual)
33 - 100mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture RangeWide: F2.8 / F8 (2 steps) Tele: F5.1 / F14 (2 steps)
Focusing SystemContrast Detect: Face / 1-point/ 1-point high speed/ 9-point with AF assist lamp
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - infinity (5.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, (High Sensitivity Mode : Auto(1600 - 6400) )
Shutter Speed60 - 1/2000 second
Exposure ModesProgram
Metering ModesIntelligent Multiple
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set, Manual
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off (Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction only in Night Portrait/Party/Candle Light mode only)
Range: 0.3 - 6.3m (Wide/ISO Auto), 0.3 - 3.4m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Creative
Scene ModesPortrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self-Portrait, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial photo, Underwater
Digital ZoomUp to 4x
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie FormatQuickTime (Motion JPEG) with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (Exif 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
OtherDC Input
Power
Battery TypeLithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary
Product Bundle
SoftwarePHOTOfunSTUDIO -viewer-, ArcSoft (MediaImpression / Panorama Maker), USB Driver
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory50.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
Remote ControlNo
More Photos
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FS3 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FS3 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

PANASONIC UNVEILS FS-SERIES, WITH SLIM AND STYLISH DESIGN, ADDING TO ITS LINE OF COMPACT LUMIX DIGITAL CAMERAS

LUMIX FS3 Packs Advanced Features Into Pocket-Sized Digital Camera

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 29, 2008) – Panasonic today unveiled a new compact line of LUMIX digital cameras, the new FS-Series, including the DMC-FS3 which features 8.1 megapixels, a f2.8 Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, 3x optical zoom, and Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto Mode. The FS-Series, a sister line to the world-acclaimed FX-Series, also includes the newly announced DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5, and the entire series offers easy and intuitive operation that helps consumers produce high-quality images.

The DMC-FS3 features a new image-processing LSI, the Venus Engine IV, which contains a more advanced signal processing technology for rendering higher-quality images and produces a faster response time. In addition, the camera boasts the new Intelligent LCD, meaning the 2.5-inc LCD screen detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level to offer optimal clarity in any situation, whether dark or light; indoors or outdoors.

“Many consumers today are looking for pocket-sized, easy-to-use cameras that take crisp, high-quality pictures,” said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With the DMC-FS3, we’re giving consumers what they want: a sleek, stylish compact digital camera that still packs powerful advanced imaging technologies, such as Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto Mode.”

Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto Mode is comprised of five distinct technologies designed to provide users with intuitive and automatic camera adjustments no matter the shooting condition and without the user having to do anything manually. Intelligent Auto Mode consists of the following:

  • MEGA O.I.S. – Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.
  • Intelligent ISO – Can determine if the photo subject is moving and change the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo.
  • Intelligent Scene Selector – Senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode.
  • Face Detection – Panasonic’s Face Detection detects up to 15 faces anywhere in the frame, even if they are moving, and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp.
  • Quick AF – The Quick AF (auto focus) system starts focus on the subject by just pointing the camera to the subject, thus minimizing the AF time.

Additional features of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FS3 include:

  • Title Edit function which allows the consumer to input text to accompany a photo, for instance, the names of children or travel locations.
  • 50 MB internal memory.
  • Records WVGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second in a 16:9 aspect ratio, ideal for viewing on High Definition televisions, such as Panasonic VIERA Plasmas and LCDs.
  • Compatible with optional marine case, DMW-MCFS5, for underwater shooting.

The DMC-FS3, available in blue, pink, green, silver and black models, has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $199.95 and will be available in February 2008.

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. In its commitment to provide consumers with extensive imaging resources, Panasonic LUMIX established the Digital Photo Academy, a series of nationwide workshops designed to instruct consumers how to optimize the features on their digital cameras and produce high-quality photos. Panasonic is honored to support OUR PLACE – The World’s Heritage, a project that will create the world’s largest photographic collection of UNESCO World Heritage sites, with acclaimed photographers exclusively using LUMIX digital cameras to capture all images. Information about Panasonic LUMIX digital still cameras and its affiliated programs is available at www.panasonic.com/dsc

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