Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX150 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Panasonic launches DMC-FX150 compact
By
(Monday, July 21, 2008 - 15:12 EDT)

Continuing its announcements for the day, Matsushita has unveiled its new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150 digital camera.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150 offers a sensor resolution of 14.7 effective megapixels and an image stabilized, Leica branded 3.6x optical zoom lens with a useful 28mm wide angle. The Panasonic FX150's lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 to f/5.6, and a Macro focusing distance of just five centimeters. There's sadly no optical viewfinder, but the Panasonic FX150 includes a 2.7" LCD display with 230,000 dot resolution. The Panasonic DMC-FX150 has a multi-area autofocus system with face detection and object tracking. The Lumix FX150's ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 1600 (up to ISO 6400 equivalent in High Sensitivity mode), and shutter speeds range from 1/2000 to 60 seconds.

The Panasonic DMC-FX150 controls exposures automatically, using Intelligent Multiple, Center-Weighted or Spot metering. There are nine white balance settings, and twenty five scene modes, but no manual or aperture- / shutter-priority modes on the Panasonic FX150. A five mode flash strobe is good to a maximum of 5.9 meters at wide angle, or 2.9 meters at telephoto. As well as Raw and JPEG still images, the Panasonic FX150 can capture movies with sound at up to high definition 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, although the compression used is the older QuickTime Motion JPEG type, so file sizes are likely to be fairly high.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150 stores its images and movies on Secure Digital or MultiMediaCards, including the newer SDHC types. There's also a generous 50MB of built-in memory. Connectivity options include USB 2.0 High-Speed, standard definition NTSC video output, and high-def component video output (although the cable for this is an optional extra). Power comes from a 3.7V, 1150mAh proprietary Lithium Ion battery, rated as good for 330 shots on a charge to CIPA testing standards. The software bundle includes PHOTOfunSTUDIO Viewer 2.1E, ArcSoft MediaImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, and SilkyPix Developer Studio 3.0SE.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150 will ship this August, with expected pricing of $400 or thereabouts.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX150 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerPanasonic
Model NumberDMC-FX150
Dimensions3.8 x 2.1 x 1.0"
96.7 x 54.0 x 24.8mm
Weight179.0 g
6.3 oz
Planned Price$400.00
Planned Availability 2008
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/1.72" CCD
15.00 megapixels (total)
14.70 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Aspect Ratio4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions4416 x 3312 (14.6 megapixels)
4416 x 2944 (13.0 megapixels)
4416 x 2480 (11.0 megapixels)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 megapixels)
3648 x 2432 (8.9 megapixels)
3648 x 2056 (7.5 megapixels)
3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
3072 x 2048 (6.3 megapixels)
3072 x 1728 (5.3 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)
Capture SpeedStandard: 2.0 frames per second for 4 frames
Image Quality3 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.7", 230,000 pixels
100% field of view
Playback Zoom16.0x max
Lens
Lens TypeLEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
3.6x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length6.0 - 21.4mm (actual)
28 - 100mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/2.8 - f/9.0 (wide); f/5.6 - f/18.0 (tele)
Focusing SystemMulti-area with face detection and tracking with AF assist lamp
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2 0" - infinity (5.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, High-Sensitivity Auto (1600 - 6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Shutter Speed60 - 1/2000 second
Exposure ModesProgram
Metering ModesIntelligent Multiple, Center-Weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Color Temperature, White Set 1, White Set 2, Manual
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-Eye Reduction, On, Slow-Sync w/ Red-Eye Reduction, Off
Range: Wide: 0.6 - 5.9m; Tele: 0.3 - 2.9m (ISO Auto)
Creative
Scene ModesPortrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Flash-Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial photo, Film Grain, Pin Hole
Digital Zoom4x
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Time LapseNo
Movie FormatQuickTime Motion JPEG with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatCCD-RAW, JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
Connectivity
VideoYes
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherDC Input
Power
Battery Type3.7V 1150mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary
Product Bundle
SoftwarePHOTOfunSTUDIO Viewer 2.1E, ArcSoft MediaImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, SilkyPix Developer Studio 3.0SE
Battery / Charger1 x proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory50.0MB built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
Remote ControlNo
More Photos
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX150 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX150 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX150 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

PANASONIC INTRODUCES NEW ADDITION TO FX-SERIES, COMPLETE WITH 14.7 MEGAPIXELS AND 28MM WIDE-ANGLE LENS

New LUMIX FX150 Features Manual Controls to Help Creative Photography

SECAUCUS, N.J. (July 21, 2008) - Panasonic today announced its newest addition to its FX-Series of LUMIX digital cameras with the unveiling of the stylish and feature-rich DMC-FX150.   Equipped with 14.7 megapixels, the FX150 also boasts a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with F2.8 brightness and 3.6x optical zoom. 

The FX150’s manual controls and creative-shooting features distinguish it from many of its ultra-compact competitors.  For instance, the Manual Exposure mode lets users choose the shutter speed, giving the freedom to render artistic images of ordinary scenes.  The multi-exposure function superimposes up to three consecutively shot images together while the user views the previous image on the LCD, creating a surrealistic effect that cannot be achieved with a single image alone.  Furthermore, the manual bracketing function includes typical exposure and adds new color bracketing to capture color, monochromatic and sepia shots of an image simultaneously. 

The FX150 also records original photos in the RAW file format and comes bundled with the SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0SE software application, enabling the user to freely adjust RAW data settings such as exposure bias and white balance even after shooting for greater editing and image development.

“With the FX150, Panasonic brings a unique type of ultra-compact camera to the market,” said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.  “The combination of 14.7 megapixels, numerous manual controls and Intelligent Auto mode in a stylish, pocket-sized body creates an ideal camera for photo enthusiasts.”

In addition to manual controls, the FX150 also offers Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto (iA) mode that provides the user with automatic settings adjustments depending on the shooting environment.   A new technology, called AF (auto focus) Tracking, has been added to the iA roster of features.  AF tracking enables the camera to lock focus on a moving object. Additionally, AF Tracking increases Face Detection accuracy, allowing for crisp, sharp-focused shots even if the subject moves while shooting the image*.

When the FX150 is set to iA mode, the following technologies engage automatically, no settings need to be made:

  • Intelligent Exposure - Helps prevents photos from being under- or over-exposed by instantly analyzing the framed image and adjusting the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The camera will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly. 
  • Digital Red-eye Correction - Helps to eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at night.  Incorporated into the camera, the built-in flash emits a small preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and will digitally correct it.
  • 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 - Determines if the photo subject is moving and changes 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.  This intuitive technology, helps the consumer use the most common scene modes that are built into the camera, but often go unused, without making any manual adjustments.
  • Face Detection - Detects faces in the frame (up to 15 faces), even if they are moving, and selects optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear. 
  • Quick AF (Auto Focus) - Starts focus on the subject by just pointing the camera at the subject, thus minimizing the AF time.

The FX150 boasts the high-speed image processing system, the Venus Engine IV, which supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode.   The FX150 can also record dynamic High Definition video in 1280 x 720p at 24fps.  Other advanced features of the LUMIX FX150 include:

  • Image Leveling - When a captured image “leans” to the right or left because the camera was held at a slight angle when the photo was taken, the Image Leveling function rotates the image to straighten it and crops the unnecessary edges. No computer needed! 
  • Scene Modes - The FX150 offers 24 different scene modes to respond easily to any shooting situation.  The new Pin Hole and Film Grain modes add unique, film-camera-like effects and ambiences to images and the Transform mode trims and stretches images to virtually transform the subject.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX150 will be available in silver and black and will begin shipping in August 2008 with a suggested retail price of $399.95.  For more information and to download the full specs, please visit www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

* Face must initially be facing forward to be detected.

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.

# # #

Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item