Panasonic FZ100: MOS-based long-zoom digicam
By
Mike Tomkins
(Wednesday, July 21, 2010 - 02:01 EDT)
Panasonic has today announced its new Lumix FZ100 digital camera, its first hybrid compact model to be based around a MOS image sensor.
The Panasonic Lumix FZ100 couples its 1/2.33-inch MOS sensor with 14.1 megapixel resolution to a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit-branded 24x optical zoom lens. The FZ100's lens has a useful 25mm wide angle, and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 to f/5.2 across the zoom range, as well as Power O.I.S. image stabilization. For framing and reviewing images, the Panasonic FZ100 has both a 0.2-inch electronic viewfinder, and an articulated 3.0-inch LCD display, both with 100% coverage. The standout feature of the Lumix DMC-FZ100 is its incredibly swift 11fps full-resolution burst mode, using a mechanical shutter, while reducing the resolution to 3.5 megapixels allows 60 frames-per-second shooting. Almost as impressive is its ability to shoot with continuous autofocus at five frames per second. The speed of the camera is also exercised by a high definition 1080i AVCHD movie mode, which is supplemented by 720p, WVGA, VGA, and QVGA movie modes. The 720p mode allows a choice of either QuickTime Motion JPEG or AVCHD Lite compression, while the lower-res modes are all QuickTime Motion JPEG-only. The Panasonic DMC-FZ100 includes a face detection system with recognition capability, so that it can be programmed to identify the faces of specific individuals for labelling purposes. A My Color mode in the DMC-FZ100 allows the user to adjust color, brightness and saturation and preview the effect immediately on the camera's display. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 stores its images and movies in 40MB of built-in memory, or on Secure Digital cards, including both the newer SDHC and SDXC types. Connectivity options include USB 2.0 High-Speed, standard definition NTSC video output, and high-def HDMI video output (although the cable for this is an optional extra). Power comes from a 7.2V, 895mAh proprietary lithium-ion battery, with ID-Security feature that prevents the use of counterfeit or third-party batteries. The software bundle includes PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.2 HD Edition and SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 ships in late-August 2010, priced at $500. Our Panasonic FZ100 preview contains details on this camera. | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 |  | | General | | Camera Type | EVF | | Manufacturer | Panasonic | | Model Number | North America: DMC-FZ100
| | Dimensions | 4.9 x 3.2 x 3.7 in.
(124 x 81 x 95 mm) | | Weight | 19.0 oz (540 g) | | Planned Availability | August 2010 | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | CMOS
1/2.33" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
15.10 megapixels (total)
14.10 megapixels (effective) | | Filter Type | RGBG | | Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 16:9 | | Image Dimensions | 4320 x 3240 (14.0 megapixels)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 megapixels)
3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
2560 x 1920 (4.9 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
4320 x 2880 (12.4 megapixels)
3648 x 2432 (8.9 megapixels)
3072 x 2048 (6.3 megapixels)
2560 x 1712 (4.4 megapixels)
2048 x 1360 (2.8 megapixels)
640 x 424 (0.3 megapixels)
4320 x 2432 (10.5 megapixels)
3648 x 2056 (7.5 megapixels)
3072 x 1728 (5.3 megapixels)
2560 x 1440 (3.7 megapixels)
| | Capture Speed | Continuous: 11.0 frames per second for 15 frames | | Image Quality | 2 levels | | Image Preview / Review | | Viewfinder | Yes, EVF type; 0.2" 201.6K pixels eq. | | LCD | 3.0 in. diagonal
460,000 dots (approx. 153,000 pixels) | | Playback Zoom | 16.0x max | | Lens | | Lens Type | LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT, 14 elements in 10 groups, 3 Asph. and 3 ED elements
24x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | Yes | | Focal Length | 4.5 - 108.0mm (actual)
25 - 600mm (35mm equivalent) | | Aperture Range | f/2.8 (wide) / f/5,2 (tele) - f/8 (up to f/11 in movie mode) | | Focusing System | Contrast Detect: Face / AF Tracking / Multi (23pt) / 1pt (flexible / scalable)
Has AF assist lamp
Manual focus possible | | Focusing Range | Normal: 12" - infinity (30 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - 4,082" (1 cm - 10,000 cm) | | Exposure | | ISO Sensitivity | Auto, iISO, High Sensitivity Auto (1600-6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 | | Shutter Speed | 60 - 1/2000 second | | Exposure Modes | Aperture, Shutter, Manual | | Metering Modes | Intelligent Multiple, Center-Weighted, Spot | | Exposure Compensation | +/- 3.0EV in 1/3EV increments | | White Balance | Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Halogen, Color Temperature, White Set 1, White Set 2 | | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Flash Synchro; 1st / 2nd
Range: 0.3 - 9.5m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 5.1m (Tele/ISO Auto) | | Creative | | Scene Modes | Creative Movie, My Color, Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Close-up, Scene, Custom, Panorama Assist, Party, Candle Light, Baby1/2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Flash Burst, Panning, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo, Photo Frame, High Speed Movie | | Digital Zoom | Up to 4x ( Max. 96.0 x combined with Optical Zoom without Extra Optical Zoom ) | | Self Timer | Yes, 2, 10, 10 (3shots) seconds | | Movie Format | AVCHD / QT Motion JPEG with audio | | Storage | | Recording Medium | SD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC, Built-in | | File System | FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) | | File Format | RAW, RAW+JPEG, JPEG (EXIF 2.3) | | Connectivity | | Video | High definition: Yes (HDMI)
Standard definition: Yes | | Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed | | Other | DC Input, Mini-HDMI with Viera Link | | Power | | Battery Type | 7.2V, 895mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable | | Batter Form Factor | Proprietary | | Product Bundle | | Software | PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE | | Battery / Charger | 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger | | Flash Memory | 40.0MB built-in memory | | Other | | Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant | Yes | | PictBridge Compliant | Yes | | Internal Microphone | Yes | | Internal Speaker | Yes | | Tripod Mount | Yes | | Remote Control | No | | Notes | Power OIS, articulating LCD, full HD 1920x1080 60/50i movies with manual exposure control, high-speed burst mode (11 fps at full resolution), high-speed movies up to 220fps, flash hot shoe. | | |
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Original Source Press Release:
| Panasonic Unveils Company's First Full Hybrid Digital Camera With MOS Sensor And High-Speed Capability New LUMIX FZ100 Has Powerful 24x Optical Zoom*1 and 14.1-Megapixel MOS Sensor, Allowing for full 1080 High Definition Video Capabilities SECAUCUS, NJ (July 21, 2010) – Panasonic announced today the new LUMIX DMC-FZ100, a top-of-the-line model in the popular FZ-Series of LUMIX digital cameras with a newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens that features a powerful 24x optical zoom*1. As the company’s first hybrid compact digital camera with a MOS sensor, the LUMIX FZ100 can record full 1080 High Definition (HD) video – giving consumers a powerful hybrid that can shoot video and still photos with ease and professional-like quality. “Panasonic is excited to be introducing its first full hybrid camera with MOS sensor – pursuing a higher level in resolution, sensitivity and speed,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “This new highly-functioning MOS sensor can record high-quality 1080 full AVCHD video, making it the ideal hybrid camera for both the casual shooter and the seasoned professional.” The LUMIX FZ100 has an incredibly fast burst shooting in 14.1-megapixel full resolution at 11 frames per second with a mechanical shutter, and increases the frames per second to 60 in 3.5-megapixel recording. Additionally, the LUMIX FZ100 features continuous Auto Focus up to five frames per second at full resolution for great action shots. It also features Intelligent Burst shooting. The digital camera judges the appropriate shutter speed to suppress the motion blur according to the movement of the subject, rising as high as possible, activating the high sensitivity recording. Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto (iA) mode, a hallmark on all LUMIX digital cameras, now includes Motion Deblur mode*2. By updating the motion detection (Intelligent ISO Control) and brightness control (Intelligent Exposure) users can gain the highest shutter speed possible. Combined with the outstanding brightness of the lens and the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), the LUMIX FZ100 prevents any blur created from a handshake or a moving subject. The iA suite of technologies include: POWER O.I.S., Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Panasonic’s iA is also available while shooting video. Featuring a free-angle 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD, the LUMIX FZ100 features wide-angle viewing with Face Recognition functions that automatically remembers registered faces for future recording. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects one of 6 Scene modes to best suit the shooting situation. The LUMIX FZ100 also features Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator. This high-quality stereo sound offers realistic sounds and effects to any movie. For greater sound quality, the LUMIX FZ100 has a newly-created port for an optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) and a Wind Cut function is available to drastically reduce background wind noise. The LUMIX FZ100 can record photos and HD video in AVCHD format on SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. Additionally, My Color mode, first introduced in the LUMIX G Micro Systems cameras, is a special option that gives freedom to the user’s creativity. With a variety of options including new Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic and High Dynamic B&W, the My Color mode makes it easy to create innovative images and videos using new intensive color, brightness and saturation levels. Other features of the LUMIX FZ100 include: -
Bundled Software – PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.2 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos. Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader, while also letting the user create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in .MOV files. The software is compatible with the Windows 7. -
Happy Mode – An option in iA that optimizes color, saturation and brightness to make both photos and movies more vivid and true to the color of the scene you memorized. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ100 will be available in black in late-August for a suggested retail price of $499.95. For more information on Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit: http://www.panasonic.com/lumix. # # # |
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