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Panasonic's DMC-ZS10 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Panasonic ZS8, ZS10: Two new long-zoom compacts
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(Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - 00:00 EST)

Panasonic has today added two new long-zoom models to its Lumix ZS-series, with very similar styling, but quite a difference in feature set between the pair.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 and ZS8 both have 14 megapixel image sensors, but the type differs between the two. The Panasonic Lumix ZS8 opts for a tried and true CCD chip, while the ZS10 adopts a high-speed MOS sensor. The Lumix ZS10's sensor gives it a big edge over its DMC-ZS8 sibling in terms of shooting speed, with the ZS8 limited to just three frames at 1.9 frames per second, versus 15 frames at a whopping 10fps from the ZS10. Both cameras have identical Leica-branded 16x optical zoom lenses, providing a 35mm-equivalent range from a 24mm wide angle to a 384mm telephoto.

Other advantages of the MOS-based Panasonic ZS10 include an Active image stabilization mode in video recording, a higher resolution LCD display with touch-screen capability, and a built-in GPS receiver which allows the Panasonic ZS10 to geotag its images with the location at which they were shot - something the Lumix ZS8 isn't able to do. Another important difference between the two cameras is that the Panasonic Lumix ZS10 offers its user the ability to record Full HD (1080i) movies with AVCHD Lite video compression and stereo sound, whereas the Lumix DMC-ZS8 offers only 720p in QuickTime Motion JPEG with monaural sound. The ZS10 also has the ability to create a 3D image in-camera from multiple sequential shots, plus a mini HDMI connector that's not present in the Panasonic ZS8 design, scene modes for movie recording, and a handheld night shot function in its Intelligent Scene Selection mode.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 does win on a couple of specifications, though. Likely thanks to the reduced specifications, it offers a little over 31% greater battery life than the Lumix DMC-ZS10 is able to provide. It also has more available built-in memory, with 70MB versus the 18MB of its sibling. Both cameras also accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards.

Pricing and availability for the Panasonic DMC-ZS8 and a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/ZS10/ZS10A.HTM">DMC-ZS10 will be announced thirty days before the cameras reach market. The Panasonic DMC-ZS10 will be available in black, silver, red, blue, and brown versions, while the ZS8 will only be sold in black and silver variants. For more details, read our Panasonic ZS8 preview or Panasonic ZS10 preview, as your tastes dictate.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Panasonic's DMC-ZS8 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeMid-Sized
ManufacturerPanasonic
Model NumberNorth America: ZS8
Dimensions4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 in.
(105 x 58 x 33 mm)
Weight7.4 oz (210 g)
Planned AvailabilityMarch 2011
Image Capture
Sensor TypeCCD
1/2.33" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
14.50 megapixels (total)
14.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Aspect Ratio4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions4320 x 3240 (14.0 megapixels)
4320 x 2880 (12.4 megapixels)
4320 x 2432 (10.5 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)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Capture SpeedContinuous: 1.9 frames per second for 3 frames
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD3.0 in. diagonal
230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels)
Lens
Lens TypeLEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR, 12 elements in 10 groups, 3 Aspherical
16x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length4.3 - 68.8mm (actual)
24 - 384mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.3 - 6.3 (W) / f/5.9 - 6.3 (T) Multistage Iris Diaphram
Focusing SystemContrast Detect: Face, AF Tracking, 23pt, 1pt, Spot
Has AF assist lamp
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 1.2" - 4,082" (3 cm - 10,000 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, iISO, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; High Sensitivity mode (ISO 1600-6400)
Shutter Speed60 - 1/4000 second
Exposure ModesAperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering ModesIntelligent Multiple, Center Weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, White Set
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Range: 0.6 - 5.0m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 2.8m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Creative
Scene ModesCustom, SCN, My SCN2, My SCN1; Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst (image priority/speed priority), Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial, Pinhole, Film Grain, High Dynamic (standard/ art/ B&W), Photoframe, Under Water
Digital ZoomUp to 4x (Max. 64 x total combined with Extra Optical Zoom)
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie FormatQuckTime Motion JPEG with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC, Built-in
File SystemFAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Connectivity
VideoStandard definition: Yes
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherDC input
Power
Battery Type3.6V, 895mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary
Product Bundle
SoftwarePHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0, QuickTime, Adobe Reader, Super LoiLoScope ( trial version)
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory70.0MB built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
Remote ControlNo
NotesPower O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), 3-inch LCD, 720p HD movies. Available in black and silver.
More Photos
Panasonic's DMC-ZS8 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's DMC-ZS8 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's DMC-ZS8 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's DMC-ZS8 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
Panasonic's DMC-ZS10 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeMid-Sized
ManufacturerPanasonic
Model NumberNorth America: DMC-ZS10
Dimensions4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 in.
(105 x 58 x 33 mm)
Weight7.7 oz (219 g)
Planned AvailabilityMarch 2011
Image Capture
Sensor TypeCMOS
1/2.33" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
15.10 megapixels (total)
14.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Aspect Ratio4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions4320 x 3240 (14.0 megapixels)
4320 x 2880 (12.4 megapixels)
4320 x 2432 (10.5 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)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Capture SpeedContinuous: 10.0 frames per second for 15 frames
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD3.0 in. diagonal
460,000 dots (approx. 153,000 pixels)
Lens
Lens TypeLEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR, 12 elements in 10 groups, 3 Aspherical
16x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length4.3 - 68.8mm (actual)
24 - 384mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.3 - 6.3 (W) / f/5.9 - 6.3 (T) Multistage Iris Diaphram
Focusing SystemContrast Detect: Face, AF Tracking, 23pt, 1pt, Spot, Touch Area
Has AF assist lamp
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 1.2" - 4,082" (3 cm - 10,000 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, iISO, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; High Sensitivity mode (ISO 1600-6400)
Shutter Speed60 - 1/4000 second
Exposure ModesAperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering ModesIntelligent Multiple, Center Weighted, Spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, White Set
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Range: 0.6 - 5.0m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 2.8m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Creative
Scene ModesCustom, 3D Photo, SCN, My SCN 2, My SCN 1; Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Handheld Night Shot, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial, Pinhole, Film Grain, High Dynamic (standard/ art/ B&W), Photoframe, Under Water, High Speed Movie
Digital ZoomUp to 4x (Max. 135 x total combined with Extra Optical Zoom)
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie FormatAVCHD, QuckTime Motion JPEG with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC, Built-in
File SystemFAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF v2.3), MPO
Connectivity
VideoHigh definition: Yes (HDMI)
Standard definition: Yes
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherMini HDMI, DC input
Power
Battery Type3.6V, 895mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary
Product Bundle
SoftwarePHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.1 HD Lite Edition, QuickTime, Adobe Reader, Super LoiLoScope ( trial version)
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory18.0MB built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
Remote ControlNo
NotesPower O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), 3-inch touchscreen LCD, built-in GPS, 1080i and 720p HD movies, 10fps burst mode at full resolution, 3D photo mode. Available in black, red, blue, silver, and brown.
More Photos
Panasonic's DMC-ZS10 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's DMC-ZS10 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's DMC-ZS10 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's DMC-ZS10 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's DMC-ZS10 digital camera. Photo provided by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

Panasonic Expands Its Popular ZS-Series Of Digital Cameras With Additional Advanced Features Including Intuitive Touch Screen Control And Full HD Video

Panasonic LUMIX ZS10 Features a 24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle Leica Lens and a Powerful 16x Optical Zoom, 3D Photo Mode and Built-In GPS Functions

SECAUCUS, NJ (January 25, 2011) – Panasonic today introduced the LUMIX DMC-ZS10 as the newest member of its acclaimed LUMIX ZS-Series of digital cameras that has won worldwide popularity for its versatile lens from ultra wide-angle to long zoom. The LUMIX ZS10 continues its versatility with a 24mm ultra-wide-angle and powerful 16x optical zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens – and it features full-High Definition 1920x1080 video recording capability, a newly-adopted large 3.0-inch, 460,000-dot Smart Touch Intelligent LCD – which allows for Touch Zoom, Touch Auto Focus (AF), Touch Shutter, and Touch Playback. The LUMIX ZS10 also features a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) function allowing geotagged images to be pinpointed via online maps and easily shared with friends and families.

“With the introduction of the LUMIX ZS10, Panasonic expects to continue to lead the market in long zoom digital cameras, as this very advanced digital camera not only offers a 16x optical zoom, but with an even wider 24mm Leica lens, this is a truly robust digital camera for both still photos and full HD 1080 videos,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With new features such as touch-screen operation and even a 3D photo mode, Panasonic continues to pack the ZS10 with innovative features for capturing high-quality photos and videos, which can be easily shared with family and friends using the new LUMIX Image Uploader feature.”

The Panasonic LUMIX ZS10 also features the new Panasonic 3D Photo mode, which produces a realistic 3D photo by taking 20 consecutive photos and overlaying the two best images which provide a 3D image that can then be played on a Panasonic VIERA 3D HDTV. The format of the 3D image is compatible with MPO, and can also be played back on other MPO-compatible equipment such as a televisions, digital photo frame and printers. Panasonic also adds the LUMIX Image Uploader for seamless and instant sharing via Facebook (for digital photos) or YouTube (for videos). Users can checkmark the photo or video files they want to share, connect it to a PC with the included USB cable or by inserting the SD Memory Card directly into the PC’s SD Card slot, and then the uploading automatically launches with an easy-to-follow menu option.

Using the touch-screen, once locked on the subject, the LUMIX ZS10 tracks the subject with the AF tracking function even if it moves. With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the LUMIX ZS10 automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject touched. For example, a touch on a human face switches to the portrait mode and a touch on the background or a landscape changes to the Scenery mode, while a touch on the subject close in the foreground changes to Macro mode. All menu settings are now available with touch control. The touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting, but also in playback, allowing the user to drag the images across the screen with a finger and browse the collection of photos as though flipping the pages of a book.

Newly adopted 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor and the advanced image processor Venus Engine FHD feature high speed, high sensitivity image recording to realize 1920x1080 full-HD movie recording and high speed burst shooting in high picture quality. It also compiles the Intelligent Resolution technology to perform optimum signal processing to give the entire image outstandingly natural clearness with fine details. The powerful 16x optical zoom – available while shooting videos – increases its power to 21x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function, taking advantage of Intelligent Resolution technology. The Sonic Speed AF also boasts approximately 49% higher speed compared to its LUMIX ZS7 predecessor.

The LUMIX ZS10 shoots 10 fps in 14-megapixel full resolution with mechanical shutter and 5 fps with continuous AF. Even higher speed burst shooting is available with LUMIX ZS10 if the electronic shutter is used - 60 fps in 3.5-megapixel*1. The LUMIX ZS10 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful full-HD movies. In addition to Motion JPEG images, the LUMIX ZS10 can record high-resolution full-HD 1920x1080 60i videos in AVCHD (MPEG-4 / H.264)* format. The high frame rate of 60i excels in recording moving subjects with outstanding smoothness. The videos also come with the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator, to offer highly realistic sound.

Panasonic’s iA Mode, a suite of technologies that engage automatically, has evolved for more powerful image stabilization while video recording and taking still photos with Active Mode which boosts POWER OIS to excel in suppressing blur when recording videos at wide angle while walking. New iA features include the Intelligent Handheld Nightshot, which creates a beautiful night scenery with illumination by layering the images shot consecutively. Furthermore, the Intelligent Burst Shooting automatically sets the frame rate of burst shooting according to the subject’s movement – whether it moves fast or slow – utilizing the mechanism of Intelligent ISO Control. Other features of iA include: Motion Deblur, POWER OIS, Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. With iA, taking beautiful photos is possible for users at any skill level. In addition, the Intelligent Resolution technology is always activated in the iA mode, which helps produce even clearer photos by precisely performing signal processing, pixel by pixel, to help ensure clear and sharp images.

The LUMIX ZS10 digital camera features a built-in GPS system which tags the location data where the photo was taken with its latitude and longitude automatically in the Exif data. Plus, the LUMIX ZS10 also shows the name of the Country/Region, State/Prov./County, County/Township, City/Town/Village and Landmark by using internal data to give users details on where the photos or videos were taken. The area information covers 203 countries or regions for global users. Plus, more than 1,000,000 landmarks over 78 countries or regions are in the database. Using the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.1 HD Lite Edition, photos and videos can be searched by location and names. The LUMIX ZS10 also features an internal clock that automatically adjusts to the local time when GPS is enabled – a handy feature for travelers.

The LUMIX DMC-ZS8 was also added to the ZS-Series of cameras and maintains the versatile 24mm ultra-wide angle and powerful 16x optical zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens. Other features include:

  • iA mode including POWER OIS, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Recognition, Intelligent Exposure

  • Venus Engine VI featuring Intelligent Resolution

  • 720p HD video recording in Motion JPEG

  • Large 3.0-inch large 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD

  • Manual exposure

  • LUMIX Image Uploader

The LUMIX ZS10 and ZS8 will be available in March 2011 and pricing will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping date. The LUMIX ZS10 will be available in black, red, blue, silver, and brown; while the LUMIX ZS8 will be available in black and silver. For more on these Panasonic LUMIX models, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

* 1 In the high speed burst shooting at 60 fps, the picture size is 2.5-megapixel(4:3), 3-megapixel(3:2), 3.5-megapixel(16:9), 2-megapixel(1:1).

Facebook and the Facebook logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Facebook, Inc.
YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.
Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company's quality standards.
The "AVCHD" is a high definition digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation and "AVCHD" logos are trademarks of the companies.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
GPS may not work in China or in the border regions of countries neighboring China.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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 Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs.

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