Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FH7 compact system camera. Photo provided by Panasonic. Panasonic FH7: New touchscreen Lumix debuts
By
(Thursday, May 12, 2011 - 04:01 EDT)

Alongside its new Lumix G3 compact system camera, Panasonic has today unveiled its latest touchscreen Lumix model, the Panasonic FH7.


The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 is very closely related to the existing FH5 model, with most specifications being identical. The FH7's body has been redesigned, though, accomodating a larger 3.0-inch LCD panel that now includes a touch screen overlay, allowing it to double as an input device. Although the LCD's diagonal has increased by a third of an inch, resolution is unchanged. As you'd expect, the larger panel draws more power, and so brings an 8% (20 shot) reduction in battery life to CIPA testing standards.

Beyond this, there are relatively few changes. Notably, the FH7 no longer has a two-step aperture, although we don't know the step size / quantity available. The built-in memory on offer has also been increased by some 14MB, to 84MB total.

More details can be found in our Panasonic FH7 preview.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FH7 compact system camera. Photo provided by Panasonic. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeUltra Compact
ManufacturerPanasonic
Model NumberNorth America: DMC-FH7
Dimensions3.7 x 2.2 x 0.8 in.
(95 x 56 x 19 mm)
Weight4.4 oz (126 g)
Image Capture
Sensor TypeCCD
1/2.33" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
16.60 megapixels (total)
16.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Aspect Ratio4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions4608 x 3456 (15.9 megapixels)
4608 x 3072 (14.2 megapixels)
4608 x 2592 (11.9 megapixels)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 megapixels)
2560 x 1920 (4.9 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
3456 x 3456 (11.9 megapixels)
3.7 megapixels
3.1 megapixels
2.8 megapixels
2.1 megapixels
1.9 megapixels
0.3 megapixels
Capture SpeedContinuous: 1.3 frames per second for 9999 frames
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD3.0 in. diagonal
230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels)
Lens
Lens TypeLEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR, 6 elements in 5 groups, 3 Aspherical
4x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length5.0 - 20.0mm (actual)
28 - 112mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.1 to f/9.0 (wide) / f/6.5 to f/20 (tele)
Focusing SystemContrast Detection: Face / AF Tracking / 11pt / 1pt / Touch Area
Has AF assist lamp
Manual focus possible
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - 4,082" (5 cm - 10,000 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityIntelligent ISO; 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600; High Sensitivity Mode (1600-6400)
Shutter Speed60 - 1/1600 second
Exposure ModesProgram
Metering ModesIntelligent Multiple
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: 0.4 - 3.3m (Wide/I.ISO), 1.0 - 1.6m (Tele/I.ISO)
Creative
Scene ModesPortrait, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, 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, Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic(Standard, Art, B&W), Photo Frame
Digital ZoomUp to 4x
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie FormatQuickTime 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
Power
Battery Type3.6V, 660mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary
Product Bundle
SoftwarePHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 Edition, QuickTime, Adobe Reader, Super LoiLoScope (Trial version)
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory84.0MB built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
Remote ControlNo
Notes3-inch Touchscreen LCD, MEGA O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilization, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent ISO, Face Detection, 720p Movies. New Beauty Retouch, Esthetic and Makeup Editing Modes. Available in black.
More Photos
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FH7 compact system camera. Photo provided by Panasonic. Click for a bigger picture!
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FH7 compact system camera. Photo provided by Panasonic. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

Panasonic's Newest Slim And Stylish Lumix Digital Camera Features An Easy-to-Use Touch-Screen

The Compact LUMIX FH7 Digital Camera Features Creative Modes, Enabled by a Touch-Screen, to Give Portraits a New Look With Makeup and Retouching

SECAUCUS, NJ (May 12, 2011) – Panasonic today announces the new 16.1-megapixel LUMIX DMC-FH7, which features an incredibly slim and stylish design, making this new digital camera easy to carry – and with intuitive touch-controls, it’s also easy to use.  While the LUMIX FH7 is a stylish standout, it does not compromise on performance, featuring a retractable high-quality 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC lens with an impressive 4x optical zoom and High Definition video capabilities that record in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 24 fps, producing clear and vivid images.

The LUMIX FH7 features a 3-inch Smart Touch Screen allowing users to enable Touch Auto Focus (AF), Touch Zoom, Touch Shutter and Intelligent Scene Selector simply by touching the screen. All menu setting options are now available with touch control.  In playback mode users can drag the image across the screen with their finger to browse the collection of photos, as if it were a page in a book. Additionally, the LUMIX FH7 features three modes that let users get creative by manually (with the touch of a finger) editing their photos on the digital camera. These modes include:

  • Beauty Retouch – allows users to retouch faces

  • Esthetic – creates effects on faces such as clearing skin texture and whitening teeth

  • Makeup – gives color options such as foundation, eye-shadow or coloring for the lips and cheeks

“Panasonic continues to offer consumers choice in the digital camera they use and with LUMIX, we want to ensure there are stylish, compact options that still maintain Panasonic’s high standards of image quality, both in still photos and HD videos,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With the new FH7, we’re confident that this small and attractive digital camera will produce photos and videos that users are proud to share, and with new seamless uploading features, they can do so easily to sites, such as Facebook and YouTube.”

The Panasonic LUMIX FH7 features the LUMIX Image Uploader, which instantly share images via Facebook© and video via YouTube™ when the digital camera is connected to a computer or the SD Memory Card is inserted – and the easy on-screen instructions are followed.

Panasonic’s popular iA mode, a suite of technologies that engage automatically – with no setting changes needed by the user – makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos. With a dedicated iA button for easy access, the following features can be quickly engaged:

  • MEGA OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) – Reduces blurry photos due to hand-shake

  • Intelligent ISO Control – Reduces blur when the subject is moving

  • Face Detection – Ensures registered faces are captured in focus with appropriate exposure and digitally corrects unwanted red eyes

  • Intelligent Scene Selector – Selects the best option from: Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset

  • Intelligent Exposure – Optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights and helps ensure that gradation and details are reproduced beautifully

The Panasonic LUMIX FH7 encompasses Panasonic’s Venus Engine VI image processor, which helps to power Intelligent Resolution technology. With Intelligent Resolution technology, three areas - outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation – are automatically detected and the LUMIX FH7 performs optimum processing to each, resulting in naturally clear images. Furthermore, thanks to Intelligent Resolution technology, Panasonic’s Intelligent Zoom extends the LUMIX FH7’s zoom to a 5x equivalent.  The multitasking Venus Engine VI also supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is incredibly quick, at approximately 0.006 second and its quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities.

Other features of the Panasonic LUMIX FH7 include:

  • Intelligent LCD detects the lighting conditions and controls the brightness level in 11 finely graduated steps, to display the most appropriate setting
  • 84MB of built-in memory
  • Newly-added Image Stamp mode enables users to decorate photos with 32 different stamps, for those wanting to personalize their images

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FH7 will be available in black. Pricing and availability will be announced 30 days prior to shipping date.  For more information, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

  • 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.
  • Facebook and the Facebook logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Facebook, Inc.
  • YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.

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. Company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

# # #

Go to:
Previous Item
Current News
Next Item