Panasonic announces Lumix ZR3
By
Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - 01:00 EST)
Panasonic has today unveiled its latest Lumix ZR-series camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3.
The ZR3 has a fourteen megapixel image sensor coupled to a Leica branded 8x optical zoom lens with a generous 25mm wide angle. The Panasonic ZR3's lens features true optical image stabilization, and has a two-step aperture. There's no optical viewfinder, with the Panasonic DMC-ZR3 instead opting solely for a 2.7" LCD display. As well as JPEG still images, the Panasonic Lumix ZR3 can capture high definition movies using either AVCHD Lite or QuickTime Motion JPEG compression. The Lumix ZR3 stores its images and movies on Secure Digital or MultiMediaCards, including the newer SDHC and SDXC types, as well as in 40MB of built-in memory. Connectivity includes USB 2.0 High-Speed, NTSC / PAL video (NTSC only in North America), and high-definition mini HDMI. Power comes from the Lumix DMC-ZR3's proprietary Lithium Ion battery pack with ID-Security feature. Pricing and availability for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 will be announced thirty days before the camera reaches market. Four DMC-ZR3 body colors will be available - silver, black, red or blue. For more details, read our Panasonic ZR3 preview. | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 |  | | General | | Camera Type | Compact | | Manufacturer | Panasonic | | Model Number | DMC-ZR3 | | Dimensions | 3.9 x 2.2 x 1.0 in.
(98 x 55 x 26 mm) | | Weight | 5.6 oz (159 g) | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | CCD
1/2.33" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
14.50 megapixels (total)
14.10 megapixels (effective) | | Filter Type | RGBG | | Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 16:9 | | Image Dimensions | 4320 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 Speed | Continuous: 1.8 frames per second for 3 frames | | Image Quality | 2 levels | | Image Preview / Review | | Viewfinder | No | | LCD | 2.7 in. diagonal
230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels) | | Playback Zoom | 16.0x max | | Lens | | Lens Type | LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR, 9 elements in 7 groups, 4 Aspherical
8x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | Yes | | Focal Length | 4.5 - 36.0mm (actual)
25 - 200mm (35mm equivalent) | | Aperture Range | f/3.3 or f/10 (wide) / f/4.4 or f/18 (tele) | | Focusing System | Contrast Detect: Face, AF Tracking, 11 pt, 1 pt HS, 1 pt, Spot
Has AF assist lamp
Manual focus possible | | Focusing Range | Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 1.2" - 4,082" (3 cm - 10,000 cm) | | Exposure | | ISO Sensitivity | Auto, High Sensitivity Auto (1600-6400), 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 | | Shutter Speed | 60 - 1/2000 second | | Exposure Modes | Program | | Metering Modes | Intelligent Multiple | | Exposure Compensation | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments | | White Balance | Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set | | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Range: 0.6 - 5.3m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 2.9m (Tele/ISO Auto) | | Creative | | Scene Modes | Portrait, 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, Pinhole, Film Grain, High Dynamic, Photo Frame, Underwater | | Digital Zoom | Up to 4x | | Self Timer | Yes, 2 or 10 seconds | | Movie Format | AVCHD Lite, QT MotionJPEG 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 | JPEG (EXIF 2.21) | | Connectivity | | Video | High definition: Yes (HDMI)
Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable | | Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed | | Other | DC Input, mini HDMI | | Power | | Battery Type | 3.6V, 895mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable | | Battery Form Factor | Proprietary | | Product Bundle | | Software | PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition | | 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 | Optical Image Stabilization, Intelligent Auto, 720p HD Movie Mode (AVCHD Lite, MotionJPEG), HDMI Output. | | More Photos |  |  |  |  |  |  | | |
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Original Source Press Release:
| Panasonic Introduces Super Compact Digital Camera Featuring AVCHD Lite HD Video Recording Capability Panasonic LUMIX ZR3 includes 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens and powerful 8x optical zoom in a slim and portable body SECAUCUS, NJ (January 26, 2010) – Panasonic today announced the introduction of the LUMIX DMC-ZR3, a fully-featured digital camera complete with AVCHD Lite High Defintion (HD) video recording capabilities, a25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens and a powerful 8x optical zoom – giving consumers a wide-range of shooting options, yet in a slim body that is small enough to fit in a pocket or small purse. New to the ZR-Series this year, Panasonic also introduces Intelligent Zoom, which extends the LUMIX ZR3’s zoom to an impressive 10x. The Panasonic LUMIX ZR3’s incredible 8x optical zoom is not found on many conventional point-and-shoot cameras, especially ones that are approximately 1-inch thick. With a powerful zoom, users will be thrilled with the close-up shots they are able to take. And for an added boost, zoom power can be increased to 10x with Panasonic’s new Intelligent Zoom function, which takes advantage of the newly-added Intelligent Resolution technology. Intelligent Resolution, a component of Intelligent Auto mode, helps to maintain optimal picture quality by capturing higher quality signal processing and through the detection of three areas - outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation – examining them pixel by pixel to enhance any degradation created during the digital zoom process or in high-sensitivity shooting. As a result of Intelligent Resolution, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and video recording. “The 2010 Panasonic LUMIX lineup of digital cameras pack advanced functions into smaller, more compact bodies without compromising the ability to take high quality photos and video,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronic Company. “With a remarkable 8x optical zoom power, sleek design, HD video capabilities, the LUMIX ZR3 is a compact and versatile camera that is also extremely easy and intuitive to use.” The LUMIX ZR3 takes video recording to the next level with its AVCHD Lite HD video format. Featuring double the recording time in HD quality compared to the conventional Motion JPEG format, and offering Dolby Digital Stereo Creator to record high-quality audio, the LUMIX ZR3 is perfect for capturing those spur-of-the-moment video opportunities in high-quality. With the newly-added Video Divide function, users can cut their video into two sections on the spot – within the menus of the camera – to shorten or delete the unwanted half. Continuing with the trademark iA mode, Panasonic has incorporated this intuitive and innovative feature into the LUMIX ZR3. Working to enhance the potential of all photos and videos, iA mode automatically selects the best Scene mode, and also helps to correct handshake and any focus or brightness issues. Other technologies incorporated into the LUMIX ZR3’s iA mode include: - Face Recognition – Allows users to register various faces, helping to improve detection accuracy of friends and family.
- Happy Mode – New color mode that optimizes color, saturation and brightness, to make both photos and videos more vivid and true to the color originally experienced.
- Other iA Technologies - Intelligent Resolution and Intelligent Zoom, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Exposure.
The LUMIX ZR3 features a super-fast AF (Auto Focus) speed of 0.26 second (wide-end) / 0.31 second (tele-end)*1. This combined with a high-speed start-up of just 1.1 second, gives the LUMIX ZR3 an ultra-fast response that helps to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities. Additionally, the 2.7-inch large Intelligent LCD screen offers a dynamic, clear view and automatically adjusts its own brightness level. Also, the LUMIX ZR3 accepts the SD/SDHC Memory Card, but is also compatible with the next-generation SDXC Memory Cards, which
feature a high-potential in both capacity and data-transfer speed. Pricing and availability for the Panasonic LUMIX ZR3 will be announced 30 days prior to shipping date. The Panasonic LUMIX ZR3 will be available in silver, black, red and blue. For more information on Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit http://www.panasonic.com/lumix. # # # |
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