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Panasonic's Lumix DMC-TZ50 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Panasonic launches WiFi-capable Lumix TZ50
By
(Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 13:15 EDT)

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. has today announced its first ever wireless LAN capable digital camera, dubbed the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ50.

The Panasonic TZ50 is the first fruit of a partnership with T-Mobile and Google's Picasa, and allows images to be automatically transferred to Picasa Web Albums over 802.11b/g compliant wireless LANs, with a 12 month T-Mobile Hotspot subscription included in the price. The Panasonic DMC-TZ50's sensor resolution is 9.1 megapixels, and its Leica DC Vario-Elmar branded 10x optical zoom lens offers a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 28 - 280mm. Other Panasonic Lumix TZ50 features include optical image stabilization, an unusually high-res 3.0", 460,000 dot LCD display, Panasonic's Venus Engine IV image processor, 50MB of built-in memory plus SD / SDHC / mmc slot. both standard and high definition video outputs, and power from a Lithium Ion battery pack rated for 300 shots on a charge.

Availability of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ50 in the US market is set for May 2008, with pricing expected to be in the region of $450. Only a silver body color will be available. For more detailed information take a look over our Panasonic TZ50 preview. For specifications and the official press release, read on below.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ50
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-TZ50 digital camera. Courtesy of Panasonic, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerPanasonic
Model NumberDMC-TZ50
Dimensions4.1 x 2.3 x 1.4"
103.3 x 59.3 x 36.5mm
Weight240.0 g
8.4 oz
Planned Price$449.95
Planned Availability 2008
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.33" Panasonic CCD
10.70 megapixels (total)
9.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter TypeRGBG
Aspect Ratio4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions3456 x 2592 (9.0 megapixels)
3552 x 2368 (8.4 megapixels)
3712 x 2088 (7.8 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)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
0.3 megapixels
Image Quality2 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD3.0", 460,000 pixels
Playback Zoom16.0x max
Lens
Lens TypeLEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR, 11 elements in 9 groups
10x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length4.7 - 47.0mm (actual)
28 - 280mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture RangeWide: F3.3 / F8.0 (2 steps) Tele: F4.9 / F11 (2 steps)
Focusing SystemContrast Detect: Face / 1-point/ 1-point high speed/ 3-point high speed/ 9-point/ Spot with AF assist lamp
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - 82" (5 cm - 200 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, (High Sensitivity Mode : Auto(1600 - 6400) )
Shutter Speed60 - 1/2000 second
Metering ModesIntelligent Multiple/ Center Weighted / Spot
Exposure Compensation+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set, Manual
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Range: 0.6 - 5.3m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 3.6m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Creative
Scene ModesPortrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self-Portrait, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial photo, Underwater, Multi Aspect
Digital ZoomUp to 4x
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie FormatQuickTime (Motion JPEG) with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (Exif 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed, WiFi
OtherDC input, IEEE802.11b/g
Power
Battery TypeLithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary
Product Bundle
SoftwarePHOTOfunSTUDIO -viewer-, ArcSoft (MediaImpression / Panorama Maker), USB Driver
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory50.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
Remote ControlNo
 

Original Source Press Release:

PANASONIC'S COMPACT WI-FI LUMIX DIGITAL CAMERA UPLOADS PHOTOS TO GOOGLE'S PICASA WEB ALBUMS VIA T-MOBILE HOTSPOT SERVICE

New Wi-Fi LUMIX TZ50 Digital Camera Features HD Video, 28mm Wide-Angle Lens, 10x Optical Zoom Ideal for Active Users to Share Photos On-the-Go

SECAUCUS, NJ (April 16, 2008) – Panasonic today introduced a new addition to its award-winning TZ-family of digital cameras, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ50 – complete with Wi-Fi capabilities, standard 802.11b/g wireless LAN connectivity and access to T-Mobile® HotSpot service, users can upload digital photos taken with the TZ50 directly to Picasa Web Albums™, a free online photo-sharing service from Google. The 9.1 megapixel TZ50 is packed with a 28mm wide-angle lens, 10x optical zoom and the ability to record HD video, making it the ideal digital camera for active users.

"This advanced digital camera makes it possible for users to share their photos with friends and family with unprecedented ease and without a computer," said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "Active users will appreciate the TZ50's Wi-Fi capabilitilies so they can share photos while on-the-go, but they will also benefit from HD video recording, a 10x optical zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens, so capturing images, whether far or wide; moving or still – is all possible with this compact camera."

Panasonic uses the T-Mobile Hotspot service and Picasa Web Albums' APIs to create a new optimal online environment and community for sharing digital photos. After taking photos with the new Panasonic LUMIX TZ50, users will be able to wirelessly send one or multiple photos at a time, directly to Google's Picasa Web Albums. Users can connect to standard wireless home networks, but furthermore, the TZ50 can also connect to the T-Mobile HotSpot Service, which provides fast and reliable Wi-Fi Internet acess at more than 8,800 public locations throughout the United States, including Borders® Books & Music stores, Hyatt Hotels and many major airports. The LUMIX TZ50 comes with an offer for 12-months of complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot W-FI service**.

Users can register one email account with their TZ50, so after uploading their photos to Picasa Web Albums, they can have the URL to that album sent to the registered account. Since many cell phones and smartphones receive emails, users can register their own email address and then forward that Picasa Web Albums URL to friends and family, all while away from home and without using a computer. In addition, users can browse their albums to confirm that photos have been successfully uploaded, and choose to delete uploaded photos directly on the digital camera.

The TZ50 is the latest member of the LUMIX TZ-Series, renowned for packaging a 28mm wide-angle 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens (equivalent to 28-280mm on a 35mm film camera) into a compact body. The 28mm wide-angle lens captures subjects and scenes wider at the same standpoint than a normal 35mm camera. Notably, the new TZ50 integrates the capability of recording 720p HD (high-definition) motion pictures together with its direct output function allowing users to enjoy watching both still and motion pictures in impressive HD quality on a HDTV via an optional component cable or by inserting the SD Memory Card into the SD slot, which is available on all Panasonic VIERA HDTVs.

The Panasonic LUMIX TZ50 also incorporates Panasonic's advanced Intelligent Auto (iA) mode consisting of seven intuitive technologies, all which are specifically designed to help make photo-taking enjoyable and easy. When in Advanced Intelligent Auto mode, the following technologies all operate automatically; the consumer does not need to change any settings:

  • Intelligent Exposure – Photos will no longer be under- or over-exposed. Instead, the TZ50 instantly analyze the framed image and adjusts 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 eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at the night. Incorporated into the built-in flash, the camera 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 change the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly.
  • 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 anywhere in the frame and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. Detecting up to 15 faces, Panasonic's Face Detection can even track a face if the subject is moving.
  • Continuous AF – The Continuous AF (auto focus) system maintains focus on the subject even without pressing a shutter button halfway, thus minimizing the AF time.

Once a user is in iA mode, these multi-capable functions happen automatically no adjustments or settings changes need to be made. Furthermore, the DMC-TZ50 boasts Intelligent LCD function, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, to offer a display with excellent clarity in any situation with the newly developed 460,000-dot high resolution in 3.0-inch LCD screen.

The TZ50 incorporates the Venus Engine IV, Panasonic's new high-performance image processing LSI. The Venus Engine IV produces higher-quality pictures than its predecessor, the Venus Engine III, by using a more advanced signal processing system. The new Venus Engine IV also improves noise reduction, elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effects in both MEGA O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO and reduces the shutter release time lag.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ50 will be available in silver in May 2008 for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $449.95.

* *35mm film camera equivalent: 28-280mm
** One year of complimentary, camera-specific T-Mobile HotSpot service begins from the first time you automatically connect your LUMIX digital camera to the T-Mobile network at a T-Mobile HotSpot location within the U.S, subject to certain limitations, terms and conditions. The complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot service does not include access to the Internet at other Wi-Fi roaming locations. This offer expires on August 31, 2009.

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 http://www.panasonic.com/dsc.

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Google, Picasa, and Picasa Web Albums are trademarks of Google Inc.

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