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Panasonic announce two new digital Lumix cameras
Dennis Hissink : August 6th 2003 - 00:32 CET
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 Panasonic, the first consumer electronics company to feature world-renowned Leica lenses in its digital still cameras and camcorders, announces the expansion of its celebrated Lumixä digital camera line with four new models, including the first consumer digital still camera with 12x optical zoom (model DMC-FZ1), and a new, super-compact 3.2 mega pixel point-and-shoot camera in striking fashion colors (model DMC-F1.) Representing the perfect balance of art and science, Panasonic’s Lumix cameras seamlessly integrate superlative Leica optics with unsurpassed digital electronics technology, allowing users to experience a new level of artistic expression while exploring a host of creative applications made possible by digital technology.
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The Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens provides the superb rendering and expressive depth that has made the Leica name a legend in its own time. Responsive and precise, Lumix cameras capture consecutive shots nearly as quickly as a motor-driven film camera.
The 2003 Lumix camera line incorporates several advanced, new features, including quicker start-up, shutter and focusing speeds that shatter the conventional myth about digital cameras. A new Venus LSI high speed image processing system delivers both superb image rendering and unmatched processing speed.
To capture sudden events as they unfold, Panasonic’s exclusive MEGA BURST™ recording feature enables consecutive shooting with lightning speed, producing undiminished quality from frame to frame. Also found throughout the new Lumix line is an improved, cradle-type battery recharging system enables users to charge a spare battery while using the camera.
Featuring built-in USB ports1 and SD Memory Card slots, the four new Lumix digital cameras also offer consumers networking versatility with PCs and a wide variety of compatible SD-enabled devices.
The exciting new DMC-FZ1 is the first consumer digital still camera to feature 12x optical zoom (equivalent to a 35 – 420mm zoom lens on a conventional 35mm film camera), and features F2.8 brightness throughout the entire zoom range. From action shots to sweeping vistas to close-up portraits, this high-performance, responsive camera allows the user to capture professional-looking images with dynamic realism.
Panasonic’s Mega Optical Image Stabilizer helps prevent jitter even when zooming in to extreme close-ups. A gyro sensor detects even tiny amounts of hand shake and integrally links the lens control to camera movement.
This user-friendly camera is targeted to entry-level users of single-lens reflex cameras and active families who enjoy recording all of life’s memories. Its superb telephoto features make this camera ideal for outdoor and sports enthusiasts, as well.
The DMC-FZ1 features 2 mega pixel resolution, a special panning mode, QuickTimeâ motion image recording with audio, and an included lens hood to diminish flare and ghosting when photographing extremely bright scenes.
Compact and lightweight, models DMC-LC43 and DMC-LC33 are ready to capture sudden photo opportunities at a moment’s notice. With their superior image rendering, these models are great for both casual everyday shots and artistically expressive shots ¾ and everything in between.
The DMC-LC43 boasts a CCD with an effective pixel count of 4.0 mega pixels; and the DMC-LC33 has an effective pixel count of 3.2 mega pixels. Each offers a 3x optical zoom and Panasonic’s high-performance Venus Engine LSI.
Conventional LSI systems generate a luminance signal using only the green component of the image captured by the primary color CCD. Panasonic’s new Venus Engine LSI improves on this by generating a signal from all three color components ¾ red, green, and blue ¾ resulting in a 50% improvement in diagonal resolution compared with previous Lumix models. The LSI handles image processing, displaying the image on the LCD, and writing data to the memory card, all simultaneously, as soon as the CCD captures the image signal.
The new DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens system comprises 7 elements in six groups, including three aspherical lenses. Comparable to a 35 - 105mm lens on a 35mm camera, this lens is small and lightweight yet achieves the fine rendering and vivid color reproducibility for which Leica lenses are renowned.
For fashionable fun any time, Panasonic presents the super compact DMC-F1. This outstanding, stylish camera features an all-aluminum alloy body, available in black and silver.
The DMC-F1 features a F2.8 Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens system with seven elements in six groups, including three aspherical lenses; 1.25” 3.2 mega pixel CCD; 3x optical/2x digital zoom*; QuickTimeâ motion image recording with audio and MEGA BURST recording.
Included with each Lumix camera is an SD Memory Card, for quick, easy downloading2 and exchange of images, plus ArcSoftä photo editing software3. |
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