Pre-PMA 2008 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 digital camera
8.1-Megapixel LUMIX DMC-FS3 with 3x Optical Zoom f2.8 Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens Combines Simple Operation and Slim, Stylish Profile Featuring Intelligent Auto Mode
35mm film camera equivalent: 33-100mm
Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new 8.1-megapixel DMC-FS3 with
f2.8 Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with 3x optical zoom (equivalent to
33mm to 100 mm on a 35mm film camera) as part of the new Lumix FS
series. The new FS series is similar to the world-acclaimed FX series,
pursuing easy and simple operation with its high-grade profile for
users at every stage to enjoy taking beautiful pictures.
The new DMC-FS3 features iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, which comprises 5
shooting-assist functions; Mega O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control,
Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection and Quick AF functions. Mega
O.I.S. suppresses hand-shake and Intelligent ISO Control prevents
motion blur. The Intelligent Scene Selector sets the appropriate scene
mode by automatically selecting it from the most frequently used scene
modes, such as Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait and Night Scenery. The
Face Detection system detects a human face to set the focus and
appropriate exposure for it automatically. The Quick AF system allows
the camera to start focusing on the subject even without pressing the
shutter button halfway, to get the best results from every shooting
opportunity by minimizing the AF time. Once you enter iA mode, these
multi-capable functions happen automatically so you can shoot without
the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. You can
enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the
satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.
Panasonic’s own high performance image processor has newly entered its
fourth generation, to be reborn as Venus Engine IV assuring
higher-quality pictures with an advanced signal processing system. The
DMC-FS3 boasts a 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD with Intelligent LCD
function, this detects the lighting condition and controls the
brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, thus offering a display
with the most appropriate clarity in any situation. The slideshow
setting now comes equipped with a musical option, allowing users to
listen to music whilst viewing their images, giving emotional impact
when desired. The Easy Zoom feature shifts the lens instantly to full
zoom at the touch of a button. It also boasts an internal 50 MB memory
(approx.) giving users more flexibility when shooting.
With a metal finish the DMC-FS3 is slim and sleek. It takes a great
photo yet combines it with ease of operation. The DMC-FS3 will be
available in silver, black blue, pink and green*
*Availability of models and colours may vary depending on the sales area.
1. Newly Developed 3x Optical Zoom (33-100mm) Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens and 8.1-megapixel High Resolution CCD
The 8.1-megapixel DMC-FS3 comes with a 33mm* 3x optical zoom Leica DC
VARIO-ELMARIT lens with f2.8 brightness. Comprising six elements in
five groups, including three aspherical lenses with four aspherical
surfaces, this advanced lens unit complements the outstandingly slim
and compact body yet still passes Leica's stringent standards to
deliver an exceptional optical performance. Furthermore, in 3-megapixel
resolution mode, the extra optical zoom function provides additional
magnification, extending the zoom power to 4.8x by using the centre
part of the CCD.
The Easy Zoom** feature shifts the lens instantly to full 3x optical
zoom power at the touch of a button, and with a second touch, the zoom
ratio is further extended to 4.8x by activating the Extra Optical Zoom
function.
*35mm film camera equivalent: 33-100mm
**When the picture size is set to 3 megapixels or larger, the photo is
automatically resized to 3 megapixels. When the lens is shifted back to
the wide-end, the picture size is set to the original size
automatically. The original size is maintained for photos smaller than
3 megapixels.
2. Great Photography Is Not Only from Professional Photographers Anymore -- Intelligent Auto Mode
Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode to ensure ultimate
ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. The Mega O.I.S.
(Optical Image Stabilizer) compensates for possible hand-shake and the
Intelligent ISO Control detects and suppresses motion blur. As the
industry’s most advanced countermeasures against blurring, both image
stabilizing technologies have been further advanced in detection
accuracy and correction effect thanks to the new image-processing LSI,
Venus Engine IV.
in addition to these two key anti-blurring technologies Panasonic
continues pursuing the idea that anyone at any technical level of
photography should be able to take beautiful pictures with ease. This
is due to the introduction of Intelligent Auto Mode. Increasing the
number of scene modes is one thing and taking advantage of them is
another, and that’s where the Intelligent Scene Selector comes in. It
automatically sets the appropriate scene mode according to the picture
you are about to take. Most frequently used scene modes include
Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery and Night Portrait mode. The Face
Detection system helps the camera to recognize human faces and to focus
and set the exposure automatically. Up to 15 faces can be recognized
simultaneously. The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focusing
on the subject even without pressing the shutter button halfway, to get
the best results from every shooting opportunity by minimizing the AF
time.
These multi-capable functions happen automatically, so you can shoot
without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change
-- the powerful Intelligent Auto Mode does all the work for you. You
can enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the
satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.
3. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV
A new image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features more advanced
signal processing technology for rendering even higher-quality images.
Notably, dual noise reduction for luminance signal and chromatic signal
processing systems, a technology established by the preceding Venus
Engine III, gains a more sophisticated process. Firstly, the luminance
noise is two-dimensionally separated and only the low-frequency noise,
which tends to be noticeable, is eliminated without affecting the
high-frequency noise that greatly influences resolution. Secondly, the
information of the change point between colours is minutely stored for
precise determination of edges, thus colour bleeding is dramatically
suppressed. This not only produces a clearer image in high ISO
sensitivity recording, but also reproduces details in low-lit areas of
pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity.
The Venus Engine IV also enhances the detection accuracy and corrective
effect in both Mega O.I.S., which prevents hand-shake, and Intelligent
ISO Control, which suppresses motion blur.
Featured in the DMC-FS3, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus
Engine IV supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time
lag is as short as 0.00X second and the shutter interval is as short as
0.X second* despite high-resolution picture recording. The camera's
quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment
photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the DMC-FS3 can snap 3
shots per second at full resolution.** And in High-Speed Burst shooting
mode,*** it delivers an incredible 7 shots per second. You also get
unlimited consecutive shooting****, which lets you continue shooting
until the memory card is full.
The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the
DMC-FS3 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to
capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.*****
*Not including auto focusing time
**Max. 7 images in standard mode/ 4 images in fine mode.
*** In 2-megapixel(4:3), 2.5-megapixel(3:2), 2-megapixel(16:9) recording
****The consecutive shooting speed varies with the memory card, image
size, and image compression mode. The number of shots depends on the
memory card size, battery life, image size and image compression mode.
***** In 3-megapixel(4:3), 2.5-megapixel(3:2), 2-megapixel(16:9) recording
4. 2.5-inch Large, 230,000-dot High-resolution LCD for Easy Shooting and Playback
The DMC-FS3 boasts a large, 2.5-inch 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD
display for clear viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back
the results. The Intelligent LCD function detects the light condition
and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by max. 40% when shooting
outdoors in bright sunshine, and adjusts the frame rate when shooting
in low-lit situations in addition to using the pixel mixed readout
method to secure clarity in such situations. Detecting the lighting
condition precisely and automatically controlling the brightness with a
total of 11 fine steps, this function gives the display the most
appropriate clarity in any situation without using extra energy.
The High Angle mode makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when
the camera is held high, such as when shooting over a crowd.
5. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography
The Lumix camera offers a wide variety of options to expand the fun of
photography. The DMC-FS3 now provides slideshows complete with a
musical option. Just select the pictures you want to show and choose
the mood that best matches your selection from natural, slow, urban or
swing. You are then able to view your slideshow along with the chosen
music, giving it an emotional touch.
All Lumix cameras can take 1920x1080 pixel high-definition quality
photos that are ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen (16:9)
HDTV. Panasonic is focused on making photography more enjoyable and
accessible by letting people view their images easily on a Panasonic
Viera TV with internal SD card slot.
For the motion picture, the DMC-FS3 can record WVGA (848 x 480) motion
images at 30 frames per second in addition to standard VGA (640 x 480).
The WVGA motion picture also fits a wide-screen HDTV perfectly, to
offer extremely impressive viewing.
6. Other Features
The Panasonic DMC-FS3 features a variety of functions which expand
convenience and fun for users at every stage. The energy-efficient
Venus Engine IV imaging engine encourages the long battery life of
DMC-FS3 to shoot around 330 shots despite their large, bright LCD on a
single battery charge*.
With reference to design improvements all new Lumix cameras incorporate
a REC/PLAYBACK mode. This helps the photographer to instantly switch
between recording and playback modes, while always knowing which mode
the camera is in. The GUI (Graphic User Interface) has been modified to
look more futuristic in terms of design and colour while maintaining
the visibility of characters.
A total of 21 scene modes help you to take more beautiful pictures in a wide range of situations.
Another valuable function is the Title Edit* option, which allows text
to be input as additional information for the picture, for example,
names of children or pets, and travel places. This information can be
helpful when making a photo album, it can be stamped on photos with the
Text Stamp function whether you print them yourself or have a photo
shop do them. Around 50 MB of internal memory is built-in to back up
the SDHC/SD Memory Card recording and copying.
The major features mentioned above can be quickly understood with the newly installed slideshow program called Demo mode.
The DMC-FS3 is compatible with an optional marine case (DMW-MCFS5)
which allows users to shoot underwater while scuba diving, etc.
*Based on the CIPA standard.
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