10.1-Megapixel LUMIX DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 with 30mm Wide-Angle 4x Optical Zoom Leica DC Lens* Combines Simple Operation and Slim, Stylish Profile Featuring Intelligent Auto Mode
*35mm film camera equivalent: 30-120mm
Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new 10.1-megapixel DMC-FS20 and
DMC-FS5 cameras with 30mm wide angle Leica DC lens and 4x optical zoom
(equivalent to 30mm to 120 mm on a 35mm film camera) as part of the new
Lumix FS series. The 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. Despite
its remarkably compact and slim body, the stylish DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5
boast a 30mm wide-angle Leica DC lens which captures the subject and
the wider scene at the same standpoint as the normal 35mm camera does.
The DMC-FS20 incorporates a large 3-inch LCD screen whereas the DMC-FS5
sports a compact 2.5-inch LCD screen. Both have 230,000-dot high
resolution and Intelligent LCD function, which 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 DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 feature the 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
Easy Zoom feature shifts the lens instantly to full zoom at the touch
of a button. 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 DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 also
boast an internal 50 MB memory (approx.) giving users more flexibility
when shooting.
With a metal finish, the DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 are both sleek and
stylish. Offering the ability to take great snapshots with committed
ease of operation, even for beginners. The DMC-FS20 will be available
in silver and black, and the DMC-FS5 in silver, black and red*
*Availability of models and colours may vary depending on the sales area.
Newly Developed 30mm Wide Angle 4x Optical Zoom (30-120mm) Leica DC
VARIO-ELMAR Lens and 1/2.33-inch 10.1-megapixel High Resolution CCD
The 10.1-megapixel DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 come with a 30mm wide-angle*
Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 4x optical zoom complementing the slim
and compact body of the camera. Comprising seven elements in six
groups, including three aspherical lenses with four aspherical
surfaces, this advanced lens unit fits well with the outstandingly slim
and compact body yet passes Leica's stringent standards to deliver an
exceptional optical performance. Further, in 3-megapixel resolution
mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional
magnification, extending the zoom power to 7.1x by using the centre
part of the CCD.
The Easy Zoom** feature shifts the lens instantly to full 4x optical
zoom power at a touch of a button, and with a second touch, the zoom
ratio is further extended to 7.1x by activating the Extra Optical Zoom
function.
*35mm film camera equivalent: 30-120mm
**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.
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 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 to reinforce the idea that anyone at any technical level of
photography should be able to take beautiful pictures with ease..
Increasing the number of scene modes is one thing and taking advantage
of them is another, this is 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 continue
focusing on the subject without pressing the shutter button halfway,
giving 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.
High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV
The 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-FS20 and the DMC-FS5, the multi-task
image-processor, the 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 sec* 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-FS20 and DMC-FS5 can snap 2.5 shots per second
at full resolution.** And in High-Speed Burst shooting mode,*** it
delivers an incredible 6 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-FS20 and DMC-FS5 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. 5 images in standard mode/ 3 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
Advanced 3-inch (FS20) / 2.5-inch (FS5) Large Intelligent LCD with 230,000-dot High Resolution for Easy Shooting and Playback
The DMC-FS20 boasts a large, easy-to-see, 3-inch (2.5-inch for DMC-FS5)
230,000-dot high-resolution LCD screen 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 a maximum of 40 percent when shooting outdoors in
bright sunshine. It also 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.
Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography
The Lumix camera further offers a wide variety of options to expand the fun of photography.
Both DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 now provide 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-FS20 and DMC-FS5 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.
Other Features
The Panasonic DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 feature 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 the DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 to shoot around 280 (FS20) /
300 (FS5) shots despite their large, bright LCDs on a single battery
charge*.
With reference to design improvements, all new Lumix cameras
incorporate a REC/PLAYBACK mode switch. 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 20 (FS20) / 21 (FS5) 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, as well
as dates, which can be helpful when making a photo album, can be
stamped on photos with the Text Stamp function whether you print them
yourself at home 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-FS5 is compatible with an optional marine case (DMW-MCFS5) with
which users can shoot underwater while scuba diving, etc.
*Based on the CIPA standard.
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