Panasonic introduces Two New, High Performance, Compact Digital Cameras with 5x Optical Zoom Leica DC Lens and Manual Operation
Panasonic introduces the new LUMIX 10.1-megapixel DMC-LZ10 with 30mm wide angle (35 mm equivalent: 30-150mm) and the DMC-LZ8 with 32mm (35 mm equivalent: 32-160mm) 5x optical zoom Leica DC lens, combining excellent optical performance with compactness.
The CCD has been upgraded to 10.1-megapixel (DMC-LZ10) and
8.1-megapixel (DMC-LZ8) high resolution, whilst the newly adopted
manual control over aperture and shutter speed lets the user enjoy
creative photography. The high-performance image-processing LSI has now
entered its fourth generation with the Venus Engine IV, assuring
higher-quality pictures with an advanced signal processing system.
The DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 feature iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, comprising
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, Macro, Night Portrait and Night
Scenery, whilst the Face Detection system detects a human face and
automatically sets the focus and exposure for the best possible
picture. The Quick AF system allows the camera to detect and start
focusing on the subject even without pressing the shutter button
halfway, ensuring you 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, allowing
you to enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the
satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.
The DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 boast a 230,000 pixel high-resolution LCD with
Intelligent LCD function, which detects the lighting condition and
controls the brightness level of the display, giving you the best
possible picture in any shooting condition.
The slim and compact DMC-LZ8 is available in black, while the LZ10 is
available in silver and black with a sophisticated metal-finished front
panel* now offer a music effect feature on slideshows of captured
images so you can enjoy watching or showing your pictures with music
that complements the slideshow.
The DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 offer the best solution for photographers who
enjoy taking beautiful pictures successfully or for those who would
like to experience creative photography.
Advanced lens unit delivers an exceptional optical performance
The 10.1-megapixel DMC-LZ10 is equipped with a 30mm* wide-angle Leica
DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, whilst the 8.1-megapixel DMC-LZ8 comes with a
32mm* Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, Both feature a 5x optical zoom.
Comprising seven elements in six groups, including three aspherical
lenses with four aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit achieves
an outstanding slimness yet 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 8.9x (LZ10) or 8.0x (LZ8) by
using the center part of the CCD.
The Easy Zoom feature shifts the lens instantly to full 5x optical zoom
power at the touch of a dedicated button, and with a second touch, the
zoom ratio is further extended to 8.9x (LZ10) or 8.0x (LZ8) by
activating the Extra Optical Zoom function*.
In addition, the newly adopted iris diaphragm allows the camera to have a manual control.
*35mm film camera equivalent: 30-150mm(LZ10), 32-160mm (LZ8)
*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.
1. Great Photography with Intelligent Auto Mode
Panasonic incorporated the iA(Intelligent Auto) mode into its compact
cameras in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction
of misshots. Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) to compensate for
hand-shake and Intelligent ISO Control to detect and suppress motion
blur are built into all Lumix cameras, 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 pursue the idea that anyone at any technical level of
photography should be able to take beautiful pictures with ease, by
incorporating the Intelligent Auto mode. Increasing the number of scene
modes is one thing, but 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 scene you’re going to take
from among the most frequently used scene modes, such as Portrait,
Scenery, Macro, 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, so that
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
The DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 feature a new image-processing LSI, Venus
Engine IV, with advanced signal processing technology which produces
even higher-quality images. Parallel noise reduction in both luminance
signal and chromatic signal processing systems, a technology
established by the preceding Venus Engine III, gains a more
sophisticated process. First, the luminance noise is two-dimensionally
separated into high-frequency and low-frequency noises and only the
low-frequency noise, which tends to be conspicuous, is eliminated
without affecting the high-frequency noise that greatly influences
resolution. Second, 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 faithfully reproduces
details in low-lit areas of pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity.
The Venus Engine IV also elevates the detection accuracy and corrective
effect in both Mega O.I.S., which prevents hand-shake, and Intelligent
ISO Control, which suppresses motion blur.
The multi-task image-processing engine, Venus Engine IV also supports a
super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as
0.005 seconds and the camera's quick response makes it easier to
capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst
shooting mode, the DMC-LZ10 and LZ8 can snap 2.5 shots per second at
full resolution,** whilst in High-Speed Burst shooting mode,*** it
fires off an incredible 5 (LZ10) / 5.5 (LZ8) shots per second. You also
get unlimited consecutive shooting,**** which lets you keep shooting
until the memory card is full.
In addition, the Venus Engine IV supports a new High Sensitivity mode
that lets the DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 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 (LZ10) / 7 (LZ8) images in standard mode, 3 (LZ10) / 4 (LZ8) 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
Operational Ease
The DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 have adopted a manual control function, which
is normally found on high end models, which allows users to set
aperture and shutter speed manually.; A-aperture priority, S-shutter
speed priority and M-manual. Together with the powerful 5x optical
zoom, this function helps the photographer take more creative control.
Another additional function that broadens the fun of photography is an
Advanced Scene Mode that provides the users with more control over some
frequently-used scene modes; Portrait, Sports, Landscape and Night
portrait. For example select the Portrait or Sports mode and you’ll
then be given further options to define whether it is in outdoor or
indoor. Select Landscape mode and you’ll have options to specify if
you’re going to take nature or architecture. Alternatively, you can
simply select the original mode or select Creative mode which adds
manual controls over an aperture or a shutter speed to the optimized
setting of the mode.
High-resolution LCD for Easy Shooting and Playback
The DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 incorporate an easy-to-see, 2.5-inch 230,000
pixel high-resolution LCD for comfortable viewing when monitoring shots
or 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. Detecting the lighting
condition precisely and automatically controlling the brightness with a
total of 12 steps, this function gives the display the most appropriate
clarity in any situation without using extra energy.
These two cameras also feature the High Angle mode makes the LCD screen
extremely easy to view from below, for example, when holding the camera
up high to take pictures over a crowd.
Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography
Lumix cameras offer a wide variety of options to expand fun of
photography. Both the DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 provide slideshows complete
with music. Simply select the pictures you want to show and choose the
music that best matches your selection from natural, slow, urban or
swing.
All Lumix cameras can take 1920x1080 pixel high-definition quality
photos that are ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen (16:9)
Panasonic Viera TV with internal SD card slot.
The DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 can also record WVGA (848 x 480) motion
pictures at 30 frames per second in addition to standard VGA (640 x
480). The WVGA motion picture also fits a wide-screen (16:9) Panasonic
Viera TV perfectly, offering impressive viewing.
Other Features
The DMC-LZ10 and LZ8 run on AA batteries,, and you are able to shoot
160 and 180 images respectively with the included Alkaline batteries,
or 460(LZ10) /470(LZ8) images with optional Ni-MH rechargeable
batteries (2600mAh)*.
All new Lumix cameras incorporate a REC/PLAYBACK mode switch. This
helps the photographer to instantly switch between recording and
playback modes. The GUI (Graphic User Interface) has been upgraded to
look more futuristic in terms of design and colour while maintaining
the visibility of characters.
Also interesting is the Title Edit* function, which allows text to be
input as additional information on the picture, for example, names of
children or pets, or holidays. This information, can be stamped on
photos with the Text Stamp function and can be useful when making a
photo album. A total of 18 scene modes and Advanced Scene Mode help you
to take more beautiful pictures in a wide range of situations.
Around 20 MB of internal memory is built-in to back up the SDHC/SD
Memory Card recording and copying. A newly added speaker lets you enjoy
the slide show with music or a motion picture with voice on the high
resolution LCD of the camera. All the major features mentioned above
can be easily and quickly understood with the newly installed slideshow
programme, Demo mode.
*Based on the CIPA standard.
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