Panasonic's new Lumix features ultra-wide-angle lens

Reuben Lee | Jan 30, 2008

One of the cameras that caught our attention at the recent Panasonic product launch in Las Vegas is the FX36 (also known as the FX35 in the US). Not only does it feature 720p High-Definition (HD) video recording and optional component video output, it also comes equipped with a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens.

As its name suggests, wide-angle lenses generally allow a camera to capture a wider angle of view. However, most compact cameras in the market today feature up to only 28mm wide-angle lenses. The FX36 is possibly one of the first ultracompact cameras fitted with a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens, allowing it to shoot almost twice as much as a standard 35mm camera. According to a Panasonic spokesperson, the installation of the 25mm lens in a slim body is possible due to a new Panasonic lens technology.

The 10.1-megapixel FX36 also comes with Panasonic's Intelligent Auto mode, Digital Red Eye Correction (corrects red-eye problems), Intelligent Exposure (automatically brightens dark areas in an image) and Intelligent LCD function (automatically adjusts the screen brightness according to light conditions). It is powered by the new Venus Engine IV image processor which boasts an improvement in noise reduction. Asian availability date or price was set for the FX36 at press time.

Filed under: Digital Cameras
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