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Panasonic's 2006 imaging lineup




Digital cameras
With Panasonic aiming to double its global market share to 8 million this year, comprising 10 percent of the digital still camera market, six appeared to be the magic number at the launch. Not all were simply upgrades. Featured at the Sydney event was the brand new DMC-TZ1, a camera which Panasonic is targeting at the huge travelers' market, and which lays claim to being the smallest shooter available with a 10x optical zoom.

In hand, the 6-megapixel TZ1 felt solid and compact. When put to use during our day-long trial, it proved to be simple to operate and as speedy as it claimed, thanks to the new Venus Engine III image processing LSI and its adoption of a Linear autofocus system to boost AF response time. True to its vacation camera label, onboard are a world time mode tied in with a travel date setting, a new calendar display feature that groups images under days so a trip can be more easily followed, and 18 scene modes covering just about every shooting situation, including Beach and Underwater.

The DMC-FX01 added an unexpected twist to the anticipated naming convention for the FX range. What the 6-megapixel shooter also brought to the table which was new to the series was its ability to snap 16:9 wide aspect images equivalent to that of a film camera's 28mm lens.

Other notable highlights that Panasonic talked about included a new dual image stabilization system which utilizes the company's MEGA O.I.S to compensate for hand shake, and a High Sensitivity mode for shooting up to ISO 1600 which deals with subject movement. The company also claimed it was first to market with a High Angle LCD function that makes it easy to view the display when shooting from a high angle position.

Besides showcasing the megazoom FZ7, DMC-LZ3 and DMC-LZ5, the Japanese vendor also unveiled the DMC-LS2 which is now being powered by off-the-shelf AA batteries. More details for all six cameras can be found in the table below.

Model Names
Availability
Category
Features


Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1
(new series for travelers)
March/April 2006

Super Zoom Line
6-megapixel CCD; 5-megapixel image capture resolution; 10x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD monitor; captures images in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio; MEGA O.I.S.; PictBridge; 13.4MB of built-in memory; SD card slot; Venus Engine III LSI; High Sensitivity mode for shooting at ISO 1600; claimed industry-leading 0.95 sec startup time; Extra Optical Zoom for 12.5x in 3-megapixel resolution; industry-first High Angle and Power LCD modes; claimed industry-leading high-speed AF response time; Lithium-ion rechargeable battery; 112 x 58.1 x 40.2mm; 262g.
March/April 2006

Super Zoom Line
6-megapixel CCD; 12x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD monitor; electronic viewfinder; MEGA O.I.S.; PictBridge; SD card slot; Venus Engine II; 710mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable battery; 112.5 x 72.2 x 79mm; 310g.
What's new: Industry-first High Angle LCD function; joystick; High Sensitivity mode for shooting at ISO 1600; claimed industry-leading release time lag of 0.008 secs and shutter interval of about 0.5 secs; Extra Optical Zoom for 16.5x at 3-megapixel resolution; 1-point high-speed AF mode; enhanced 16 scene modes including Baby.
March/April 2006

Stylish Compact Line
6-megapixel CCD; 3.6x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD monitor; MEGA O.I.S.; PictBridge; SD card slot; Lithium-ion rechargeable battery; Venus Engine Plus LSI; 94.1 x 51.1 x 24.2mm; 160g.
What's new: 28mm wide-angle lens; High Sensitivity mode for shooting at ISO 1600; Extra Optical Zoom for 5x at 3-megapixel resolution; 1-point high-speed AF mode; High Angle LCD mode; Power LCD; Calendar display mode; two new scene modes Baby and Underwater.
March/April 2006

Standard Line
5-megapixel CCD; 3x optical zoom; 2-inch LCD monitor; 14MB built-in memory; MEGA O.I.S.; PictBridge; SD card slot; Venus Engine Plus LSI; PictBridge; 110 x 53.5 x 30.9mm; 186g.
What's new: Industry-first High Angle LCD function; two AA batteries; 1-point high-speed AF mode; five new scene modes including Baby; Extra Optical Zoom for 3.8x at 3-megapixel resolution.
March/April 2006

Standard Line
5-megapixel CCD; 6x optical zoom; 2-inch LCD monitor; MEGA O.I.S.; PictBridge; SD card slot; 14MB built-in memory; Venus Engine Plus LS1; two AA batteries; 100 x 62 x 45mm; 183g.
What's new: 1-point high-speed AF mode; AF assist lamp; six new scene modes including High Sensitivity mode for ISO 1600 shooting; Extra Optical Zoom for 7.5x at 3-megapixel resolution.
March/April 2006

Standard Line
6-megapixel CCD; 6x optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD monitor; MEGA O.I.S.; PictBridge; SD card slot; 14MB built-in memory; two AA batteries; Venus Plus Engine LS1; 100 x 62 x 45mm; 186g.
What's new: 1-point high-speed AF options; AF assist lamp; six new scene modes including High Sensitivity mode for ISO 1600 shooting; Extra Optical Zoom for 8.3x at 3-megapixel resolution.

 

 
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