News

Panasonic 12X Zooms with Image Stabilizer

Shutterbug Staff  |  Jul 22, 2004

Panasonic has introduced the first digital cameras to combine 12x optical zoom with an optical image stabilizer. Panasonic's three new 12x zoom are the DMC-FZ3 (3-Megapixel), DMC-FZ15 (4-Megapixel) and DMC-FZ20 (5-Megapixel). Each features a Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with 12x zoom (equivalent to a 35 - 420mm zoom lens on a conventional 35mm film camera) and F2.8 brightness throughout the entire zoom range. Panasonic's MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer automatically detects and optically compensates for hand movement by shifting internal lens elements, enabling the user to capture crisp, clear, distortion-free ultra-telephoto or macro shots of distant or moving subjects, even in low lighting conditions.

These cameras also feature an extra-low dispersion (ED) lens to minimize color aberration (color bleeding) -- a common problem in high-magnification / large aperture lenses. ED lenses are typically exchangeable lenses designed for single-lens reflex cameras and high-end, professional cameras.

Panasonic has also improved its innovative Venus Engine LSI, the "brain" of the camera that converts the optical data into digital information. The new Venus 2 Engine LSI handles all image processing functions simultaneously -- from displaying the image on the LCD to writing data to the memory card -- as soon as the CCD captures the image signal. This simultaneous, parallel processing results in a quick start-up, increased shutter speed and reduced lag time. The improved LSI also allows faster consecutive shooting than its predecessor. If desired, the camera will keep shooting until the memory card is full.

All three cameras also include a host of sophisticated features such as MEGA BURST consecutive shooting mode, real-time histogram, auto bracketing, color viewfinder and more.

Contact: www.panasonic.com.

X