PANASONIC INTRODUCES THE LUMIX FZ200, A NEW SUPER-ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA WITH FULL RANGE F2.8 APERTURE AND 24x OPTICAL ZOOM

The New LUMIX FZ200 Features High Speed Response and Shoots Full-HD Video

July 18, 2012 (Secaucus, NJ) – Panasonic today announced the LUMIX DMC-FZ200 which features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra-wide angle lens with a 24x powerful optical zoom(35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm) and achieves full range F2.8 aperture.  The newest addition to the LUMIX FZ-series of digital cameras, the LUMIX FZ200 is the first digital compact camera*1 to offer full range F2.8 aperture at 600mm, making it possible to capture moving subjects clearly with fast shutter speed, even from a distance. 

A newly developed 12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor and high performance image processing LSI Venus Engine provide the LUMIX FZ200 with high speed response, high sensitivity recording and superb image quality.  Light Speed AF (auto focus) combines with the LUMIX FZ200’s ability to capture high speed burst shooting at 12 fps (frames per second) in full resolution and a quick start-up time of approximately .95 seconds, so users never miss even the most fleeting shooting opportunities.  Furthermore, High Speed Video enables users to record fast-moving subjects at 120 fps (NTSC/HD)*2 or 240 fps (NTSC/VGA)*2.

“Panasonic continues to strive to meet the photography demands of its consumers by providing unique features and advanced technology in all our LUMIX digital cameras,” said Marc Sorkin, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. “With the 24x Optical Zoom and full range F2.8 aperture, the FZ200 is a versatile, powerful camera that provides users with endless options to take creative and high-quality images and videos.”

The LUMIX FZ200’s powerful 24x optical zoom can be increased to 48x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function, and takes advantage of Intelligent Resolution technology to maintain picture quality.  The camera’s POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) provides improved correction accuracy to minimize blur, even when zoomed, and Active Mode effectively suppresses handshake vibration in both still picture and video recording.  Plus, Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology minimizes light reflection at the entire zoom range (380nm-780nm) resulting in super clear picture with a dramatic reduction of ghost and flare.

A newly developed 0.2-inch EVF (Electronic View Finder) features a 1,312,000-dot equivalent high resolution, 100% field of view and minimum screen freeze.  The LUMIX FZ200’s body has been designed as a full-fledged shooting style digital compact camera with ultimate controllability.  The side lever has been redesigned in the stroke and locating position, smoothing zoom functions.  Focus can also be easily changed with this lever, allowing users to concentrate on shutter operation and get the perfect photographic moment.

The LUMIX FZ200’s Creative Control mode features 14 filter options including the newly added Soft Focus*3, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, One Point Color, Cross Process, Low Key, Toy Effect and Star Filter*3 in addition to the conventional Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia, High Dynamic and Miniature Effect*4 modes.  Photo Style is also available and allows users to create more artistic photographs with Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait and Custom options.  With iA (Intelligent Auto) Plus, users can take advantage of popular iA functions – POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode, AF Tracking, Intelligent D-range Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Recognition, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Handheld Night Shot, Intelligent HDR and Motion Deblur*5 – in addition to adjusting exposure compensation, white balance and defocusing background areas for more flexible shooting control.  For advanced photography users, the LUMIX FZ200 offers manual control mode, allowing users to enjoy a more creative photography experience.   

The LUMIX FZ200 is able to produce not only stunning photos but also stunning full-HD in 1,920x1,080 60p videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4) and MP4*6 formats.  The powerful 24x optical zoom with 2-step zoom and POWER O.I.S. is available in video recording and high-quality Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator offers highly realistic, powerful sound for videos.  The stereo zoom microphone features a zoom noise reduction system and an Auto Wind Cut function to reduce background noise from wind.  Additionally, Active Mode encourages active video recording at wide angle and the popular iA mode allows users to easily create motion images by simple pointing and hitting the record button.  Creative Video mode allows users to set the shutter speed and aperture manually to bring special effects to videos, shoot fast moving objects and shoot subjects at various distances. 

Additional Features of the LUMIX FZ200 include:

• RAW and RAW+JPEG data recording option
• 3.0-inch, free-angle 460,000-dot Intelligent LCD screen with AR Coating and wide viewing angle ensures comfortable monitoring in various shooting positions.
• Long battery life of approximately 540 pictures per charge.
• Hot Shoe provides more advanced creative freedom, allowing for various accessory attachment including and optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1), external flash (DMW-FL220/FL360/FL500) or remote shutter (DMW-RSL1). 
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode
• Panorama Shot mode
• 3D Photo mode

Pricing and availability for the LUMIX DMC-FZ200 will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping.  For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

PANASONIC INTRODUCES THE LUMIX FZ60, NEW SUPER-ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA EQUIPPED WITH 24X OPTICAL ZOOM LENS

The New FZ60 Features High Speed Response and Excels in Full-HD Video Recording

July 18, 2012 (Secaucus, NJ) – Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new LUMIX DMC-FZ60, the latest in the popular FZ series, which packs a powerful optical zoom and superior controllability including manual operation over both photo and full-HD video recording.

The LUMIX FZ60 is equipped with a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra wide-angle lens with a 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm), allowing for flawless shooting of dynamic landscapes or indoor group portraits.  With the camera’s Intelligent Zoom function, zoom can be increased to 48x equivalent while Intelligent Resolution technology maintains picture quality. Nano Surface Coating technology, is dramatically minimizes light reflection for the entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) by applying the extra-low refractive index coating with nano-sized structure on the surface of the lens resulting in super clear picture with dramatic reduction of ghost and flare.  Compared of 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, the LUMIX FZ60’s advanced lens system fits within an outstandingly compact body while delivering exceptional optical performance and suppressing distortion at the wide-end and color bleeding at the tele-end.

The LUMIX FZ60’s newly developed 16.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor combined with the high performance image processing LSI Venus Engine results in elevated response, sensitivity and image quality.  Integrating high-speed digital signal output technology, the LUMIX FZ60 shoots 10 fps (frames per second) in 16.1-megapixel full resolution*1 with mechanical shutter and 5 fps with continuous AF.  Combined with its quick start-up time of approximately 0.9 seconds, the LUMIX FZ60 is able to capture even the most fleeting shooting opportunities. 

“The new LUMIX FZ60 is a powerful, super-zoom camera which boasts extremely fast speed, and stellar image quality,” said Marc Sorkin, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America.  “The high energy efficiency of the camera’s Venus Engine extends the LUMIX FZ60’s battery life by about 12% as compared to its predecessor, the FZ45, making it possible to shoot 450 images per single charge making it an ideal companion for field shooting.”

The LUMIX FZ60 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful high-resolution full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60i (NTSC, sensor output 30p) videos in AVCHD (MPEG-4 / H.264) format or 30p in MP4.  A special, separate button on the top of the camera body allows the user to instantly start recording videos while shooting photos without having to change any settings.

The powerful 24x optical zoom with POWER O.I.S. is available in video recording and Active Mode encourages recording at a wide angle such as shooting while walking, without causing deterioration of image quality.  The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in video recording and Creative Video mode lets the user set the shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive videos. The high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator offers highly realistic sound to accompany the motion images. The stereo microphone comes with zoom noise reduction system and the Auto Wind Cut function blocks out most of the noise from background wind.

The LUMIX FZ60 incorporates Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of missed shots.  A comprehensive integration of POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode, AF Tracking, Face Recognition, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent D-range Control, Intelligent Handheld Night Shot, Intelligent HDR(High Dynamic Range) and Motion Deblur*2 functions, iA mode lets the camera do all the work, leaving the user free to compose shots, aim and shoot subjects.  Additionally,  iA Plus mode is newly enhanced to enable defocus control, exposure compensation and white balance adjustment using iA mode.

While offering a convenient shooting-assist function such as iA / iA Plus, the LUMIX FZ60 is capable of full manual control for users a step beyond the beginner stage who enjoy more creative photography. With its P/A/S/M mode, users can enjoy creative shooting, expressing themselves not only in photos but also in video.

The popular Creative Control mode has been upgraded, adding eight new filter options including Soft Focus*3, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, One Point Color, Cross Process, Low Key, Toy Effect and Star Filter*3 in addition to the conventional Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia, High Dynamic, Miniature Effect*4 modes .

Additional features of the LUMIX FZ60 include:

• 3.0-inch, 460,000-dot Wide Viewing Angle Intelligent LCD screen
• HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode
• Panorama Shot mode
• 3D Photo mode
• Optional Accessories including Tele Conversion Lens, Close-up Lens, Lens Adaptor, ND Filter, PL Filter, MC Protector, Battery Pack, Soft Case, Camera Bag, etc

Pricing and availability for the LUMIX DMC-FZ60 will be announced 30 days prior to shipping.  For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras and lenses, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.