Panasonic’s New Handy Compact Cameras - DMC-LX5, FZ100, FZ40, FT10, FX700 and FX75

[Zeus]

Singapore, 18 August 2010 – Panasonic today announced the addition of six new models to its highly popular range of LUMIX cameras – the DMC-LX5, FZ100, FZ40, FT10, FX700 and FX75 – all expected to be available in Singapore from mid-September 2010. With the new variety of Panasonic hybrid digital cameras to choose from, and at prices ranging from S$399 to S$899, there’s a model for
everyone.

Panasonic is proud to unveil the long-awaited DMC-LX5; a successor to the DMC-LX3, which when launched two years ago produced a new category in the digital camera market – the premium compact digital cameras, widely embraced by consumers everywhere. Panasonic’s new DMC-LX5 features a fully re-designed lens, CCD, image processing engine, and other improvements and upgrades including: a high-sensitivity CCD that boasts enhanced light reception and an LSI with ultrahigh resolution technology; a newly developed super bright F2.0 ultra-wide-angle 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens that minimizes distortion for stunning, true-to-life images with outstanding resolution and detail; and a 24mm wide angle that enables the DMC-LX5 to be even more versatile, offering an exceptionally large viewing space and an optical zoom that can be extended up to 3.8x (90mm).

From LUMIX’s popular FZ series, Panasonic’s new DMC-FZ100 is a top-of-the-line camera that packs a
powerful optical zoom for maximum versatility – thanks to the newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens that extends the unit’s optical zoom range from 27mm to 25mm and the zoom power from 18x to 24x. New creative options, including manual operation, as well as a full HD photo and movie recording capability, are also made possible by embedding a new image processing LSI, the Venus Engine FHD. The Sonic Speed AF in the FZ100 also boasts the industry’s fastest high-speed response time. It also features a new jog dial and a new focus switch on the lens barrel, elevating the
unit’s operability to an even higher level.

Geared for active outdoor use, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FT10 comes with a superbly flat and slim
profile. Adopting the folded optics for its 4x optical zoom lens, the new 14.1 megapixel FT10 is dustproof, waterproof up to 3m, shockproof to 1.5m, and freezeproof to -10 degrees Celsius. The high performance FT10 excels with its powerful battery life, which lasts as long as 300 pictures in a single charge despite its slim, compact body.

From the slim and stylish FX series, Panasonic’s new DMC-FX700 is a hybrid camera that records high
quality 1920X1080 full HD movies in AVCHD. To realize high speed and accurate image processing, Panasonic has re-engineered both the image sensor and the image processing LSI, which have been embedded in this model. The new 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor achieves high speed consecutive shooting and full HD movie recording with high resolution and high sensitivity.

KEY FEATURES OF THE NEWLY-LAUNCHED PANASONIC CAMERAS
Aim for more versatility with the DMC-LX5

• Super Bright 24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle High Quality Leica DC Vario-Summicron Lens – The super bright, high quality lens is redesigned for an extension of the optical zoom from LX3’s 2.5x(60mm) to 3.8x(90mm), making the LX5 more versatile for snapshots, including portraits. This advanced lens also makes it easy to produce beautiful photos with pleasing soft-focused background thanks to the shallow depth of field provided by the extra light.
• Venus Engine FHD – For the image processing LSI, newly developed Venus Engine FHD is equipped within the DMC-LX5 enabling even higher speed, higher performance while compiling the Intelligent Resolution technology. It enables the recording of beautiful photo and high-definition movie with higher quality signal processing.
• Better operability – The LX5 has been redesigned externally, enhancing its operability. The new gently formed grip provides easier handling even in active shooting style. The hot shoe is newly added for attachment of the optional Live View Finder. The newly adopted jog dial enhances the operability for quick setting changes and the dedicated playback button lets the user play back
  the images and return to the shooting menu in a split second.

Unlimited expression with the FZ100

• 25mm Ultra-Wide-Angle Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens – Comprising 14 elements in 10 groups,including 3 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly compact body while passing Leica’s stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance suppressing distortion at wide end and color bleeding at tele-end.
• 14.1 Megapixel MOS Sensor – To realize the 1920x1080 full HD movie recording with high image quality, the new 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor is developed for the FZ100. For the effective concentration of light, the newly developed sensor adopts microfabrication technology to achieve even higher sensitivity. With an advanced micro light tube structure, both color mixture and signal loss are prevented.
• 1920X1080 60i Full HD Movie Recording in the AVCHD format – The FZ100 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful full-HD movies. In addition to Motion JPEG images, the FZ100 can record high-resolution full-HD movies. The AVCHD format features almost twice the recording time in HD quality than the conventional Motion JPEGand excels in compatibility with AV equipment like HDTVs or Blu-ray players.
• Venus Engine FHD – The new Venus Engine FHD features exceptionally advanced signal processing capabilities. By separating chromatic noise from luminance noise and applying the optimal noise reduction to each, you can capture clear and beautiful images even when shooting at high ISO sensitivity levels.

• Intuitive Manual Control – The excellent manual controllability is an advantage with the FZ100, making it stand out among standard compact cameras. The newly adopted jog dial enhances the operability, together with the focus switch relocated on the lens barrel. The newly added hot shoe allows attachment of various accessories including an optional stereo microphone or an optional
  external flash.
• Advanced iA Mode for Photo & Movie – The FZ100 has advanced functions that will satisfy
  experienced photographers, yet is easy enough for beginners to use comfortably. The Intelligent
  Scene Selector automatically selects whichever of six scene modes – Macro, Portrait, Scenery,
  Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset – that best suits the shooting situation.

Get great pictures even in the toughest terrains with the FT10

• Venus Engine IV – The image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features advanced signal processing technology for rendering high-quality images. Featured in the FT10, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine IV supports a super-fast response time. The camera’s quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF. The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FT10 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without the use of flash.
• 2.7-inch large Intelligent LCD with AR coating – The FT10 incorporates an easy-to-see, 2.7-inch 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD for comfortable viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back the results. The Intelligent LCD function detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by a maximum 40 percent 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 in such situations.
• Scene modes – A rich variety of scene modes make it easy to get beautiful photos in a range of photographic situations. The Beach & Surf mode is perfect for your beach activities, allowing you to use a single mode with optimized auto white balance both on the beach and in shallow waters up to 3m. Baby, Pet and Sports modes take advantage of the Intelligent ISO Control to let you get great results even if the subjects have unexpected motion.
• Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 – The exciting, multi-functional software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0
  comes bundled with the FT10. With quick start-up and fast read-in of images, the
  PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 makes it possible to sort and organize photos not only of those newly
  taken but also of those stored in your PC.

Stay fashionably stylish with the FX700

• iA Mode – In addition to POWER O.I.S., Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure, new features include Motion Deblur mode and Intelligent Burst mode. The Combined with the outstanding brightness of the lens and the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), the FX700 thoroughly prevents any kind of blurring – whether caused by a handshake or the subject's motion. The new Intelligent Burst mode determines the frame rate in the burst shooting according to the speed of subject’s motion.
• 1920x 1080 Full HD Movie Recording in AVCHD – In addition to Motion JPEG images, the FX700 can record full HD motion picture in AVCHD. It almost doubles the recording time in HD quality,compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. With the Video Divide function, users can divide the video into two sections to shorten or delete the unwanted part on the spot in the camera. In addition, a clear still image from a movie can be cut in the camera thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology.
• 14.1 Megapixel MOS Sensor – To realize the 1920x1080 full HD movie recording with high imagequality, the new 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor is developed for the FX700. For the effective concentration of light, the newly developed sensor adopts microfabrication technology to achieve even higher sensitivity. With an advanced micro light tube structure, both color mixture and signal loss are prevented.
• Intuitive Touch-control Shooting – The FX700 adopts full touch-screen operation. Auto focus is immediately set to the subject just by touching it on the 3.0-inch large, 230,000-dot LCD and you can even release the shutter via the touch-screen. The touch-screen operation excels not only for
  shooting but also for playing back images with outstanding visibility.

Pricing and availability

The new Panasonic Lumix digital cameras will be available from Panasonic authorised dealers from
mid-September 2010, at the following recommended retail prices*:

• LX5: S$799
• FZ100: S$899
• FZ40: S$699
• FT10: S$399
• FX700: S$649