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Panasonic Announces Four Lumix Digital Cameras & the Leica DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 Lens

By Joy Hou - on 7 Jan 2014, 3:01am

Panasonic Announces Four Lumix Digital Cameras & an Interchangeable Lens

Panasonic is releasing four brand new Lumix digital cameras, along with an interchangeable lens.

Lumix DMC-LZ40

Equipped with a 42x optical zoom lens, the LZ40 integrates the OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer), with the resolution of CCD sensor enhanced to 20 megapixels. The iA mode (Intelligent Auto) lets multi-capable functions happen automatically (OIS, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent Exposure) so you can shoot without adjusting the settings manually every time the environment changes.

HD videos in 720p can be recorded, while the 1,250mAh Li-ion battery allows shooting 320 pictures per charge (CIPA). The Creative Control and Creative Retouch are available with a total of 15 attracting filter effects. In addition, DMC-LZ40 is capable of Creative Panorama mode that lets user to take dynamic panorama image with 13 filter effects.

Designed to offer a stable, comfortable grip after holding a camera for long periods of time, its 3-inch 460,000-dot LCD lets you shoot and play back images in any lighting conditions.

Lumix DMC-SZ8

A digital compact camera with 12x optical zoom, the SZ8 comes with a 24mm ultra-wide angle lens, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Intelligent Zoom function, which extends the zoom ratio up to 24x combining digital zoom, with less deterioration of image quality. On top of the 16-megapixel CCD sensor and Venus Engine, the OIS suppresses handshake which tends to occur when shooting with high zoom.

With the Instant Transfer function, photos are automatically sent to the designated electronic devices such as smartphones/tablets right after shooting. On the other hand, both photo and video in their original size can be archived to the registered PC automatically via the wireless access point (router) at home whenever the battery is charged to archive the data.

Special effects include Creative Control, Creative Retouch, and Creative Panorama. In addition to the iA mode, the SZ8 houses a new motion picture button that allows recording of 720p HD videos instantly. The compact also features Panorama Shot to enhance fun and convenience of photography. The camera can be charged via AC or USB.

Lumix DMC-ZS35 (TZ55)

Another digital compact camera, the newest member of the Lumix ZS/TZ series comes primed with a 20x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi connectivity, Instant Transfer function, and 1,250mAh battery to snap approx. 350 pictures. The Power OIS boasts its correction accuracy to minimize blur even when using powerful zoom, while the Active Mode suppresses vibrations during video recordings.

Stocked with a 16-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS Sensor, the compact enables 1920 x 1080 Full HD video recording and high speed burst shooting at 10fps in high picture quality. The 3-inch 460,000-dot monitor tilts up by 180 degrees, making it easy to take selfies. Special effects include Creative Control, Creative Retouch and Creative Panorama.

Lumix DMC-ZS40 (TZ60)

The latest flagship of the ZS/TZ series comes in the form of an ultra-slim digital compact camera with LVF (Live View Finder), featuring a 24mm ultra wide-angle 30x optical zoom, and functions for more advanced photography such as manual control with Control Ring, RAW compatibility, and Focus Peaking. Hybrid OIS+ (Hybrid Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) curbs handshakes, while the 18.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor and Venus Engine feature high speed, high sensitivity image recording to realize 1,920 x 1,080 60p (NTSC) / 50p (PAL) smooth Full HD video recording in AVCHD Progressive format and high speed burst shooting at 10fps in high picture quality.

With the Wi-Fi connectivity and NFC technology, users can connect the camera to their smartphone/tablet anywhere at one-touch without a need of cabling or a Wi-Fi hotspot. In addition, users can utilize smartphone/tablet for another monitor of camera that even enables manual control or Focus Peaking in addition to settings over focus, zooming or releasing the shutter with refined GUI on the smartphone/tablet. It is also possible to record video while watching the shooting motion image live on a smartphone/tablet.

Equipped with built-in GPS and GLONASS, the TZ60 contains special effects - Creative Control, Creative Retouch and Creative Panorama, as well as a 3cm Zoom Macro shooting function.

Leica DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm / F1.2 ASPH. / Power O.I.S. (H-NS043)

Based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the new interchangeable lens comes with a maximum aperture of F1.2, and incorporates Power OIS while complying with full time AF. The new lens system comprises of 14 elements in 11 groups uses 2 aspherical lenses, 1 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and 1 UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens.

The aspherical lenses suppress spherical aberration and distortion. The ED lens enables sharp, high contrast description without color bleeding to the corners while the UHR lens enables high optical performance that renders an image with uniformed descriptiveness from center to edges as well as downsizing of the lens unit.

The lens’ 9-bladed aperture mechanism gives the aperture a rounded shape that produces a smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. It is also possible to capture landscape with natural perspective. In addition, the aperture ring on the lens barrel allows direct, intuitive control over aperture settings.

Fusing the exclusive Nano Surface Coating technology which minimizes reflections at entire visual light range, the newly integrated Power OIS compensates for not only small, fast movements but also large, slow ones making it easy to shoot sharper images even in low-light conditions. It incorporates a superior inner-focus system, and newly developed stepping motor makes the focusing action smooth and silent for use in both photo and video recording.

All images accredited to Panasonic.

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