Date posted: Monday, January 9, 2012 Panasonic has several new cameras being introduced at CES, and the first ones that I'm going to talk about are in the new SZ-series of compact ultra zooms. Here are the details:
Lumix DMC-SZ1 [specs]
16.1 Megapixel CCDF3.1-5.9, 10X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 27 - 270 mmOptical image stabilization (of the Mega OIS variety)Ultra-compact body (less than 1-inch thick), comes in black, silver, red, and blue3-inch LCD display with 230,000 pixelsPoint-and-shoot operation, with Intelligent Auto modePlenty of special effects, including new miniature effect and panorama shot modesRecords 720p video at 30 frames/second using the MPEG-4 codec70MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot250 shots per charge using included lithium-ion battery; battery is charged internally via the USB connector (new for Panasonic cameras)Price and availability TBA
Lumix DMC-SZ7 [specs] - changes:
14.1 Megapixel MOS sensor3-inch LCD has 460,000 pixelsHDR, Handheld Nightshot, Motion Deblur, and 3D photo featuresShoots at 10 frames/second (for only four photos, though)Records Full HD video at 1920 x 1080 / 60i (sensor output is 30p) with stereo sound, using the AVCHD codecHDMI port220 shots per chargeOnly available in black
ADDITIONAL IMAGES:
PRESS RELEASE: PANASONIC INTRODUCES ULTRA-SLIM LUMIX DIGITAL CAMERAS WITH 10X OPTICAL ZOOM AND WIDE-ANGLE LEICA LENS
New LUMIX SZ7 and SZ1 Digital Cameras Offer HD Video and 25mm Wide-Angle Lens in a Compact Body Designed to be Portable and Easy-To-Use
LAS VEGAS, NV (January 9, 2012) – Panasonic today introduced the new LUMIX SZ-Series of digital cameras, the LUMIX DMC-SZ7 and the LUMIX DMC-SZ1, which combine a powerful 10x optical zoom with a 25mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, in a slim and compact body, making it extremely portable and easy to carry. The LUMIX SZ7 (14.1 megapixels) can also shoot full-High Definition, 1920 x 1080 60i videos and with Light Speed AF, it has a super-fast focus response time of approximately 0.1 second – making it easy to capture spontaneous must-have photos. The LUMIX SZ1 (16.1 megapixels) features 720p HD video recording capabilities, and both models are easy to use thanks to Panasonic’s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) mode which automatically chooses the best camera settings for natural, beautiful images.
“As more and more people revert to their smartphones because of convenience to take spur-of-the-moment digital photos, Panasonic is introducing two digital cameras that are not only small and compact, but also offer high-end imaging features such as a wide-angle LEICA lens, extremely fast Auto Focus speeds, and High Definition video, giving the consumer outstanding image quality,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. “Panasonic’s SZ7 and SZ1 are extremely compact in size, but offer features that are typically only available in much larger digital cameras, such as a 10x optical zoom, and with new features such as Panorama Shot and Miniature Effect, the SZ-Series is also fun to use.”
The LUMIX SZ7 and LUMIX SZ1 feature two new shooting modes – Miniature Effect and Panorama Shot. In Miniature Effect mode, the peripherals are defocused while saturation and contrast is emphasized to make the picture like a diorama. Video recorded in Miniature Effect mode is played back in 10x fast-forwarding, making it comical and fun to watch*1. Panorama Shot makes it possible to shoot a horizontal or vertical panoramic image by taking consecutive shots and then overlaying the photos for the effect of a panoramic photo. Furthermore, both the LUMIX SZ7 and LUMIX SZ1 feature Creative Retouch which includes six filters -Toy Effect, Soft Focus Dynamic Monochrome, Expressive, High Key and Retro, each of which give the photo a more artistic look. Both models also feature an Auto Retouch function that adjusts contrast and brightness to give the photo a different look – all with a single press of the button.
To help ensure the LUMIX SZ7 and SZ1 are easy to use, both digital cameras feature Panasonic’s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) mode. In iA mode, a suite of technologies are automatically engaged and the camera chooses the best setting based on the shooting environment. For instance, iA includes the new High Dynamic Range (on the SZ7 only), Intelligent Handheld Nightshot (on the SZ7 only) and Motion Deblur (on the SZ7 only) together with AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, MEGA O.I.S., Face Recognition (on the SZ7 only)/Face Detection (on the SZ1 only), Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure.
Other features of the new LUMIX SZ-Series include:
3.0-inch Intelligent LCD that automatically adjusts the backlight based on the environment’s lightingThe LUMIX SZ7 features a MOS sensor to support full-HD video, while the LUMIX SZ1 features a CCD sensorUSB power charging in addition to the conventional AC power supply 3D Photo Mode allows the user to take 20 panning shots and then the camera automatically selects the two most suitable images – one for the right eye and one for the left eye – to synthesize a 3D composite. Available on the LUMIX SZ7 onlyDedicated video record button which lets users instantly start recording a video without having to make any extra settings. Additionally, the full 10x optical zoom is available in video recording modeHigh-quality stereo sound via Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator accompanies the realistic HD videos. The stereo zoom microphone comes with zoom noise reduction system, and the Wind Cut function helps to block noise from background wind
Pricing and 2012 availability will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping. The LUMIX SZ7 will be available in black and the LUMIX SZ1 will be available in black, silver, red and blue. For more information, and live coverage on January 10-11 from Panasonic at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, please visit www.panasonic.com/CES. Plus, follow Panasonic’s CES activities on Twitter @PanasonicEvents and join the conversations.
*1 Sound will not be recorded with [MINIATURE EFFECT] in Creative Control Mode and approximately 1/10 of the time period is recorded. (If you record for 10 minutes, the resulting motion picture recording will be approximately 1 minute long)
Lumix DMC-SZ1 [specs]
16.1 Megapixel CCDF3.1-5.9, 10X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 27 - 270 mmOptical image stabilization (of the Mega OIS variety)Ultra-compact body (less than 1-inch thick), comes in black, silver, red, and blue3-inch LCD display with 230,000 pixelsPoint-and-shoot operation, with Intelligent Auto modePlenty of special effects, including new miniature effect and panorama shot modesRecords 720p video at 30 frames/second using the MPEG-4 codec70MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot250 shots per charge using included lithium-ion battery; battery is charged internally via the USB connector (new for Panasonic cameras)Price and availability TBA
Lumix DMC-SZ7 [specs] - changes:
14.1 Megapixel MOS sensor3-inch LCD has 460,000 pixelsHDR, Handheld Nightshot, Motion Deblur, and 3D photo featuresShoots at 10 frames/second (for only four photos, though)Records Full HD video at 1920 x 1080 / 60i (sensor output is 30p) with stereo sound, using the AVCHD codecHDMI port220 shots per chargeOnly available in black
ADDITIONAL IMAGES:
PRESS RELEASE: PANASONIC INTRODUCES ULTRA-SLIM LUMIX DIGITAL CAMERAS WITH 10X OPTICAL ZOOM AND WIDE-ANGLE LEICA LENS
New LUMIX SZ7 and SZ1 Digital Cameras Offer HD Video and 25mm Wide-Angle Lens in a Compact Body Designed to be Portable and Easy-To-Use
LAS VEGAS, NV (January 9, 2012) – Panasonic today introduced the new LUMIX SZ-Series of digital cameras, the LUMIX DMC-SZ7 and the LUMIX DMC-SZ1, which combine a powerful 10x optical zoom with a 25mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, in a slim and compact body, making it extremely portable and easy to carry. The LUMIX SZ7 (14.1 megapixels) can also shoot full-High Definition, 1920 x 1080 60i videos and with Light Speed AF, it has a super-fast focus response time of approximately 0.1 second – making it easy to capture spontaneous must-have photos. The LUMIX SZ1 (16.1 megapixels) features 720p HD video recording capabilities, and both models are easy to use thanks to Panasonic’s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) mode which automatically chooses the best camera settings for natural, beautiful images.
“As more and more people revert to their smartphones because of convenience to take spur-of-the-moment digital photos, Panasonic is introducing two digital cameras that are not only small and compact, but also offer high-end imaging features such as a wide-angle LEICA lens, extremely fast Auto Focus speeds, and High Definition video, giving the consumer outstanding image quality,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. “Panasonic’s SZ7 and SZ1 are extremely compact in size, but offer features that are typically only available in much larger digital cameras, such as a 10x optical zoom, and with new features such as Panorama Shot and Miniature Effect, the SZ-Series is also fun to use.”
The LUMIX SZ7 and LUMIX SZ1 feature two new shooting modes – Miniature Effect and Panorama Shot. In Miniature Effect mode, the peripherals are defocused while saturation and contrast is emphasized to make the picture like a diorama. Video recorded in Miniature Effect mode is played back in 10x fast-forwarding, making it comical and fun to watch*1. Panorama Shot makes it possible to shoot a horizontal or vertical panoramic image by taking consecutive shots and then overlaying the photos for the effect of a panoramic photo. Furthermore, both the LUMIX SZ7 and LUMIX SZ1 feature Creative Retouch which includes six filters -Toy Effect, Soft Focus Dynamic Monochrome, Expressive, High Key and Retro, each of which give the photo a more artistic look. Both models also feature an Auto Retouch function that adjusts contrast and brightness to give the photo a different look – all with a single press of the button.
To help ensure the LUMIX SZ7 and SZ1 are easy to use, both digital cameras feature Panasonic’s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) mode. In iA mode, a suite of technologies are automatically engaged and the camera chooses the best setting based on the shooting environment. For instance, iA includes the new High Dynamic Range (on the SZ7 only), Intelligent Handheld Nightshot (on the SZ7 only) and Motion Deblur (on the SZ7 only) together with AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, MEGA O.I.S., Face Recognition (on the SZ7 only)/Face Detection (on the SZ1 only), Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure.
Other features of the new LUMIX SZ-Series include:
3.0-inch Intelligent LCD that automatically adjusts the backlight based on the environment’s lightingThe LUMIX SZ7 features a MOS sensor to support full-HD video, while the LUMIX SZ1 features a CCD sensorUSB power charging in addition to the conventional AC power supply 3D Photo Mode allows the user to take 20 panning shots and then the camera automatically selects the two most suitable images – one for the right eye and one for the left eye – to synthesize a 3D composite. Available on the LUMIX SZ7 onlyDedicated video record button which lets users instantly start recording a video without having to make any extra settings. Additionally, the full 10x optical zoom is available in video recording modeHigh-quality stereo sound via Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator accompanies the realistic HD videos. The stereo zoom microphone comes with zoom noise reduction system, and the Wind Cut function helps to block noise from background wind
Pricing and 2012 availability will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping. The LUMIX SZ7 will be available in black and the LUMIX SZ1 will be available in black, silver, red and blue. For more information, and live coverage on January 10-11 from Panasonic at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, please visit www.panasonic.com/CES. Plus, follow Panasonic’s CES activities on Twitter @PanasonicEvents and join the conversations.
*1 Sound will not be recorded with [MINIATURE EFFECT] in Creative Control Mode and approximately 1/10 of the time period is recorded. (If you record for 10 minutes, the resulting motion picture recording will be approximately 1 minute long)
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