Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS6

The 14.1-megapixel Panasonic Lumix LS6 is an AA battery powered entry-level camera featuring a 26-130mm equivalent lens, optical image stabilisation and 720p HD video recording. Other features include Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Auto, as well as a large LCD screen and a built-in slimline flash. The bundled PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 software allows users to sort and archive their photos and videos, and upload the best ones to Facebook and YouTube. The Panasonic LS6 will be available in a choice of black, silver and pink. Price to be announced.

Panasonic Press Release

The Smart and Easy 14.1-megapixel LUMIX DMC-LS6

Featuring O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode

Taking pictures has never been so simple thanks to Panasonic’s new 14.1-megapixel LUMIX DMC-LS6 that features a high quality 26mm wide angle, 5x optical zoom lens (35mm camera equiv: 26-130mm) with F2.8 brightness and O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer). Running on AA batteries, the DMC-LS6 offers an easy-to-hold grip and is fashionably styled with the colour of the lens ring matching the body colour.

Impressive Specification, Yet Still Inherently Easy To Use
The DMC-LS6 boasts a 26mm wide angle, 5x optical zoom high quality lens. The 26mm wide angle lens captures approx. 181% larger viewing space compared with that of standard 35mm camera, which excels in shooting vast landscapes or many subjects even at a short distance indoors. The 5x optical zoom draws subjects close without deterioration of image quality unlike using a digital zoom. A lens with F2.8 brightness is notable in this class of camera, and helpful to capture clear images even in dimly lit situations like nighttime or indoors.

The 14.1-megapixel large image sensor offers high resolution images so that it is still possible to crop the part you want to enlarge out of the picture even after shooting.

O.I.S. and iA Mode for Maximum Results and Minimum Fuss
For those looking for their first digital camera, Panasonic’s LS6 is the perfect option. Packed with features, such as Panasonic’s Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S) that is renowned for its high correction performance against blur caused by a hand-shake, the LS6 really has been designed with users in mind.  With the most frequent cause of misshot in any camera being handshake, Panasonic believes that O.I.S is indispensable for any LUMIX camera – whether it’s a high end, mind range or entry level camera.  In contrast with the digital image stabilizer which is often found in this class of cameras, the optical image stabilizer compensates for the hand-shake more effectively without deterioration of image quality.

In addition to this O.I.S., LUMIX’s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) powerfully assists in any shooting situation to get the best result. For example, human faces are captured in focus and appropriate exposure with the Face Detection. Unwanted red-eyes are digitally corrected and backlight compensation automatically activates if they happen. Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects whichever of 5 Scene Modes - Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery - that best suits the shooting situation.  Every user can get all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions at a time to enjoy capturing clear, beautiful photos with ultimate ease.

Enjoy HD Video Recording and Share it Effortlessly
The new DMC-LS6 even records dynamic HD video in 1,280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to the standard VGA (640 x 480) and QVGA (320 x 240). It is enjoyable to view the video footage as well as the photos on the wide-screen HDTV. Those recorded on the SD Memory Card are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV by simply inserting it into the “VIERA Image Viewer”, a built-in SD Memory Card slot on VIERA TV, to playback your contents.

Designed with users in mind, it is also possible to sort and archive the images via a bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO Ver. 6.0 and upload them to the social networking services Facebook or YouTube on the sideways.

With the LS6, users can have confidence that they can capture the moments that matter with ease. The perfect camera for everyday use, the DMC-LS6 will be available in a choice of black, silver and pink.

 

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Slim Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 / DMC-SZ7 ultra zooms announced

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)

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