Panasonic Adds Four Cameras To Lineup

Panasonic expanded its lineup with four new digital cameras today. The first camera, the Panasonic LUMIX ZR3, features AVCHD Lite High Definition (HD) video recording capabilities as well as a 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens and 8x optical zoom. The LUMIX ZR3 features a fast AF (Auto Focus) speed of 0.26 seconds at the wide end and 0.31 seconds at the telephoto end. Other features include Panasonic's iA (Intelligent Auto) mode with Face Recognition, Happy Mode, Intelligent Resolution, Intelligent Zoom, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, and Intelligent Exposure.

The LUMIX ZR3 has a 2.7-inch Intelligent LCD screen and supports SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory card formats. Exact pricing and availability for the Panasonic LUMIX ZR3 will be announced at a later date. The camera will come in silver, black, red, and blue.



If you're more interested in a camera that will handle all of life's bumps, bruises, and adventures, then the new LUMIX TS2 may be what you had in mind. This camera is the successor to the LUMIX DMC-TS1 and features High Definition video recording capability in Motion JPEG and AVCHD Lite formats. The new 14.1-megapixel LUMIX TS2 is also waterproof to 33 feet, shockproof to 10 feet, freeze proof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and dustproof.

In terms of shooting capabilities, the LUMIX TS2 features a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR lens that extends to a 4.6x optical zoom; a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD; and a built-in LED light. Key shooting features include Panasonic's iA mode along with Intelligent Resolution, Intelligent Zoom, Panasonic's POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Face Recognition, Intelligent Scene Selector, Happy Mode, and a Video Divide feature.

The LUMIX TS2 will be compatible with SDXC memory cards and can capture up to 360 images on a single battery charge. The Panasonic LUMIX TS2 will be available in silver, blue, orange, and yellow. Pricing and availability will be available at a later date.



As the newest member of Panasonic's superzoom ZS-Series of digital cameras, the new LUMIX DMC-ZS7 offers a 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens and a powerful 12x optical zoom along with a 12.1-megapixel sensor. The camera also includes a new built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) feature that embeds photos and videos with the latitude and longitude information showing where the photo was taken.

According to Panasonic, the LUMIX ZS7 is the world's smallest photo/video hybrid superzoom digital camera which can also record High Definition (HD) video using the recording capability in AVCHD Lite. Like some of the other cameras in Panasonic's lineup, the LUMIX ZS7 features Sonic Speed AF, Intelligent Resolution, Panasonic's new Intelligent Zoom feature, and iA mode.

For more advanced photographers, the LUMIX ZS7 offers manual control features, allowing you to control shutter speed, aperture, and exposure. The LUMIX ZS7 has a 3-inch high resolution 460,000-dot Intelligent LCD and is compatible with SDXC memory cards.



Last, but not least, Panasonic added the LUMIX DMC-ZS5. This camera is similar in functionality to the LUMIX ZS7, but lacks GPS capabilities. Other distinguishing features of the LUMIX ZS5 include a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD; the ability to record HD video in Motion JPG at 30fps; and a high performance Venus Engine VI.

Pricing and availability for both the Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 and LUMIX ZS5 will be announced at a later time. The Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 will come in silver, black, red, and blue models while the Panasonic LUMIX ZS5 will be available in black and silver.