Release Issued by Panasonic:
Slim, Stylish and Highly Intuitive; the DMC-LZ1 & DMC-LZ2
Panasonic is proud to announce the imminent arrival of the new LUMIX 5.0-megapixel DMC-LZ2 and 4.0-megapixel DMC-LZ1. Incorporating MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S) and 6x optical zoom (equivalent to 37mm to 222mm on a 35mm film camera) lens, these are the perfect compact cameras to easily take clear, beautiful pictures.
Heirs to the DMC-LC80/70/50, the LUMIX DMC-LZ2 and LZ1 are equipped with a newly developed 6x zoom (equivalent to a 37-222mm zoom on a 35mm film camera) lens. With 24x magnification when combined with 4x digital zoom, these models boast top-class performance for compact camera zooms. This powerful zooming function allows you not only to easily capture and magnify subjects located at a distance (that cannot be captured by the standard 3x zoom featured in most zoom cameras), but also to take impressionable photos with soft-focused backgrounds.
Panasonic is the first company in the industry to have succeeded in incorporating MEGA O.I.S into a compact digital camera - a key feature assuring stability of the magnified image and resolving the problem of blurring when the zoom photography is operated by hand without the assistance of a tripod. The MEGA O.I.S features two corrective modes to further enhance the functionality of the camera. Mode one constantly detects and follows movements and continuously compensates for them, while in mode two the image is stabilised only in the instant the shutter button is pressed. This mode allows the lens to move in all directions at this moment to maximise its effect, allowing higher-resolution images to be taken by capturing the image as close as possible to the centre of the lens. The effect of this is effortless clear and beautiful pictures even in situations using slow shutter speeds, like indoor shots and night-time scenery.
The newly developed Venus Engine has been substantially upgraded in terms of performance in the energy consumption, responsiveness and image quality. The Venus Engine Plus achieves about 50% lower energy consumption, while providing even higher image quality and quick responses. In terms of response, release time lag has been improved from the conventional 0.1 seconds down to industry-leading 0.008* second minimum (0.006* for the DMC-LZ1), allowing users to precisely capture their target subjects. Consecutive shooting performance has also improved, so that you can take consecutive shots at a rate of 3 frames per second (4 for DMC-LZ1) at full resolution. The unlimited** consecutive shooting function allows you to take photos in succession up to the capacity of the memory card or built-in memory.
*Not including the time for AF.
**The speed of the consecutive shooting varies depending on the memory card or built-in memory. The number of recordable picture depends on the memory card size, battery life, picture size and compression.
Despite the impressive technological features, the body size remains deceptively compact. Size wise, these 6x zoom lens cameras could be mistaken for an ordinary AA-battery operated 3x optical zoom camera, yet these models include an impressive 14 megabytes of built-in-memory, which enables users to take pictures even when there is no SD card. This also allows users to always have their favourite pictures in their camera wherever they go.
These cameras boast a large 2.0inch TRM (Transmissive with Micro Reflective) LCD, making the display extremely easy to view when taking photos or playing them back. The TRM LCD prevents wash-out even outdoors on a bright day, ensuring that users are able to view crystal-clear images on the LCD monitor regardless of the circumstance.
The DMC-LZ1 and DMC-LZ2 are highly intuitive to use, with the newly installed Scene Mode Help screen which allows users to select a series of eight modes for certain types of shots. The camera caters for entry level users by providing the Simple Mode, in which most settings are made automatically. Users can just aim at the subject, zoom in or out, and press the shutter button.
Both models feature auto angle detection, which records whether an image was taken horizontally or vertically. This ensures that vertical images are automatically displayed vertically and horizontal images are automatically displayed horizontally when users connect the camera to their TV with an AV cable.
The DMC-LZ1 and DMC-LZ2 are available from March 2005 on-line and at Shop@Panasonic. For further information, please visit www.panasonic.co.uk/eshop
