New Panasonic digital cameras announced for 2006

January is the month of the CES in Las Veags and camera companies release their new lines at this time of year. This week new Panasonic digital cameras have been announced. Let's take a look at what they have to offer. 1/4/06

Panasonic DMC-LS2 Digital Camera Introduction

NEW COMPACT PANASONIC DSC MAKES PICTURE-TAKING EASY
Entry-level Camera Has Optical Image Stabilization, Takes AA Batteries

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 4, 2006) Panasonic today announces the introduction of the new DMC-LS2, an affordable, accessible, high- quality digital still camera that brings convenient picture taking to a new level. The DMC-LS2 features a 5-megapixel CCD, MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, and a 3x optical zoom lens.

"The DMC-LS2 has the very best of Panasonic's digital camera technologies, like MEGA Optical Image Stabilization and our efficient, power-saving Venus Engine Plus processor, at a price that makes great picture taking accessible to all consumers," says Monica Helmer, national marketing manager for Panasonic's optical group. "The LS2 features a compact and stylish design, as well, so it looks as good as the pictures it takes. This camera is easy for anyone to carry, handle and operate."

As with all of the models in Panasonic's Lumix digital still camera line, the DMC-LS2 features the top rated MEGA Optical Image Stabilization. With MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, the lenses inside the camera actually adjust their position to compensate for any hand movement at the time a picture is taken. This significantly decreases the likelihood of blurry pictures, one of the top complaints among photographers. With MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, pictures come out clear, even when using the zoom feature or in low-light situations.

The Venus Engine Plus processor controls all the image capture and functions of the DMC-LS2, and also manages energy use to extend battery life, which means more opportunities for users to get that perfect shot. The LS2 comes packaged with Panasonic's own Oxyride AA batteries, which feature longer life and power than alkaline batteries. With Oxyride batteries, the LS2 can take up to 250 pictures. The camera can also use regular AA batteries.

2-inch LCD Display
The 2-inch LCD on the back of the DMC-LS2 is also an impressive feature of the camera, with a high-angle LCD function, which makes the display easy to view from all different angles. This high-resolution LCD lets users view pictures in thumbnail form as well, with playback of one, nine, 16 and 25 pictures at a time in a multi-split screen, so searching for one special image among many is easy.

In addition to the 5-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot autofocus, the LS2 can be set to 1-point high-speed autofocus. This setting reduces autofocus time by about 50 percent compared to previous models in the LS series of Panasonic Lumix digital still cameras.

The LS series has a mode dial for easy shortcuts to scene modes and Simple Mode. The LS2 contains five new scene modes compared to the previous model, bringing the total now to 13. The special "Baby" mode puts a time stamp on every photo that tells how old the baby is by day, month and year (and this mode appears twice to keep two babies' birth dates in memory).

Simple Mode offers easy shooting to the most novice photographer. Simply turn the dial to set the mode, aim the camera, zoom in or out, press the shutter button and a picture is taken. Lighting conditions are compensated for automatically.

14 Megabytes Built-In Memory
The LS2 comes with 14 megabytes of built-in memory, so it is ready to take pictures right out of the box. For additional picture-taking capacity, the camera takes SD Memory cards. Picture files can be transferred from the internal memory to an SD card and vice versa. Pictures can also be transferred to a computer using the included USB cable.

Pricing & Availability
The DMC-LS2 will have a retail price of $199.95 and is scheduled to be at retail in March.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 Digital Camera Introduction

LZ Series Cameras Feature Improved LCD, Faster Autofocus

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 4, 2006) Panasonic today introduces the five megapixel DMC-LZ3 along with the new five megapixel DMC-LZ3, both of which incorporate Panasonic's top-rated MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, large and bright LCD displays, 6x optical zoom, and a 1-point high-speed autofocus feature that is new to the LZ product line.

"The DMC-LZ5 and DMC-LZ3 provide consumers with features that are easy to understand and use, but that don't compromise on capability," says Monica Helmer, national marketing manager for Panasonic's Optical Group. "And while these are compact cameras, the 6x optical zoom and MEGA Optical Image Stabilization give users the tools that are usually available only in larger and more expensive cameras."

The MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, which Panasonic puts into all of its cameras, moves the lens to compensate for the slight hand movements most people make when taking a picture. It's hand movement that leads to most blurry pictures, a common complaint for amateur photographers. With MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, pictures come out clear, even when using the zoom feature or shooting in low light.

The LZ3 also has Panasonic's Venus Engine Plus, the processor that manages image capture and energy use for the cameras. The LZ3 comes packaged with Panasonic's Oxyride AA batteries, which feature longer life and power than alkaline batteries. With Venus Engine Plus and Oxyride, users can get the most out of their picture-taking experience. With Venus Engine Plus and Oxyride, the LZ3 can take up to 250 images. (The LZ3 can also use regular alkaline AA batteries.)

The LZ5's 2.0-inch LCD is greatly improved over the previous cameras in the LZ series, with higher sensitivity for viewing in low -light situations as well as easy viewing from angles, which helps the user when holding the camera overhead for a high-angle shot.

In addition to the 5-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot autofocus, the LZ3 can be set to 1-point high-speed autofocus. This setting reduces autofocus time by about 40 percent compared to previous models. An autofocus assist lamp is also added for the first time to the LZ series cameras.

New features include an additional six scene modes, bringing the total to 14. That, plus Simple Mode, which offers easy shooting to novice photographers, makes these two cameras ready for just about any picture-taking situation.

The LZ3 has 14 megabytes of built-in memory, so it is ready to take pictures right out of the box. For additional picture-taking capacity, the cameras take SD Memory cards. Picture files can be transferred from the internal memory to an SD card and vice versa. Pictures can also be transferred to a computer using the included USB cable.

The DMC-LZ3 will have a retail price of $229.95 and is scheduled to be at retail in March.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 Digital Camera Introduction

LZ Series Cameras Feature Improved LCD, Faster Autofocus

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 4, 2006) Panasonic today introduces the six megapixel DMC-LZ5 along with the new five megapixel DMC-LZ3, both of which incorporate Panasonic's top-rated MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, large and bright LCD displays, 6x optical zoom, and a 1-point high-speed autofocus feature that is new to the LZ product line.

"The DMC-LZ5 and DMC-LZ3 provide consumers with features that are easy to understand and use, but that don't compromise on capability," says Monica Helmer, national marketing manager for Panasonic's Optical Group. "And while these are compact cameras, the 6x optical zoom and MEGA Optical Image Stabilization give users the tools that are usually available only in larger and more expensive cameras."

The MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, which Panasonic puts into all of its cameras, moves the lens to compensate for the slight hand movements most people make when taking a picture. It's hand movement that leads to most blurry pictures, a common complaint for amateur photographers. With MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, pictures come out clear, even when using the zoom feature or shooting in low light.

The LZ5 also has Panasonic's Venus Engine Plus, the processor that manages image capture and energy use for the cameras. The LZ5 comes packaged with Panasonic's Oxyride AA batteries, which feature longer life and power than alkaline batteries. With Venus Engine Plus and Oxyride, users can get the most out of their picture-taking experience. With Venus Engine Plus and Oxyride, the LZ5 can take up to 235 images. (The LZ5 can also use regular alkaline AA batteries.)

The LZ5's 2.5-inch LCD is greatly improved over the previous cameras in the LZ series, with higher sensitivity for viewing in low -light situations as well as easy viewing from angles, which helps the user when holding the camera overhead for a high-angle shot.

In addition to the 5-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot autofocus, the LZ5 can be set to 1-point high-speed autofocus. This setting reduces autofocus time by about 40 percent compared to previous models. An autofocus assist lamp is also added for the first time to the LZ series cameras.

New features include an additional six scene modes, bringing the total to 14. That, plus Simple Mode, which offers easy shooting to novice photographers, makes these two cameras ready for just about any picture-taking situation.

The LZ5 has 14 megabytes of built-in memory, so it is ready to take pictures right out of the box. For additional picture-taking capacity, the cameras take SD Memory cards. Picture files can be transferred from the internal memory to an SD card and vice versa. Pictures can also be transferred to a computer using the included USB cable.

The DMC-LZ5 will have a retail price of $279.95 and is scheduled to be at retail in March.

[source material: Panasonic digtial cameras press release 1/2006]

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