Panasonic’s New FZ100 Digital Compact Camera

Panasonic has just announced the release of some new fixed-lens point-and-shoot digital cameras (hmmm… we must be getting close to the Photokina trade show).  With the exception of the new Lumix DMC-LX5, all their new cameras have been given the ability to shoot in full HD (1920×1080) using the AVCHD codec.  Of particular interest is the FZ100 which has been given one very interesting feature…

As the convergence of HD video and digital still camera technology continues to pick up pace, Panasonic has been one of the companies leading the way.  Hot on the heels of their successful GH1 and GF1 digital still cameras, they have been busy updating their consumer point-and-shoot cameras.  Heralded as the ultimate hybrid digital compact camera, the FZ100 is Panasonic’s new, top-of-the-line, consumer LUMIX FZ series, with features such as a new 14.1 MP CMOS sensor, a 24x Leica zoom lens that starts at 25mm, full HD (1920×1080) video recording at 60i(NTSC)/50i(PAL), a stereo mic input jack, and the ability to shoot high speed stills; 11 fps at 14.1 MP, 60 fps at 3.5 MP, and an astounding 220 fps in QVGA (320×240).  This is very cool, as it allows you to shoot these ridiculously fast stills to capture motion that we can’t quite see with the naked eye.  All this for a camera that will retail for $499 USD.  For the budget-minded videographer/filmmaker, that is really cool!

Of particular interest is it’s ability to shoot 60 fps stills at 3.5 MP; that’s a sequence of stills at a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440!  Mind you, it’s using burst mode, and you need to record audio on a separate recorder, but still, with the 60 fps feature, you could theoretically shoot a motion picture sequence with stills and combine them into a video stream in non-linear editors like Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, and Sony Vegas.  The implication is, that just may be the absolute cheapest way to shoot 2K digital films.  Now how cool is that??

[full press release]

Ultimate Hybrid Digital Compact Camera DMC-FZ100 with Full-HD Movie Recording Offering Active, Creative Photo and Movie with Powerful 24x Optical Zoom and High-Speed Response

*35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm

Panasonic is pleased to introduce new DMC-FZ100, top-of-the-line of LUMIX popular FZ series that packs a powerful optical zoom and creative options including manual operation, adding full-HD movie recording capability. The newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens in the DMC-FZ100 extends its optical zoom range from 27mm to 25mm at wide end and the zoom power from 18x to 24x to be even more versatile compared with the DMC-FZ35*. Also the newly developed 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor lets the FZ100 record high quality 1,920 x 1,080 full-HD movie as smooth as 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL). Together with a host of options, the unlimited expression of not only photo but also of movie is now easily available with FZ100. The high speed MOS sensor realizes the industry’s fastest level of burst shooting in 14.1-megapixel full resolution at 11 fps with mechanical shutter and even 60 fps in 3.5-megapixel recording mode**. It also enables the camera to record high speed movie at 220 fps in QVGA size, to capture the motion of a subject the naked eyes cannot see.

The new image processing LSI the Venus Engine FHD assures high picture quality in both photo and movie recording. It also compiles the Intelligent Resolution technology to perform the optimum signal processing depending on the part of a picture to give a whole image outstandingly natural clearness with fine details. The powerful 24x optical zoom* can be increased its power to 32x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function taking advantage of the Intelligent Resolution technology maintaining the picture quality even using digital zoom. The Sonic Speed AF in the FZ100 features its speed at the industry’s fastest level. Combined with a high-speed start-up, this gives the FZ100 an industry’s fastest level of response that helps to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities.

The manual control of FZ100 elevates the operability even higher with the incorporation of new jog dial. Focus switch is newly equipped on the lens barrel true to the system camera. User can enjoy creative shooting expressing their intention not only in photo but also in movie, utilizing a host of options including Creative Movie mode and My Color mode.

The iA (Intelligent Auto) mode – an advancing hallmark of LUMIX – now comprehends Motion Deblur mode***. The Motion Deblur mode is available by updating the motion detection (Intelligent ISO Control) and brightness control (Intelligent Exposure) to gain as high shutter speed as possible. Combined with the outstanding brightness of the lens and the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), the DMC-FZ100 thoroughly prevents any kind of blur – whether the blur is caused by a handshake or the subject’s motion. The POWER O.I.S., Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure work appropriately just by entering the iA mode for any user to take beautiful photos with maximum ease.

The 3.0-inch free-angle Intelligent LCD has now 460,000-dot high resolution to dramatically, improve visibility during recording and playback. The battery life is also as powerful as approx. 410 pictures shooting thanks to the high energy efficient MOS sensor and image processing LSI, the Venus Engine FHD.

Recording both high quality photo and movie with super fast response at 25mm ultra wide angle to super telephoto 24x, the DMC-FZ100 is none-the-like versatile digital compact camera with functions that satisfies users at any level of photography from beginners to high amateurs.

* Equivalent to 35mm camera: 25-600mm.
** In the high speed burst shooting at 60 fps, the picture size is 3.5-megapixel (16:9), 3-megapixel (3:2), 2.5-megapixel (4:3) or 2-megapixel (1:1).
*** The picture size may be reduced.