Panasonic adds new digital cameras to Lumix lineup

Panasonic on January 31 announced a slew of new digital cameras to its Lumix series, all of which feature Panasonic's Intelligent Image Stabilization system, 6.0-megapixel-and-above resolutions, and on most, Leica lenses.

Included in the new lineup is the DMC-FX30, what the company claims is the world's slimmest digital camera with a 28mm Leica wide-angle lens. The FX30, which has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, incorporates Panasonic's Intelligent Image Stabilization (IIS) system, which automatically adjusts for camera shake and motion blur, and has a 7.2-megapixel resolution. The DMC-FX30 accepts large capacity SDHC memory cards and will be shipping in February at a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of US$349.95.

The 7.2-megapixel DMC-TZ3 and 6.0-megapixel DMC-TZ2 each feature a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC lens (equivalent to 28-280mm on a 35mm film camera). The DMC-TZ3 boasts a 7.2-megapixel resolution and a 3.0-inch LCD screen while the DMC-TZ2 has a 6.0-megapixel resolution and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The TZ3 and TZ2 both feature 10x optical zoom. The Lumix DMC-TZ3 will be available in March 2007 at an MSRP of US$349.95.

For those wanting a little more zoom in taking pictures, Panasonic's DMC-FZ8 features a 12x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 36-432mm on a 35mm film camera) with f/2.8 brightness. The camera also has a 7.2-megapixel resolution and the Venus Engine III, Panasonic's image-processing engine that can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution.

Also among Panasonic's new cameras are the entry-level 7.2-megapixel DMC-LS75, DMC-LS70 and 6.0-megapixel DMC-LS60. These models incorporate optical 3x zoom (equivalent to 35-105mm on a 35mm film camera) and LUMIX DC VARIO lenses.

Panasonic's new Lumix DMC-FX30 digital camera