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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 Preview
Panasonic today announced the Lumix DMC-FZ70, a 60x optical zoom (20 - 1,200mm) digicam that has the widest and longest zoom in its class. The FZ70 features a 16.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS image sensor paired with Panasonic's Venus Engine image processor for a 10-15% noise reduction in Low Light scenarios when compared the previous generation FZ60. The FZ70 can capture HD video at 1080/50i resolution in AVCHD format or 1080/25p in MP4 format, along with Dolby Digital Stereo Sound. The FZ70 records said stereo sound through a Wind Shield Zoom Microphone, which reduces audio noise by 70% when compared to previous models.
To handle the FZ70's extended optical zoom -- which can even go as high as 120x when Intelligent Resolution Technology is enabled (though we don't recommend this) -- Panasonic built in Power Optical Image Stabilization to prevent shaky-cam video and blurred stills. When using Light Speed Auto Focus, users can capture up to 9 still frames-per-second at full 16.1 MP resolution.
If you're relatively new to digital photography, this "bridge" camera has a number of great features and creative filters for you. Consider iA Plus Mode. "Intelligent Auto" makes it easy to capture perfectly exposed photos in a variety of shooting situations -- the camera does all the hard work for you. But by adding the Plus, you're still able to maintain some manual controls; adjust de-focusing area, exposure compensation, and white balance simply by moving a slider. The camera also includes 15 Creative Filters, most of which can be applied to still photos, Creative Panoramas, and HD videos either during capture or retroactively.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 Features
- 16.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS image sensor
- Venus Engine image processor
- 60x optical zoom (35mm equivalent of 20 - 1200mm)
- F/2.8-5.9 lens
- Intelligent Resolution Technology
- Enables digital zoom of up to 120x
- 3.0-inch TFT Screen LCD Display
- Full HD 1920x1080 Video Recording in AVCHD or MP4 formats
- Wind Shield Zoom Microphone with Dolby Digital Stereo
- Power OIS (Optical Image Stabilization)
- 9 frames-per-second High Speed Burst Shooting
- Light Speed AF (Auto Focus)
- iA (Intelligent Auto) Plus Mode
- 15 Creative Control & Creative Retouch Filters, including:
- Expressive Retro
- Old Days
- High Key
- Low Key
- Sepia
- Dynamic Monochrome
- Soft Focus
- Star Filter
- One Point Color
- Creative Panorama Effects, including:
- Retro
- Expressive
- High Key
- Low Key
- Sepia
- Dynamic Monochrome
- Impressive Art
- High Dynamic
- Old Days
- Cross Process
- One Point Color
- Available Optional Accessories
- Tele Conversion Lens (DMW-LA8)
- Close-up 3X Filter (DMW-LC55)
- External Flashes (DMW-FL220, DMW-FL360L, DMW-FL500)
- ND/PL Filters (DMW-LNDH55, DMW-LPL55)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 will be available in early August (2013) with an MSRP of $399.
Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.
