Steve's Digicams - Breaking News - Panasonic 01/31/2007 Press Releases

PANASONIC ENHANCES COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA SERIES WITH RICH, CONVENIENT FEATURES

SECAUCUS, N.J. (January 31, 2007) – Panasonic today introduced the newest additions to its FX-series of compact and stylish digital cameras - the Lumix DMC-FX10 and DMC-FX12. The new models offer consumers a wide-array of enhanced features from a redesigned grip part and built-in memory, to Intelligent Image Stabilization and LEICA DC Lens with 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 35-105mm on a 35mm film camera). The DMC-FX12 and DMC-FX10 boast a 7.2 megapixel and 6.0 megapixel CCD respectively, and both include a large, bright 2.5 inch LCD.

Panasonic, a leader in standardizing optical image stabilization across its full camera line with Mega Optical Image Stabilization (MEGA O.I.S.), now adds Intelligent ISO to create the Intelligent Image Stabilization System. While MEGA O.I.S. compensates for the effects of hand-shake, making it possible to capture clear, crisp photos indoors, at night, or when taking macro close-ups, it cannot suppress the motion blur caused by a subject moving as the photo is taken. With Intelligent ISO, the camera's image-processing engine detects if the subject is moving and automatically raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to the light conditions and the speed of the movement.

"Consumers want compact, easy-to-use cameras that take crisp, clear and beautiful pictures all the time," said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "At Panasonic, we aim to deliver just that by offering a full line of cameras – from compact to SLR - eliminating the effects of hand shake and motion blur with the Intelligent Image Stabilization System, which offers the industry's most advanced countermeasures against blurring."

The DMC-FX12 and the DMC-FX10 accept large-capacity SDHC memory cards, giving users more flexibility in shooting and recording. Additionally, the camera menu and graphical user interface have been redesigned, with brightened colors for easier viewability. Fitting with the stylish reputation of the FX-series, the DMC-FX12 will be available in silver and black, and the DMC-FX10 in silver, pink and blue.

The FX12 and FX10 also feature:

• Power LCD: Boosts the backlighting of the 2.5-inch LCD screen by 40 percent, bringing ease to outdoor shooting in the bright sunshine

• High-Angle Mode: Accessed quickly and easily via a dedicated button, makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.

• Quick Setting: Lets users quickly and easily access and set the functions used most often.

• Date Stamp: Allows users to utilize the Lumix date stamp feature in three ways: (1) Simply stamp the date on photos, (2) Stamp the day of a trip or event on the photos, and (3) For those precious baby photos, stamp the child’s age in months on the image itself.

• Direct Print Mode: Brings immediate printing to users with one turn of the mode dial and quick USB cable and a Pictbridge-compatible printer connection.

• Wide-Aspect VGA Motion Images: Records standard VGA (640 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second, and each camera records stunning wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second.

• Added Scene Modes: Adds new Pet and Sunset modes to make it easy to get beautiful photos in a range of photographic situations.

• Both cameras will ship in February with a MSRP of .95 for the FX12 and .95 for the FX10

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.