![]() Click on the Lumix FZ3 to take a QuickTime VR tour The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ3 is an affordable 3.1-megapixel digital camera with a high- quality Leica 12x optical zoom. The high precision Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x zoom is equivalent to a 35 - 420mm zoom on a 35mm camera and has a constant F2.8 brightness throughout the entire zoom range. Panasonic's advanced MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) enhances the camera's telephoto zoom capabilities, helping to deliver sharp, vivid images even when taking handheld telephoto shots or shooting in low light. This feature uses motion sensors, which detects even slight hand movement and integrally links the lens control to the motion of the camera to reduce jitter. Incredibly responsive, the DMC-FZ3 captures consecutive shots nearly as quickly as a motor-driven film camera. As soon as the camera's CCD captures the image signal, Panasonic's multi-tasking Venus Engine LSI simultaneously displays images on the LCD while writing data to the memory card, significantly reducing lag time between shots. To capture sudden events as they unfold, the MEGA BURST recording feature enables consecutive rapid-fire shooting, capturing 3 frames per second with undiminished quality from frame to frame. The DMC-FZ3 features Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual exposure modes as well as Macro, Portrait, Sports, Panning and Night Portrait picture modes. Single or Continuous auto focus, Spot AF Switching and AF Lock. Other features include High Speed and Low Speed Continuous, AE Bracketing and Timelapse recording. The camera also captures QuickTime 320 x 240 motion video at 30 or 10 frames-per-second with audio, the length is limited only by available memory space. The DMC-FZ3's histogram feature functions like a digital light meter, providing a graphic representation of the luminance level of the pixels composing an image. By using the histogram, users can exercise more precise exposure control for quality photos. The histogram can be displayed on the camera's 1.5-inch LCD screen while an image is being recorded and also after a shot has been taken.
Power is supplied by a proprietary lithium rechargeable battery pack that is charged
outside of the camera. The charger is small and very portable and allows
you to charge one battery while using another. Images and movies are stored on
removable Secure Digital (SD) memory cards which are available in capacities up to 512MB.
Major DMC-FZ3 Features:
Physical Views![]()
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![]() The DMC-FZ3 compared in size to a standard CD disc.
The 2004 Lumix 12x Super-Zoom FamilyThe Lumix DMC-FZ20 is physically identical to the $499 DMC-FZ15 with the addition of a flash hot shoe, audio recording and a higher resolution 5-megapixel imager and sells for about $100 more. If you're on a budget then check out the smaller and lighter Lumix DMC-FZ3, it also features a 12x stabilized Leica lens and is coupled with a 3-megapixel imager and sells for about $399.
![]() The 5-megapixel FZ20 and 4-megapixel FZ15.
![]() The 5-megapixel FZ20 and the 3-megapixel FZ3. |
Macintosh: ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, ArcSoft PhotoBase, QuickTime 5.0
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Features & Controls
Lumix DMC-FZ3 Specifications
Image sensor 1/3.2", 3.34 Total Megapixel CCD, Primary Color Filter
3.1 megapixels effectiveStill image JPEG (Exif Ver 2.2)
2016 x 1512
1920 x 1080 (HDTV 16:9 format)
1600 x 1200
1280 × 960
640 x 480
(TIFF, Fine or Standard quality) Digital video capture 320 x 240 @ 30 or 10 frames per second with audio
Clip length is limited only by available memory Digital video format Motion JPEG, QuickTime MOV format Audio capture Attach up to 10-sec audio notes to still images Lens Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x aspherical
f=4.6-55.2mm (35-420mm 35mm equivalent)
Constant F2.8 aperture
with Mega Optical Image Stabilization
13 elements in 8 groups
(3 aspherical lenses / 3 aspherical surfaces)Digital zoom 4x Focusing TTL Auto Focus System with Focus-Assist Illuminator, Normal/Macro (Dial), Continuous AF On/Off (Spot mode)
(Spot Mode), Continuous AF On/Off Normal focus range 0.98 ft (W) / 3.94 ft (T) to infinity Macro focus minimum 0.16 ft (W) / 3.94 ft (T) ISO sensitivity Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 White balance TTL Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, Flash, Custom Set Exposure modes P Mode (Program)
A/S/M Mode (Aperture Priority/ Shutter Priority/ Manual)
Macro, SCN1, SCN2, Portrait, Sports, Panning, Night Portrait, Moving Image Picture Adjustment
Color: Natural, Standard, Vivid
Effect: Cool, Warm, B&W, SepiaMega Burst Full-resolution image:
Standard mode: Up to 13 images at 4 or 2 frames/sec.
Fine mode: Up to 7 imagesReal-time histograms Yes Shutter speed 8 to 1/2000 sec Shutter priority and Manual
1 to 1/2000 sec., except Shutter Priority and ManualMetering Intelligent Multiple / Spot (Spot Mode) Self-timer Yes, 2 or 10 seconds LCD screen 1.5-inch color low temp polysilicon TFT (114,000 pixels)
Field of view; approx. 100%Viewfinder type Electronic 0.33" (114K pixels) with diopter adjustment
Field of view; approx. 100%Flash Manual popup with modes for: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Slow-sync, Fill, Forced Off Flash Range
(at ISO 100)0.98 ft - 15.10 ft (ISO Auto) Tripod mount Yes Auto review 1 sec / 3 sec Review modes 1x / 4x / 8x Playback modes 9-Thumbnail Display
Zoomed Playback (16x max)
Slide Show
Resizing
Trimming, Protection
DPOF SettingDirect print PictBridge standard I/O connections DC input, A-V output, USB 1.1 Video out NTSC or PAL Audio out Monoraul Battery type Rechargeable 7.2v 680mAh Li-ion battery pack Battery charger AC Adapter/Charger (Input: 100 - 240V AC) Charging time 90 minutes maximum Battery life Up to 260 pictures (CIPA Standard)
Up to 280 pictures using electronic viewfinderStorage type(s) Secure Digital (SD), 8MB supplied / MultiMediaCard (MMC) Cables USB and A-V cables Software PC/Windows: SD Viewer for DSC, Acrobat Reader, ArcSoft Suite (PhotoImpression, Panorama Maker, PhotoBase), QuickTime 5.0, USB driver
Operating temperature 0°C - 40° C Humidity 10% - 80% Dimensions 2.69 x 4.25 x 3.34 inches (HxWxD) Weight 0.64 lbs (not including battery and SD card)
(Specifications as represented by the manufacturer)
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