The Best Digital Camera

Now you can customize scenic landscapes in a single framework with the 28 mm wide angle. Pull on subjects far able to capture subtle facial expressions of the dynamic setting telephoto 280mm. Ideal for travel, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4 of 8.1 megapixels combines a vast LEICA DC Vario-Elmar with a handy, compact. The Extra Optical Zoom function also extends the zoom if 15.9x, which gives you even more powerful telephoto lenses. Set the TZ4 iA mode and let the five Intelligent Auto functions team to help prevent shooting errors. Intelligent exposure corrects lighting differences, so images just the way you see them; Intelligent Scene Selector chooses the mode that best suits the situation; MEGA Optical Image Stabilization helps prevent blur to shake hands; Intelligent ISO Control helps prevent motion blur, and Face Detection helps produce clear portraits by optimizing the development and exposure settings. The major smarter bright 2.5-inch LCD automatically adjusts the brightness of ambient light level changes, so images are clear, bright and easy to see. F = 4.6-46mm (35mm equiv - 28-280mm) focal length 2, 5 Diagonal polysilicon TFT LCD Display (230k points) Focusing area Normal - Large 50cm/Tele 200 cm - infinity, Macro / Intelligent AUTO / Clipboard - Wide 5cm / Max 200cm / Tele 100cm - infinity 8 - 1 / 2000 sec. Starry Sky Mode - 15, 30, 60sec. Shutter Speed Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 (High Sensitivity Mode - Auto (1600 - 6400)) ISO 27MB of internal memory (extra memory recommended to store more photos )

Panasonic has just announced the FS series, a new set of digital cameras aimed at users who are looking for sleek, stylish design. The first three cameras in the new Lumix series are the $200 DMC-FS3, the $300 DMC-FS20 and the $250 DMC-FS5.

The first camera in the new series is the $200 DMC-FS3, an 8.1 megapixel model that features a 3x zoom and Panasonic's new Intelligent Auto Mode. They claim that this new combination of technologies provides better automatic image adjustments, leading to better images. The five technologies in the new mode are Mega O.I.S. (the optical image stabilization system), Intelligent ISO (which adjusts ISO if it detects moving subjects), intelligent scene selection (where the camera selects the best scene mode automatically), Face Detection and Quick AF. Panasonic claim that the improved face detection on the new cameras can keep track of up to 15 faces, while the Quick AF system attempts to pre-focus the camera before you press the shutter.

The FS3 is built around the new Venus Engine IV image processing chip, which Panasonic claims is faster than previous models. The new camera also includes a 2.5-inch LCD with an ambient light sensor that adjusts the screen brightness. It's just 0.89 inches thick, and weighs in at a lightweight 4.9 ounces. The DMC-FS3 will be priced at $199.99 and will be available in February.

As the headliner for the new FS-series, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 makes a daring entrance into an already packed point-and-shoot market. Panasonic launched the Lumix FS20 to service a broad audience of novice beginners to advanced point-and-shooters. The Panasonic FS camera sits above Panasonic’s budget LS and LZ line and just under the higher-end TZ series. What does the FS20 have to offer in an already crowded shelf of competing cameras? The 10.1-megapixel Panasonic FS20 has a 4x optical zoom Leica lens and 3-inch LCD, along with optical image stabilization, face detection, and a sleek body. The FS debutante will retail for $299.95 when it ships in February 2008. Read on for our First Impressions review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 from the tradeshow floor of PMA 2008 in Las Vegas

Overall Impressions

Value
At a near-$300 price point, the Panasonic Lumix FS20 is certainly not the least expensive camera around. Consumers can find digital cameras for as low as $150 new, including Panasonic’s LS-series and Fuji’s newly-launched budget J-series. At this value, the FS20 has some strong features, including wide shooting and optical image stabilization that is key for reducing blur. At the same price, though, consumers can find more attention-grabbing features such as more color options or the waterproof or shockproof abilities found on Olympus or Pentax cameras.

The Panasonic DMC-FS5 combines easy operation with a slim and sleek look, enabling both beginner and advanced users to take beautiful digital photos with a camera they can slip in their pocket. Featuring 10-megapixel resolution and a 30mm wide-angle Leica DC lens with 4x optical zoom, the FS5 also has Intelligent Auto Mode, an advanced intuitive system of technologies that help users take better photos more easily. Additionally, the fourth generation high-performance image-processing Venus Engine IV LSI helps produce higher-quality pictures with an advanced signal processing system. It adds a new high-performance noise reduction system that helps reproduce even the most delicate parts of images naturally and without color bleeding. The Venus Engine IV reduces shutter release time lag while still enabling high-resolution picture taking, making it easier to capture spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. Other features of the DMC-FS5 include approximately 50 MB of internal memory and a 2.5-inch LCD -- perfect for easy-to-see viewing of images. Furthermore, the FS5 features an Intelligent LCD, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD to offer optimal clarity in any situation, whether dark or light; indoors or outdoors.

The 9.1-megapixel Panasonic DMC-TZ5 packs a 28mm wide-angle, 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens in a compact design, ideal for the active photographer who needs a versatile camera. By combining a 28mm wide-angle lens, which lets you capture a wider-framed shot when compared to a traditional 35mm camera, with the TZ-Series 10x optical zoom, you’re empowered to take expanded shots, both wide and far. Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto technologies are also expanded, with new Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red-eye Correction.

With the addition of Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red-eye Correction, Panasonic’s Advanced Intelligent Auto mode consists of seven intuitive technologies, all which are specifically designed to help make photo-taking an enjoyable and seamless process unnoticed by the consumer — helping them to take clear photos. When in Advanced Intelligent Auto mode, the following technologies all operate automatically; no settings need to be manually changed.

Also new to the TZ5 is the Venus Engine IV, Panasonic’s new high-performance image processing LSI. The Venus Engine IV produces higher-quality pictures than its predecessor, the Venus Engine III, by using a more advanced signal processing system. The new Venus Engine IV also improves noise reduction, elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effects in both Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO and reduces the shutter release time lag. Both models also incorporate Intelligent LCD, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, to offer optimal clarity in any situation, whether dark or light; indoors or outdoors. With a newly developed 460,000-dot high resolution in the TZ5’s 3.0-inch LCD, photos can be easily viewed on the display, regardless of the shooting environment.

The TZ5 is also capable of recording 720p high-definition motion pictures, and because of its support of SD memory cards, is easily compatible with Panasonic Viera plasma HDTVs that have an integrated SD memory card slot, so viewing photos is simple. Also, with the newly added HD component output capability, users can also connect the TZ5 to an HDTV and watch a slideshow complete with mood-appropriate music, choosing from natural, slow, urban and swing.

ViewPanasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9MP Digital Camera details At Amazon