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Most interesting is the company’s decision to contest some of the lower price points with a new range of entry-level models, starting at just $169. Panasonic sees this as an area where it can gain further ground on key rivals Canon, Sony and Olympus.
The company expects to sell its millionth Lumix camera in Australia this year ahead of the brand celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2011.
The new entry-level models are the DMC-F2 ($169) and the DMC-F3 ($199), both with a 4x optical zoom and Panasonic’s ‘Auto Scene Mode’ subject detection system. The F3 is probably the more interesting value proposition as it has a 12.1 megapixels sensor, a 28mm-equivalent zoom starting point, HD video recording (at 720p in MPEG2) and a 6.86 cm LCD monitor screen.
The main stars of the new line-up are the DMC-TZ10 ($699), the DMC-FT2 ($599), the DMC-ZR3 ($599) and the DMC-FX68 ($499). The TZ10 is the latest model in the hugely popular ‘Travel Zoom’ category and adds a GPS receiver and AVCHD Lite HD video recording to an already long list of features. The TZ10’s 12x optical zoom has a focal range equivalent to 25-300mm and is supported by an upgraded version of Panasonic’s optical image stabiliser called ‘Power OIS’ which is claimed to be twice as effective as the previous ‘Mega OIS’ system. The GPS system displays locations on the camera’s monitor screen and records this information, including latitude and longitude in the Exif data. An important update is the provision of manual exposure control modes (both aperture/shutter-priority and full manual) something which will make the new TZ-series models even more popular with enthusiasts. Both the TZ10 and the companion TZ8 ($599) have a 12.1 MP sensor. The TZ8 also shares the same 12x zoom, but lacks the GPS function, records Motion JPEG HDV and has a smaller LCD monitor screen (6.86 cm versus 7.62 cm) with a lower resolution (460,000 pixels versus 230,000).
The FT2 is Panasonic’s second ‘Tough’ sector model which has extended rugged characteristics – waterproofing down to ten metres, increased dust proofing (up to the IPX8 standard), drop proofed to two metres and freeze proofing down to -10 degrees Celsius. The FT2 has a 14.1 megapixels sensor and records HDV in the AVCHD Lite format. The 4.6x zoom has a focal range equivalent to 28-128mm and this model also has the upgraded ‘Power OIS’ image stabilisation. The 6.86 cm LCD monitor screen has a toughened faceplate.
The ZR3 builds on the success of the ultra-compact ZR1, but has a 14.1 megapixels sensor, AVCHD Lite HDV recording, the newer Venus Engine HDII processor and support for SDXC memory cards (as do the new TZ models). It retains the same 25-200mm equivalent zoom, but with ‘Power OIS’ stabilisation and a new ‘Sonic Speed’ AF system. The new slimline DMC-FX68 combines a 14.1 MP sensor with a 5x optical zoom equivalent to 25-125mm and with a maximum aperture of f2.8. Other features include the ‘Power OIS’ stabilisation, ‘Sonic Speed’ AF, HDV recording and the full suite of Panasonic’s ‘Intelligent Auto’ image processing functions (including a new ‘Happy’ mode which boosts colour saturation). All the new Lumix models will be introduced in March or in April.
For more information about the Lumix range visit www.panasonic.com.au
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