On a busy day for Panasonic announcements, the company has also unveiled the DMC-LZ20.
Featuring a powerful 25mm ultra wide-angle 21x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabiliser, the 16-megapixel high resolution CCD and advanced image processing supports shooting high quality photos and video.

With a lens unit that’s made up of 12 elements in 9 groups including 3 aspherical lenses with 5 aspherical surfaces, the Extra Optical Zoom function can extend zoom power to 48.5x (at 3-megapixel resolution) by using the centre part of the 16-megapixel high resolution CCD. As well as bringing the subject closer, the 25mm ultra wide angle lens can capture approx. 196% wider angle of view compared with a standard 35mm camera, ideal for shooting dynamic landscapes or indoor group portraits.

For beginners, the LZ20 features LUMIX’s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) function powerfully assists in any shooting situation to get the best result and reduce mistakes. This mode is a comprehensive integration of Optical Image Stabilizer, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure – the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots, aim and shoot the subject. Face Detection sets appropriate AF/AE while removing unwanted red-eye. Intelligent Exposure corrects the brightness in parts of the image that are too dark due to insufficient lighting, backlighting or use of the flash. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects whichever of 6 Scene modes – Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset – that best suit the shooting situation.

Manual operation is available for LZ20 users with P and M modes expanding the photographic experience and for those who enjoy more creative photography, the DMC-LZ20 can produce a dynamic panorama image in camera by overlaying consequent pictures shot horizontally / vertically with Panorama Shot function

DMC-LZ20 is capable of recording HD video in 720p. The 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot LCD assures high visibility in any lighting circumstances, which is excellent for both shooting and playing back images. It also features an ergonomically studied body design that offers stable, comfortable grip even holding a camera long time. Featuring a strong presence of powerful zoom lens, the external design of DMC-LZ20 is distinguished yet sophisticated.

With the bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.2 Lite Edition, videos can be easily edited and uploaded to YouTube to share them with family or friends.