More details: Panasonic Lumix FS18 and FS16

The world renowned Panasonic LUMIX range offers sophistication in both technology and style and to prove this point Panasonic is pleased to introduce the latest additions to the award winning FS series, the new 16.1-megapixel DMC-FS18 and 14.1-megapixel DMC-FS16 with a slimmer, more compact, stylish profile.

High Performance Venus Engine VI
Using a high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine VI in both cameras allow improved performance and enable beautiful image recording with higher quality signal processing and now include Intelligent Resolution technology.

With Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas – outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clearness while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed. To the soft gradation part, the superior noise reduction process of the Venus Engine VI is applied to make it smoother. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness this innovative technology precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way and as a result, images are naturally clear and crisp.

The multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine VI supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as 0.007 of a second for FS18 and slightly shorter for the FS16 at 0.006 seconds and the camera’s quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed Auto Focus (AF) that lets you lock on the subject.
The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the both models record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash

Superb picture with 28mm wide-angle Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR wide angle lens
Both models feature newly developed, retractable-type, high quality LEICA DC lens with 28mm wide-angle and 4x optical zoom . Comprising of 6 elements in 5 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens is minimised in size thanks to the Panasonic’s concurrent development system of lens, mechanism and design of the camera. It results in the dramatic downsizing of the body with approx. 20 % slimmer profile than the predecessor models, while maintaining exceptional optical performance and a host of advanced features.

Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom available in the FS models extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x with minimal deterioration and means the 4x optical can virtually extend to 5x equivalent. Furthermore, the Extra Optical Zoom function extends zoom power to 9.0x in the FS18 and 8.4x in FS16 in 3-megapixel recording. By using the central part of the CCD, this powerful zooming function allows you to easily capture and magnify distant subjects.

Intelligent Auto Mode Just Keeps Getting Better
Panasonic incorporated Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. This mode is also further advanced with the inclusion of the AF tracking and Intelligent Exposure feature.

In iA mode the camera does all the work, activating AF tracking, Intelligent Exposure, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector, Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser), and Intelligent ISO Control. This leaves the user free to simply compose the shot and press the shutter button, with the assurance that the image will be clear, beautiful and properly exposed.

With the new AF Tracking function, the user can “lock” the focus onto a moving subject. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the user having to hold the shutter button halfway down. This makes it easier to capture the perfect moment clearly and in sharp focus when shooting images of a child, pet, sports or any scene with moving subjects and spontaneous action.

Intelligent Exposure suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights to capture images that look natural and true-to-life. It now features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects that the light source is behind the subject.

Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects whichever of 6 scene modes — Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset – that best suits the shooting situation. MEGA O.I.S. suppresses hand-shake and Intelligent ISO control prevents moving subject to be blurred by optimizing the shutter speed and ISO sensitivity setting, to render sharp, clear images whatever the shooting situation is. In addition, human faces are captured in focus and appropriate exposure with the Face Detection and it also corrects unwanted red-eye digitally.

The user can activate all of these useful functions by simply pressing an independent iA button on the top of the camera. All these features make the FS18 and FS16 the ultimate, super-versatile automatic camera for capturing clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.

The Fun and Ease of Photography
Technically specified, yet remaining easy to use – the new FS18 and FS16 even record dynamic HD movie in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 24 fps (FS18) / 30fps (FS16), in addition to normal VGA (640 x 480) in Motion JPEG. All movies can be directly uploaded to YouTube via the uploaded software or you can enjoy high quality image playback by simply playing connected or loading the memory card into a wide-screen HDTV for full-screen viewing. Another way to easily share your movies, together with photos, is thanks to the integrated LUMIX Image Uploader, which realises instant image sharing via Facebook (photo) or YouTube (movie) with any PC on the spot. All you have to do is checkmark the photos you want to share and connect the camera to a PC. Uploading starts just by following the simply instructions, allowing you to add comment and notify your friends via e-mail consequently. Face book can be used for photos and YouTube for movies.

Further features to expand the fun and convenience for users include built-in memory of 70MB, an Intelligent LCD which automatically adjusts the screen brightness in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times plus a total of 28 scene modes, such as ‘Baby’ or ‘Pet’, set most appropriate parameter in wide-ranging situations.

Editing with the latest software
The latest version of PHOTOfunSTUDIO comes bundled with the FS18 and FS16. PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 helps to sort and organise thousands of photos and movies with more ease, with quick start-up and fast read-in allowing quick access to the image you want.
For portraits, the Face Recognition function recognises the faces in the picture stored in your PC and sorts the photos by faces. A Panorama Stitch lets you make a panoramic composite in MOV file by synthesising photos taken in Panorama Assist mode of the camera. It is also possible to make a slideshow with the selected photos adding an appropriate music file to accompany.

Packing a host of functions, the new slim and compact DMC-FS18 and DMC-FS16 allow any user to enjoy shooting beautiful images anytime. The metallic panel with noble hairline finish is available in silver, black or violet (FS18) or silver, black, pink, red and blue (FS16) to choose from.