Panasonic?s DMC-FZ18 ? a Super-Versatile Camera with 28mm Wide-Angle Lens and 18x Optical Zoom

The perfect choice for any photographer with varied photographic needs and high ambitions ? Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new DMC-FZ18 8.1-megapixel Lumix camera, featuring a powerful 18x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm film camera), newly developed 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and Panasonic?s new and unique Intelligent Auto Mode. Panasonic?s award winning FZ series of Lumix cameras has been highly praised across the world, for concomitant realisation of both high performance and ease of use, and the FZ18 is no exception.

Bridging the gap between high-end compacts and digital SLRs, Panasonic?s DMC-FZ18 offers a level of control close to that of an SLR, but without the need for interchangeable lenses. Perfect for photographers on the move and families who want to shoot pictures outdoors for example, the FZ18 offers an easy way to enjoy the fun of capturing beautiful digital pictures.

Broaden your outlook and get the big picture
Panasonic has packaged a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with f/2.8-4.2 brightness and a powerful 18x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-504mm on a 35mm film camera) plus an 8.1 megapixel CCD into a compact, portable body.

Comprising eleven elements in eight groups, including three aspherical lenses and two ED lenses that notably minimise the chromatic aberration that is likely to occur in telephone lenses, this advanced lens unit passes Leica’s stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance. The zoom ratio can be extended up to 28.7x in 3-megapixel resolution mode with minimal deterioration thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom. By using the central part of the CCD, this powerful zooming function allows you to easily capture and magnify distant subjects.
Intelligent Auto Mode ? the camera does the hard work so you don?t have to!
For more simple and more intelligent operation than ever, Lumix is offering the ideal automatic shooting. Building on the success of Simple Mode and I.ISO Mode, Panasonic?s unique Intelligent Auto Mode is newly incorporated and introduces a new concept to photography ? the ultimate auto mode. With Intelligent Auto Mode, the camera automatically selects the most appropriate setting according to the situation without any user interface. Designed for ease of use, simply select Intelligent Auto mode from the dial and the camera will automatically detect motion (Intelligent ISO), shake (MEGA O.I.S), face (Face Detection) and scene (Scene Detection) and select the settings accordingly. These multi-capable functions happen automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. Lumix and its powerful Intelligent Auto Mode do all the work for you. Now anyone at any technical level of photography can take beautiful pictures with ease.

The technologies that Intelligent Auto Mode Covers
Panasonic incorporates both MEGA O.I.S (Optical Image Stabiliser) to compensate for handshake and Intelligent ISO control system to detect and suppress motion blur into all Lumix cameras, which are the industry?s most advanced countermeasures against blurring.

In addition to these two paramount anti-blurring technologies, Intelligent Auto Mode also features face detection and scene detection. The Scene Selector automatically sets the appropriate scene mode, from the most frequently used modes such as -portrait, scenery, macro, night scenery and night portrait – according to the scene you?re going to take. With the new scene selector, the camera automatically sets the most appropriate scene mode and adjusts the detailed picture quality setting according to its detecting exposure, metering focus distance, face of the subject and motion of the subject.

The Face Detection system helps the camera to recognise a human face and adjust AF/AE – allowing portrait photos to be taken effortlessly. Up to 15 human faces can be recognised simultaneously ? perfect for group shots. The quick AF system allows the camera to start focusing on the subject even without pressing a shutter button halfway, to get the best result out of a shutter chance by minimising the AF time.

Unique to Panasonic, the new Intelligent Auto Mode does the hard work, so all you need to do is choose the shot you want!

At the heart of the camera
At the heart of the camera is the Venus Engine III, Panasonic?s advanced image-processing engine that can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1600 with full resolution. The DMC-FZ18 boasts outstanding response time ? for example the burst shooting mode boosts the capability of sequential shots to a rate of 3 frames per second at full resolution . If this wasn?t enough, you also get unlimited consecutive shooting – which allows you to take photos in succession up to the capacity of the memory card or built in memory.

The Venus Engine III greatly improves noise reduction, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing. Critical noise is analysed, and chromatic and luminance noise are reduced separately. The chromatic noise, which has greater effect on picture quality, is then selectively suppressed, resulting in clearer images.

The Venus Engine III also supports a new High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FZ18 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400 ? sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash . This advanced processing engine is also energy efficient ? its low power consumption means you can shoot around 400 images on a single charge, for a full day of shooting fun.

Inherently user friendly
The joystick that was so popular in the sister model DMC-FZ8, is employed in the FZ18 ? for manual adjustment of focusing and exposure setting. Panasonic has redesigned the FZ18 to make it more stylish and enhance its operational ease. For example, the newly incorporated AF/AE lock button maintains the focus and exposure values that were automatically fixed when the lock button was pressed. This means that there are no more worries about accidently changing a delicate focus point after you?ve worked hard to get it right. The Custom setting is also incorporated to memorise your frequent setting patterns to be instantly applied by simply selecting this function with the mode dial.
The DMC-FZ18 features the new Advanced Scene Mode, offering the simple operation the same as the Scene Mode setting, but with some additional adjustments available to users. The frequently used scene modes (portrait, sports, landscape and night portrait) have been added to the mode dial and within these modes users can select either standard, outdoor, indoor or creative to capture more suitable images. For example creative changes factors such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO – outdoor changes backlight compensation, and indoor changes the I.S.O.

As easy as LCD
The new models boast a 207K pixel high resolution, 2.5? large LCD so you can effortlessly capture and playback your pictures. The camera detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and boosts signals by mixed-pixel readout method when shooting under low-lit situation to secure a clear image in any circumstance. The High Angle mode, which can be accessed quickly and easily via a dedicated button, makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.

Quick and Smart AF and Easy Manual Focusing
To match the shooting situation and subject’s position, the user can select from six auto-focusing methods: face detection, multi, 3-point high-speed, 1-point high-speed, 1-point normal-speed, and spot. With the 1-point AF or spot AF method, the auto-focusing area can be chosen from as many as 11 points with the joystick or cursor button. Various group area patterns can also be selected in the new Multi method.

With the newly added Face Detection system, the detection keeps working on the faces even if subjects are moving so that the time for AF is minimized before you click away the shutter.

Manual focusing, which is a valuable tool for professional-level photography, is also easy thanks to the joystick, and instant switching between AF and MF is available with the independent AF/MF button. The DMC-FZ18 is also equipped with AF Macro button and it activates One-Shot AF function in MF mode with a single press of the button. In both AF/MF, the subject just 1cm away can be finely captured sparing no detail of it so you can experience the dynamic close-up of macro shots.

To further add to its appeal the FZ18 can save image data in the RAW film format for your photographic freedom. For editing and developing in the RAW file format, the FZ18 comes complete with SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE software application. Approximately 27MB of built-in memory is provided and the camera accommodates large SDHC memory cards for your convenience.

For users who feel that ordinary compact cameras simply do not give them the functions and control they need for full enjoyment, the Lumix DMC-FZ18 serves as a gateway to truly creative photography.


Panasonic?s new DMC-FX55 and DMC-FX33 ? Intelligent Cameras with Panasonic?s unique Intelligent Auto Mode

Not one to rest on its laurels, Panasonic is pleased to introduce two new additions to the award winning Lumix range. Belying their remarkably compact and slim size, the DMC-FX33 and DMC-FX55 feature a wealth of technological features, including a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC lens, optical image stabiliser, face detection and intelligent scene selection to name but a few. Continuing to push the boundaries, the FX33 and FX55 go one step further to include Intelligent Auto mode ? a feature unique to Panasonic Lumix cameras. Technology rich yet remaining inherently easy to use ? the best photographs are taken with a Lumix camera.

The bigger picture with the LEICA DC wide angle lens
With the DMC-FX33 and FX55, Panasonic has packaged a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with f/2.8 brightness and a 3.6x optical zoom (equivalent to 28-100mm on a 35mm film camera) plus an 8.1 megapixel CCD into a body that is slim, stylish and conveniently compact.

Comprising seven elements in six groups, including five aspherical lenses with six aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit passes Leica’s stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance. The zoom ratio can be extended up to 5.7x in 3-megapixel resolution mode with minimal deterioration thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom. By using the central part of the CCD, this powerful zooming function allows you to easily capture and magnify distant subjects.

Intelligent Auto Mode ? the camera does the hard work so you don?t have to!
For more simple and more intelligent operation than ever, Lumix is offering the ideal automatic shooting. Building on the success of Simple Mode and I.ISO Mode, Panasonic?s unique Intelligent Auto Mode is newly incorporated and introduces a new concept to photography ? the ultimate auto mode. With Intelligent Auto Mode, the camera automatically selects the most appropriate setting according to the situation without any user interface. Designed for ease of use, simply select Intelligent Auto mode from the dial and the camera will automatically detect motion (Intelligent ISO), shake (MEGA O.I.S), face (Face Detection) and scene (Scene Detection) and select the settings accordingly. These multi-capable functions happen automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. Lumix and its powerful Intelligent Auto Mode do all the work for you. Now anyone at any technical level of photography can take beautiful pictures with ease.

The technologies that Intelligent Auto Mode Covers
Panasonic incorporates both MEGA O.I.S (Optical Image Stabiliser) to compensate for handshake and Intelligent ISO control system to detect and suppress motion blur into all Lumix cameras, which are the industry?s most advanced countermeasures against blurring.

In addition to these two paramount anti-blurring technologies, Intelligent Auto Mode also features face detection and scene detection. The Scene Selector automatically sets the appropriate scene mode, from the most frequently used modes such as -portrait, scenery, macro, night scenery and night portrait – according to the scene you?re going to take. With the new scene selector, the camera automatically sets the most appropriate scene mode and adjusts the detailed picture quality setting according to its detecting exposure, metering focus distance, face of the subject and motion of the subject.

The Face Detection system helps the camera to recognise a human face and adjust AF/AE – allowing portrait photos to be taken effortlessly. Up to 15 human faces can be recognised simultaneously ? perfect for group shots. The quick AF system allows the camera to start focusing on the subject even without pressing a shutter button halfway, to get the best result out of a shutter chance by minimising the AF time.

Unique to Panasonic, the new Intelligent Auto Mode does the hard work, so all you need to do is choose the shot you want!

The power of the Venus Engine III
The DMC-FX33 and FX55 feature the Venus Engine III, Panasonic?s advanced image-processing engine that boasts outstanding response time. The burst shooting mode boosts the capability of sequential shots to a rate of 3 frames per second at full resolution . In High-Speed Burst shooting mode the FX33 and FX55 fire off an incredible seven shots per second. If this wasn?t enough, you also get unlimited consecutive shooting – which allows you to take photos in succession up to the capacity of the memory card or built in memory.

The Venus Engine III greatly improves noise reduction, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing. Critical noise is analysed, and chromatic and luminance noise are reduced separately. The chromatic noise, which has greater effect on picture quality, is then selectively suppressed, resulting in clearer images.

The Venus Engine III also supports a new High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FX33 and FX55 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400 ? sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash . This advanced processing engine is also energy efficient ? its low power consumption means you can shoot around 280 images on a single charge, for a full day of shooting fun.

As easy as LCD
The new models boast a 230K pixel high resolution, 3.0? large LCD (2.5inch, 207k pixels high resolution LCD for the FX33) so you can effortlessly capture and playback your pictures.

The Intelligent LCD of both models detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and boosts signals by mixed-pixel readout method when shooting under low-lit situation to secure a clear image in any circumstance. The High Angle mode, which can be accessed quickly and easily via a dedicated button, makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.

Playback at your leisure
With TV screens getting bigger and picture definition increasing, consumers want to be able to shoot higher-quality still images and motion pictures. With the DMC-FX33 and DMC-FX55, you can shoot hi-definition 1920 x 1080 pixel photos that are ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen (16:9) TV. Panasonic also offers the DMW-SDP1 HDTV photo player, which makes it easier to view a slideshow of Lumix photos in full 1080i high-definition quality.

Not only can you capture beautiful still images ? these new models also record stunning wide aspect WVGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second. Fitting a wide-screen television perfectly, these wide-aspect motion images captured by the DMC-FX55 and DMC-FX33 make for extremely impressive viewing.

A camera that works with you
Approximately 27 MB of built-in memory is provided, and the cameras accommodate large-capacity SDHC memory cards. Building on the success of the baby mode and pet modes, Panasonic has gone one step further to include the new Title Edit function, which allows users to input text on the picture, such as names of children or pets and travel places. When combined with Text Stamp function , the DMC-FX55 and FX33 can show on which day of the trip a photo was taken together with the place you went to, in addition to showing the date a photo was taken for pictures using Travel Date function. It can also stamp your baby or pet’s age in months on a photo together with his/her name, after you’ve taken the shots. These dates, which can be helpful when making a photo album, can be stamped on photos whether you print them yourself at home or have them printed.

The DMC-FX55 and FX33 also provide Category Playback function, which sorts images into such categories as portraits, scenery, night scenery, events, baby, pet, food, travel date-stamped and motion pictures, so you can play back or make slideshows of a particular type of image. The DMC-FX55/FX33 also offers a Clipboard function that lets you use the camera to hold and retrieve useful information on a trip. For example, you can quickly and easily take shots of a map or train schedule, and view them when needed. The FX33 is compatible with a marine case** with which users can shoot underwater while scuba diving etc.

The tiny proportions of these cameras belie the wealth of innovation. Small enough to slip neatly into a pocket ? these cameras offer superb performance and impressive quality can be carried anywhere at any time. Highly technically specified with the 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, and newly incorporated Intelligent Auto Mode, the new additions are an investment in your photographic future. Available from?

For further information, please visit www.panasonic.co.uk/lumix