Panasonic has unwrapped three new digital cameras that feature fast auto-focus and speedy power-on times, improved optical image stabilization and new lenses from Panasonic’s photography partner, Leica.
The $400 Lumix DMC-FZ35, the $280 Lumix DMC-ZR1 and the $300 Lumix DMC-FP8 all offer 12-megapixel resolution and new Power OIS optical image stabilization that Panasonic says is twice as effective as existing Panasonic technology.
All can auto-focus in 0.3 seconds. Power-on capabilities are equally snappy, Panasonic says. The new Lumix cameras, available in September, include Intelligent Auto (iA) Mode, which has automatic face detection, scene selector and exposure.
The most tempting of the three is the FZ35, which has an 18X optical zoom lens and can shoot high-definition 720p video. It also includes a high-dynamic mode that should deliver better results when shooting still scenes with both very bright and very dark areas. Think of the FZ35 not as an expensive Panasonic but an inexpensive Leica. Rik Fairlie
