|
|
Press Release - 21 July 2010
Panasonic DMC-FZ45: Powerful 24x Optical Zoom
Hybrid Digital Compact Camera with HD Movie Recording Offering Active,
Creative Photo and Movie
Packed with Creative Features Panasonic is pleased to
introduce another feature-packed hybrid digital compact camera with
14.1-megapixels to its award winning Lumix range. The new DMC-FZ45 from the
popular FZ series combines a powerful optical zoom and creative options
including manual operation to bring users a versatile and creative compact.
The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens extends its optical zoom range from 27mm to
25mm at wide end and the zoom power from 18x to 24x to be even more
versatile compared to the DMC-FZ35*.
The new image processing LSI Venus Engine HD II
achieves high picture quality in both photo and HD movie recording modes. It
also compiles the Intelligent Resolution technology to perform the optimum
signal processing depending on the part of a picture to give incredible
image clarity and depth. The powerful 24x optical zoom* can increase its
power to 32x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function taking advantage
of the Intelligent Resolution technology maintaining the picture quality
even using digital zoom.
Capture Moves and Pictures at Super Speed The Sonic
Speed Auto Focus in the FZ45 features a high-speed start-up giving the FZ45
extremely fast response levels helping to capture even the most short lived
photo opportunities. The manual control of the FZ45 makes operation easier
with the incorporation of new jog dial. A focus button lets users switch
from photo to movie mode, utilising a host of options including Creative
Movie mode and My Color mode.
Panasonic's iA (Intelligent Auto) mode — a hallmark of
LUMIX cameras — includes POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) which
features double the repression power compared to the conventional image
stabilization system, MEGA O.I.S helping to eliminate hand shake for
blur-free photography. The iA mode is also available in movie recording
mode, automatically selecting the most suitable Scene mode and helping to
correct handshake, focus and brightness problems. Relax and let iA mode
become your one-stop solution to beautiful still and motion images.
The 3.0-inch 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD assures high
visibility for both recording images and playing them back. Along with
outstanding performance, the DMC-FZ45 excels in energy efficiency with
battery life lasting for up to 580 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.
Capturing high quality photos and magnificent movies
with super fast response times, the DMC-FZ45 is the perfect digital compact
camera with functions to satisfy users at any level of photography.
Panasonic DMC- FZ45 Features Explained:
1. 25mm Ultra Wide-Angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
Lens with Powerful 24x Optical Zoom for Ultimate Versatility in Both Photo
and Movie Recording
The FZ45 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra
wide-angle lens with a 24x optical zoom(35mm camera equivalent:25-600mm).
Comprising 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 ED lenses and 2 aspherical
lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes the
outstandingly compact body while passing Leica's stringent standards to
deliver exceptional optical performance suppressing distortion at wide end
and color bleeding at tele end. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent
Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the FZ45 which
extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even
combining a digital zoom. This means the 24x optical can virtually extend to
32x equivalent. Furthermore, the Extra Optical Zoom function that extends
zoom power to 50.6x (at 3-megapixel resolution) by using the center part of
the large CCD to bring subjects even closer.
2. Enjoy Easy Shooting of HD Movie in AVCHD Lite
with Advanced iA(Intelligent Auto) Mode
The DMC-FZ45 is capable of recording high quality HD Movie in AVCHD Lite.
The AVCHD Lite features almost doubling the recording time in HD quality
compared with the conventional Motion JPEG and excels in the compatibility
with TV and other AV equipment. The picture quality is greatly enhanced
thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. The DMC-FZ45 also features
Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio.
The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in movie recording. The
POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Face Detection, and Intelligent
Scene Selector also support shooting beautiful movie with ease. The
Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait,
Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize
visual quality. The Intelligent Exposure that also optimizes the exposure to
prevent over/under exposure part from occurring.
A special, separate button on the top lets the user instantly start
recording movies while shooting photos without any extra settings. The
powerful 24x optical zoom is available in movie recording, too. With the
newly added Video Divide function, users can divide the video into two
sections to shorten or delete the unwanted part on the spot in the camera.
You can cut out a clear still image from a movie in the camera thanks to the
Intelligent Resolution technology. A Wind Cut function is also available to
block out most of the noise from background wind.
Photos or movies recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD Memory Cards are easy to view
on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer
(SD Memory Card slot) on VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to playback
your contents. Alternatively, you can use an optional mini HDMI cable to
output the still and motion images you took from the FZ45 directly to the TV
for VIERA Link. You can take maximum advantage of LUMIX camera's playback
functions including the slideshow in which both still and motion images are
integrated in the timeline, category playback according to the scene mode
you used or calendar display and so on. All control is possible using only
the TV's remote control.
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, it is
easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload
your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.
・Motion images can be recorded continuously for up to 29min 59 sec in
European PAL areas
・Continuous recording exceeding 2GB is not possible when recording motion
JPEG. Remaining time for continuous recording is displayed on the screen.
・Use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class 4" or higher when recording
motion pictures in [AVCHD Lite]. Also, use a card with SD Speed Class with
"Class 6" or higher when recording motion pictures in [MOTION JPEG].
*SD Speed Class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.
3. The Evolving iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode Makes
Every Photo Blur-less
Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate
ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. In the iA mode, the camera
does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments.
Just press, aim and shoot.
The hand-shake component, which is physically generated when pressing the
shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is
recognized as a low-frequency vibration, for which the new POWER O.I.S. is
particularly effective. This greatly improves the quality of shots taken
with high zoom and at night or indoors where a flash cannot be used, or
where the photographer doesn't want to use a flash because it would spoil
the mood. It captures beautiful photos in situations that previously
resulted in blurring. The Face Recognition function remembers registered
faces to give an appropriate AF/AE on the people while removing the unwanted
red-eye. The 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.
In addition, the Intelligent Resolution technology is always activated in
the iA mode which results in the clearer and higher picture quality in every
photo and movie with extended zoom range equivalent to 32x optical zoom by
the Intelligent Zoom.
Once you enter the iA mode, these functions happen automatically together
with other powerful shooting-assist functions - AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO
Control and Intelligent Exposure - so you can shoot without the bother of
adjusting settings every time conditions change. You can enjoy easy,
trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes
with capturing clear, beautiful images.
The newly added Happy mode, a color mode option in the iA mode, optimizes
color, saturation and brightness to make both photos and movies more vivid
and true to the color of the scene you memorized.
4. The Intelligent Resolution Technology Compiled
in the New Venus Engine HD II Assures High Picture Quality for Both Photo
and Movie
The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II is newly incorporated in
the DMC-FZ45 to enable the recording of beautiful photo and high-definition
movie with higher quality signal processing including the Intelligent
Resolution technology.
With the 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, superior noise reduction process of
the Venus Engine HD II is applied to make it smoother. Apart from the
uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology, Intelligent
Resolution, precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most
effective way for it. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in
both photo and movie recording.
The Intelligent Resolution technology also realizes Intelligent Zoom, which
virtually extends the optical zoom ratio to its approx. 1.3x equivalent
maintaining the picture quality even combining the digital zoom. Details of
an image in high sensitivity recording tend to be lost in the noise
reduction process; however, the Intelligent Resolution works to keep them.
At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine, the Venus Engine
HD II achieves super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as
short as approx. 0.006 second and the camera's quick response makes it
easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together
with the Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus). The high performance Venus Engine HD
II is also more energy efficient compared with the conventional Venus Engine
HD, extending the battery life up to 580 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.
5. Intuitive Manual Control and Creative Option
The excellent manual controllability is the advantage of DMC-FZ45, making it
stand out of standard compact cameras. The newly adopted jog dial enhances
the operability together with the focus button on the back of the camera.
In movie recording, the DMC-FZ45 goes further than simply recording HD
movies. Apart from the movie recording capability of conventional digital
compact cameras, the DMC-FZ45 also features a Creative Movie mode, which
lets the user set the shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more
impressive movies. Changing the shutter speed brings special effects to
movies, which is especially suitable for shooting fast-moving subject. The
ability to control the aperture is convenient when there are several
subjects at different distances and it is desired to have each of them stand
out.
My Color mode, which is popular in the LUMIX G Micro System cameras, is a
special option that gives free reign to the user's creativity. With a
variety of options including new Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic and High
Dynamic B&W, the My Color mode makes it easier and more fun to create
interesting, expressive images by shooting images with most intensive color,
brightness and saturation parameters. The popular My Color mode is available
also in movie recording giving the user a wider range of expressive
possibilities to explore together with the Creative Movie mode.
6. Other features Enhances Photographic Experience
The DMC-FZ45 features 3.0-inch large 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD (which
boasts a wide viewing angle) and 0.2-inch 201,600-dot EVF, both with 100%
field of view. A large, clear, easy-to-see LCD offers even more comfortable
view for both monitoring when shooting and for playing back the results.
The DMC-FZ45 offers a wide variety of options to choose from to match every
shooting situation and shooting style.
Tele Conversion Lens(1.7x): DMW-LT55
Close-up Lens: DMW-LC55
Conversion Lens Adaptor: DMW-LA5 NEW
MC Protector: DMW-MC52
ND Filter: DMW-LND52
PL Filter: DMW-LPL52
Battery Pack: DMW-BMB9
Carrying Case: DMW-CZS100 NEW
Bag:DMW-CZ18
About Included Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD
Edition
The latest version of exciting software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition comes
bundled with DMC-FZ45. With quick start-up and fast read-in of images, the
PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos
not only of those newly taken but also of those stored in your PC. The Face
Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the picture and the
software automatically sorts the photos by the registered faces without
picking out each photo one by one when you only want pictures of a specific
person. You can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use your
iTunes music library as background music. Motion pictures can be uploaded
directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader even in HD (High
Definition) quality. It also lets you create a 360-degree rotation panorama
file in MOV, which is especially easy if Panorama Assist mode in the camera
is used. Experience and feel the outstanding benefit of the PHOTOfunSTUDIO
5.0 HD Edition. It will surely allow you to view, edit and archive your
captured photos and motion pictures with greater ease and fun.
|
|
