Panasonic introduces the stylish and super bright LUMIX DMC-FX700 and DMC-FX75
Meet the two latest models in the popular FX series

Panasonic Australia today announced two new versatile, high quality models in the popular LUMIX FX Series - the slim and stylish DMC-FX700 and DMC-FX75 - featuring a super bright ultra wide-angle 24mm LEICA lens with a 5x zoom; intuitive touch-control shooting; and FULL HD AVCHD movie recording on the DMC-FX700.

The DMC-FX700 is an amazingly responsive compact, with the new Intelligent Burst mode which adjusts the frame rate of burst shooting according to the speed of the subject’s motion.  The new 14.1 megapixel MOS sensor allows the camera to shoot at 10 frames per second in 14-megapixel full resolution.

Taking advantage of the high speed MOS sensor, the DMC-FX700’s newly-added Handheld Night Shot mode takes 10 consecutive shots using a fast shutter speed and combines them to produce a blur-less, beautifully illuminated night shot without a tripod.

In addition, Panasonic has brought the touch shutter technology first seen in the DMC-G2 Micro Four Thirds camera to its compact range for the first time – with both models offering touch operation for key functions.

Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode — a LUMIX hallmark— is further advanced in the DMC-FX700 and DMC-FX75 with the inclusion of the new Motion Deblur mode1. This eliminates unwanted blur by integrating motion detection (Intelligent ISO Control) and brightness control (Intelligent Exposure) to achieve as high a shutter speed as possible.  Combined with the F2.2 lens and POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser), this is extremely effective against blur caused by hand-shake or subject motion.

“With touch control, Panasonic’s renowned iA, and the fantastic new Motion Deblur mode, the FX Series will become a firm favourite among those who want a sleek and stylish compact but don’t want to compromise on the quality of their images. The DMC-FX700 and DMC-FX75 deliver on both counts,” said Richard Phillips, Product Marketing Manager, LUMIX, Panasonic Australia.

The DMC-FX75 offers AVCHD Lite movie recording. Both models also feature 5x zoom and the iA features of POWER O.I.S., Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure, making it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos. The Sonic Speed AF and quick start-up time also mean that the user will never miss a photo opportunity.

The 1:1 square format is available for photo recording in addition to the aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9.

Pricing and Availability

LUMIX DMC-FX700 (Black)             $599 RRP       Available September 2010

LUMIX DMC-FX75 (Black)               $499 RRP       Available mid-August 2010

Key Features

Super bright F2.2 LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON Lens with 24mm Ultra Wide-Angle and 5x Optical Zoom (24-120mm 35mm camera equivalent)

The DMC-FX700 and DMC-FX75 have a high quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens that boasts an astonishing brightness of F2.2 - approximately 1.6x brighter than the F2.8 lens. This allows the cameras to shoot at a higher shutter speed and capture stunningly clear, sharp, blur-free images in lower light situations. This advanced lens also makes it easy to produce beautiful photos with soft background focusing thanks to the shallow depth of field provided by the extra light.

The 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens also gives photographers a wider range of composition possibilities with approximately 213% larger viewing space compared to that of a 35mm camera, with the high-quality lens minimising distortion at the wide end.

The lens unit consists of 7 elements in 6 groups with 3 aspherical lenses with 5 aspherical surfaces. The advanced lens design includes a very thin 0.4mm aspherical lens, as well as a 0.3mm super thin aspherical and spherical lens, resulting in both F2.2 brightness and 24mm ultra wide angle of view. This advanced lens unit delivers exceptional optical performance with minimal distortion and chromatic aberrations while suppressing ghosting and flaring.

New 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor – DMC-FX700

The new 14.1 megapixel MOS sensor developed for the DMC-FX700 is designed for outstanding image quality when shooting HD video or still images. Microfabrication technology with a micro light tube structure prevents colour and signal loss for sharp, clear images in any shooting situation.

The DMC-FX700 uses the high speed digital signal output technology introduced by the DMC-GH1 Micro Four Thirds camera.  This allows the DMC-FX700 to shoot at 10 frames per second in 14-megapixel full resolution with mechanical shutter. Using the electronic shutter, high speed burst shooting is available at 60fps at 3.5 megapixels.2 The new ‘Intelligent Burst’ mode adjusts the frame rate of burst shooting according to the subject’s movement.

New generation AVCHD for HD movies

The DMC-FX700 can record Full High Definition 1920x 1080 video in AVCHD, and the DMC-FX75 records in AVCHD Lite. The format offers almost twice the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. With the Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio, you can match crystal clear images with outstanding sound quality. A Wind Cut function blocks out noise from background wind.

The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in AVCHD movie recording – now including AF Tracking, which locks onto the subject and keeps it in focus even if it moves.

In addition, Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion so the shot turns out as close to perfect as possible. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimise recording quality.

Intuitive Touch-Control Shooting

Intuitive touch-control shooting elevates the cameras’ operability, letting the user adjust autofocus (AF) simply by touching the subject on the large 3.0-inch 230,000-dot LCD. The shutter release is also activated at a touch.

Using AF Tracking, once you touch the screen, the camera will lock on and automatically track the subject as it moves. With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject touched. For example, a touch on a human face switches to Portrait mode and a touch on the background or scenery switches to Scenery mode while a touch on a subject close to the camera switches to Macro mode.

The DMC-FX700 also offers advanced touch-screen controls for greater creativity, with aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation adjusted easily and intuitively. Zoom can also be controlled by touch.

For both cameras, all menu settings are now available with touch control, and you can directly touch the on-screen icons to change settings quickly. Playback is quick and easy – simply touch the thumbnail to play back an image from the library, or slide your finger across the LCD to scroll through images.

The screen brightness automatically adjusts in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times.

Powerful Image Processing with Venus Engine FHD (DMC-FX700)/Venus Engine HD (DMC-FX75)

The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine supports the recording of beautiful still images and high-definition video.  With Intelligent Resolution Technology, three areas – outlines, detailed texture and soft gradation areas – are automatically detected.  Each area is enhanced effectively for greater definition, fine detail and superior noise reduction. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and video recording.

The multi-task recording engine supports a super-fast response time.  The shutter release time lag is as quick as 0.008 second (DMC-FX700) / 0.005 second (DMC-FX75), and combined with Sonic Speed AF, this means you won’t miss a shooting opportunity.

The energy-efficient engine provides a battery life of up to 360 shots (DMC-FX75) / 300 shots (DMC-FX700) per a single charge (CIPA).

Included Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.2 HD Edition (DMC-FX700)/ 5.0 HD Edition (DMC-FX75)

Still images or movies recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV or Blu-ray Disc Player – simply insert the card into the device’s SD Memory Card slot.

The cameras are bundled with the latest PHOTOfunSTUDIO HD Edition software, which makes it easy and enjoyable to view, edit and archive your photo library.  The software also features an independent Face Recognition function that recognises the faces in the pictures stored in your PC, so you can sort pictures by person.  You can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music.  Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader. You can also create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in MOV, which is especially easy when combined with Panorama Assist mode in the camera.

Included accessories: Li-ion battery, battery charger, USB connection cable, AV cable, AC cable, software CD PHOTOfunSTUDIO HD, strap and battery case.
 
The new DMC-FX700 and DMC-FX75 will be available from consumer electronics retailers and photographic specialists.  For more information call Panasonic on or visit www.panasonic.com.au/lumix

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