Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ100 and DMC-FZ40 with creative photo and movie recording
Versatile cameras for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Panasonic has launched the new top-of-the-line LUMIX DMC-FZ100 and the DMC-FZ40 in its popular FZ Series, featuring a powerful optical zoom and creative functions including manual operation.  Both models offer versatile photo and movie modes to satisfy beginners and enthusiasts alike, with the DMC-FZ100 offering Full HD AVCHD recording.

The newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens offers an optical zoom range of 25mm at the wide end and a 24x zoom (25-600mm 35mm equivalent) for even greater versatility.

The newly developed 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor in the DMC-FZ100 achieves incredibly fast burst shooting speed at 11 frames per second in full resolution with a mechanical shutter, and allows the camera to capture high speed movie footage of subject motion that the naked eye can’t see.  The camera also features continuous Auto Focus up to five frames per second at full resolution for great action shots.

Both cameras offer outstanding manual control with a jog dial and an easily accessible focus switch to quickly and simply change settings. Users can express their creativity in both photo and movie shooting with features such as Creative mode and My Colour mode.

Alistair Robins, Group Marketing Manager LUMIX, Panasonic Australia said: “The FZ100 and FZ40 are exciting new offerings in the FZ range.  Being creative is key to being a good photographer, and these cameras allow users to really express themselves and have more fun and control over not only how they shoot their still images but their movies as well.”

Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode — a hallmark of LUMIX — is further advanced with the inclusion of the new Motion Deblur mode1. This latest enhancement 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 F2.8 lens and POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser), this is extremely effective against blur caused by hand-shake or subject motion.

Both cameras have a 3.0-inch high-resolution Intelligent LCD and 0.2-inch 201,600-dot EVF, both with 100% field of view, to dramatically improve visibility during recording and playback.  The DMC-FZ100 has a free-angle 460,000-dot LCD that rotates 180º horizontally and 270º vertically.

The DMC-FZ100 also features a hot shoe that allows optional accessories to be attached, including a stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) and external flash (DMW-FL500, DMW-FL360 & DMW-FL220).  It is also compatible with an optional remote shutter (DMW-RSL1).

Battery life is optimised with energy-efficient technology, with the DMC-FZ40 offering up to 580 shots per a single charge (CIPA), and the DMC-FZ100 offering up to 410.

Pricing and Availability

LUMIX DMC-FZ100 (Black)                          $799 RRP       Available mid August 2010

LUMIX DMC-FZ40 (Black)                            $649 RRP       Available September 2010

Key Features

25mm Ultra Wide-Angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens with Powerful 24x Optical Zoom

For ultimate versatility in both photo and movie recording the DMC-FZ100 and DMC-FZ40 feature 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 is housed in an outstandingly compact body while passing Leica's stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance suppressing distortion at the wide end and colour bleeding at the tele end.

14.1-Megapixel MOS Sensor – DMC-FZ100 only

To achieve even higher levels in resolution, sensitivity and speed when shooting Full HD movies or still images, the newly developed MOS sensor in the DMC-FZ100 adopts microfabrication technology. An advanced micro light tube structure prevents loss in both colour and signal, for sharp, clear images in any shooting situation.

The DMC-FZ100 also uses the high speed digital signal output technology introduced in the popular LUMIX DMC-GH1 Micro Four Thirds camera. It allows the DMC-FZ100 to shoot at 11 fps in 14-megapixel full resolution with mechanical shutter and 5 fps with continuous AF.  Even higher speed burst shooting is available if the electronic shutter is used – 60 fps in 3.5-megapixel2 recording mode. It also enables the camera to record Full HD 50i smooth high speed movies at 220 fps in QVGA. The frame rate, AF setting and the recording resolution can be easily selected using a dedicated button on the top of the camera.

Advanced Movie Recording

The DMC-FZ100 can record high-resolution Full HD 1920 x 1080 50i movies in AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264)3 format, while the DMC-FZ40 records high quality HD movies in AVCHD Lite. The AVCHD format has almost twice the recording time in HD quality than the conventional Motion JPEG.

With the Video Divide function, users can divide a video into two sections to shorten or delete the unwanted part directly from the camera.  Using Intelligent Resolution technology, it is also possible to cut out a clear still image from a movie on the camera. The DMC-FZ100 also allows simultaneous capture of still images when shooting video (3.5-megapixel)4.

In both models a Wind Cut function is designed to block out the noise from background wind.

In addition, the DMC-FZ100 offers the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator, and for more creative sound recording, an optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) is available.

Powerful Image Processing with Venus Engine FHD (DMC-FZ100)/Venus Engine HD II (DMC-FZ40)

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-FZ100) / 0.006 second (DMC-FZ40), and combined with Sonic Speed AF, this means you won’t miss a shooting opportunity.

Advanced iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode for Photo and Movie shooting

The DMC-FZ100 and DMC-FZ40 have advanced functions that will satisfy experienced photographers, while iA (Intelligent Auto) makes them easy for beginners to use comfortably. The new Motion Deblur mode, POWER OIS (Optical Image Stabiliser), Face Recognition, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure are available in still recording. In movie recording, POWER O.I.S. Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure are available.

Once users enter the iA mode, these functions will engage automatically, so the user can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change.

Creative photography

The DMC-FZ100 and DMC-FZ40 offer manual control for greater creativity.  The controls are also faster and easier to operate with a jog dial; and a focus switch located on the lens barrel of the DMC-FZ100 and a focus button on the back of the DMC-FZ40.

Creative Movie lets the user set the shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive movies, allowing the user to control effects such as depth of field.  

The popular My Colour mode, available in both photo and movie mode, offers a variety of options including Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic and High Dynamic B&W.  It makes it easier to create more creative and interesting images by adjusting colour, brightness and saturation parameters. Images can be captured in the RAW format.

The DMC-FZ100 also has a 1cm Macro setting for amazing close up shots with fine detail.

There are a number of optional accessories available to match the new cameras, including:

Tele Conversion Lens (1.7x): DMW-LT55E - RRP $349

Close-up Lens: DMW-LC55E – RRP $139

Conversion Lens Adaptor: DMW-LA5E - available (Aug 2010) RRP $69

MC Protector: DMW-LMC52E - RRP $49

ND Filter: DMW-LND52E - RRP $44

PL Filter: DMW-LPL52 - RRP $$229

Battery Pack: DMW-BMB9E – RRP $99

Carrying Case: DMW-PZH07XEK - RRP $89

External Flash: DMW-FL220 / DMW-FL360E / DMW-FL500E - Respective RRP $399, $549, $1099

Microphone: DMW-MS1E – RRP $299 (Compatible with DMC-FZ100 only)

Remote Shutter: DMW-RSL1 – RRP $149 (Compatible with DMC-FZ100 only)

Mini HDMI Cable 1.5M RP-CDHM15 – RRP $89

Included Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.2 HD Edition (DMC-FZ100) / PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition (DMC-FZ40)

The cameras are bundled with the latest PHOTOfunSTUDIO software, making 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 create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in MOV, which is especially easy when combined with Panorama Assist mode in the camera.

Included accessories: Battery charger, battery pack, AV cable, USB cable, shoulder strap, CD-ROM, lens hood and lens cap.

The new DMC-FZ100 and DMC-FZ40 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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