Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8

The perfect choice for any photographer with varied photographic needs and high ambitions - Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new DMC-FZ8 7.2-megapixel Lumix camera, featuring a powerful 12x optical zoom, LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and the ever popular and indispensable Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S). With a joystick control for manual adjustment of focusing and exposure setting, the DMC-FZ8 offers high end specification and portability.

Bridging the gap between high-end compacts and digital SLRs, Panasonic's DMC-FZ8 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 FZ8 offers an easy way to enjoy the fun of capturing beautiful digital pictures.

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FEATURES

Optical excellence from aperture to zoom
The Lumix DMC-FZ8 is equipped with a 7.2 megapixel CCD and a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens offering a powerful 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 36mm to 432mm on a 35mm film camera) with an aperture of F2.8 to F3.3. If this wasn?t enough, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function uses the centre part of the CCD to provide additional magnification, extending the zoom power to an impressive 18x. Using this feature in combination with the 4x digital zoom brings the total zooming power to a remarkable 72x.

The combination of 11 elements in eight groups, including 3 aspherical lenses generates superior optical performance while maintaining the compactness of the unit.

Shaken not blurred
Panasonic is the first manufacturer to have successfully incorporated Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) into its compact cameras ? a feature strongly appreciated worldwide and now considered to be a standard requirement of photography. O.I.S minimizes the jitter from shaky hands that causes many photos to look blurred. By shifting the O.I.S lens unit to keep the optical axis aligned straight against the CCD, the camera ensures images are captured with supreme clarity and sharpness.

While hand-shake is the single biggest cause of blurry images, it is not the only one. Another problem is the motion blur that can occur when a subject moves as the shot is being taken particularly common when taking pictures of sports, or young children for example. Building on the success of its predecessor the FZ8 incorporates a new feature designed to resolve motion blur. Intelligent ISO Control detects whether the subject is moving and, as necessary raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to how fast the subject is moving and the light conditions. This happens automatically, so you can effortlessly shoot without the need to adjust the settings every time the conditions change.

The best just keeps getting better!
Heir to the award winning DMC-FZ7, this new addition to the Lumix range has enhanced the excellence of its predecessor not only with the total number of pixels but also with several other innovative technical improvements. A key improvement is the inclusion of Panasonic?s advanced image-processing LSI, Venus Engine III that can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution. Noise reduction is also greatly improved, 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.

Features from another view point

Little Camera Zooms In Big
Get the power of a 12x optical zoom in a 7.2-megapixel camera that fits in the palm of your hand. Telephoto shooting is made easy with features like variable zoom speed (2 levels) for detailed framing, and a function that returns the zoom to its last set position next time you turn on the camera. For times when you want even more zoom power, the Extended Optical Zoom feature extends zooming to as much as 18x in 3-megapixel resolution mode.

Remarkable Clarity with Intelligent Image Stabilization
Intelligent ISO control automatically raises the ISO and shutter speed settings when your subject is moving, so you get clear, crisp shots with minimal motion blur. You can also manually set the sensitivity to as high as ISO 1250 at full resolution.

Easy-to-Use Controls Mean Great Shots
Quick, accurate adjustments are easy with a thumb-controlled joystick. You can adjust the exposure and focus manually without ever moving your hand from the grip. And when you use manual focus, you can enlarge a part of the image to assist in focusing. You can even move the enlarged display area anywhere in the frame you wish.

Easy Focusing with a Bright, Crisp LCD and Electronic View Finder
You can even focus and check details in bright outdoor settings thanks to a high-resolution 2.5" diagonal LCD with 207,000 pixels. In addition, checking your shot is easier than ever with a 188,000-pixel 0.44" diagonal electronic viewfinder.

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PICTURES

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SPECIFICATION

Sensor • 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 7.38 million pixels total
• 7.2 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 3072 x 2304
• 2560 x 1920
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 1280 x 960
• 640 x 480
• 3072 x 2048 (3:2)
• 2048 x 1360 (3:2)
• 3072 x 1728 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)

Movie clips • 640 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30 / 10fps
• 848 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps (16:9)

File formats • JPEG Exif v2.2
• DPOF
• QuickTime Motion JPEG

Lens • 36-432mm (35mm equiv)
• LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
• 12x optical zoom
• Extra Optical Zoom (4:3: 14.4x for 5MP, 18x for 3, 2, 1, 0.3MP, 3:2: 18x for 2.5MP, 16:9: 18x for 2MP

Image stabilization MEGA O.I.S. (Mode1 / Mode2)

Conversion lenses Yes

Digital zoom up to 4x

Focus AF/AF-Macro/MF Switchable, Manual Focus(Joystick), Continuous AF On/Off

AF area modes 1-point / 1-point high speed / 3-point high speed / Multi-point / Spot

AF assist lamp Yes

Focus distance • Normal: 30cm-infinity (wide) 200cm - infinity (tele)
• Macro: 5cm-infinity (wide) 200cm - infinity (tele(except tele end)
• Tele Macro(at tele end : 100cm - infinity

Metering • Intelligent Multiple
• Center-weighted
• Spot

ISO sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1250
• High Sensitivity mode ISO 3200

Exposure compensation +/- 2EV in 1/3EV steps

Exposure bracketing +/- 1/3 EV -1EV step, 3 frames

Shuttter speed • Program AE: 1-1/2000 sec
• Aperture Priority AE / Shutter Priority AE: 8-1/2000 sec
• Manual: 60-1/2000sec.
• Starry Sky Mode: 15, 30, 60sec

Aperture F2.8 - 8 (wide) F3.1 - 8 (tele)

Modes • Program AE
• Aperture Priority AE
• Shutter Priority AE
• Manual
• Scene
• Simple
• Intelligent ISO

Scene modes • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Scenery
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Panning
• Food
• Party
• Candle
• Fireworks
• Starry Sky
• Baby 1 & 2
• Aerial photo
• Snow
• High Sensitivity
• Beach
• Sunset
• Pet

White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Halogen
• Flash
• White Set 1/2

White balance fine tune 2-axis adjustable, ±9steps each, Blue/Amber and Magenta/Green bias

Self timer 2 or 10sec, 10sec / 3 images

Continuous shooting Full-Resolution: 3 frames/sec or 2 frames/sec max. 7 images (Standard mode), Max. 5 images (Fine Mode)

Image parameters Cool, Warm, Black & White, Sepia

Flash • Auto
• Auto / Red-eye reduction
• Forced On
• Forced On / Red-eye Reduction
• Slow Sync / Red-eye reduction
• Forced Off
• Flash output adjustment 1/3EV step, +/-2 EV
• Range: 0.3 - 6.0m (wide) 1.0 - 5.4m (tele)

Viewfinder 0.44" Color EVF (188K Pixels), Field of View : approx. 100%

LCD monitor • 2.5-inch Polycrystalline TFT
• 207,000 pixels

Connectivity • DC in
• AV out
• USB

Print compliance PictBridge

Storage • SD/SDHC/MMC card
• 27 MB built-in memory

Power • Li-ion battery pack
• Optional AC adapter

Weight (no batt) 310 g (0.68lb)

Dimensions 112.5 x 72.2 x 79.0 mm (4.43 x 2.84 x 3.11 in)