Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ2

Panasonic's new DMC-TZ2 and DMC-TZ3 are the latest members of the award-winning Lumix TZ family of digital cameras, which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 10x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body. To further add to their appeal, the TZ2 and TZ3 go one step further to feature a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC lens (equivalent to 28-280mm on a 35mm film camera) for wide-angle shooting..

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FEATURES

Lens

The 28mm wide-angle lens opens up a plethera of photographic opportunities, allowing photographers to easily capture a large group of people, or expansive architectural structures and landscapes with dynamic width and rich perspective. The wide-angle lens is particularly helpful in situations where you cannot step back or move away from a subject - ideal for shooting group portraits in a small room for example.

6.0 megapixels

The diminutive size of the 6.0 megapixel DMC-TZ2 belies the wealth of technological features. Incorporating a powerful 10x optical zoom in such a slim and stylish body is impressive in itself. Add to this the incorporation of Panasonic's Mega O.I.S that prevents blurring from shaky hands, Intelligent ISO to prevent motion blur, and the high quality, high performance image-processing Venus Engine III to name but a few - and the calibre of these new additions becomes apparent.

The power of the Venus Engine III engine

The DMC-TZ2 boasts Panasonic's advance image processing Venus Engine III, offering the ability to take 300 pictures on a single charge. This engine, the brain of a digital camera, boasts outstanding response time with a 0.006 second shutter release time (the time taken between pressing the button on the camera and the photo being taken) and a shutter interval of approximately 0.5 seconds , thus enabling easy capture of spur-of-the- moment shots. In the burst shooting mode, it is possible to shoot at three frames per second in 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.

The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens comprises 11 elements in nine groups, including an ED (extra-low dispersion) lens and three aspherical lenses. This advanced lens unit passes Leica's stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance. To further add to their appeal, the zoom ratio can be extended up to 13.8x in 3megapixel resolution mode with minimal deterioration thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom. By using the central part of the CCD, this powerful zooming function allows you to easily capture and magnify distant subjects. Furthermore, in combination with the 4x digital zoom, a zoom factor of up to 55x can be achieved

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PICTURES

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SPECIFICATION

Sensor • 1/2.33 " Type CCD
• 7.39 million pixels total
• 6.0 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 2816 x 2112
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 1280 x 960
• 640 x 480
• 2976 x 1984 (3:2)
• 2560 x 1712 (3:2)
• 2048 x 1360 (3:2)
• 3072 x 1728 (16:9)
• 2560 x 1440 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)

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

File formats • JPEG Exif v2.21
• DPOF
• QuickTime Motion JPEG

Lens • 28-280mm (35mm equiv)
• 10x optical zoom
• LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR
• Extra optical zoom (4:3: 13.8x for 3, 2, 1, 0.3MP, 3:2: 11.6x for 4.5MP, 13.8x for 2.5MP, 16:9: 12x for 3.5MP, 13.8x for 2MP)

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

Conversion lenses No

Digital zoom up to 4x

AF area modes 1-point/1-point high speed/3-point high speed/9-point/Spot

AF assist lamp Yes

Focus distance • Normal: 50cm - infinity (wide) / 200cm - infinity (tele)
• Macro / Simple mode / Intelligent ISO / Motion picture / Clipboard : 5cm - infinity (wide) / 200cm - infinity Tele(excepted tele end)
• 100cm - infinity ( Tele Macro (at tele end)

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 1/3 EV steps

Exposure bracketing No

Shuttter speed • 8-1/2000 sec
• Starry Sky Mode: 15, 30, 60sec

Aperture F3.3 / 8.0 (Wide: 2 steps) F4.9 / 11 (Tele: 2 steps)

Modes • Program AE
• Simple
• Normal picture
• Macro
• SCN1, SCN2
• Intelligent ISO

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

White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Halogen
• White Set

Self timer 2 or 10 sec

Continuous shooting No

Image parameters Standard, Vivid, Cool, Warm, Natural, Black & White, Sepia

Flash • Auto
• Auto/Red-eye reduction
• Forced On
• Slow Sync/Red-eye reduction
• Forced Off
• Range: 0.6 - 4.2m (wide) 1.0 - 2.8m (tele)

Viewfinder No

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

Connectivity • DC in
• AV out
• USB

Print compliance PictBridge

Storage • 12.7MB built-in memory
• SD / SDHC / MMC card compatible

Power • Li-ion battery pack
• Optional AC adapter

Weight (no batt) 222 g (0.49lb)

Dimensions 105 x 59.2 x 36.7 mm (4.20 x 2.37 x 1.47 in)