Powered by AA Batteries – Panasonic's new DMC-LS85
January 16th 2009 : Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new 8.1-megapixel DMC-LS85 camera. Running on AA batteries and featuring ultimate ease of use with iA(Intelligent Auto), the LS85 is a successor to the LS80. Setting itself apart from conventional AA battery operation cameras, the DMC-LS85 boasts a powerful 4x optical zoom and bright F2.8 high quality LUMIX DC VARIO lens (equivalent to 33mm to 132 mm on a 35mm film camera).

Panasonic believes that anyone, even at entry technical level of photography, should be able to take beautiful pictures with ease - this is where the iA(Intelligent Auto) mode steps in. Comprising of four major functions (MEGA O.I.S, Intelligent ISO Control, Face Detection and Intelligent Scene Selector) that work together to provide the best possible shooting results everytime. The two most advanced countermeasures against blurring – MEGA O.I.S (Optical Image Stabiliser) to compensate for hand-shake and Intelligent ISO Control to detect and suppress motion blur – are built into the LS85. Both image stabilizing technologies have been further advanced in detection accuracy and correction effect thanks to the new image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV.
In addition to these two paramount anti-blurring technologies, the Face Detection system helps the camera to recognize human faces and to focus and set the exposure automatically. Up to 15 faces can be recognized simultaneously. Plus, the Intelligent Scene Selector automatically sets the appropriate scene mode according to the scene you're going to take from among the most frequently used scene modes, such as Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Scenery and Night Portrait mode. It now features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects that the light source is behind the subject. The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before without pressing a shutter button halfway, to get best result out of a shutter chance because the focus is always near the subject and the AF time is minimized.
Building on the successor of the highly successful LS80 – the LS85 enjoys a newly added independent iA button on the top of the camera – allowing access to the iA mode directly. Once you enter iA mode, these multi-capable functions work automatically 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.
Dressed in a metal-finished panel, the compact and easy-to-hold DMC-LS85 offers ultimate ease in taking great snapshots casually - especially for beginners. The DMC-LS85 will be available from March.
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