Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS22 / FH7

May 12, 2011 | Zoltan Arva-Toth | Comment |

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS22 - also known as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 in the U.S.A. - is a new digital compact camera with a touch-screen interface and a Leica branded 28-112mm lens. With a maximum aperture of f/3.1-6.5, the lens isn’t terribly fast but it does feature Panasonic’s Mega Optical Image Stabiliser. The sensor offers 16 megapixels of resolution for stills and is also capable of recording 720p HD videos. The touch-sensitive rear screen has 230,000 dots and provides Touch AF/AE and Touch Shutter functionality. The “Sonic Speed AF” of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 promises focusing speeds up to 45% faster than the DMC-FH3. The camera will be available from July. Pricing to be announced.

Website: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7/FS22

Panasonic Press Release

Panasonic’s Slim and Sleek DMC-FS22 – with a large 3.0-inch Touch-Screen and iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode for Ultimate Ease of Use

With the summer ahead of us, Panasonic is pleased to introduce a new addition to its award winning LUMIX range of cameras, boasting all the attributes to make it the perfect photographic partner this summer.

Panasonic’s new 16.1-megapixel DMC-FS22 boasts a high quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 28mm wide-angle and 4x optical zoom (equivalent to 28mm to 112mm on a 35mm camera) within its slim and stylish body. Add to this, the essential Lumix features - including MEGA O.I.S (Optical Image Stabiliser) and iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, as well as a 3.0-inch touch screen operation – and it’s easy to see why the DMC-FS22 is set to be a firm favourite.

Superb Image Quality

Taking great images is what photography is all about. Sit back and relax in the knowledge that the FS22 has a superb lens for this very purpose.  The high quality 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens , and 4x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 28-112mm) – make it easy to capture family or group shots as well as expansive architectural structures and landscapes.

The lens unit comprising 6 elements in 5 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses with 5 aspherical surfaces is minimized in size thanks to Panasonic’s concurrent development system of lens, mechanism and design of the camera- in short, the highest quality of lens in an ultra slim and sylish body.

Outstanding Clearness with Fine Details

The DMC-FS22 features a high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine VI and Intelligent Resolution technology. .With Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas - outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas - are automatically detected and the camera performs optimum processing to each, to give the whole image outstandingly natural clarity to even the finest details.  Taking advantage of this feature, the 4x optical zoom power is increased to 5x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function maintaining picture quality even when using the digital zoom.

Speed is of the essence for exceptional photography. The DMC-FS22 boasts a super-fast response time with the shutter release time lag as short as 0.006 seconds. The camera’s quick response, along with the Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) that lets you lock on the subject, makes it easier to capture those sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities.

Touch Control Shooting

Designed for ease of use, the new model offers full touch-screen operation thanks to the new Smart Touch Screen. By just one touch of the large LCD screen, Auto Focus is immediately set to the subject, and you can even release the shutter.  The large 3.0-inch screen in 3:2 aspect reflects fine details, making it easy to check the focus before shooting.

Once you lock on to a subject by a touch, the camera’s focus will follow the subject even if it moves, using the AF tracking function.. 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 the portrait mode and a touch on the background to the scenery mode. 

The touch screen operation is also ideal for playing back images. Simply by touching the thumbnails and flicking through the images, you can playback your photos.. The FS22 also features an Intelligent LCD which automatically adjusts the screen brightness in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times.

The touch operation enables new, enjoyable functions, including Make-up Mode, Beauty Retouch and Image Stamp Mode. You can choose the colour of foundation, lips, cheeks or eye-shadow in Make-up Mode, adjust the contrast in Beauty Retouch, and add fun and amusing stamps using the Image Stamp Mode.

Everyone Can Take a Great Picture Thanks to the iA Mode

Everyone wants to take eye-catching images at the click of a button, which is why Panasonic developed the Intelligent Auto mode. This includes MEGA O.I.S (Optical Image Stabiliser), which helps prevent blurring from handshake even in low-lit situations like indoors or at night. With AF tracking, the FS22 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves – making it easy to get beautiful, clear shots.  The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject touched. Human faces are captured in focus and appropriate exposure with the Face Detection and it also corrects unwanted red-eye digitally.  The Intelligent ISO Control reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity and optimizing the shutter speed if the subject moves as the shot is taken.  Intelligent Exposure optimizes the lighting of each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights. 

These features can all be accessed simply by activating the iA mode, giving users the confidence to capture clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.

Don’t Miss Those Special Moments

Capturing those special moments – whether they’re sill images or moving footage – are priceless which is why the FS22 also records dynamic HD movie in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 24 fps in addition to normal VGA (640 x 480) in Motion JPEG. The recorded movies can be directly uploaded to YouTube for your enjoyment, or you can simply insert the SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card into the VIERA Image Viewer of a Panasonic VIERA HDTV.

Share your Images Effortlessly

Thanks to the LUMIX Image Uploader, you can easily keep your friends and family up-to-date with your latest’s images by simply checkmarking the photos you want to share and connecting the camera to a PC. Just follow the on-screen guidance. You can even add comments and let your family know the update of your album via email – so now there’s no reason for the family to miss out on the little ones’ first smile! Facebook (for photos) and YouTube (for movies) can also be used without installation of special software – perfect for sharing those special holiday snaps with your friends – you can even share them while you’re still away if you wish!

Feature rich and easy to use, the new DMC-FS22 is remarkably slim and compact, ensuring it’s comfortable to carry around so you can capture those special moments whenever they appear. With a choice of colours (Black, Silver, Pink), the FS22 will be available from July - perfect for the holiday season, whether rain or shine!

Your Comments

Loading comments…