Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35

January 29, 2008 | Mark Goldstein | Digital Compact Cameras | Comment |

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is a new 25mm ultra wide-angle compact camera. The Panasonic FX35 features a 25-100mm zoom lens, Venus Engine IV processing engine and 10.1 megapixels. The DMC-FX35 also integrates 720p HD (high-definition), 30fps movie recording capabilities.

Panasonic UK Press Release

Panasonic announces the Lumix DMC-FX35 Camera with 10.1 mega pixels, 25mm Ultra Wide-Angle Lens Featuring Advanced Intelligent Auto Mode
*35mm film camera equivalent: 25-100mm*

Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new Lumix DMC-FX35, its first 10.1-megapixel camera with astonishing 25mm ultra-wide-angle LEICA DC lens and 4x optical zoom (equivalent to 25mm to 100mm on a 35mm film camera). Capturing almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance compared to ordinary 35mm cameras, the DMC-FX35 records remarkable images with unprecedented width and depth.

The new DMC-FX35 integrates 720p HD (high-definition) recording capabilities for capturing motion pictures alongside its primary function as a stills camera, allowing users to watch both still and motion images in impressive HD quality. The DMC-FX35 comprises a variety of additional shoot-assist functions on top of Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto Mode with conventional Mega O.I.S which suppresses hand-shaking, and its Intelligent ISO Control prevents motion blur. New Intelligent Scene Selector Function chooses the appropriate scene mode by automatically selecting the most frequently used setting from modes Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Portrait and Night Scenery. New Face Detection System automatically detects human faces to set the focus of potential shots and insure the best possible exposure. Unwanted red-eye effects caused by the flash can now be digitally corrected, and newly added Intelligent Exposure Function controls ISO sensitivity to partially increase the exposure of darkened areas in shot, allowing users to capture scenes suppressing extreme brightness or darkness in images.

Quick AF System allows the DMC-FX35 to pre-determine focus on a subject without pressing the shutter button halfway, to maximize results for every shooting opportunity. In IA Mode the multi-capable functions of the DMC-FX35 adapts to changes in a variety of shooting environments allowing users to capture images automatically without the need to adjust settings every time conditions alter. This allows for simple, accurate image reproduction in any situation with the reassurance of capturing clear, beautiful stills.

High-performance image-processing LSI has entered its fourth generation, to be reborn as Venus Engine IV, assuring higher-quality images with an advanced Signal Processing System. The DMC-FX35 boasts a 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD with Intelligent LCD function introducing control of light detection and brightness levels in 11 steps, to ensure the clearest possible images are achieved.

Slideshows of captured images now offer a background music option so users can enjoy watching pictures with a musical accompaniment to enhance the mood of a screening.

The DMC-FX35 will be available in silver and black, each with a distinctive finish or texture according to its colour.*

* Availability of models and colours may vary depending on the sales area.

1. 25mm Ultra-Wide-Angle 4x Optical Zoom (25-100mm) f2.8 High-Quality Leica DC Lens and 10.1-Megapixel CCD
The 10.1-megapixel DMC-FX35 boasts a 25mm Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT high-quality lens with 4x optical zoom, offering f2.8 brightness. Comprising 7 elements in 6 groups, including 4 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit surpasses Leica’s stringent standards and delivers exceptional optical performance. Newly developed unevenly thick concave meniscus aspherical lens with high refractive index, allows the 25mm ultra-wide-angle to achieve high optical performance, encompassed in a slim design and lens unit. The 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens records almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance compared to other ordinary 35mm cameras and in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom capacity to 7.1x by using the central part of the CCD.

The Easy Zoom** feature shifts the lens instantly to full 4x optical zoom power at the touch of a dedicated button, and with a second touch, the zoom ratio is further extended to 7.1x by activating the Extra Optical Zoom function.

** When the picture size is set to 3 megapixels or larger, the photo is automatically resized to 3 megapixels. When the lens is shifted back to the wide-end, the picture size is set to the original size automatically. The original size is maintained for photos smaller than 3 megapixels.

2. Great photography is not only for Professional Photographers anymore—Intelligent Auto Mode
Panasonic has incorporated its Intelligent Auto mode into this model in pursuit of easy operation and more accurate shooting,,further enhanced by an Intelligent Exposure feature and digital red-eye correction function. Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) compensating for unsteady captures and Intelligent ISO Control to detect and suppress motion blur are built into all Lumix cameras, and lead the way as the industry’s most advanced technology to counteract blurring. Image stabilizing has been further advanced in the DMC-FX35 by detecting accuracy and correcting misdemeanors thanks to new image-processing LSI, the Venus Engine IV.

In addition to these two anti-blurring technologies, Panasonic continues pursuing the ideals that anyone at any technical level of photography would strive to achieve, the ability to take beautiful pictures with ease. This is what incorporating the DMC-FX35’s Intelligent Auto mode aspires to. Increasing the number of scene modes is one step and taking advantage of them is another, but the DMC-FX35’s Intelligent Scene Selector develops this further. This function automatically sets the appropriate scene mode from the most frequently used scene modes, such as Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Scenery and Night Portrait mode.

Face Detection System helps the camera to recognize human faces and sets the focus and exposure automatically in relation to these, with up to 15 faces being located simultaneously and red-eye effects can be digitally corrected.

The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focusing on the subject without users having to press the shutter button halfway, to get the best results from any potential shooting opportunity by minimizing the AF time.

Newly incorporated Intelligent Exposure Function increases exposure only in under-exposed areas by detecting the brightness level part-by-part in the picture. For example if the background of an image includes sky, the DMC-FX35 automatically adjusts the aperture and shutter speed to keep the setting slightly under-exposed. This prevents a washed-out,dullness common with some cameras, as it brightens the area by only increasing the ISO in that area. If the background of an indoor portrait receives insufficient lighting from a flash and becomes dark, the ISO sensitivity is raised only in the low-lit area to make the image brighter without causing graininess in the subject’s face, resulting in a well balanced picture.

The multi-capable functions are automatic and allow for shooting without the bother of adjusting the settings every time conditions change as the powerful Intelligent Auto Mode does all the work.

3. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era
All Lumix cameras have the ability to take 1920x1080 pixel HD (high-definition) photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV for full-screen viewing. The new DMC-FX35 even records dynamic HD motion images in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480). With newly added HD component output capability,, users can enjoy watching still and motion images in stunning HD quality by simply connecting the camera to a TV via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).

The DMC-FX35 allows for slideshows to be formatted complete with music. This brand new function allows users to choose pictures and match music that best suits the selection from natural, slow, urban or swing and upload in a simple fashion. By doing so users have the ability to enhance tone and add personality and uniqueness to their slideshow with a variety of slide change effects. If compiled with HD photos in 1920 x 1080 pixels, users can watch these on a large-screen HDTV aided by an optional component cable.

4. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI further evolves into the Venus Engine IV
New image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features more advanced signal processing technology for rendering even higher-quality images. Parallel noise reduction in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing systems, a technology established by the previous Venus Engine III, is more sophisticated in the DMC-FX35. The luminance noise is two-dimensionally separated and only the low-frequency noise is eliminated without affecting the high-frequency noise that greatly influences resolution. Colour information regarding the change point between colours is minutely stored for precise determination of edges, thus colour bleeding is dramatically reduced. This improvement not only produces clearer images in high ISO sensitivity recording, but also accurately reproduces details in low-lit areas of pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity. The Venus Engine IV also elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effect in both Mega O.I.S., preventing hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which suppresses motion blur.

The DMC-FX35’s multi-task image-processing engine, the Venus Engine IV, supports an incredibly fast response time. The shutter release time lag is an incredibly fast 0.005 seconds at its quickest and such a quick response time makes it easier to capture those sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode the DMC-FX35 can snap 2.5 shots per second at full resolution.*** In High-Speed Burst shooting mode,**** it fires off an incredible 6 shots per second but users can also get unlimited consecutive shooting,***** which allows for continuous image capture until the memory card is full.

The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that allows the DMC-FX35 to record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.******

*** Max. 5 images in standard mode/ 3 images in fine mode.
**** In 2-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
***** The consecutive shooting speed varies with the memory card, image size, and image compression mode. The number of shots depends on the memory card size, battery life, image size and image compression mode.
****** In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording

5. Advanced 2.5-inch large intelligent LCD with 230,000-dot high resolution for easy shooting and playback
The DMC-FX35 incorporates a large 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD screen for clear playback of shots and footage. Intelligent LCD function detects light conditions and automatically adjusts LCD backlighting (a maximum of 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine and by adjusting frame rates when shooting in low-lit situations) as well as using the pixel mixed readout method to ensure the clearest possible image is captured. Detecting precise lighting conditions and automatically controlling brightness levels with a total of 11 steps, allows this function to produce the clearest possible image in any situation.

The High Angle mode makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, for example when shooting over a crowd.

6. Other Features
The DMC-FX35 features a variety of functions to provide convenient solutions and experimental fun for users to enjoy whilst capturing beautiful images.

The energy-efficient Venus Engine IV contributes to the long battery life of the DMC-FX35, making it possible to shoot around 290 shots on a single battery charge******* despite the large, bright LCD. A total of 21 scene modes help users to take more beautiful pictures in a wide range of situations and environments.

The Title Edit function which allows text to be input as additional information to accompany images such as the names of children and pets, as well as travel places can be useful when compiling a photo album for example. A Text Stamp function allows this text to be added to photos and printed off. Around 50 MB of internal memory is built-in to back up SDHC/SD Memory Card recording and copying.

All new Lumix cameras incorporate a REC/PLAYBACK mode switch which helps photographers to switch instantly between recording and playback modes, while always knowing which mode the camera is in. The GUI (Graphic User Interface) has been upgraded with a more futuristic design and colour while maintaining the visibility of characters.

The major features mentioned above can be quickly understood with the newly installed slideshow program called Demo mode.

The DMC-FX35 is compatible with an optional marine case (DMW-MCFX35) enabling users to shoot underwater for example whilst scuba diving,
******* Based on the CIPA standard

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35

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