Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LS1 announced today. The LUMIX DMC-LS1 is a 4 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom that incorporates an Optical Image Stabilizer to reduce the effects of camera shake. The DMC-LS1 also features a 2 inch LCD screen and a battery life of 215 photos.

Panasonic Press Release

MEGA O.I.S. Equipped 4-megapixel 3x Optical Zoom DMC-LS1 Running on AA batteries

Panasonic is introducing the incoming LUMIX models 4.0-megapixel DMC-LS1, incorporating MEGA O.I.S., an Optical Image Stabilizer that compensates the handshake, and 3x optical zoom lens, that runs on 2 AA batteries. Panasonic is the first company in the industry to have succeeded in incorporating MEGA O.I.S. into a compact digital camera. 　Compared with the previous models DMC-LC80/70/50, the image processing LSI Venus Engine has been upgraded to the newly developed Venus Engine Plus, which achieves about 50% low energy consumption while providing even higher image quality and quick response. The new model has a large 2.0 inch TRM (Transmissive with Micro Reflective) LCD monitor which is extremely easy to view, even outdoors on a bright sunny day. In addition, the zoom lens features the crystallization of Panasonic’s optics technology, 3 aspherical lenses, which are used to achieve compactness and higher optical performance.

Normally, blurry pictures caused by handshake is a major problem of compact cameras, particularly with shooting through LCD monitor, but this is solved by MEGA O.I.S. The spur-of-the-moment for which you’re not ready enough, the low-lit indoor or nighttime when the shutter speed tends to slow, and macro shooting in which even a slight move will spoil the picture, all those are common situations accompany blurry pictures. However, MEGA O.I.S. enables you to easily take clear, beautiful pictures in even in such situations. In addition to a consecutive shooting function that allows you to take 4 frames per sec at full resolution, the newly developed Venus Engine Plus facilitates an unlimited* consecutive shooting mode, which allows you to shoot successive photos until the memory card or the built-in memory reaches capacity. What’s more, the new models include 14 megabytes of built-in-memory, which enables you to take pictures even when you do not have an SD Memory Card, and allows you to always have your favorite pictures in your camera wherever you go. Also, despite the large LCD display, the battery life achieves 215 pictures (CIPA) recording with included 2 AA OXYRIDE batteries.

The DMC-LS1 is the perfect compact camera especially for the entry-level users thanks to its variety of supportive settings of Mode Dial and Scene Modes together wit MEGA O.I.S., to easily take clear, beautiful pictures worth preserving.

* The speed of the consecutive shooting varies depending on the memory card or the built-in memory.

The number of recordable picture depends on the memory card and built-in memory size, battery life, picture size and compression.

1. MEGA O.I.S. – The Essential Feature for Digital Cameras

Panasonic is the first company in the industry to have succeeded in incorporating MEGA O.I.S. into a compact digital camera. It also features two corrective modes, Mode 1 and Mode 2. Mode 1 constantly detects and follows movements and continuously compensates for them. In contrast, in Mode 2, the O.I.S. lens suppresses hand-shake only at the moment the shutter button is pressed. In this mode, the lens can move in all directions at the moment to maximize its effect, and higher-resolution image can be taken by capturing the image as close as to the center of the lens. In consequence, since MEGA O.I.S. enables a beautiful picture shot without blurring at slower shutter speeds of more than 3 steps compared to the conventional models without O.I.S., you can enjoy shooting clear and beautiful pictures easily even in the situations using slow shutter speeds, like indoor shots and nighttime scenery, as well as shooting using macro mode.

2. The New Image Processing LSI : Venus Engine Plus Achieves Low Energy Consumption Enhancing Responsiveness and Image Quality

Venus Engine, which was used in previous DMC-LC80/70/50, has been substantially upgraded in terms of performance in the energy consumption, responsiveness and image quality, and newly reborn as Venus Engine Plus. This newly developed image processing LSI consumes only about 50% as much power as previous Venus Engine. In terms of response, release time lag has been improved from the conventional 0.1 seconds down to industry-leading 0.006* sec minimum, allowing you to precisely capture your target subject. What’s more, consecutive shooting performance has also been improved, so that you can take consecutive shots at a rate of 4 frames per sec at full resolution. An unlimited** consecutive shooting function has also been added. With this function, you can take photos in succession until the memory card or the built-in memory is full. In addition, by adjusting the amount of noise reduction depending on the brightness of the subject, the models have succeeded in fully preserving image resolution in bright areas and reducing noise in darker areas to as much as one-third of previous levels.

Last but not least, the auto focus consisted of 1-point and spot focus modes, you can now choose between 4 modes, 5-point, 3-point, 1-point, and spot focus. This makes the auto focusing even easier but very accurate.

* Not including the time for AF.
** The speed of the consecutive shooting varies depending on the memory card or built-in memory.

The number of recordable picture depends on the memory card and built-in memory size, battery life, picture size and compression.

3. 2.0 Inch Large LCD Monitor – Easy to View Even Outdoors

The large 2.0 inch size makes the display extremely easy to view when taking photos or playing back them. In addition, a TRM(Transmissive with Micro Reflective) LCD has been employed to prevent wash-out even outdoors on a bright sunny day. This means that you are able to view crystal-clear images on the LCD monitor regardless of the circumstance.

4. Long Battery Life Powerfully Supported by Our New OXYRIDE AA Batteries

The DMC-LS1 runs on 2 AA batteries, which can be purchased anywhere. Our new OXYRIDE AA batteries offer more than 1.3 times* increased number of shots compared with the current Alkaline AA batteries. The OXYRIDE batteries are included in LS1, allowing you to take up to a maximum of 215 photos (CIPA).

* Comparison between Panasonic Alkaline battery and OXYRIDE battery.

5. Other Features Expanding the Usability

The improvements go beyond just the main functions; a number of convenient features have either been added or upgraded. With 14 megabytes of built-in memory, you can take photos without missing a chance that may suddenly arise even when you do not have an SD Memory Card. You can also store your favorite photos like an album that you can enjoy viewing or showing at any time. Additionally, you can easily copy photos from the built-in memory to the SD Memory Card and vice versa.

It also offers easy shooting even to the entry-level users by providing the Simple Mode, in which most settings are made automatically. You just aim at the subject, zoom in or out, and press the shutter button.

8 scene modes that meet most any shooting situation can be appropriately selected thanks to the newly installed Scene Mode Help screen. This shows the description of each mode on the LCD monitor, makes it easier to select the mode that best fits the shooting conditions.

Another new feature, Auto angle detection, records whether an image was taken horizontally or vertically. This ensures that when playing back on the LCD monitor and displaying images on your TV by connecting your LUMIX with a video cable, vertical images are automatically displayed vertically and horizontal images are automatically displayed horizontally.