The Panasonic DMC-FP7 and DMC-FP5 are two new ultra-flat and stylish digital compact cameras. Incorporating a ultra-thin 4x optical zoom, 35-140mm lens with folded optics, both the 16.1-megapixel FP7 and the 14.1-megapixel FP5 boast exceptional slimness and a futuristic, urban look, a touchscreen interface, and 720p HD movie recording. The two models have a suggested retail price of $229.99 for the LUMIX FP7 and $199.99 for the LUMIX FP5.

Panasonic Press Release

Ultra-Flat and Stylish Digital Compact Camera DMC-FP7 and DMC-FP5

Featuring Intuitive Touch Control on the Large LCD and Advanced iA(Intelligent Auto) Mode

Panasonic is pleased to introduce new 16.1-megapixel DMC-FP7 and 14.1-megapixel DMC-FP5 added to the ultra-flat and stylish FP line of LUMIX digital compact camera. Incorporating a ultra-thin 4x optical zoom (equivalent to 35mm to 140mm on a 35mm camera) lens with folded optics, both models boasts exceptional slimness and futuristic, urban look.

The DMC-FP7 is newly equipped with 3.5-inch large 16:9 LCD (3.0-inch 3:2 LCD for DMC-FP5) that offers not only a larger view of images but also high usability. All control is possible by the touch operation -  Touch AF, Touch Zoom or Touch Shutter during recording and various playback functions including the new Beauty Retouch function*.

The Venus Engine VI in the DMC-FP7 and DMC-FP5 compiles the Intelligent Resolution technology to perform the optimum signal processing depending on the part of a picture to give a whole image outstandingly natural clearness with fine details. Taking advantage of this feature, the 4x optical zoom can be increased to 5x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function that maintains the picture quality even digital zoom is used. The 16.1-megapixel (FP7) / 14.1-megapixel (FP5) high resolution image recording and the Sonic Speed AF lets every user to capture the spur-of-the-moment in high picture quality, which is made possible by the smooth linking of the sensor and the image processor, the Venus Engine VI.

The iA(Intelligent Auto) mode is advanced with addition of AF Tracking and Intelligent Exposure to the conventional MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) for preventing hand-shake, Intelligent ISO Control for stopping subject’s movement, Face Detection and Intelligent Scene Selector. Once you enter the iA mode, these multi-capable functions happen automatically, so that 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.

The high quality 720p HD movie can be recorded. Together with the photos, users can enjoy their communication with the newly added LUMIX Image Uploader, which realizes instant image sharing via Facebook(photo) or YouTube(movie) with any PC on the spot.

The shiny front panel with mirror finish**(FP7) / metallic finish (FP5) adopting the slide cover, the DMC-FP7 and FP5 boast a sophisticated, futuristic design suiting the casual urban usage. Every fashionable color in silver, black, gold, red, pink and blue (FP7) or silver, black, pink, blue and green (FP5) [*Remove the color that are not available in your sales area.] catches the eye and a host of attractive functions catches the heart not only of the user but also of the people around the user in town.

* For DMC-FP7
**DMC-FP7 in silver, gold and pink have hairlined finish.
•YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.
•Facebook and the Facebook logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Facebook, Inc.

1. 4x Optical Zoom (35-140mm*) Lens with Folded Optics to Fit in a Flat, Futuristic Design and 16.1-Megapixel (FP7) / 14.1-Megapixel (FP5) High Resolution CCD
The DMC-FP7 and FP5 feature a high-quality 4x optical zoom LUMIX DC Lens (35mm camera equivalent: 35-140mm). The folded optics of the shaft guide method is adopted to secure the toughness of the lens unit. Comprising 11 elements and a prism unit in 10 groups, including an ED lens and 4 aspherical lenses with 7 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit renders high resolution image corner to corner even adopting the folded optics. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the DMC-FP7 / FP5 which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even using a digital zoom. This means the 4x optical zoom can virtually extend to 5x equivalent. Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 9x(FP7) / 8.4x(FP5) by using the center part of the high resolution CCD.

In addition to the compact lens unit, reviews in design including the adoption of new-type zoom lever instead of the conventional rotary zoom lever look FP7 and FP5 even slimmer. The mirror-finished metallic panel with a lens cover gives the cameras smart, futuristic impression*.

*DMC-FP5 does not have mirror-finished panel.

2. The Smart Touch Screen for Intuitive Touch-Control Shooting on the Large, Easy-to-see 3.5-inch(FP7)/3.0-inch(FP5) Intelligent LCD*
The DMC-FP7 and FP5 adopt full touch-screen operation with new Smart Touch Screen. Auto Focus is immediately set to the subject by just touching it on the large LCD and you can even release the shutter. The 3.5-inch in 16:9(FP7) / 3.0-inch in 3:2 (FP5) large screen reflects fine details, making it easy to check the focus before shooting. It also serves as a small photo and video viewer, allowing the user and friends to enjoy viewing the still and motion images together.

Once you lock on the subject by a touch, the camera tracks the subject with the AF tracking function even if it moves. With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate scene 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 or scenery to the scenery mode while a touch on the subject close to the camera to the macro mode. All menu setting is now available with touch control. In the shooting screen you can directly touch the icon to change its setting quickly.
The touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting but also for playing back images with outstanding visibility. You can play back the image you want out of hundreds of stocks by touching in the thumbnails. To play back images one by one in order, you can drag the image over the screen with a finger to browse the collection of photos as you flip over the pages of the book. Max. 16x of enlargement is also operated easily with touches.

Taking advantage of the touch operation, new functions are incorporated to add more fun to DMC-FP7. The Beauty Retouch mode makes it possible to virtually makeup the faces. In Esthetic mode, various effect can be applied to the face including clearing the skin texture, whitening of teeth and so on. In the Make-up mode, users can choose the color of foundation, lips, cheeks or eye-shadow.

Both DMC-FP7 and FP5 feature Intelligent LCD which automatically adjusts the screen brightness in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times.

3. New 16.1-megapixel (FP7) / 14.1-megapixel (FP5) High Resolution CCD and High Performance Venus Engine VI
The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine VI is newly incorporated in the DMC-FP7 and FP5 to enable the beautiful image recording with higher quality signal processing including the Intelligent Resolution technology.

With the Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas — outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clearness while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed. To the soft gradation part, superior noise reduction process of the Venus Engine VI is applied to make it smoother. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology, Intelligent Resolution, precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way for it. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in photo recording.

The multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine VI supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.006(FP7) / 0.005 (FP5) second and the camera’s quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities with the Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) that lets you lock on the subject.

The Venus Engine VI also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FP7 and FP5 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.*

*In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9), 2.5-megapixel (1:1) recording.

4. The iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode for Every Photographer to Be a Good Photographer
Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. Two functions are added for the new DMC-FP7 and FP5 – AF Tracking and Intelligent Exposure. With AF Tracking, the DMC-FP7 and FP5 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves - making it easy to get beautiful, clear shots when a great photo opportunity suddenly arises. The Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights and helping ensure that gradation and details are reproduced beautifully. The automatic backlight compensation function activates whenever the camera detects the subject is in backlight.

The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects whichever of 6 Scene Modes—Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset—that best suits the shooting situation.?The MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) suppresses hand-shake and the Intelligent ISO control prevents moving subject to be blurred by optimizing the shutter speed and ISO sensitivity setting, to render sharp, clear images whatever the shooting situation is. Human faces are captured in focus and appropriate exposure with the Face Detection and it also corrects unwanted red-eye digitally. 

The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by just activating an iA mode. All these make the DMC-FP7 and FP5 the ultimate, super-versatile automatic camera for capturing clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.

5. Enjoy Instant Image Sharing with Family and Friends - LUMIX Image Uploader
The DMC-FP7 and FP5 features a new way of communication by sharing photo or movies taken by users. All you have to do is checkmark the photos you want to share and connect the camera to a PC. Uploading starts just by following the guidance. You can add comment and let your friends know the update of your album via e-mail consequently. Facebook can be used for photos and YouTube for movies. Users can join these social networking service without installation of special software. It is easy to share photo and movies on the spot, which means that your friends do not have to wait for you to come back home.

6. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era
The new DMC-FP7 and FP5 even records dynamic HD movie in 1280 x 720p at 24 fps (FP7) / 30 fps (FP5), in addition to normal VGA (640 x 480) in Motion JPEG. The recorded movies can be directly uploaded to YouTube. Or you can enjoy high quality image playback that perfectly fit a wide-screen HDTV for full-screen viewing together with HD (High Definition) photos taken in 16:9 aspects.

A total of 28 scene modes such as popular Baby or Pet, sets most appropriate parameter in wide-ranging situations. The Cosmetic mode allows to take portraits with favored skin color (soft skin, natural skin, summer look) and degree of transparency of skin detail (low, standard, high).

You can also take 1:1 square format image in addition to the conventional 4:3, 16:9 and 3:2 with DMC-FP7/FP5. The built-in memory is increased to 70MB.

*YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.
•Use a card with SD Speed Class* with “Class 6” or higher when recording motion pictures.
*SD speed class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.
•For Europe, motion images can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes.
•SDHC Memory Cards and SDXC Memory Cards can be used only in equipment that is compatible with their respective formats.
•If the computer being used does not support SDXC Memory Cards, a message prompting you to format may appear. (Doing so will cause recorded images to be erased so do not choose to format.) If the card is not recognized, please refer to the below support site.
http://panasonic.net/avc/sdcard/information/SDXC.html

About the bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO Ver.6.0
The PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 makes it possible to sort and organize thousands of photos and movies practically with quick start-up and?fast read-in allowing quick access to the image you want.
For the portraits, the Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the picture automatically sorts the photos by the registered faces. A Panorama Stitch lets you make a panoramic composite in MOV file by synthesizing photos taken in Panorama Assist mode of the camera. It is also possible to make a slideshow with the selected photos adding music file on.
In addition to the LUMIX Image Uploader (a direct uploading function of the camera), you can upload photos to Facebook and movies to YouTube via this software, too.

•Facebook and the Facebook logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Facebook, Inc.

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