The new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 camera features a futuristic flat body and retracting lens with folding optics. Built of high-quality aluminum, the 12.1 megapixel Panasonic FP8 uses blue LED cursor buttons that light up when pressed. A total of 27 scene modes are available with the DMC-FP8, including the new High Dynamic mode which helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure even if it contains both bright and dark areas. The FP8 can also record high definition 1280 x 720, 30 fps motion jpeg movies. Available in early September, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 is priced at £249.99 / $299.95.

Panasonic Europe Press Release

28mm Wide Angle 4.6x Optical Zoom
Futuristic All-Round Flat Design Body
12.1-Megapixel DMC-FP8 with Double Night Shooting Power by POWER O.I.S.
*35mm film camera equivalent: 28-128mm

Lisbon, Portugal (July, 2009) – Panasonic recently announced the DMC-FP8 as part of the new LUMIX FP Series, which pursues excellence in both design and function. The DMC-FP8 features a high-quality, 12.1-megapixel, 28mm, 4.6x Leica DC lens with folding optics. The body is flat because of the retracting lens with folding optics which does not have a fixed lens barrel. Built of high-quality aluminum, this flat body provides an attractive design for the camera’s rear surface, which is the part that is most frequently seen by the user. The blue LED cursor button also adds an elegant brilliance to the design each time they are pressed.

Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode – a hallmark of Lumix cameras – now includes POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) which features a double the repression power compared to the conventional image stabilization system MEGA O.I.S. The hand-shake, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is effectively compensated by the new POWER O.I.S. to enjoy blur-free photography. In the popular Face Recognition mode, up to three people can be simultaneously recognized to show their names on the monitor once registered.

Another main feature of the FP8 is its high-speed AF, the industry’s fastest level. Combined with a high-speed start-up of only 0.95 seconds, this gives the FP8 a fast response that helps to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities. The 2.7-inch large Intelligent LCD offers dynamic and clear view out of its small body.

This model brings an especially wide color variation to the series, with silver, black, pink, red, gold, green, violet, and blue to choose from (available colors vary depending on the sales area). A cool hairline panel in the center of the camera adds an exquisite accent for a striking overall appearance. Beautiful when carrying about and shooting, the DMC-FP8 is a stunning all-round camera for users who are particular about both image quality and camera design.

28mm Ultra-Wide-Angle LEICA DC Lens with 4.6x Optical Zoom Fits in a Flat , Futuristic Design Body
The FP8 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4.6x optical zoom. The folded optics of the shaft guide method is adopted to secure the toughness of the lens unit. Comprising 10 elements and a prism unit in 8 groups, including 1 ED lens and 5 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, a difficult feat even by today’s standards, this advanced lens unit passes Leica’s stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance to the edges even adopting the folded optics.

Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 9.1x (252mm*) by using the centre part of the 12.1-megapixel large CCD.

Outstanding Basic Performance—Superb Image Quality with the Exceptional Response and Enhanced Performance of the Venus Engine V
The common concept shared by all new LUMIX products for 2009 second half is the seamless operation, which is indispensable for stress-free photography. In order to respond to the foremost desire of all photographers – to catch every possible shooting opportunity—Panasonic went back to the basics and developed an industry-leading, ultra high-speed AF while dramatically shortened the start-up time, too.

To realize the ultra high-speed AF, a number of re-engineering and improvements are made including the adaptation of a higher-speed actuator, the optimization of algorithms and the parallelization of software processing element. The result is ultra high speed yet accurate AF performance for users to enjoy the airy shooting that has experienced never before. Panasonic also replaced its linear program processing with parallel processing to achieve an ultra high-speed start-up of approx. 0.95 second.

In image processing, luminance noise and chromatic noise are reduced separately before and after signal processing. This is further refined by separating noise two-dimensionally into high-frequency and low-frequency noise. The circuits then effectively reduce only the low-frequency noise to minimize the unwanted noise and help produce beautiful, sharp still and motion images.

This multi-task image-processing engine has a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.006 seconds, making it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the FP8 can snap approx. 2.3 shots per second at 12.1-megapixel full resolution*1. In High-speed Burst shooting mode, it fires off an incredible approx. 10 shots per second*2 and the Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take consecutive shots with continuous emissions of the flash*3.

Despite its outstanding performance, the high performance engine is also more energy efficient to extend the battery life up to 380 shots (CIPA) per a single charge*4.

iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode Further Advances for Easy Photography
With the DMC-FP8, taking great photos is that easy. Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. In iA mode the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments. Just press aim, and shoot. This mode is now further advanced with the inclusion of further advanced image stabilization system POWER O.I.S. and advanced Face Recognition for DMC-FP8.

Taking advantage of Panasonic’s accumulated optical technologies, MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) has been incorporated into Lumix cameras from the early stage of digital camera development. This helped to show all digital camera users the absolute need for hand-shake compensation, and led to its prevalence throughout the industry. MEGA O.I.S. has now evolved into the new POWER O.I.S. on the DMC-FP8, with a great performance improvement - twice the shake suppression capability of previous models.

The hand-shake component, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is recognized as a low- frequency vibration, for which the new POWER O.I.S. is particularly effective. This greatly improves the quality of shots taken at night or indoors where a flash cannot be used, or where the photographer doesn’t want to use a flash because it would spoil the mood. It captures beautiful photos in situations that previously resulted in blurring.

The DMC-FP8 features the Face Recognition*, a function that is popular in the previous Lumix cameras, with several upgrades. Three face images can be registered for each person, to dramatically raise the detection accuracy. And when the angle of view is changed horizontally, the name display also rotates for easier reading.

Once you enter iA mode, these functions happen automatically together with other powerful shooting-assist functions – AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent Exposure and Quick AF- 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.

HD photos and HD movies with VIERA Link networking
Both photos and 1280 x 720, 30 fps motion jpeg movie recorded on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV with dynamic HD resolution. The user simply inserts the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SDHC/SD card slot) on a VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to play the content. This makes it possible to take maximum advantage of the camera’s playback functions, including slideshows in which both still and motion images are played sequentially, or calendar displays and so on. Operation using only TV’s remote controller is super-easy.

In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4.0, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.

Other Options for Fun
A total of 27 scene modes are available with the DMC-FP8 and the High Dynamic mode is new to be added. The Photo Frame mode allows you to shoot images with fine frame-like decorations, which is suitable for photos to give others as a gift. The High Dynamic mode helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure even though the scene contains both bright and dark area together. The user can select either of three options, Standard, Art, or B/W, depending on the desired effect and personal taste to make the photo look natural to artistic.

About Included Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4.0
The latest version of the bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4.0 allows you to view, edit and archive your captured photo and motion pictures with greater ease and fun. The new PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4.0 features dramatic speed-up of operation by achieving 10x as fast as the previous edition for start up and 8x for initial image registration process*. The GUI is re-designed by adopting simple graphic elements and layouts as well as the incorporation of wizard method, making the operation more intuitive and extremely easy.

The portrait images taken with the camera’s Face Recognition function are organized neatly in the folder of the name registered with the camera. Not only that, the software also features an independent Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the picture stored in your PC to sort the photos by the face speedily. You do not have to pick out each photo one by one out of thousand of photos when you only want pictures of a specific person. With PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4.0, the software automatically sorts your images into virtual folders based on the faces you registered. You can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music. Motion pictures can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader.
*Panasonic in-house comparison. The speed may vary depending on the specifications of PC and the number of images stored in the PC and other condition.

About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.77 trillion yen (US$78.4 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2009. The company’s shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE: PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company’s website at http://panasonic.net/.

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