Panasonic Europe has announced the Lumix DMC-FS30 and FS33 models with 8x optical zoom. Apparently, these are the same cameras as the DMC-FH20 and FH22 announced a few days ago by Panasonic USA. They are equipped with a 28-224mm equivalent zoom lens with optical image stabilisation in a sleek and compact body. Comprising 9 elements in 7 groups, including 3 aspherical lens elements, this is one remarkable lens. The two camera models differ by the LCD screen only – the FS33 features a 3” touch-sensitive screen, while the FS30 includes a 2.7” wide LCD - just like the FH22 and FH20, respectively. The newly adopted, 3” touch-screen LCD on the FS33 provides intuitive control thanks to a hybrid operation combined with the four major operation buttons. Both models feature Intelligent LCD, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, to offer a display with the most appropriate clarity in any situation. A High-angle mode makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as when shooting over a crowd. Both cameras are capable of shooting 720p HD video with Class 6 or faster SD cards. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS30 and FS33 are also compatible with SDXC cards. They will be available from mid February in a choice of silver, black, blue or violet for the FS30, and silver, black or red for the FS33. Prices are to be confirmed.

Panasonic Europe Press Release

Panasonic’s DMC-FS33 and DMC-FS30 - Stylish cameras combining outstanding performance and design

Beautifully designed and packed with high-end features, Panasonic is pleased to marry the new DMC-FS33 and DMC-FS30 to the award winning Lumix line of cameras. The FS series, a sister line of the Lumix’s popular FX series pursues easy and simple operation with its high-grade profile for users at every stage to enjoy beautiful pictures. The new FS models are equipped with a 28mm wide angle lens and an impressive 8x optical zoom in a sleek and compact body.

The two models differ by the LCD screen only – the FS33 features a 3” LCD with touch panel for effortless operation, while the FS30 includes a 2.7” wide LCD.

The Fun of Photography in the High Definition Era
All Lumix cameras can take 16:9 HD (high-definition) quality photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen HDTV for full-screen viewing.  You can enjoy slideshow of photos taken with the camera in stunning HD quality by inserting an SDHD/SD memory card in to the SDHC/SD card slot with the VIErA HDTV (VIErA Image Viewer).

The new DMC-FS33 and FS30 even record dynamic HD movie* in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480). It is also possible not only to watch the movie on PC but also to upload it on YouTube with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO ver.5.0.

* 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

28mm Wide Angle lens with Powerful 8x Optical Zoom
The 14.1-megapixel DMC-FS33 and FS30 package a newly developed 28mm wide-angle* high quality LUMIX lens with powerful 8x optical zoom into a slim, compact body.  Comprising 9 elements in 7 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses with 0.6213 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly slim and compact body yet achieving exceptional optical performance.  Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 16.9x (473 mm*) by taking advantage of the high resolution CCD.

*35mm camera equivalent.

The image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features advanced signal processing technology for rendering high quality images.  Featured in the DMC-FS33 and FS30, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine IV supports a super-fast response time.  The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.006 second and the camera’s quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the sonic speed AF(auto focus) that lets you lock on the subject minimum 0.35 second* and the short startup time of approx. 0.97 second.
*At wide-end, using 1-area AF.

The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the new models 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) recording

Despite its outstanding performance, the high performance engine is also superior in its energy efficiency and features a long battery life up to 300 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.

Take Great Photos Effortlessly thanks to The iA (Intelligent Auto) mode

Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots.  MEGA O.I.S. suppresses hand-shake and Intelligent ISO control prevents moving subject to be blurred by optimizing the shutter speed and ISO setting, to render sharp, clear images whatever the shooting situation is.  Human faces are captured in focus and appropriate exposure with Face Detection. Unwanted red-eyes are digitally corrected and backlight compensation automatically activates if this happens.  Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects whichever of 6 scene modes - Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and newly added Sunset - that best suits the shooting situation. 
The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before pressing the shutter button halfway, to get the best results from far moving subjects ,because the focus is always near the subject and the AF time is minimized.

The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by simply pressing a dedicated iA button on the top of the camera.  All these make the FS33 and FS30 the ultimate, super-versatile automatic camera for capturing clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.

Large, Intelligent LCD for Easy Shooting and Playback
The new models incorporate an easy-to-see, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD for comfortable viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back the results. The Intelligent LCD function detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by Max. 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and adjusts the frame rate when shooting in low-lit situations in addition to using the pixel mixed readout method to secure clarity in such situations.  Detecting the lighting condition precisely and automatically controlling the brightness with a total of 11 fine steps, this function gives the display the most appropriate clarity in any situation without using extra energy.  The High-angle mode makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as when shooting over a crowd.

For those looking for the ultimate sleek experience, the FS33 boasts a newly adopted static sensor type 3.0-inch touch screen LCD for easy, intuitive control. With the four major operation buttons in addition to the touch screen, this hybrid operation is straightforward.  Touch operation is smooth and effortless both when recording and playing back images.  In recording mode, once you compose the frame, all you have to do is touch the area you wish to focus before pressing the shutter button halfway.  In playback mode, you can drag the image across the screen with a finger to browse the collection of photos as you flip over the pages of the book.

Enjoy your Photos
The new DMC-FS33 and FS30 feature a variety of functionalities to expand fun and convenience for users at every stage to enjoy taking beautiful pictures.

A rich variety of scene modes make it easy to get beautiful photos in a range of photographic situations. Baby, Pet and Sports mode take advantage of the Intelligent ISO Control to let you get great results even if the subjects move unexpectedly. Furthermore, you can record the name and birthday of your children or pet and embed the information of the name and at which age in year and month the photo was taken on the photo, and choose to print either or both of them on the photo.  Photo Frame mode lets the user put attractive borders around the photo. When printed, the photos look like photos in picture frames, making them ideal postcards.

The functions and settings used most often, such as O.I.S., consecutive shooting, auto focus point, white balance adjustment, ISO level, image size and LCD mode are quickly and easily accessed via the Quick Setting function.  There’s no need to open menus to adjust them.

The user can select from among several pretty icons for the camera to use for indicating when the subject is in focus.  With the My Scene setting, the user can assign up to specific Scene modes to that setting, and switch instantly to the mode when desired.  Menus look clearer with the Display Size option for FS30, which makes it easier to navigate, even for seniors.

Using the Macro Zoom function, the user can pull subjects even closer than the closest point possible with the wide-angle setting by using 3x digital zoom, and capture dramatic close-ups.

In addition to the conventional SD/SDHC memory card, the DMC-FS33 and FS30 accept next-generation SD format SDXC (SD eXtended Capacity), that features high potential in both capacity and data transfer speed. The DMC-FS33 and FS30 are also compatible with Windows 7 TM.

Stylish cameras combining outstanding basic performance and design, Panasonic’s new DMC-FS33 and DMC-FS30 will be available from mid February 2010. With a choice of silver, black, blue or violet for the FS30, and silver, black or red for the FS33, the new additions offer an enjoyment of taking great snapshots with the ease of operation, even for beginners.

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