The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 are the first models in a new range of stylish, easy to use cameras. Both the FS20 and FS5 offer a 4x, 30-120mm lens and 10.1 megapixel, 1/2.33-inch sensor. Intelligent Auto Mode has been improved and there’s also a new image-processing engine, Venus Engine IV. The DMC-FS20 features a 3 inch, 230k screen, whilst the DMC-FS5 has a smaller 2.5 inch model.

Panasonic Press Release

10.1-Megapixel LUMIX DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 with 30mm Wide-Angle 4x Optical Zoom Leica DC Lens*
Combines Simple Operation and Slim, Stylish Profile
Featuring Intelligent Auto Mode
*35mm film camera equivalent: 30-120mm

Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new 10.1-megapixel DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 cameras with 30mm wide angle Leica DC lens and 4x optical zoom (equivalent to 30mm to 120 mm on a 35mm film camera) as part of the new Lumix FS series. The FS series is similar to the world-acclaimed FX series, pursuing easy and simple operation with its high-grade profile for users at every stage to enjoy taking beautiful pictures. Despite its remarkably compact and slim body, the stylish DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 boast a 30mm wide-angle Leica DC lens which captures the subject and the wider scene at the same standpoint as the normal 35mm camera does. The DMC-FS20 incorporates a large 3-inch LCD screen whereas the DMC-FS5 sports a compact 2.5-inch LCD screen. Both have 230,000-dot high resolution and Intelligent LCD function, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, thus offering a display with the most appropriate clarity in any situation.

The DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 feature the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, which comprises 5 shooting-assist functions; Mega O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection and Quick AF functions. Mega O.I.S. suppresses hand-shake and Intelligent ISO Control prevents motion blur. The Intelligent Scene Selector sets the appropriate scene mode by automatically selecting it from the most frequently used scene modes, such as Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait and Night Scenery. The Face Detection system detects a human face to set the focus and appropriate exposure for it automatically. The Quick AF system allows the camera to start focusing on the subject even without pressing the shutter button halfway, to get the best results from every shooting opportunity by minimizing the AF time. Once you enter iA mode, these multi-capable functions happen automatically 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.

Panasonic’s own high performance image processor has newly entered its fourth generation, to be reborn as Venus Engine IV assuring higher-quality pictures with an advanced signal processing system. The Easy Zoom feature shifts the lens instantly to full zoom at the touch of a button. The slideshow setting now comes equipped with a musical option, allowing users to listen to music whilst viewing their images, giving emotional impact when desired.. The DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 also boast an internal 50 MB memory (approx.) giving users more flexibility when shooting.
With a metal finish, the DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 are both sleek and stylish. Offering the ability to take great snapshots with committed ease of operation, even for beginners. The DMC-FS20 will be available in silver and black, and the DMC-FS5 in silver, black and red*
*Availability of models and colours may vary depending on the sales area.

1. Newly Developed 30mm Wide Angle 4x Optical Zoom (30-120mm) Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR Lens and 1/2.33-inch 10.1-megapixel High Resolution CCD
The 10.1-megapixel DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 come with a 30mm wide-angle* Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 4x optical zoom complementing the slim and compact body of the camera. Comprising seven elements in six groups, including three aspherical lenses with four aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit fits well with the outstandingly slim and compact body yet passes Leica’s stringent standards to deliver an exceptional optical performance. Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 7.1x by using the centre part of the CCD.
The Easy Zoom** feature shifts the lens instantly to full 4x optical zoom power at a touch of a button, and with a second touch, the zoom ratio is further extended to 7.1x by activating the Extra Optical Zoom function.
*35mm film camera equivalent: 30-120mm*
**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 from Professional Photographers Anymore—Intelligent Auto Mode
Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode to ensure ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. The Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) compensates for hand-shake and the Intelligent ISO Control detects and suppresses motion blur., As the industry’s most advanced countermeasures against blurring, both image stabilizing technologies have been further advanced in detection accuracy and correction effect thanks to the new image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV.
In addition to these two key anti-blurring technologies, Panasonic continues to reinforce the idea that anyone at any technical level of photography should be able to take beautiful pictures with ease.. Increasing the number of scene modes is one thing and taking advantage of them is another, this is where the Intelligent Scene Selector comes in. It automatically sets the appropriate scene mode according to the picture you are about to take. Most frequently used scene modes include Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery and Night Portrait mode. The Face Detection system helps the camera to recognize human faces and to focus and set the exposure automatically. Up to 15 faces can be recognized simultaneously. The Quick AF system allows the camera to continue focusing on the subject without pressing the shutter button halfway, giving the best results from every shooting opportunity by minimizing the AF time.
These multi-capable functions happen automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change—the powerful Intelligent Auto Mode does all the work for you. You can enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.

3. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV
The new image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features more advanced signal processing technology for rendering even higher-quality images.
Notably, dual noise reduction for luminance signal and chromatic signal processing systems, a technology established by the preceding Venus Engine III, gains a more sophisticated process. Firstly, the luminance noise is two-dimensionally separated and only the low-frequency noise, which tends to be noticeable, is eliminated without affecting the high-frequency noise that greatly influences resolution. Secondly, the information of the change point between colours is minutely stored for precise determination of edges, thus colour bleeding is dramatically suppressed. This not only produces a clearer image in high ISO sensitivity recording, but also reproduces details in low-lit areas of pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity.
The Venus Engine IV also enhances the detection accuracy and corrective effect in both Mega O.I.S., which prevents hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which suppresses motion blur.
Featured in the DMC-FS20 and the DMC-FS5, the multi-task image-processor, the Venus Engine IV supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as 0.00X second and the shutter interval is as short as 0.X sec* despite high-resolution picture recording. The camera’s quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 can snap 2.5 shots per second at full resolution.** And in High-Speed Burst shooting mode,*** it delivers an incredible 6 shots per second. You also get unlimited consecutive shooting,**** which lets you continue shooting until the memory card is full.
The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.*****
*Not including auto focusing time
**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

4. Advanced 3-inch (FS20) / 2.5-inch (FS5) Large Intelligent LCD with 230,000-dot High Resolution for Easy Shooting and Playback
The DMC-FS20 boasts a large, easy-to-see, 3-inch (2.5-inch for DMC-FS5) 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD screen for clear 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 a maximum of 40 percent when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine. It also 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.

5. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography
The Lumix camera further offers a wide variety of options to expand the fun of photography.
Both DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 now provide slideshows complete with a musical option. Just select the pictures you want to show and choose the mood that best matches your selection from natural, slow, urban or swing. You are then able to view your slideshow along with the chosen music, giving it an emotional touch..
All Lumix cameras can take 1920x1080 pixel high-definition quality photos that are ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV. Panasonic is focused on making photography more enjoyable and accessible by letting people view their images easily on a Panasonic Viera TV with internal SD card slot.
For the motion picture, the DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 can record WVGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second in addition to standard VGA (640 x 480). The WVGA motion picture also fits a wide-screen HDTV perfectly, to offer extremely impressive viewing.

6. Other Features
The Panasonic DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 feature a variety of functions which expand convenience and fun for users at every stage. The energy-efficient Venus Engine IV imaging engine encourages the long battery life of the DMC-FS20 and DMC-FS5 to shoot around 280 (FS20) / 300 (FS5) shots despite their large, bright LCDs on a single battery charge*.
With reference to design improvements, all new Lumix cameras incorporate a REC/PLAYBACK mode switch. This helps the photographer to instantly switch between recording and playback modes, while always knowing which mode the camera is in. The GUI(Graphic User Interface) has been modified to look more futuristic in terms of design and colour while maintaining the visibility of characters.
A total of 20 (FS20) / 21 (FS5) scene modes help you to take more beautiful pictures in a wide range of situations.
Another valuable function is the Title Edit* option, which allows text to be input as additional information for the picture, for example, names of children or pets, and travel places. This information, as well as dates, which can be helpful when making a photo album, can be stamped on photos with the Text Stamp function whether you print them yourself at home or have a photo shop do them. Around 50 MB of internal memory is built-in to back up the SDHC/SD Memory Card recording and copying.
The major features mentioned above can be quickly understood with the newly installed slideshow program called Demo mode.
The DMC-FS5 is compatible with an optional marine case (DMW-MCFS5) with which users can shoot underwater while scuba diving, etc.
*Based on the CIPA standard.

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