PMA 2006: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 is announced today. 5 megapixels, 10x Leica optical zoom lens, 2.5 inch LCD, available in April.

Panasonic UK Press Release

Another world first from Panasonic: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 - the world’s smallest 10x optical zoom digital still camera

Panasonic Lumix cameras go from strength to strength with technological advancements designed to offer the ultimate in picture performance and user convenience.  Building on its digital still camera achievements, Panasonic presents you with the world’s smallest 10x optical zoom digital still camera, made possible by the world’s first integrated retractable lens system with folded optics technology. The lens part of the super-compact Panasonic TZ1 features the integration of a retractable lens system with folded optics technology, realized by the inclusion of a prism.  Incorporating three aspherical lenses, the crystallization of Panasonic optics technology, results in an amazingly powerful 10x optical zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens contained within a slim and stylish body.  The zoom ratio can be extended up to 12.5x in 3 megapixel resolution mode with minimal deterioration thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom. Furthermore, in combination with the 4x digital zoom, a zoom factor of up to 50x can be achieved.

The power of the Venus Engine III engine
The DMC-TZ1 boasts the newly developed Venus Engine III, offering the ability to take 250 pictures on a single charge whilst consuming only 80% of the power utilised by the predecessor, Venus Engine II.  The TZ1 allows unlimited consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the 13.4MB built-in memory or the SD memory card.  This new engine, the brain of a digital camera, boasts outstanding response time with an industry leading shutter release time of only 0.006sec minimum (the time taken between pressing the button on the camera and the photo being taken) and a shutter interval of approximately 0.5 seconds, thus enabling easy capture of spur-of-the- moment shots.  In the burst shooting mode, it is possible to shoot at three frames per second in full resolution.

Offering quick response times and high quality image output, the TZ1’s Venus Engine III also dramatically reduces noise levels even at increased ISO settings.  Shooting up to a manually selectable ISO800 setting, in full resolution, it is possible to enhance your photographic potential by taking advantage of high shutter speeds which suppress image blur caused by subject movement.

A stir without the blur
Panasonic has enabled the TZ1 to shoot at a maximum setting of ISO800, with its new High Sensitivity Mode.  This ingenious mode reduces image blur caused by moving subjects - especially indoors – by shooting at fast shutter speeds.  Made possible by the mixed-pixel read out method of the CCD, users can now enjoy good quality 4”x6” prints of moments that would otherwise be lost. Whilst the resolution will not be as high in this mode, High Sensitivity is the difference between getting a shot or not at all.

In addition to the new High Sensitivity Mode, Panasonic has also equipped the TZ1 with its globally recognised Optical Image Stabiliser feature. O.I.S minimises the jitter from shaky hands that causes many photos to look blurred by shifting the O.I.S lens unit to keep the optical axis aligned straight against the CCD, to ensure images are always beautifully clear.

Be it hand shake or subject movement, the TZ1 incorporates the solution for both major causes of blurred images, resulting in amazingly sharp photos in various situations.

The fiercely fast linear auto-focus system
The TZ1 is the first Lumix model to adopt a Linear AF system which, combined with the high speed AF function, achieves an industry-leading high speed AF response time among high zoom digital cameras, whilst reducing the noise of the motor.  The superior AF capabilities also enable an increased speed in continuous AF, allowing easy and precise focusing even when shooting moving subjects. It is now even possible to zoom in while recording motion images.  Together with the TZ1’s overall quick response time and the power of the Venus Engine III, this linear AF system also contributes to a super fast start-up time of 0.95sec.  The speed in which this camera operates means you’ll be able to capture special moments, spontaneously.

Bright and beautiful motion pictures
In addition to standard VGA (640x680) at 30fps motion image recording, the TZ1 also records stunning full-size movies in wide aspect VGA (840x840) at 30fps, enabling you to view them on a widescreen television.  The brightness level is enhanced as a result of the pixel-mixed readout method performed by the CCD.  The linear AF system enables zooming in while recording motion images, while the O.I.S ensures blur-free footage.

The perfect travel companion boasting 18 scene modes
The Lumix TZ1’s 18 scene modes allow you to effectively capture your travelling experience, wherever you go.  The ‘aerial’ mode assists with shooting through aeroplane windows, and once you reach your destination, the new ‘beach’ mode is ideal for taking photos in strong sunlight.  Used with a separately available marine case boasting a water-resistance of up to 40m deep, the ‘underwater’ mode helps produce spectacular underwater shots, even at depths where there is no sunlight.

Travellers further benefit from the useful ‘Travel Date Setting’ which, once you have preset the date of your departure, records and displays the images in chronological order of your trip.  The ‘World Time Setting’ is also useful as it allows you to set the time and date of 74 locations across the world.

These modes are welcomed additions to the existing portrait, soft skin, scenery, night portrait, night scenery, food, party, candle, fireworks, starry sky, snow and baby mode. Panasonic’s ‘Baby’ Mode has now doubled its appeal with the ability to set two birthdays for two children.  When shooting in Baby Mode1 or 2, the relevant child’s age at the time of image capture is automatically recorded onto the image, allowing you to forever treasure your children’s special moments.

...and another first by Panasonic - aiming high with the TZ1’s High Angle Mode
The TZ1 has a 207K high resolution, 2.5” large LCD.  The pixel-mixed read out method performed by the CCD automatically increases the brightness level of the live image on the LCD, which greatly facilitates low-light shooting.

Panasonic is the first manufacturer to incorporate the highly useful High Angle Mode to a digital still camera LCD, making it easy to view when holding the camera up high to take pictures over a crowd, for example.  With the help of the Power LCD function, which boosts the backlighting of the LCD by 40%, even shooting in bright outdoor situations is no longer a problem.

The high-resolution LCD can also display your images in up to 25 thumbnails on a multi-split screen and allows you to date search an image with the Calender Display Mode.

A traveller’s treasure – the small DMCTZ1 boasts huge features to make travel photography a real pleasure.  Available from April.  For further information, please visit www.panasonic.co.uk

DMC-TZ1 Specifications

Colour: S-Sliver, K-Black

Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 112 x 58.1 x 40.2 mm ( 4.41 x 2.29 x 1.58 inch)

Weight
Approx. 234g. (0.52 lb)

Approx. 262g with Battery and SD Memory Card (0.58 lb)

Camera Effective Pixels
5-megapixel

Image Sensor
1/2.5”,  6.37 Mega Total Pixels CCD

Primary Color Filter

Optical Zoom
10x

Extra Optical Zoom
4:3 Aspect Ratio: 12.5x for 3Mega, 2Mega, 1Mega, 0.3Mega

3:2 Aspect Ratio: 12.5x for 2.5Mega

16:9 Aspect Ratio: 12.5x for 2Mega

Digital Zoom
4 x

( Max. 40x combined with Optical Zoom without Extra Optical Zoom)

(Max. 50x combined with Extra Optical Zoom)

Focal Distance
f=5.2 - 52mm (35mm Equiv.: 35-350mm)

Lens
LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT

12 elements in 10 groups

(3 Aspherical Lenses / 3 Aspherical surfaces)

Aperture
Wide: F2.8 / F5.0 (2 steps) Tele: F4.2 / F7.1 (2 steps)

Optical Image Stabilizer
MEGA O.I.S. (Mode1/ Mode2)

Focusing Area
Normal: Wide 40cm / Tele 200cm - infinity

Macro/Simple/Motion Image : Wide 5cm/Tele 100cm - infinity

AF Metering
1 point / 1-point high speed / 3-point high speed / 9-points / Spot

Focus
Auto Focus System, Normal/Macro (Dial), Continuous AF On/Off

AF Assist Lamp
  Yes

ISO Sensitivity
Auto/80/100/200/400/800 (High Sensitivity Mode: 800-1600)

White Balance
Auto/Daylight/Cloudy/Halogen/White Set

White Balance Adjustment ( 150K step, -1500 - +1500 K)  (except for auto set)

Exposure
Program AE

Exposure Compensation
  1/3 EV step, -2 - +2 EV

Backlight Compensation
  Yes (at simple mode)

Auto (AE) Bracketing
+/- 1/3 EV -1EV step, 3 frames

Light Metering
Intelligent Multiple/ Center Weighted / Spot

Scene Mode
Dial:  Normal Picture, Simple , Macro

    SCN1, SCN2 (Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self-portrait, Food, Party, Candle, Fireworks, Starry Sky, Beach, Aerial Photo, Snow, High Sensitivity, Baby1, Baby2, Underwater)  Motion Image, Playback

Shutter Speed
8-1/2000 sec

Starry Sky Mode: 15,30, 60 sec

Self Timer
10 sec / 2sec

Auto Review
1sec/3sec/zoom

Review
1x / 4x / 8x

Picture Adjustment      
Natural, Standard, Vivid

Color Effect Mode
Cool, Warm, Black & White, Sepia

Recording Format
Still Image:

JPEG(Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif 2.2 standard),

DPOF corresponding

Picture with audio: JPEG (Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif2.2 standard)+ QuickTime

Motion Image:

QuickTime Motion JPEG

Recording Image Size
Still Image:

4:3 Aspect Ratio: 2560 x 1920 pixels, 2048 x 1536 pixels, 1600 x 1200 pixels

1280 x960 pixels, 640 x 480 pixels

  3:2 Aspect Ratio:  2560 x 1712 pixels, 2048 x 1360 pixels

  16:9 Aspect Ratio: 2560 x 1440 pixels, 1920 x 1080 pixels

Motion Image:

4:3 Aspect Ratio: 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels

16:9 Aspect Ratio: 848 x 480 pixels

Image Quality
Fine / Standard

Motion Image
4:3 Aspect Ratio: 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels   30 fps, 10 fps

16:9 Aspect Ratio: 848 x 480 pixels   30 fps, 10 fps

Max. recording time depends on Memory Card Capacity

Burst Shooting Mode
Full-Resolution Image, 3 frames/sec or 2 frames/sec

Full-resolution:  Max. 5 images (Standard mode), Max 3 images (Fine Mode)

Unlimited consecutive shooting
?Yes

Still Image Rec. with Audio
5 sec

Audio Dubbing
Max. 10sec

Real-time histogram
Yes

Composition Guide line
Yes

Built-in Memory
13.4MB

Scene Mode Help Screen
Yes

Auto Angle Detection
Yes

Flip Animation
Yes

Travel Date
Yes

Economy mode
Yes

Built-in-Flash
Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced On/Off

0.3 - 3.7m (Wide/ISO Auto),  1.0 - 2.4m (Tele/ISO Auto)

0.8 - 5.7m (Wide/High Sensitivity Mode), 1.0 - 3.7m (Tele/ High Sensitivity Mode)

LCD Monitor
2.5” Polycrystalline TFT LCD Display (207K Pixels)

Field of View : approx. 100%

Power LCD mode, High Angle mode

Playback mode
25-thumbnail display, 9-thumbnail display,

zoomed playback (16x max.), Calendar Display

Image Rotation, Slide show (Duration is adjustable, also manually controllable),

Playback of favorite pictures

Resizing (selectable number of pixels), trimming, protection, DPOF print setting ?

OSD language
English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese

Recording Media
SD Memory Card, MultiMediaCard

Microphone
Yes

Speaker
Yes

Interface
DC Input, AV Output (NTSC/PAL), USB

Direct Print
PictBridge

Power
Li-ion Battery Pack (3.7V, 1000mAh) (Included)

AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Optional)

Battery life (approx.)
250 pictures (CIPA Standard)

Included Software
LUMIX Simple Viewer

ArcSoft PhotoBase, ArcSoft PhotoImpression,

ArcSoft Panorama Maker

USB Driver

Standard Accessories
Battery Charger, Battery Pack, AC Cable, AV Cable

USB Connection Cable, Strap, CD-ROM

*1. Shooting conditions: 23°C with 50% humidity; LCD on; using the SD Memory Card; starting to shoot 30 seconds after turning on the power; shooting once every 30 seconds with the flash in full operation for every other shot; changing the zoom setting from telephoto to wide, or wide to telephoto, for each shot; and temporarily turning the power off after each 10 shots (long enough to lower the battery temperature).

*Some accessories are not available in some countries.

*The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.

*Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.

*The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.

*All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.

*QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are used under license. QuickTime is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries.