Three new cameras from Panasonic - The DMC-FX9, The DMC-LX1 and DMC-FZ30

8 megapixel seems to be the way forward for Panasonic

20 July 2005 11:16 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Panasonic has today announced a host of new camera models for the summer. Included in the announcement is a 6-Megapixel 3x Optical Zoom DMC-FX9, an 8.4-Megapixel 16:9 CCD with 28 mm Wide Angle LEICA DC Lens DMC-LX1, and an 8-Megapixel 12x Optical Zoom DMC-FZ30

The DMC-FX9
The DMC-FX9 has had its startup time accelerated, and an upgrade to 6 megapixel, and includes the zoom function Extra Optical Zoom that extends zoom ratio up to 4.1x in 3-Megapixel recording and a clearer LCD based on the FX8 that was released earlier.

The LUMIX DMC-FX9 has a 1/2.5” 6-megapixel CCD, offers MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) for sturdier shots and sports a 2.5in LCD and a total of 14scene modes including 2 new modes.

The FX9 has also had an extension of battery life enabling the shooting of 270 images per single charge.

The FX9 is available in silver and black, each with a specially textured coating pleasing to the touch.

The DMC-LX1
The DMC-LX1 features the 8.4-Megapixel Industry's first 16:9 aspect CCD and 4x optical zoom 28mm wide angle (equivalent to 28 mm to 112 mm on a 35 mm film camera) LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens as well as offering a 4x optical zoom and a 2.5in LCD in its compact frame.

The aspect ratio is easily selectable between 16:9 wide, 3:2 and conventional 4:3 with a switch located on the lens barrel to shoot in the framing aspect that best suits the subjects' composition or image's purpose of use.

Like other LUMIX cameras, the camera features MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) to stop unintentional handshake and like the FX9 the LX1 features Panasonic's new Extra Optical Zoom feature that extends the zoom ratio by using the center part of the high resolution CCD to achieve 5x for 5.5-Megapixel 16:9 image recording with minimal deterioration.

In addition, the DMC-LX1 is the first digital still camera that can record moving images at 848 x 480 16:9