Panasonic today announced the latest entry into the growing “superzoom” compact camera category, Lumix DMC-FZ28, which features an 18x 27-486mm f/2.8 optical zoom and an SLR-like form factor. The 10MP camera offers a new AF Tracking function, which is claimed to lock focus on a moving object and track it as it moves through the frame. Designed for casual photographers who want a wide zoom range in a smaller, self-contained camera, the FZ28 also offers Panasonic’s iA (intelligent Auto) mode, which combines Intelligent Exposure, digital red-eye correction, gyroscope-based anti-shake technology, automatic ISO setting based on scene, face detection, and quick autofocus abilities to reduce shutter lag time.
For details and full specifications, read the Panasonic press release:
PANASONIC ADDS ULTIMATE ACTION LUMIX DIGITAL CAMERA WITH LONG ZOOM AND 27MM WIDE-ANGLE LENS
LUMIX DMC-FZ28 Features AF Tracking, Latest Addition to
Intelligent Auto Mode, Helping to Capture Moving Subjects With Clarity
SECAUCUS, N.J. (July 21, 2008) – Panasonic today unveiled the LUMIX DMC-FZ28 digital camera, which boasts a premium 27mm wide-angle LEICA lens with an 18x optical zoom, ideal for tight indoor shots and long-distance action photos. The 10.1 megapixel digital camera also features an enhanced Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), with the new AF (auto focus) Tracking function, making it easier for photographers at any level to shoot sharp, well-focused photos, even when the subject is moving – making it ideal for action shots.
The AF Tracking function, the latest component to be added to Panasonic’s iA system, allows users to lock focus on a moving subject. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the need to hold the shutter halfway down. AF Tracking makes it easier to capture moving subjects and spur-of-the-moment action shots. The AF Tracking technology also improves Face Detection (up to 15 faces), by providing continuous adjustment of the focus and exposure, even if the face is turned away from the camera.*
“The FZ28 packs a wide-angle lens and a high-powered zoom, so shooting outdoor events or vacation adventures is easy with this powerful camera,” said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Without sacrificing Panasonic’s reputation for high-quality lenses and innovative technologies, the FZ28 expands the Intelligent Auto Mode, allowing a user at any level to take high-quality photos.”
In addition to the AF Tracking functionality, Panasonic’s other iA technologies include:
• Intelligent Exposure – Helps prevents photos from being under- or over-exposed by instantly analyzing the framed image and adjusting the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The camera will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly.
• Digital Red-eye Correction– This feature helps to eliminate the red-eye problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at night. Incorporated into the camera, the built-in flash emits a small preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and will digitally correct it.
• MEGA O.I.S. – Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.
• Intelligent ISO – Determines if the photo subject is moving and changes the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo.
• Intelligent Scene Selector – Senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. This intuitive technology, helps the consumer use the most common scene modes that are built into the camera, but often go unused, without making any manual adjustments.
• Face Detection – Detects faces in the frame (up to 15 faces), even if they are moving, and selects optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear.
• Quick AF (Auto Focus) – Starts focus on the subject by just pointing the camera at the subject, thus minimizing the AF time.
The high-quality, high-performance Venus Engine IV supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and 13 shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. In High Sensitivity mode, the FZ28 can shoot up to ISO 6400 in extremely low-lit situations. The LUMIX DMC-FZ28 also is equipped with a 2.7-inch large, high resolution LCD with 230,000 pixels, and a high resolution electric viewfinder equivalent to 201,600 pixels.
The DMC-FZ28 also features High Defintion (HD) video capabilities with a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps. Still photos can also be shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio for optimal full-screen viewing on a HDTV. Panasonic VIERA Plasma or LCD HDTVs also feature an integrated SD Memory Card slot, allowing users to easily view photos by simply inserting the SD Memory Card into the convenient SD Card slot built into the TV. Consumer can also enjoy watching videos in HD quality and view still images by connecting the DMC-FXZ28 via an optional Panasonic component cable (DMW-HDC2).
Additional features of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 include:
• Image Leveling – When a captured image “leans” to the right or left because the camera was held at a slight angle when the photo was taken, the Image Leveling function rotates the image to straighten it and crops the unnecessary edges. No computer needed!
Scene Modes – The DMC-FZ28 offers a total of 37 scene modes to respond easily to any shooting situation. The new Pin Hole and Film Grain modes add unique, film camera-like effects and ambiences to images. Additionally, the actual effects of the scene mode can be viewed on the LCD before taking the shot.
• Flash – Reaches a distance of 8.5 meters at the wide setting and 5.4 meters at the telephoto setting (ISO AUTO).
• SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0 SE – Software application comes bundled with the DMC-FZ28 for editing and developing images in the RAW file format.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 will be available in silver and black in August 2008 for a suggested retail price of $399.95.
* Face must initially be facing forward to be detected.
| DMC-FZ28 SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 117.6 x 75.3 x 88.9 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 370g Approx. 417g with Battery and SD Memory Card |
| Camera Effective Pixels | 10.1 Mega pixels |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.33″ 10.7 Total Mega Pixels CCD Primary Color Filter |
| Optical Zoom | 18x |
| Extra Optical Zoom | 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 21.4x for 7Mega, 25.7x for 5Mega, 32.1x for 3Mega, 2Mega, 0.3Mega 3:2 Aspect Ratio: 21.4x for 6Mega, 25.7x for 4.5Mega, 32.1x for 2.5Mega 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 21.4x for 5.5Mega, 25.7x for 3.5Mega, 32.1x for 2Mega |
| Digital Zoom | 4x ( Max. 72.0 x combined with Optical Zoom without Extra Optical Zoom ) (Max. 128x combined with Extra Optical Zoom) |
| Focal Length | f=4.8-86.4mm (35mm Equiv.: 27-486mm) |
| Lens | LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 11 elements in 8 groups (3 Aspherical Lenses / 4 Aspherical surfaces, 2 ED lenses) |
| Aperture | Wide: F2.8 – F8.0 Tele: F4.4 – F8 |
| Optical Image Stabilizer | MEGA O.I.S. (Auto/Mode1/ Mode2) |
| Conversion lens Compatibility | Yes |
| Focusing Area | Normal: Wide 30cm/ Tele 200cm – infinity MF / Intelligent AUTO / Macro: Wide 1cm / Tele 200cm – infinity Tele Macro (approx. 11x – 18x) : 100cm – infinity |
| AF Metering | Face / AF tracking / multi-area / 1-area high speed / 1-area / spot |
| Focus | Normal / Macro, Quick AF On/Off (On in Intelligent Auto), Continuous AF On/Off AF/MF Switchable, Manual Focus(Joystick), One Shot AF, AF Area Select, AF Tracking |
| AF Assist Lamp | Yes |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 (High Sensitivity Mode : Auto(1600 – 6400) ) |
| ISO Limit Set | Yes |
| White Balance | Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Flash / Halogen / Color Temperature / White Set 1 / White Set 2 (Selectable at Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Sports, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, High Sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Pinhole modes) White Balance Adjustment (2-axis adjustable, ±9steps each, Blue/Amber and Magenta/Green bias) |
| Exposure | Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, Program Shift(Program AE mode) |
| Exposure Compensation | 1/3 EV step, +/-2 EV |
| Backlight Compensation | Yes (auto in Intelligent AUTO mode) |
| Multi-Exposure | No |
| Multi-Aspect | No |
| Auto (AE) Bracketing | +/- 1/3 EV ~1EV step, 3 frames |
| Light Metering | Intelligent Multiple / Center Weighted / Spot |
| Rec Mode (Mode Dial) | Intelligent AUTO, P(Program) mode, A(Aperture Priority) mode, S(Shutter Priority) mode, M(Manual) mode, Custom1, Custom2, Portrait mode, Scenery mode, Sports mode, Night Portrait mode, Close-up mode, Scene mode, Motion Picture |
| Scene Mode | |
| Advanced Scene Mode | Portrait mode : Normal, Soft Skin, Outdoor, Indoor, Creative Scenery mode : Normal, Nature, Architecture, Creative Sports mode : Normal, Outdoor, Indoor, Creative Night Portrait : Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illuminations, Creative Close-up: Flower, Food, Objects, Creative |
| Shutter Speed | P:1-1/2000sec (Selectable minimum shutter speed) A/S:8-1/2000sec, M:60-1/2000sec? Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60sec. |
| Self Timer | 2sec, 10sec, 10sec[3 pictures] |
| Auto Review | 1sec, 2sec, Zoom, Hold |
| Review | 1x, 4x, 8x |
| Picture Adjustment | Contrast ±2steps Sharpness ±2steps Saturation ±2steps Noise Reduction ±2steps |
| Color Effect Mode | Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm |
| Color Bracketing | Standard / Black & White (2 images), Standard / Sepia (2 images), Standard / Black & White / Sepia (3 images) |
| Recording Format | Still Image: JPEG(Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif 2.21 standard), RAW, DPOF corresponding image with audio: JPEG (Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif 2.21 standard)+ QuickTime Motion picture: QuickTime Motion JPEG |
| Recording Image Size | Still Image: 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 3648x 2736 pixels, 3072 x 2304 pixels, 2560 x 1920 pixels, 2048 x 1536 pixels, 1600 x 1200 pixels, 640 x 480 pixels 3:2 Aspect Ratio: 3648x 2432 pixels, 3072 x 2048 pixels, 2560 x 1712 pixels, 2048 x 1360 pixels 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 3648 x 2056 pixels, 3072 x 1728 pixels, 2560 x 1440 pixels, 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Image Quality | Fine / Standard / RAW / RAW+JPEG |
| Motion Picture | 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 640 x 480 pixels 30 fps, 320 x 240 pixels 30 fps/10 fps 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 848 x 480 pixels 30 fps HD?16:9 Aspect Ratio?: 1280×720 pixels 30fps |
| Burst Shooting Mode | Full-Resolution Image, 2.5 frames/sec Max. 5 images (Standard mode), Max 3 images (Fine mode) High-speed Burst Mode: approx. 11 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3), 12 flames/sec (2.5M for 3:2), 13 frames/sec (2M for 16:9) (Speed Priority) 7 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9) (Image Priority) |
| Unlimited consecutive shooting | Yes |
| Intelligent Exposure | Off / Low / Standard / High |
| Digital Red Eye Correction | Yes |
| Easy Zoom / Zoom Resume / Motion Zoom | No / Yes / Yes |
| Still Image Rec. with Audio | 5 sec |
| Audio Dubbing | Max. 10sec |
| Real-time Histogram / Highlight Display | Yes / Yes |
| Composition Guide line | 2 patterns |
| Built-in-Memory | approx. 50MB |
| Scene Mode Help Screen | Yes |
| Auto Angle Detection | Yes |
| Flip Animation | Yes |
| Travel Date / World Time | Yes / Yes |
| Title Edit | Yes |
| Text Stamp | Yes |
| Built-in-Flash | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Flash Synchro %3B 1st / 2nd Flash output Adjustment (1/3EV step, -2 – +2 EV) 0.3 – 8.5m (Wide/Macro/ISO Auto), 1.0 – 5.4m (Tele/ISO Auto) |
| External Flash | No |
| Viewfinder | 0.20″ Color EVF (201.6K Pixels equiv.), Field of View : approx. 100%, Lens 19.6x |
| LCD Monitor | 2.7″ TFT LCD Display (230K dots) Field of View : approx. 100% AUTO Power LCD mode, Power LCD mode, High angle mode |
| Playback mode | [REC]/[Play] Selector switch 30-thumbnail display, 12-thumbnail display, calendar display, zoomed playback (16x max.), Playback of favorite pictures, Category Playback (playback and slideshow of pictures in category) Slide show (duration & effect with music is selectable), image rotation Resizing (selectable number of pixels), trimming, protection, aspect conv. DPOF print setting ? Creating still pictures from a motion picture Enlarge focus area, Image leveling |
| OSD language | English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese |
| Recording Media | Built-in Memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard(Still image only) |
| Microphone | Yes |
| Speaker | Yes |
| Interface | DC Input, AV Output (NTSC), HD AV Output (Component), USB2.0 High speed |
| Direct Print | PictBridge |
| Power | Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 710mAh) (Included) AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Optional) |
| Battery life | (approx.) 460 pictures (CIPA standard) |
| Included Software | PHOTOfunSTUDIO -viewer- 2.1E ArcSoft (MediaImpression / Panorama Maker) SilkyPix Developer Studio 3.0SE, QuickTime, USB Driver |
| Standard Accessories | Battery Charger, Battery Pack, Lens Cap, Lens Cap Strap, Lens Hood, Hood Adaptor, AV Cable, USB Connection Cable, Shoulder Strap, CD-ROM |
