New Lumix compact packs mammoth sensor

By John Mello on July 21, 2008 5:50 PM

Announcements of new digital cameras have been fast and furious over the last two weeks. Samsung, Casio, Kodak and Canon have all raised the curtain on new models during that period. Now Panasonic is joining the parade with its announcement today of four new Lumix models, including a replacement for its popular LX2 compact camera. The new model, appropriately designated the LX3 ($549.99), sports 10.1 megapixels on an ultra-sensitive 1/1.63 CCD sensor. According to the company, by limiting the number of megapixels on the sensor, it was able to give more space to each pixel and also redesign the peripheral circuits and other components to further minimize noise generation. Those design improvements, it said in a statement, have resulted in 40% higher sensitivity and 35% increased saturation compared to the company's other 10MP digital cameras.

The LX3 also has a beefier lens than its predecessor. Its Leica DC Vario-Summicron 24-millimeter, F/2.0 lens Panasonic said, is twice as bright as an F/2.8 lens. What's more, the new model's wide-angle lens has a 136% larger viewing area than the 28mm wide-angle lenses found in many fixed lens cameras.

The new unit also has a processor upgrade. It uses Panasonic's Venus Engine IV. Not only is it supposed to produce higher-quality images with reduced noise, but it supports high sensitivity recording--full resolution images at ISO 3200--and sequential shooting at 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in high speed burst mode.

Other new additions to this model include a film mode, which allows a shooter to emulate several types of film stock; a multiple exposure feature; "image leveling" to correct photos taken when the camera is held slightly askew; and high definition video capture at 1280 x 720p at 24 frames per second.

The LX3 is expected to reach retailers in August.

Panasonic also introduced today a new 14.7MP ultra-compact model, the Lumix DMC-FX150.

The FX150 ($449.99) has a 28mm wide-angle F/2.8 Leica lens with a 3.6x optical zoom. The digital camera, which will be offered in silver or black, has a manual exposure mode that allows shutter speeds to be chosen for a shot and a multi-exposure function that allows up to three images to be superimposed on each other. In addition, RAW photos can be captured with the DSC.

The FX150 is expected to make it to market next month.

Another addition to Panasonic's FX line announced today was the FX37 ($379.99). The 10.1MP compact camera has a 25mm wide-angle Leica lens and a 5x optical zoom. The new model, which will be released in black and blue in September, has an AF Tracking function. It will lock the camera's focusing system on a subject and keep the subject in focus even if it moves.

Also expected to reach the shelves next month is the 10.1MP FZ28 ($449.99). Its 27mm Leica lens has a large 18x optical zoom.

"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," Panasonic Imaging Group Senior Product Manager Doug Borbath, observed in a statement.