Panasonic Refreshes Lumix Camera Line

Panasonic has announced new members of its compact Lumix camera line, with a range of features designed to appeal to consumers and everyday photographers, including a 12 megapixel point-and-shoot camera and two new models technically capable of capturing high-definition video.

First up, the Lumix DMC-FX580 (to be available in silver and black) offers a 25mm Leica lens, a 12.1 megapixel resolution, a 3-inch LCD display, and a 5× optical zoom. The FX580 uses a touch-screen interface for configuring the camera, and feature’s Panasonic’s intelligent auto mode, which includes intelligent ISO selection, face detection, autofocus, intelligent exposure tracking, and automatic scene selection. The camera can also recognize individual faces, letting users give priority to a single person in a group shot—you know,the celebrity or the most significant person at an event. The DMC-FX580 can also record 1,280 by 720p high-definition video at 30fps.

Next, Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-ZS1 (in black and silver) and DMC-ZS3 (in silver, blue, red, and black). The ZS3 features a 10.1 megapixel resolution, 3-inch LCD, 12×optical zoom, and can record HD video in the “AVCHD Lite” format, meaning it’s limited to 720p resolution—but there is an HDMI output for putting video and images on a big screen. The ZS3 also features face recognition (and the ability to prioritize a particular face) and automatic scene selection. The ZS1 features the same 10.1-megapixel resolution and 12× zoom, but drops down to a 2.7-inch LCD and loses the face recognition.

Finally, the Lumux DMC-TS1 (to be available in silver, green, and orange) packs a 12.1-megapixel resolution and 4.6× optical zoom into a cast that’s designed to be dustproof, shock resistant…and waterproof down to 10 feet. The camera features a 2.7-inch LCD display, the ability to record to that AVCHD Lite video format, and features optical image stabilization, and face recognition (complete with face prioritization).

All the new Lumix models should be available in April, with the FX580, ZS3, and TS1 carrying a suggested price of $399.95, with the ZS1 going for $299.95.