Panasonic Updates Lumix Camera Line

Panasonic has rolled out seven new additions to its Lumix camera line, including the FX35, which sports a 25mm wide-angle lens.

Panasonic has unveiled its latest additions to its Lumix line of digital cameras, adding two new shooters each to its existing LZ, FS, and TZ series and introducing the FX35, a compact 10.1 megapixel unit that’s the first Lumix to feature a 25mm wide-angle lens.

First up, the LZ10 and LZ8 will join the Panasonic’s Lumix LZ series. Both new cameras feature optical image stabilization, intelligent ISO control and scene selection, face detection technology, 5× optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD display, and a fast auto-focus…along with a speaker to let users listen to music, and the capability to record WVGA (848 by 480 pixel) movies at 30 fps. The LZ8 will offer an 8.1 megapixel resolution and a 32mm wide angle lens, while the LZ10 will offer a 30 mm lens and a 10.1 megapixel resolution. Expect to see both in February for $179.995 and $249.95, respectively.

Next, Panasonic is adding the FS20 and FS5 to its FS-series of Lumix cameras. Both feature 10.1 megapixel resolutions, 4× optical zooms, and a 30mm wide-angle lens, along with optical image stabilization, intelligent ISO and scene selection, face detection that can handle up to 15 faces, and a fast auto-focus. Both also sport 50 MB of internal memory. The FS5 sports a 2.5-inch LCD display and should be available in February fo $249.95; the FS20 carries a 3-inch LCD and should be available at the same time for $299.95.

Panasonic is also adding the TZ4 and TZ5 to its TZ line of Lumix shooters, each of which offer a 28mm wide angle lens with a whopping 10× optical zoom, along with red-eye correction, optical image stabilization, face detection (up to 15 people!), intelligent ISO and scene selection, and a continuous autofocus that operates without pressing the shutter button halfway. The TZ4 sports an 8.1 megapixel resolution with a 2.5-inch LCD; the TZ5 offers a 9.1 megapixel resolution with a 3-inch LCD. Expect to see them in March for $299.95 and $349.95, respectively.

Finally, Panasonic has also introduced the slim FX35, which is the first Lumix camera to offer a 25mm wide angle lens, developed in conjunction with Leica, which comprises seven elements in six groups, including fur aspherical lenses with six aspherical surfaces. The FX35 offers a 10.1 megapixel resolution, 4× optical zoom, optical image stabilization, intelligent ISO and scene selection, red-eye correction, face detection (those same 15 people!) and quick autofocus. Expect to see the FX35 in March for $249.95.