Panasonic’s Lumix TZ50 Beams to Picasa

Panasonic's Lumix TZ50 offers a 10x zoom and Wi-Fi connectivity and can beam pictures directly to Picasa Web albums...for $449.95.

Panasonic has introduced its new Lumix DMC-TZ50 digital camera with a 10× optical zoom, 9.1 megapixel resolution, integrated 802.1b/g Wi-Fi wireless networking, and the ability to upload images directly to Google’s free photo sharing service Picasa. And to let people leverage that Wi-Fi on the go, the camera comes with 12 month of free access via T-Mobile HotSpots.

"This advanced digital camera makes it possible for users to share their photos with friends and family with unprecedented ease and without a computer," said Panasonic’s national marketing manager for imaging Alex Fried, in a statement.

Users can set up a single email account with their TZ50 to receive notifications from Picasa; if they can pick up email on a cellphone or other mobile device, it’s easy for users to register an account, then receive and forward the URL for their Picasa gallery along to friends and family—all without using a computer.

The TZ50 packs a 3-inch LCD display along with a 28mm wide angle lens and the capability to record 720p high-definition video. (Users can also hook the camera up to a big screen using a component cable.) The camera also features Panasonic’s intelligent exposure technology, digital red-eye corrections, face detection (supporting up to 15 faces in a frame), continuous autofocus, and intelligent ISO with a high-sensitivity more all the way down to ISO 6,400. The TZ50 stores images to SD/SDHC cards, offers PictBridge compatibility, and intelligent scene selector that senses ambient conditions and automatically selects an appropriate scene mode.

The Lumix DMC-TZ50 will be available in May for a suggested retail price of $449.95.