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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
New Lumix cameras feature manual controls, super zooms, and more

Panasonic announced four new additions to its Lumix point-and-shoot line of digital cameras. The top-end model is the Lumix DMX-LX3 that will debut in August for $499.95. The LX3 offers all of the convenience of a point-and-shoot camera along with a wide-range of manual controls for creative shots.

The LX3 has a 10.1-megapixel CCD and uses a F2.0 ultra wide-angle LECIA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens. ISO settings can go as high as ISO 6400 in high sensitivity mode and the camera can shoot full resolutions bursts at 2.5 shots per second and at lower resolutions in High-Speed burst mode at six shots per second. The camera also features a 3-inch LCD and has the ability to shoot video. Other features include image stabilization, red-eye correction, intelligent scene selector, face detection and quick AF.

Those looking for a higher megapixel count will like the Lumix FX150 with a 14.7-megapixel CCD and a 28, wide-angle LECIA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens. The lens has F2.8 brightness and a 3.6 times optical zoom. Manual controls are offered and the camera can shoot in RAW format. The camera can shoot bursts at 2.5 shots per second and features red-eye correction, optical image stabilization, intelligent ISO, intelligent scene selector, face detection, and quick AF. The Lumix FX150 will retail for $399.95 and will be available in August.

Panasonic’s Lumix FX37 digital camera features 10.1-megapixels and can shoot video in HD resolution. The camera’s lens is a 25mm ultra wide-angle LECIA DC unit and features a 5x digital zoom. Features include intelligent exposure, red-eye correction, optical image stabilization, intelligent ISO, intelligent scene selector, face detection and quick AF. Video is recorded at full 30 fps with a 1280 x 720p resolution.

The final new Panasonic camera is the Lumix FZ28 with 10.1-megapixels and an 18x optical zoom. The camera features intelligent exposure, red-eye correction, optical image stabilization, intelligent ISO, intelligent scene selector, face detection, and quick AF. The camera features a 2.7-inch LCD and can shoot at up to ISO 6400. Video can be recorded at 1280 x 720p at a full 30 frames per second. The camera will ship in August with a retail price of $399.95.

The last new Panasonic point-and-shoot Lumix digital camera DailyTech covered was the Lumix FZ-18 back in 2007.

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Video res?
By Spyvie on 7/21/2008 5:47:06 PM , Rating: 1
I'm waiting for a consumer P&S that also does HD video, at least 720 if not 1080, and costs under $400. Be nice if it had a mike in jack , a hot shoe and a fairly wide angle zoom.

Doesn't seem to much to ask...




RE: Video res?
By AlexTRoopeR on 7/21/2008 5:58:13 PM , Rating: 2
Both the newly announced FZ28 and the TZ5 from Panasonic fit your needs (for video res and price). So no more waiting 4 U...


RE: Video res?
By Mojo the Monkey on 7/21/2008 6:18:04 PM , Rating: 2
Not to advertise, but the Kodak EasyShare Z1275 12MP/720p Digital Camera w/5x Optical Zoom is selling on woot.com right now for 80 bucks. It says it shoots 720p...


RE: Video res?
By Stratocaster on 7/22/2008 3:19:00 AM , Rating: 2
Some of the Kodak's Compacts are also capable of shooting 30 fps 720P and they are relatively cheap compared to Panasonic offerings.

On the other hand as a Lumix LZ50 user I find HD video capture is better in Lumix and it is smaller than Kodak 1012S and other models with similiar chasis. LZ50 also features a 10x optical zoom with wireless upload capability for just 368$. I think LX3 can be a very good start of a good series for non SLR enthusiasts.


RE: Video res?
By Oregonian2 on 7/21/2008 6:28:06 PM , Rating: 2
Many of the cameras do HD resolutions although sometimes they may do it at 15fps rather than something faster, depending on the camera. Haven't seen any P&S's with a microphone connector though (may be some, just haven't spotted it).


LX3: Compact DSLR replacement?
By TechLuster on 7/21/2008 6:02:16 PM , Rating: 2
In my opinion, by far the most important of these cameras is the LX3. Not since the Canon G6 have we seen a fast f/2.0 lens on a compact camera. This combined with the ultra-wide (for a compact) 24mm equiv. lens should make this camera similar to (and in some cases better than) many entry-level DSLR's with stabilized kit lenses (at least in terms of zoom range and low-light performance). Indeed, most kit lenses start at 27mm equiv. (non-Canon) to 29mm equiv. (Canon) and are 1.67 stops slower, which kills most of the sensitivity advantage enjoyed by larger APS-C sensors.

I'm *almost* regretting my Nikkor 16-85 VR purchase a few months ago...




RE: LX3: Compact DSLR replacement?
By Lord 666 on 7/21/2008 11:09:20 PM , Rating: 2
I'll help out with that 16-85 problem you have there for $150 ;)


Aperture
By jh2008 on 7/23/2008 11:46:49 AM , Rating: 2
The lense is quoted as F2.0 on the features page. In the tech specs, the aperture range for wide is specified as 3.3 to 8.0. This doesn't make sense. It is either 2.0 or not.




RE: Aperture
By jh2008 on 7/23/2008 11:52:13 AM , Rating: 2
That is on the LX3K, but the aperture range on the LX3S tech page does say 2.0 to 8.0. Maybe a typo on the LX3K page?


Good Photography
By aguilpa1 on 7/22/2008 8:34:59 AM , Rating: 3
Good photography is best done on a dedicated Digital SLR that has a large sensor. These cameras with tiny sensors and high megapixels create gross images at high ISO's and low light, sometimes even at moderate light levels. They usually have over aggressive built in image "cleaning" to help smooth out and hide the excessive noise which in turn destroys the picture detail and quality. You always get what you pay for.




Nice cameras
By eye smite on 7/21/2008 4:04:57 PM , Rating: 2
I've owned mostly kodaks in the past and been pleased with them and still am. I recently purchased the DMC-TZ3 from panasonic and have been impressed with it. The 10X optical zoom works really well. No matter your preference,I don't think you'd go wrong with one of these panasonice digiticals.




CORRECTION
By soydios on 7/21/2008 11:08:42 PM , Rating: 2
I believe that the FX37's 5x zoom is optical, not digital.




:)
By zhaltees on 7/22/2008 7:14:44 AM , Rating: 2
*cough* LEICA *cough*




Pixel Count is not everything.
By wallijonn on 7/22/2008 12:48:03 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Those looking for a higher megapixel count will like the Lumix FX150 with a 14.7-megapixel CCD


No, what we want is the same size sensor as in an SLR.

Panasonic is infamous for their DNR, which usually cannot be turned off unless one shoots in RAW mode, thereby relating them to third class cameras, usually way behind Canon, Sony, Nixon and Olympus in terms of image quality.




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