Cameras feature world-renowned Leica DC lenses and ground-breaking MEGA O.I.S (optical image stabilizer) technology

Jul 18, 2004

Panasonic, the leading global manufacturer of consumer electronics and home appliances, has introduced next-generation Lumix digital still cameras to customers in the Middle East. Panasonic is the first consumer electronics company to feature world-renowned Leica DC lenses in its digital still cameras and camcorders.

The line-up includes a high-end SLR (single-lens reflex) camera: DMC-FZ10 with 12x super optical zoom and 4-megapixel CCD, recently selected as a 2004 Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase Honoree by the Consumer Electronics Association. The others in the range include the compact DMC-FX5 with 3x optical zoom and 4-megapixel CCD, and the DMC-FX1 with 3x optical zoom and 3.2-megapixel CCD.

The new Lumix Digital Still cameras also incorporate MEGA O.I.S (optical image stabilizer), a ground-breaking technology developed jointly by Panasonic and Leica Camera AG. MEGA O.I.S helps prevent jitter, which could occur due to slight hand shake, even when zooming in to extreme close-ups.  A built-in gyro sensor that can detect minute amounts of hand shake, integrally links the lens control to camera movement within tenths of a second. The result is seamless image capture and beautiful, sharp images.  This technology is especially appreciated when taking telephoto shots or when using slow shutter speeds to capture the atmosphere in dimly lit scenes.

"The digital still camera market is one of the fastest growing categories in the Middle East", said Koji Naka, Manager, Consumer A/V Dept., Panasonic Marketing Middle East FZE. "The rapid growth of digital still camera market is realized by the significant improvement of its picture quality which is getting closer to that of film cameras."

"The new Lumix range has taken digital cameras to a new level of performance. Thanks to high-performance Leica DC lenses, and Panasonic's unique image processing system, the Lumix cameras capture nuances unlike any other digital camera, and are capable of taking consecutive shots nearly as quickly as a motor-driven film camera," he continued.

The first of its kind to offer a 12x optical zoom, the DMC-FZ10 model features F2.8 brightness throughout the entire zoom range.  From action shots to sweeping vistas to close-up portraits, this high-performance camera allows the user to capture professional-looking images with dynamic realism.  This user-friendly camera is targeted at entry-level users of single-lens reflex cameras and active families.  The camera's superb telephoto features make it ideal for outdoor and sports enthusiasts, as well.

The cameras in the Lumix range offer consumers networking versatility with PCs and a wide variety of compatible SD-enabled devices. These models also incorporate a VENUS Engine, the digital signal processor developed by Panasonic, which enhances the image quality, boosts the processing speed and shortens the interval time between shots down to less than one second. It also enables consecutive shooting to capture up to seven full-size images for DMC-FZ10 and DMC-FX5, eight full-size images for DMC-FX1 at the speed of four frames per second.

All Lumix cameras come with a USB driver, USB connection cable, SD viewer software on CD and an SD Memory Card. DMC-FZ10 and DMC-FX5 also include ArcSoft photo editing software suite: ArcSoft PhotoBase?, ArcSoft PhotoImpression?, ArcSoft PhotoPrinter?  and ArcSoft Panorama Maker?.

The Lumix Digital Still Camera range is available through Panasonic's UAE distributor, Al Futtaim Panatech, part of the Al Futtaim Group.

-Ends-

Editor's Note:
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (MEI) best known for its Panasonic brand, is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronics products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company posted consolidated sales of US$71.92 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004. For more information, visit the Matsushita web site at http://www.panasonic.co.jp/global/top.html. Panasonic Gulf FZE (PGF) is MEI's first subsidiary company in the Middle East, followed by Panasonic Marketing Middle East FZE (PMM), which is the regional marketing headquarters of MEI for operations in the Middle East and African countries.

For further information, please contact:
Suraj Padukone
Panasonic Marketing Middle East FZE
Manager, Advertising, PR & Web
P.O.Box 17985,
Jebel Ali,
Dubai,
UAE
Tel: +971 4 8819880
Fax: +971 4 8814311

© Press Release 2004