The Panasonic Lumix FZ100 is a 14.1MP point and shoot camera with a 24x optical zoom. The FZ100 can also record 1080HD video in AVCHD format. The FZ100 should be available in August 2010 at an initial retail price of $499.95. Check availability on Amazon.com.
More details in the press release below.
Panasonic Lumix FZ100 Press Release
SECAUCUS, NJ (July 21, 2010) – Panasonic announced today the new LUMIX DMC-FZ100, a top-of-the-line model in the popular FZ-Series of LUMIX digital cameras with a newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens that features a powerful 24x optical zoom*1. As the company’s first hybrid compact digital camera with a MOS sensor, the LUMIX FZ100 can record full 1080 High Definition (HD) video – giving consumers a powerful hybrid that can shoot video and still photos with ease and professional-like quality.
“Panasonic is excited to be introducing its first full hybrid camera with MOS sensor – pursuing a higher level in resolution, sensitivity and speed,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “This new highly-functioning MOS sensor can record high-quality 1080 full AVCHD video, making it the ideal hybrid camera for both the casual shooter and the seasoned professional.”
The LUMIX FZ100 has an incredibly fast burst shooting in 14.1-megapixel full resolution at 11 frames per second with a mechanical shutter, and increases the frames per second to 60 in 3.5-megapixel recording. Additionally, the LUMIX FZ100 features continuous Auto Focus up to five frames per second at full resolution for great action shots. It also features Intelligent Burst shooting. The digital camera judges the appropriate shutter speed to suppress the motion blur according to the movement of the subject, rising as high as possible, activating the high sensitivity recording.
Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto (iA) mode, a hallmark on all LUMIX digital cameras, now includes Motion Deblur mode*2. By updating the motion detection (Intelligent ISO Control) and brightness control (Intelligent Exposure) users can gain the highest shutter speed possible. Combined with the outstanding brightness of the lens and the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), the LUMIX FZ100 prevents any blur created from a handshake or a moving subject. The iA suite of technologies include: POWER O.I.S., Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Panasonic’s iA is also available while shooting video.
Featuring a free-angle 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD, the LUMIX FZ100 features wide-angle viewing with Face Recognition functions that automatically remembers registered faces for future recording. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects one of 6 Scene modes to best suit the shooting situation.
The LUMIX FZ100 also features Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator. This high-quality stereo sound offers realistic sounds and effects to any movie. For greater sound quality, the LUMIX FZ100 has a newly-created port for an optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) and a Wind Cut function is available to drastically reduce background wind noise.
The LUMIX FZ100 can record photos and HD video in AVCHD format on SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. Additionally, My Color mode, first introduced in the LUMIX G Micro Systems cameras, is a special option that gives freedom to the user’s creativity. With a variety of options including new Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic and High Dynamic B&W, the My Color mode makes it easy to create innovative images and videos using new intensive color, brightness and saturation levels.
Other features of the LUMIX FZ100 include:
- Bundled Software – PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.2 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos. Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader, while also letting the user create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in .MOV files. The software is compatible with the Windows 7.
- Happy Mode – An option in iA that optimizes color, saturation and brightness to make both photos and movies more vivid and true to the color of the scene you memorized.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ100 will be available in black in late-August for a suggested retail price of $499.95. For more information on Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit: www.panasonic.com/lumix.
*1 Equivalent to 35mm camera:25-600mm
*2 In the high speed burst shooting at 60fps, the picture size in max. 3.5-megapixel (16:9), 3-megapixel (3:2), 2.5-megapixel (4:3) or 2-megapixel (1:1)
Paul Bateson says
I have an old Lumix DMC FZ18 . I use the viewfinder for taking pics – not the lcd screen . Is it right that they have DOWNSIZED the EVF to a .20 inch – same as on the Fuji Finepix HS10 ? I had a go on one of these and found the tiny EVF challenging
doug sinnott says
Yes,the viewfinders on the FZ28,FZ38,and the latest FZ100 all have a .2″ viewfinder,but the FZ100 has a 3″ rear LCD,as does the HS10
I think only the latest Canon SX20 has a .44″ viewfinder,but a smaller LCD.
I think manufacturers think most target users will only use the eyepiece very ocassionally,i.e in bright conditions,when the rear screen might be hard to see!
I suppose it’s all to do with how much room a designer has to fit in extra functions,bigger screens,bigger lenses,etc.,so something has to give.I sold the FZ28 I had,as I didn’t like the small viewfinder.
I then bought a Fuji S9600,with a great viewfinder,but it only had a 2″ rear screen,and I found that I preferred the bigger screen,as I found I tended to use the screen more than the viewfinder,so I sold that!
When you wear reading glasses,like me,a a good screen takes priority over a good viewfinder,in day to day use,as glasses just get in the way,when you’re peering through a hole in the back of your camera,but it’s still good to have one!
I had a Nikon D40 DSLR,which had a good viewfinder,but no Live View on the rear LCD,so I bought the HS10,which is a good all-rounder,which still felt like a “proper” camera,like the Fuji 9600 did,
Some superzooms don’t even have a viewfinder,but the HS10 does have the benefit of big rear screen,and a better lens than the Canon offering,so I’ll just learn to live with the smaller viewfinder!
Every camera has it’s faults,I suppose,and it’s a process of elimination to find just what fits in with your own preferences.
Reviews can be misleading as well,particularly as regarding picture quality,as I have had various digital cameras,Fujis,Canons,Nikons,Panasonics,and they all were capable of excellent 10×8 prints,with some cropping,and not many people print bigger than that,that’s assuming they even print that big,or print anything!
Ang says
I have the FZ18 as well and am looking to upgrade. I’m particularly interested in the continuous shooting and RAW capabilities. I’m sure the 11fps they brag about is in JPEG. Wondering how many RAW photos it can deliver in one second, if it can even shoot continuous RAW.
Liz says
To Doug Sinnott, I like what you write, you seem to know your cameras. I’m moving to Africa in a few months, and I want to upgrade. I have a panasonic DMC ZS1 and I love it, but want better pictures. I do not want a DSLR, they’re too big. I’m looking at the Panasonic FZ35, 40 and 100. I’m not too savvy but learning. Would you give me some help here? I take closeups, long shots, everything. Appreciate any help I can get. Thanks
PassionNature78 says
Very good video camera, much less photograph. Its main drawback is the lack of “sharpness”. The photos appear smoothed.
Despite its name FZ100, this is not a worthy successor to the much awaited FZ50, and in photography it is below the FZ38, damage to the paper it ‘was almost a dream …
Preview of my FZ100 => http://previewofmyfz100.canalblog.com/