Heading up the super-zoom compact digital camera range, Panasonic is pleased to introduce a new addition to the multiple award winning FZ range of cameras – the DMC-FZ150. An eminently worthy addition to the series, the FZ150 boasts a 25mm ultra wide angle, powerful 24x optical LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with Panasonic’s Black Box Nano Surface Coating technology to minimize light reflection that causes ghosts and flares. Picture perfect – the FZ150 can also record high-resolution full-HD 1920 x 1080 50p videos for those users looking for high picture quality of both photo and video.
Packing a powerful zoom lens, high performance imaging devices, a host of functions and manual control in a compact body, the DMC-FZ150 is highly versatile – perfect for advanced amateur photographers with its high quality photo and video.
The DMC-FZ150 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra wide-angle lens with a 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm). With the newly applied Nano Surface Coating technology, light reflection is dramatically minimized across the entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) by applying the extra-low refractive index coating on the surface of the lens. This results in a highly clear picture with dramatic reduction of ghost and flare.
Thanks to Panasonic's black box technology, the image delivered through the lens of the DMC-FZ150 has exceptional optical performance with stunning clarity that passes Leica's stringent standards. Comprising 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit delivers exceptional optical performance, suppressing distortion at wide end and colour bleeding at tele-end.
The already powerful 24x optical zoom can increase its power to 32x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function. Taking advantage of Intelligent Resolution technology, the FZ150 maintains the picture quality even when using a digital zoom. With the powerful zoom drawing distant objects near, and the 25mm ultra wide angle lens capturing approximately 196% wider angle of view compared with a standard 35mm camera – the FZ150 is ideal for shooting dynamic landscapes or indoor group portraits.
High Picture Quality
The combination of the 12.1-megapixel MOS sensor and the Venus Engine ensures high performance in terms of both sensitivity and speed. The S/N ratio is thus improved by 3.9dB (ISO 100) to 4.7dB (ISO1600) compared to the predecessor DMC-FZ100.
The newly developed Multi-process Noise Reduction applies optimum noise reduction according to the brightness the picture. Both high frequency noise that occurs in the dark part and low frequency noise in the light part are suppressed even as they happen in a picture. As a result, images recorded in low-lit situations are now extremely clear.
The Venus Engine has a quad-circuit system for processing large amount of progressive full HD data at high speed. Not only 1,920 x 1,080 50p smooth full-HD video recording, but also super fast consecutive shots at 12 fps (without auto focusing) and 5.5 fps (with auto focusing) in full resolution. It is also able to record high speed video at 220 fps in QVGA. At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine, the Venus Engine realizes a super-fast response time. The auto focus is approx. 50% faster speed compared with the DMC-FZ100 achieving Light Speed AF of approx. 0.1 second. The speed in AF Tracking also becomes faster thanks to the improved tracking performance which doubles its sampling frequency.
Catering for all your imaging needs, the DMC-FZ150 not only captures superb photos but also beautiful full-HD videos too. The DMC-FZ150 can record high-resolution full-HD 1920 x 1080 50p videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format. Upgrading the full HD recording capability from interlaced to progressive, subjects with fast motion or fine details are reproduced with greater clarity.
The powerful 24x optical zoom is also available in video, so rest assured that those special moments, even in the distant, can be captured whether it’s a still image or video.
The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in video recording. The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent D-range Control also support shooting beautiful video with ease.
The FZ150 is newly equipped with Active Mode in video recording for more effective countermeasure against blur. In addition to the conventional POWER O.I.S., the Active Mode effectively suppresses blur in video recording especially at wide angle while walking. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality. The Intelligent D-range Control makes images look more natural by preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights to optimize the exposure for each part of an image. It also ensures a beautiful reproduction of gradation and details.
Incorporating a stereo zoom microphone, videos also come with high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator, to offer highly realistic sound in video. Mechanical noise caused by a zooming operation is suppressed to improve clarity and the Auto Wind Cut function is also available to block out the majority of background wind noise, making human voices stand out.
Ensuring those special moments are never missed, it is also possible to take still images while recording video simultaneously (3.5-megapixel). You can cut out your favorite scene as a still image from the video in the camera. The image is clear thanks to the rich Progressive recording format and Intelligent Resolution technology. A host of options enhance the usability and fun of recording high quality full-HD video.
Creativity at Your Fingertips
To encourage step up users to enjoy shooting even more, full manual control is available with the DMC-FZ150. The side lever is newly added on the left side of the lens barrel, making it smoother to zoom when concentrating on the shutter operation with the right hand. Focus can also be changed with this lever, which is convenient in video recording.
New features such as Creative Control, which features a selection of artistic effect modes including expressive, retro and sepia – and Photo Style for the expression of finer nuances – let users at any skill level create their photographic intentions.
Video recording has been designed with users in mind, with the DMC-FZ150 offering much more than simply recording HD videos. The FZ150 features a Creative Video mode, which lets users set the shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive videos. Changing the shutter speed brings special effects to videos, which is especially suitable for shooting fast-moving subjects. The ability to control the aperture is convenient when there are several subjects at different distances and you want both of them to stand out.
For more advanced creative freedom, the DMC-FZ150 is equipped with a hot shoe allowing attachment of various accessories including an optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) or an optional external flash (DMW-FL220 / FL360 / FL500). The DMC-FZ150 is also compatible with an optional remote shutter (DMW-RSL1) for advanced expression in photography.
The DMC-FZ150 now features the new 3D Photo mode , which produces a 3D image in the camera. Take 20 panning shots and the camera automatically selects two most suitable images - one for the right eye and one for the left eye - to synthesize a 3D composite. The 3D image can be viewed on a VIERA HDTV or any other 3D TV. The format of 3D image is compatible with MPO which can be played back on other MPO-compatible equipment such as TV, Digital Photo Frame or Printing.
Inherently User Friendly
Although the FZ150 is highly technically specified the beauty is that it remains inherently easy to use. Panasonic incorporated Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and to reduce misshots. In iA mode, the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments.
Motion Deblur mode helps to prevent blur even more powerfully in the FZ150. Plus, the newly added Intelligent Handheld Nightshot mode enables bright, glamorous night scenery to be recorded without using a tripod.
The Face Recognition function remembers registered faces to give an appropriate AF/AE on the people while removing the unwanted red-eye. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects whichever of 6 Scene modes - Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset - that best suit the shooting situation.
Once you enter iA mode, these functions work automatically and together with other powerful shooting-assist functions - AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent D-range Control - so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. You can enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.
Sharing images and video footage is a key part of photography and Panasonic ensures that it remains effortlessly easy thanks to LUMIX Image Uploader’. Simply checkmark the photos you want to share and connect the camera to a PC. Uploading starts just by following the guidance. You can add comment and let your friends know about the update of your album via e-mail. Facebook can be used for photos and YouTube for videos. Users can join these social networking services without installation of special software, and can then quickly and easily share pictures with their friends. Perfect!
With a strong family heritage, the new FZ150 is the ultimate super-zoom camera with excellent performance and handling, a host of features, an astonishing lens and superb usability. The DMC-FZ150 will be available from October.
