Panasonic Announces Lumix FP7 and FP5

PANASONIC INTRODUCES ULTRA-SLIM LUMIX FP-SERIES DIGITAL CAMERAS WITH LARGE TOUCH-CONTROL LCDs

LUMIX FP7 and FP5 Feature a Folded Optics Design, Mirror Finish and Advanced Features

Mississauga, ON (January 5, 2011) – Panasonic Canada Inc. introduced today two ultra-slim LUMIX® models to its 2011 line-up, perfect for consumers seeking fashionable cameras with loads of advanced features. The LUMIX DMC-FP7 (16.1 megapixel) and LUMIX DMC-FP5 (14.1 megapixel) maintain their slim profiles by incorporating an ultra-thin 4x optical zoom lens1 with folded optics. Complete with a sleek mirror finish2 on the LUMIX FP7 and a matte finish on the FP5, both cameras have high-performing features that complement the design, such as 720p High Definition (HD) video recording, large touch-control LCDs and easy-to-use settings like Intelligent Auto (iA).

“Panasonic’s LUMIX FP-Series is perfect for the style-conscious consumer who cares about the look of the digital camera as much as the stunning images it captures,” said Doug Borbath, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Canada Inc. “Panasonic is committed to incorporating user-friendly features that make taking high-quality photos easy. For example, the popular iA setting allows users to choose the right setting on the first try and the new Beauty Retouch mode on the LUMIX FP7 takes advantage of the easy-to-use touch-control function to retouch faces in photographs.”

The LUMIX FP7 takes Panasonic’s touch-control LCD to the next level with a new 3.5-inch 16:9 LCD that offers not only a larger view of images, but also adds more features like the Beauty Retouch function. The LUMIX FP5 features a 3.0-inch 3:2 LCD and both models include Smart Touch Screens allowing users to enable Touch Auto Focus (AF), Touch Zoom, Touch Shutter and Intelligent Scene Selector simply by touching the screen. All menu setting options are now available with touch control, and in playback mode, users can drag the image across the screen with their finger to browse the collection of photos. Additionally, the LUMIX FP7 features three new modes that let users get creative by manually (with the touch of a finger) editing their photos.

These new modes include:

• Beauty Retouch mode allows users to retouch faces
• Esthetic mode creates effects on faces such as clearing skin texture and whitening teeth
• Make-up mode gives colour options such as foundation, eye-shadow or colouring for the
  lips and cheeks

The LUMIX FP7 and FP5 are stylish, yet still full with substance thanks to the Venus Engine VI image processor with Intelligent Resolution technology. The digital cameras are fast, with shutter release lag times as short as 0.006(FP7) / 0.005 (FP5) per second and by adding Sonic Speed AF users can capture high quality spur-of-the-moment images even faster. Intelligent Resolution also allows the Intelligent Zoom function to improve upon the powerful 4x optical zoom to increase to 5x equivalent without compromising picture quality.

The new folded optics design allows the LUMIX FP7 and FP5 to remain ultra-thin, yet still have a high-quality 4x optical zoom. In addition, the redesigned zoom button makes the LUMIX cameras look even sleeker.

Panasonic’s popular iA mode, a suite of technologies that engage automatically – with no setting changes needed by the user – makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos. The LUMIX FP7 and FP5 feature two additional iA functions – AF Tracking and Intelligent Exposure. AF Tracking locks onto any subject and keeps it in focus even if it moves, while the Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights. It also helps ensure that gradation and details are reproduced accurately and beautifully. The automatic backlight compensation function activates whenever the camera detects the subject is backlit. Other features of Panasonic iA include:

• MEGA OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) – Reduces blurry photos due to hand-shake
• Intelligent ISO Control – Reduces blur when the subject is moving
• Face Detection – Ensures registered faces are captured in focus with appropriate
  exposure and unwanted red eyes are digitally corrected
• Intelligent Scene Selector – Selects the best option from: Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset
• Dedicated iA button – Lets users engage easily with one click

Other features of the LUMIX FP7 and FP5 include:

• LUMIX Image Uploader – Share images via Facebook and video via YouTube
• Intelligent LCD – Detects the lighting conditions and controls the brightness level in 11 finely graduated steps to display the most appropriate setting
• 70MB of built-in memory

The LUMIX FP7 will be available in black and red, while the LUMIX FP5 will be available in blue and black. Pricing and availability for both models will be announced at a later date.

1 Equivalent to 35mm
2 DMC-FP7 only

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Panasonic and LUMIX are registered trademarks of Panasonic Corporation.
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All other trademarks are property of the respective owners.

Panasonic products are marketed in Canada by Panasonic Canada Inc. (PCI). PCI is an affiliate of Panasonic Corporation (PC) of Japan, one of the world’s largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business, and industrial use. Consumers seeking more information on the company’s products can call Panasonic’s Customer Care Centre at 1-800-561-5505 or access Panasonic’s home page at www.panasonic.ca.