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PANASONIC INTRODUCES SUPER COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERA FEATURING AVCHD LITE HD VIDEO RECORDING CAPABILITY
Panasonic LUMIX ZR3 includes 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens and powerful
8x optical zoom in a slim and portable body
MISSISSAUGA, ON (January 28, 2010) – Panasonic Canada Inc. today announced the introduction of the LUMIX DMC-ZR3, a full-featured digital camera complete with AVCHD1 Lite High Defintion (HD) video recording capabilities, a 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens2 and a powerful 8x optical zoom – giving consumers a wide-range of shooting options in a slim body that’s small enough to fit in a pocket or small purse. New to the ZR-Series this year, Panasonic also introduces Intelligent Zoom, which extends the LUMIX ZR3’s zoom to an impressive 10x.
The Panasonic LUMIX ZR3’s incredible 8x optical zoom is not found on many conventional point-and-shoot cameras, especially those that are only about one-inch thick. And with a powerful zoom, users will be thrilled with the close-up shots they are able to take. For an added boost, zoom power can also be increased to 10x with Panasonic’s new Intelligent Zoom function, which takes advantage of the newly-added Intelligent Resolution technology. Intelligent Resolution, a component of Intelligent Auto mode, helps maintain optimal picture quality by capturing higher quality signal processing. With this pixel by pixel process which detects a subject’s outline, detailed texture areas and soft gradation, the ZR3 is able to enhance any degradation created during the digital zoom process or in high-sensitivity shooting. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and video recording.
“The 2010 Panasonic LUMIX lineup of digital cameras pack advanced functions into smaller, more compact bodies without compromising their ability to take high quality photos and video,” said Doug Borbath, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Canada Inc. “With a remarkable 8x optical zoom, sleek design and HD video capabilities, the LUMIX ZR3 is a pocket-sized and versatile camera that is also extremely easy and intuitive to use.”
The LUMIX ZR3 takes video recording to the next level with its AVCHD Lite HD video format. Featuring double the recording time in HD quality compared to the conventional Motion JPEG format, and offering Dolby Digital Stereo Creator to record high-quality audio, the LUMIX ZR3 is perfect for capturing those spur-of-the-moment video opportunities. With the newly-added Video Divide function, users can cut their video into two sections on the spot – within the menus of the camera – to shorten or delete the unwanted half.
Continuing with the trademark iA mode, Panasonic has incorporated this intuitive and innovative feature into the LUMIX ZR3. Working to enhance the quality of all photos and videos, iA mode automatically selects the best Scene mode, and also helps to correct handshake and any focus or brightness issues.
Other technologies incorporated into the LUMIX ZR3’s iA mode include:
- Face Recognition – Allows users to register various faces, helping to improve detection accuracy of friends and family.
- Happy Mode – New colour mode that optimizes colour, saturation, and brightness to make both photos and videos more vivid and true to the colour originally experienced.
- Other iA Technologies – Intelligent Resolution and Intelligent Zoom, AF Tracking,
Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Exposure.
The LUMIX ZR3 features Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) of 0.26 second (wide-end) / 0.31 second (tele-end)3 and a high-speed start-up of just 1.1 seconds, which gives the LUMIX ZR3 an ultra-fast response time that helps catch even the most fleeting of photo opportunities. Additionally, the 2.7-inch Intelligent LCD screen offers a dynamic, clear picture and automatically adjusts its own brightness level. Also, the LUMIX ZR3 accepts the SD/SDHC Memory Card, but is also compatible with the next-generation SDXC Memory Cards, which feature a high-potential in both capacity and data-transfer speed4.
Pricing and availability for the Panasonic LUMIX ZR3 will be available at a later date. The Panasonic LUMIX ZR3 will be available in blue and black.
1 The “AVCHD” is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. The “AVCHD Lite” is a subset of the “AVCHD format” for HD digital video cameras with HD video recording restricted to 720P. The new “AVCHD Lite” Logo and the “AVCHD Lite” License are restricted to devices within the AVCHD Video Camera category. Digital cameras have been added to the AVCHD Video Camera category.
2 The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.
3 Using 1-area AF.
4 SD Speed Class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Panasonic and LUMIX are registered trademarks of Panasonic Corporation.
The “AVCHD Lite” and the “AVCHD Lite” logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
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.
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