Panasonic Canada Announces LUMIX ZS20 and ZS15 Prices

Panasonic Canada has published the prices for the LUMIX ZS20 and ZS15 (announced worldwide on January 31, 2012). The LUMIX ZS20 and ZS15 will be available in March 2012 for a suggested retail price of CAD $399.99 and CAD $329.99 respectively. The LUMIX ZS20 will be available in black, red, and silver options; while the LUMIX ZS15 will be available in black and red.

PRESS RELEASE

PANASONIC EXPANDS ITS POPULAR ZS-SERIES OF DIGITAL CAMERAS WITH NEW ADVANCED FEATURES AND CREATIVE SHOOTING OPTIONS PACKED IN A SLIM BODY

Mississauga, ON (February 2, 2012) – Panasonic Canada Inc. today introduced the newest members of the acclaimed LUMIX ZS-Series – the DMC-ZS20 and DMC-ZS15. Now the world’s slimmest digital camera with a 20x optical zoom lens*1, the DMC-ZS20 features a powerful zoom, 24mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens and the ability to shoot full-High Definition (HD). The LUMIX DMC-ZS15 also features the versatile 24mm ultra-wide angle, along with a powerful 16x optical zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens (24-383mm on 35mm camera equivalent) with 32x Intelligent Zoom.

“Panasonic has been a leader in developing compact digital cameras with long, powerful zooms and wide-angle lenses,” said Doug Borbath, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Canada Inc. “With the introduction of these new models, particularly the ZS20, we continue to be at the forefront with extremely versatile digital cameras that meets the needs of all different types of photographers. Both models build on the success of the LUMIX ZS-series – which is known for its versatile point-and-shoot digital cameras.”

With a -redesigned lens system, the LUMIX ZS20 features a new mechanical structure and optical system which further improves image quality. And with Nano Surface Coating technology, users can expect stunning image clarity with minimized ghosting and flare. Beyond the quality of its lens, the LUMIX ZS20 also integrates an enhanced built-in GPS*2 functionality, making it easy for users to pinpoint locations where photos were taken and share with family and friends on internet maps.

Map data can be installed onto the LUMIX ZS20 via a bundled DVD, giving the camera detailed worldwide maps of major regions on a scale of 1/25,000 or more precise. A user can copy the map data of a designated city to an SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card and get quick geographic information to know their location and if any landmarks are located nearby. More than one million landmarks and 82 countries/regions are covered in the bundled DVD map. Geo-tagged images are automatically sorted and can be played back along a map so that users can literally trace their photographic journey. Many GPS cameras show only the latitude and longitude of where a photo is taken, but the LUMIX ZS20 shows the name of the country/region, state/prov./county, county/township, city/town/village and landmark – all of which is saved in the EXIF data.

Featuring a newly developed 14.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor, the LUMIX ZS20 provides even higher image quality compared to its predecessors. Coupled with the advanced image processor Venus Engine, the LUMIX ZS20 features high speed, high sensitivity image recording. High speed burst shooting at 10 fps in full resolution and Light Speed AF allows users to capture even the most fleeting photo opportunities.

With the ability to record high-resolution, full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60p videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4) format (or 30p in MP4)*3, the LUMIX ZS20 upgrades its full-HD recording capability and is able to produce extremely clear video details, even when subjects are moving quickly. A powerful 20x optical zoom with 2-step Zoom function is available in video recording and the popular iA mode assists users, making video recording as easy as aiming the camera. A stereo zoom microphone provides videos with the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator, offering highly realistic sound in the captured video. The Auto Wind Cut function helps to block out wind background and mechanical noise caused by zooming to improve overall video sound quality.

In addition, the ZS20 has manual control options that allow the user to adjust shutter speed,aperture, and 3D Photo Mode.The LUMIX ZS20 also features a variety of special effects that add fun to a photography shooting experience. Creative Control mode offers a selection of artistic effects including Expressive Retro, High Dynamic, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Toy Effect and Soft Focus. In Miniature Effect mode, the peripherals are defocused while saturation and contrast are emphasized to make the picture look like a diorama.

Video recorded in this mode is played back in 10x fast-forwarding, making it appear almost animated*4. Panorama mode makes it possible for users to shoot 360-degree horizontal or vertical panoramic images by taking consecutive shots and then overlaying them for the effect of a panoramic photo. Creative Retouch mode offers users six filters – Toy Effect, Soft Focus, Dynamic Monochrome, Expressive, High Key and Retro – to create artistic looking photos. Additionally, the Auto Retouch function automatically adjusts contrast and brightness for a clearer, more natural image and can be applied with the simple press of a button.

For users looking for a more intuitive photo experience, the LUMIX ZS20 features iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, which automatically activates a range of technologies to enhance photos without adjusting settings every time conditions change. The new HDR (High Dynamic Range) together with POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode, which suppresses blur from hand-shake, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Face Recognition, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent Handheld Nightshot, Motion Deblur mode, Intelligent Burst mode and Intelligent Exposure allows users to point and shoot, leaving the camera to do all the work in capturing beautiful imagery.

Additional features and functionalities of the LUMIX ZS20 include:

• Large, 3.0-inch 460,000-dot Smart Touch LCD Screen.
• Touch AF, Touch Zoom or Touch Shutter during recording and various playback functions like scrolling the map with high visibility.
• Flexibility of USB charging or conventional AC adapter charging methods.
• LUMIX Image Uploader for seamless and instant sharing via Facebook or YouTube. Users can checkmark the photo or video files they want to share, connect it to a PC with the included USB cable or by inserting the SD Memory Card directly into the PC’s SD card slot, and then the uploading automatically launches with an easy-to-follow menu option.

Key features of the LUMIX DMC-ZS15 include:
• 12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
• Full HD Video Recording in 60i AVCHD*5 and 30p in MP4
• Monaural Microphone
• Large, 3.0-inch 460,000-dot Intelligent LCD

The LUMIX ZS20 and ZS15 will be available in March 2012 for a suggested retail price of CAD $399.99 and CAD $329.99 respectively. The LUMIX ZS20 will be available in black, red, and silver options; while the LUMIX ZS15 will be available in black and red.

*1 As of January 31, 2012
*2 GPS may not work in China or in the border regions of countries neighboring China
*2 Depending on the locations, it may not be possible to correctly receive the signals from GPS satellites. In such cases, positioning may not be possible, or significant positioning discrepancy may occur.
*3 Maximum time to record motion pictures continuously with [AVCHD] is 29 minutes 59 seconds. (excluding when [GS] or [SH] is set)
*3 Motion pictures in [MP4] can be recorded continuously for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds. Also, motion picture recorded continuously in [MP4] is up to 4 GB.
*4 Sound will not be recorded with Miniature Effect and approximately 1/10 of the time period is recorded (If you record for 10 minutes, the resulting motion picture recording will be approximately 1 minute long).
*5 Sensor output is 30p
Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
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.
The “AVCHD” is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
The “AVCHD” and the “AVCHD ” logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
AVCHD motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.
YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.
Facebook and the Facebook logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Facebook, Inc.
All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
Some accessories are not available in some countries.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
This unit is compatible with both SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. You can only use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are compatible with them. You cannot use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are only compatible with SD Memory Cards. (When using an SDHC Memory Card on another device, be sure to read the operating instructions for that device.)

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.