Panasonic unveils AVCHD Lite capable DCM-TZ-ZS3 and DMC-FT1

In preparing for the PMA 2009, Panasonic has launched a series of new digital compact cameras, two out of the new Lumix, the DCM-TZ-ZS3 and DCM-TS1 are the first of its class to feature the new AVCHD Lite HD Video Recording Capabilities of MPEG-4 / H.264 AVC video compression standard.

The AVCD Lite video feature increases recoding capacity in HD 720p format and boosts Dolby Stereo high quality audio. Unlike most digicams at its size, both units have a built-in stereo microphone, as feature in a dedicate camcorder, but most impressive of all features is its noise reduction feature to block out background wind buzz and enabling audio sampling at 48khz.

The Panasonic ZS3 boosts 12.1MP image sensor, 3-inch LCD screen, Optical Image Stabilizer, advanced Face Recognition and a 12x optical zoom lens of 25-300mm (35mm equiv.). Its superior optics features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR series zoom lens, constructed from 2 ED lenses, 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces and a total of 10 optics elements in 8 groups design. Panasonic also packs a step-down ZS1 a smaller 10Mp image sensor, smaller LCD at 2.7-inch, similar big lens but only capable of capturing motion video up to 848x480 resolution without the AVCD Lite video feature.

The TS1, on the other hand, is a rugged version of Lumix with shockproof, waterproof and dustproof digital camera, built to withstand water to a depth of 10 feet, falls from up to 5 feet while operating in freezing cool temperature of -10 degrees Celsius. The rugged Lumix offers most of the advance features like the ZS3, including the same image sensor of 12.1MP, but a smaller 2.7-inch LCD screen and a 4.6x Leica DC Vario-Elmar optical zoom lens at 28-128mm (35mm Equiv).

Both will be available from April at the suggested retail of $399.

DMC-ZS3

  • Sensor – 10.1 megapixel (effective), 1/2.33" CCD (ZS3); 10.1 megapixel (effective), 1/2.5" CCD (ZS1)
  • Lens/Zoom – 12x (25-300mm) Leica DC Vario-Elmar, f/3.3-6.3
  • LCD/Viewfinder – 3.0", 460K-dot TFT LCD (ZS3); 2.7", 230K-dot TFT LCD (ZS1)
  • Sensitivity – ISO 80-1600 (High Sensitivity mode to ISO 6400)
  • Shutter Speed – 8-1/2000 seconds
  • Shooting Modes – Intelligent Auto, Normal Picture, My Scene 1, My Scene 2, Scene, Clipboard, Motion Picture
  • Scene Presets – Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby 1, Baby 2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst (Image Priority / Speed Priority), Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial photo, Pinhole, Film Grain, Underwater
  • White Balance Settings – Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, User Set
  • Metering Modes – Intelligent Multi, Center-Weighted, Spot
  • Focus Modes Face, AF Tracking, Multi, One Point High Speed, One Point
  • Drive Modes – Normal, Burst, Self Timer
  • Flash Modes – Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
  • Self Timer Settings- 10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off
  • Memory Formats – SD, SDHC
  • Internal Memory- 40 MB
  • File Formats – JPEG, AVCHD Lite (ZS3), Motion JPEG
  • Max. Image Size – 3648x2736
  • Max. Video Size- 1280x720, 30 fps (ZS3); 848x480, 30 fps (ZS1)
  • Zoom During Video – Yes
  • Battery – Rechargeable 895 mAh lithium-ion
  • Connections – USB 2.0, AV output, HDMI, DC input
  • Additional Features – Mega O.I.S., iA Intelligent Auto mode, Intelligent ISO, Venus Engine HD processing, AF Tracking, face detection, Face Recognition, Intelligent Exposure
  • DMC- TS1

  • Sensor- 12.1 megapixel (effective), 1/2.33" CCD
  • Lens/Zoom – 4.6x (28-128mm) Leica DC Vario-Elmar, f/3.3-5.9
  • LCD/Viewfinder – 2.7", 230K-dot TFT LCD
  • Sensitivity – ISO 80-1600 (High Sensitivity mode to ISO 6400)
  • Shutter Speed – 8-1/2000 seconds
  • Shooting Modes – Intelligent Auto, Normal Picture, Scene, Beach and Surf, Snow, Sports, Clipboard, Motion Picture
  • Scene Presets – Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby 1, Baby 2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst (Image Priority / Speed Priority), Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial photo, Pinhole, Film Grain, Underwater
  • White Balance Settings -Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, User Set

  • Metering Modes – Intelligent Multi
  • Focus Modes Face, AF Tracking, Multi, One Point, One Point High Speed
  • Drive Modes – Normal, Burst, Self Timer
  • Flash Modes – Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
  • Self Timer Settings- 10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off
  • Memory Formats – SD, SDHC
  • Internal Memory- 40 MB
  • File Formats – JPEG, Motion JPEG, AVCHD Lite
  • Max. Image Size – 4000x3000
  • Max. Video Size- 1280x720, 30 fps
  • Zoom During Video – Not Specified
  • Battery – Rechargeable 940 mAh lithium-ion, 350 shots
  • Connections – USB 2.0, AV output, DC input
  • Additional Features – Mega O.I.S., iA Intelligent Auto mode, Intelligent ISO, Venus Engine HD processing, AF Tracking, face detection, Face Recognition, Intelligent Exposure

[via dpreview, DMC-FT1, DMC-TZ-ZS3]

[via imageresources]