Digital Camera News

Six Panasonic Intros Include Touch-Screen FP-3, 8x Compact FH-20

January 6, 2010 – Panasonic’s CES LUMIX introductions include the touch-screen DMC-FP3, a new FH series of compact, high-zoom cameras and the 12.1-megapixel entry-level DMC-F3. Unfortunately, no pricing or availability information was announced; Panasonic says this will be shared 30 days before the shipping date. (NOTE: Pricing was announced on January 25; see details below.)

There are two additions to the FP line, which features a slender design, folded optics and a slide-down lens cover/power switch. The DMC-FP3 includes a 3-inch touch-screen display, though there are still four physical button for accessing key camera functions. The FP1 has a traditional 2.7-inch 230,000-dot screen. Unlike the earlier FP8, the new FP cameras will shoot high-definition 720p video, at 30 frames per second. Both cameras include optical image stabilization, Panasonic’s scene-recognition-based Intelligent Auto mode, and step up to the Venus Engine IV processor. They are also compatible with high-capacity SDXC memory cards; Panasonic has announced 64GB and 48GB cards will ship in February, for $599.95 and $449.95 respectively.

Newly introduced at CES is the FH series, promising pocket-size designs with substantial zoom capability. The FH20 and FH3 provide 14.1-megapixel resolution, the FH1 12.1 megapixels. Zoom lenses start at a 28mm equivalent wide angle; the zoom range is 8x for the FH20, 5x for the FH3 and FH1. All three cameras offer 720p video recording at 30 fps and SDXC memory compatibility.

Finally, the entry-level DMC-F3 is a 12.1-megapixel, 4x zoom cameras with a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot LCD  and 720p video recording. Image stabilization in this inexpensive camera uses digital processing rather than optical or sensor-shift technology.

PRICING UPDATE: Panasonic announced on January 25 that the cameras discussed above will be available in mid-February. Pricing is as follows:

FH20: $199.95
FH3: $179.95
FH1: $159.95
FP3: $229.95
FP1: $149.95
F3: $129.95
F2: $109.95