Panasonic Lumix FX80 digital camera
Slim and Seductively Stylish, the DMC-FX80 with F2.5 Bright 24mm Ultra Wide Angle LEICA DC Lens - Elegant Design and Crafted Performance. Panasonic is pleased to announce a new addition to its LUMIX FX series of premium compact cameras, which are renowned for their outstanding performance and sophisticated design. The new slim and chic DMC-FX80 is testament to the success of this range and incorporates a high quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens that boasts excellent brightness of F2.5. Add to this a 24mm ultra wide angle lens, 5 x optical zoom and the ability to record full HD video – and the FX80 is a serious photographic proposition in a tempting wrapping.
The DMC-FX80 incorporates a high quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens that boasts excellent brightness of F2.5. The F2.5 lens is approx. 25% brighter than the F2.8 lens which has been previously offered in this class of camera. It allows the use of higher shutter speeds whilst capturing stunningly clear, sharp, blur-free images even in lower lighting situation. Together with the MEGA Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S). In the Intelligent Auto (iA) mode, the DMC-FX80 powerfully suppresses blur caused by the movement of subjects – great for portraits at parties or pictures of babies without using flash.
To further add to its appeal, the 24mm (35mm camera equivalent: 24-120mm ) ultra-wide-angle lens - rare on a compact camera - gives photographers a wider range of composition possibilities with approx. 213% larger viewing space compared to that of 35mm camera. The super-high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens minimizes distortion at the wide end. The lens especially excels not only in shooting dynamic landscapes with its wide angle of view but also in capturing moving subjects even in low-lit situations such as children indoors or concerts at night with its outstanding brightness.
Comprising of 6 elements in 5 groups with 3 aspherical lenses with 5 aspherical surfaces, the lens unit in the DMC-FX80 realized downsizing of both total length and diameter to fit in the slim, compact body of the camera. This advanced lens unit passes Leica's stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance with its minimal distortion and chromatic aberrations while suppressing ghosting and flaring.
The Intelligent Zoom is also available with the DMC-FX80. It is an enhanced zoom function using digital zoom, allowing the subject to be drawn 2x closer than the original optical zoom with minimum deterioration of image quality thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. This means the 5x optical can virtually extend to 10x equivalent.
High Speed CCD and Venus Engine Assure High Picture Quality
The 12.1-megapixel CCD with superior 2-channel signal output structure allows a higher signal transfer speed for all operations that require high performance and speed such as the incorporated 1,920 x 1,080 full HD video recording and high speed continuous shooting. The picture quality is also improved thanks to the higher sensitivity of the sensor which is made possible by highly efficient light capture using larger on-chip micro lenses.
For the image processor, the Venus Engine FHD is incorporated featuring exceptionally advanced signal processing capabilities via its Intelligent Noise Reduction. The multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine supports a super-fast response time which makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) that lets you lock on the subject. The LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens, high resolution CCD and the high performance Venus Engine assure high quality image rendering.
Technically highly proficient, yet remaining easy to use, the FX80 features Panasonic’s popular iA mode which lets users leave everything to the camera to take beautiful photos and videos. Once you enter the iA mode, of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions - MEGA O.I.S., AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure - are automatically activated by. Perfect!
A Host of Functions Expand The Fun of Photography with Smart Touch Control
Featuring a 3.0-inch LCD with Smart Touch Screen, complete control is possible with a simple touch. Auto Focus is immediately set to the subject by just touching it on the large LCD and you can even release the shutter. Once you lock on the subject by a touch, the camera tracks the subject with the AF tracking function even if it moves. This makes the DMC-FX80 a great choice for anyone looking for an upgrade to a camera phones image taking but with the same intuitive controls.
Taking advantage of the touch operation, new features such as Defocus Effect are available on the DMC-FX80 that gives a beautifully defocused background to the macro shots to help the subject stand out. Brightness can be changed with exposure and the colour with saturation letting users give different impression to the photo in camera from the original.
Additional features that add more fun include the Creative Control mode that offers a selection of artistic filter effects when recording images; Expressive, Retro, High Dynamic, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Toy Effect and Soft Focus. These filters can be applied even after images were shot with the Creative Retouch function.
Miniature Effect mode in which the edges of images are defocused while saturation and contrast are emphasized to give the image a toy or fantasy like appearance. Simple to use, this mode allows a photograph of a life-size location or object to look like a photograph of a miniature scale model. Now everyone can be a creative photographer! The video recorded in this mode is played back in 10x fast-forwarding making it more comical to watch.
The Beauty Retouch mode makes it possible to virtually cosmetically enhance human faces and make them look more glamorous. This mode is advanced with the addition of Smile Look in addition to the Aesthetic Retouch (Clear Skin, Shine Removal, Whitening of Teeth, Lift Up, Eye Emphasis), Foundation and Make-up Retouch (Lip Colour, Cheek Colour, Eye Shadow). A rich variety of trend colour is available in each cosmetic and the strength of effect can be adjusted individually according to the user’s intention. On the other hand, One-touch Make Up mode offers 4 patterns of latest trend make-up – Natural, Smokey, Glamour and Cheerful. Both colour selection and make-up effect are supervised by famous cosmetics brand Kanebo COFFRET D'OR which is especially popular among Japanese women. Furthermore, a new My Beauty setting can memorize 3 patterns of adjusted parameter. Once the favorite pattern of Beauty Retouch is created, users can recall and apply it immediately when they want it. Picture perfect at the touch of a button!
1,920 x 1,080 Full-HD Video Recording in AVCHD / MP4 Format
Despite its compact profile, the DMC-FX80 is capable of recording full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL) videos in AVCHD (MPEG-4 / H.264) format. The AVCHD format excels in the compatibility with AV equipment like HDTVs or Blu-ray Disc players and the video can be played back by just inserting an SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card or by connecting with a mini HDMI cable. A special, separate button on the top lets the user instantly start recording videos while shooting photos without having to make any extra settings. Alternately, user can choose MP4 at 30p(NTSC) / 25p(PAL) for video recording, which has higher compatibility with PCs.
For more effective countermeasure against blur, the Active Mode is equipped in the DMC-FX80 for an option of image stabilization in video recording. In addition to the MEGA O.I.S., the Active Mode encourages active video recording at wide angle such as shooting while walking without deterioration of the image quality. The 5x optical zoom is available in video recording. The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in video recording.
Panasonic has used its strong heritage in camcorders to fully equip the FX80 with its superior recording capabilities. The videos come with the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby Digital Stereo Creator, to offer highly realistic sound to the motion images. The stereo zoom microphone comes with zoom noise reduction system, and the Auto Wind Cut function blocks out most of the noise from background wind.
Even More Features to Shout About
Sharing images with friends and family is key to the enjoyment of photography which is why the FX80 includes the LUMIX Image Uploader, allowing users to effortlessly share their photos and movies by simply checkmarking the photos and movies they want to share and connecting the camera or SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card to a computer.
For those looking to explore their creative side, the FX80 includes Panorama Shot, where it is possible to produce a 360-degree horizontal/vertical panoramic image with consequent shots taken by overlaying the previous picture. With lots of opportunities to be creative and have fun, the FX80 is not only a high performance camera, but one to enjoy and have fun with too.
For greater convenience, the F80 offers AC/USB power charging so users can connect to an AC outlet or PC for battery recharging.
With its superior design and high performance, not to mention the host of user friendly creative features, the FX80 encompasses everything you would want from a digital camera. The new FX80 will be available in stylish black from March 2012.
