Panasonic Malaysia’s comprehensive Lumix line-up guarantees a more exciting photo-taking sensation
LATEST LINE-UP: (From left) Panasonic Malaysia’s marketing director Harry Sasaki, Lee, deputy managing director Chris Tomachi, general manager Mexx Nakahara and general manager Liew Choon Wah showcase the new models at the launch.
UNVEILED: Lee and Panasonic Malaysia’s deputy managing director, Chris Tomachi (left) together officiate the launching of the new Lumix cameras.
THE LUMIX FACE: Lumix brand ambassador Nathalie Den Dekker (third left) – winner of Miss Tourism International 2010/2011 – is flanked by Panasonic Malaysia’s senior officials during a photo session at the launch.
ON THE FOREFRONT: Lee underlines that since its inception in 2002, the Lumix brand has brought many innovations to the world of digital imaging
FAIR PAIR: The current Miss Tourism International 2010/2011, Nathalie Den Dekker – also the brand ambassador of Lumix – shows off the Lumix DMC-LX5 at the launch.
KUCHING: Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Panasonic Malaysia) recently unveiled its brand new line-up of Lumix digital cameras, strengthening its position as innovator in digital imaging towards capturing the market this year.
With 12 new models and various cutting-edge features, the new Lumix range carried an ideal imaging companion for digital imaging enthusiasts.
“The new Lumix range is our answer to the escalating demands of the digital camera market,” remarked Panasonic Malaysia’s managing director Jeff Lee in a statement from Sepang.
“Aside from the importance of excellent picture quality, we recognise that taking a picture today goes hand-inhand with sharing and communicating. Therefore, these new models are engineered to enhance the point-and-shoot experience, while complementing the lives of modern individuals,” he added.
Also unveiled at the launch alongside these cameras were the new Panasonic Full HD and Standard Definition camcorders.
Stealing the limelight at the official launch was the new Lumix DMC-TZ20, which replaced its bestselling predecessor, the DMC-TZ10. Boasting a 14.1-megapixel sensor, ultrawide-angle Leica lens and 16-times optical zoom, the new Lumix ‘offspring’ also supports full high-definition (HD) movie recording at 1,080 pixels (p).
Made to complement the avid traveller, the DMCTZ20 is touch-operated and comes with GPS functionality to enable geotagging while on the go. Available in black, silver, red and brown, the DMCTZ20 retails at RM1,599.
On the other hand, the DMC-GF2 – launched in December last year – is the world’s smallest and lightest system camera with a builtin flash; with full HD movie recording in AVCHD format. Similar with the DMC-TZ20, this model is also touch-operated via a threeinch liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.
Meanwhile, the premium compact DMC-LX5, replacing the acclaimed DMC-LX3, has earned the recognition of both professional and amateur photographers as one of the most groundbreaking digital ‘point-and-shoots’ in the market.
It sports a Leica F2.0 lens and supports HD movie recording in AVCHD Lite format; making it ideal for creative photography.
“Since its inception in 2002, the Lumix brand has brought many innovations to the world of digital imaging. The LX5 and GF2 are examples of this innovation in their own rights, and together with this new line-up, we are set to capture the market in 2011,” enthused Lee.
“Panasonic Malaysia will definitely be looking at these new models, together with the recently-introduced Lumix DMC-GF2 and the widely popular Lumix DMCLX5 to increase its share in the digital camera market,” the managing director reiterated.
During the launch, Panasonic Malaysia also unveiled a number of models, first of which was the Lumix DMC-TZ18 that comes equipped with 14.1-megapixel sensors and ultrawide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 16-times optical zoom. It sports a three-inch LCD screen, while full HD movie recording is limited to 720p.
The TZ18 retails at RM1,399 and is available in black and silver.
Additionally, Panasonic’s 14.1-megapixel DMC-S3 and 12.1-megapixel DMC-S1 from its S-series are uniquely developed for first-time digital camera users. Both models are equipped with MEGO Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) and the popular Intelligent Auto (iA) mode to help capture great pictures.
The wide-angle Lumix lens with four-times optical zoom, coupled with the powerful ‘Venus Engine VI’ processor which can handle HD recording at 720p, makes the DMC-S1 and DMC-S3 ideal startup cameras. The DMC-S3, which retails at RM499, is available in black, red, violet and white. DMCS1retails at RM399 – available in black, silver, pink, blue and white.
For the style- and fashionconscious, the DMC-FX78 is the ultimate hybrid stylish digital camera that is touchoperated via a large 3.5-inch LCD screen. New playback functions include ‘Art Retouch’ and ‘Beauty Retouch’ mode, while picture quality remains excellent, thanks to the new F2.5 Leica DC VARIOSUMMARIT ultra-wideangle lens with five-times optical zoom.
The DMC-FX78 easily handles low light situations with a newly developed 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, as well as full HD movie recording at 1,080p is also supported. The model retails at RM1,299 and comes in black, silver, pink and white.
Specially geared for active outdoor usage, the all-new DMC-FT3 incorporates powerful features all featured in a rugged design.
The new 12.1-megapixel model further toughened to be waterproof to 12 metres, shockproof to two metres, dust-proof; even freeze-proof down to freezing minus-10 degrees Celsius.
The built-in GPS function, compass, altimeter and barometer are all newlyincorporated for users to take beautiful pictures in
extreme outdoor conditions. With a 12.1 megapixel Hi- Speed CCD sensor coupled with the Venus Engine FHD, full HD movie recording at 1,080p is supported and excellent picture quality is guaranteed. retailing at at RM1,599, the model comes in blue, orange, red and silver.
Across other ranges, the 16.1-megapixel DMC-FP7 and 14.1-megapixel DMCFP5 are the new additions to Panasonic’s ultra flat and stylish FP series of Lumix cameras. Incorporating an ultra-thin four-times optical zoom lens with folded optics, both models boast exceptional slimness as well as an urban, chic look.
Retailing at RM999 with a choice of either black, silver, red and pink, the DMC-FP7 comes in is newly equipped with 3.5-inch large 16:9-ration LCD that is touchoperated. The DMC-FP5 retails at RM849 and comes in black, silver and pink.
Also complementing theFP series, the 16.1-megapixel
DMC-FP7 and the 14.1-megapixel DMC-FP5 integrates an ultra-thin four-times optical zoom lens with folded optics.
The DMC-FP7 is newly equipped with 3.5-inch large 16:9-ratio LCD that is touchoperated. With both supporting HD movie recording at 720p, the DMCFP7 retails at RM999 and comes in black, silver, red and pink; while the DMCFP5 is priced at RM849 and is available in black, silver and pink.
Other models within theLumix range of digital cameras also include the DMC-FH25 and LUMIX DMC-FH27 – featuring 16.1- megapixel resolutions and eight-times optical zoom on the wide-angle Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR lens.
Both models support touch operation on large three-inch LCD screens and can record HD movies at 720p. The DMC-FH27 and DMC-FH25 models – retailing at RM899 and RM799, respectively – come in black, silver and red. Moreover, the new 16.1- megapixel DMC-FH5 and 14.1-megapixel DMC-FH2 are available with wideangle Leica DC VARIOELMAR lens with fourtimes optical zoom and carry the Venus Engine VI processor; supporting HD movie recording at 720p.
These two models also come with MEGA OIS and iA mode to guarantee excellent results. The DMCFH5 retails at RM699 and comes in black, pink and silver; while the RM599-riced DMC-FH2 comes in black, silver, pink, red and blue. Matching these models are other exciting features that include Leica lens, which have now become a minimum requirement, even in the lower-end models of the Lumix 2011 line-up.
These advanced lens units pass Leica’s stringent quality standards and deliver exceptional optical performance with minimal distortion and chromatic aberrations while suppressing ghosting and flaring.
Further, all the new Lumix models feature a new way of communicating and sharing photos or movies taken by users where they now can immediately upload movies and photos taken on these cameras directly to social networking sites such as ‘YouTube’ and ‘Facebook’ via USB or SD card connectivity with no additional software required.