LUMIX 2010: The DMC-FZ68

LUMIX DMC-FX68 offers bright f2.8 ultra wide-angle 25mm Leica lens with 5x optical zoom for the discerning photographer

Panasonic has introduced the new slim-profile LUMIX DMC-FX68 which offers enthusiast photographers an ideal pocketable camera to complement their camera kit. This model, which replaces the DMC-FX65, features 14.1-megapixels plus a highly versatile, very bright f2.8 25mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC lens with 5x optical zoom. Users can also now enjoy High Definition (HD) video recording with this all-in-one movie and still camera – packed in a remarkably compact, slip-in-the-pocket-sized body.

To complement the DMC-FX68’s superior optical pedigree, Panasonic has developed an industry-leading, Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) system combined with a dramatically reduced start-up time of 1.06 seconds. The result is fast, yet accurate AF performance, so users will never miss a spontaneous shooting opportunity.

The DMC-FX68 comes in Black and will be available in stores March 2010 at an RRP of $499.

Ultra-bright, ultra wide-angle lens for superb image quality
The 14.1-megapixel DMC-FX68 packs a superior 25mm Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with 5x optical zoom (35mm equivalent: 25-125mm), offering a large, bright f2.8 aperture. Comprising 7 elements in 6 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses with 5 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit passes Leica’s stringent standards and provides outstanding imaging.

Unique Creative Features
The new Scene Mode – Cosmetic Mode, a unique feature offered in the FX68 – improves the appearance of skin tone and complexion with a choice of settings (soft skin, natural skin, summer look), for flawless portraits. Users can customise portraits with a desired skin tone effect, such as tanned or fair-skinned, and reduce the appearance of unwanted wrinkles or blemishes.

Furthermore, Happy Mode, a colour option in iA mode, applies colour filters for more vivid images, while Sunset mode helps capture an impressive sunset with rich, smooth colour gradation.

High resolution Intelligent LCD
The FX68 is equipped with a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with high resolution and a wide viewing angle. The screen brightness automatically adjusts in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times.

Exciting features for the High-Definition era
All LUMIX cameras can take 16:9 Full HD (high-definition) quality photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen HDTV for full-screen viewing. Users can enjoy a slideshow of photos taken with the camera in stunning Full HD quality with VIERA Image Viewer – simply insert an SD/SDHC memory card into the SD card slot of a compatible VIERA TV.

The DMC-FX68 records dynamic HD video in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480) . Watch these videos on a PC or upload them to YouTube with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0.

iA (Intelligent Auto) mode for brilliant results
This new FX-Series model incorporates Panasonic’s LUMIX Intelligent Auto mode (iA) which includes POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser) – boasting around twice the hand-shake correction capability of MEGA O.I.S and allowing users to capture crisp, blur-free images, even in low light or at full zoom.

The DMC-FX68 also features the popular Face Recognition function. This function ‘remembers’ faces and works by optimising the focus and exposure settings for a registered face whenever it appears in the frame. Another clever iA feature is Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects one of six Scene Modes – Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and newly added Sunset Mode – to best suit the shooting situation.

PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 Software bundled in
With quick start-up and fast data processing, PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 makes it possible to sort and organise your entire photo library. Using the Face Recognition function, the software can automatically sort the photos of a specific person. Users can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use their iTunes music library as background music. Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader. Users can create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in MOV, which is especially easy when combined with the Panorama Assist mode in the camera. The software is compatible with Windows 7.