Panasonic DMC-FZ8 7.2MP 12x Zoom Digital Camera

By Editor • Feb. 1, 2007

Panasonic DMC-FZ8 Panasonic has introduced a new 7.2MP Lumix digital camera, featuring a powerful 12x optical zoom lens (LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT) with f/2.8 brightness. The DMC-FZ8 is an enhancement of the DMC-FZ50 which is currently popular among demanding amateur photographers. The new model enhances mobility with its compactness and easy joystick operation.

The DMC-FZ8 boasts a large, 2.5-inch LCD with full 207,000-pixel resolution for easy viewing. The pixel-mixed readout method used by the CCD automatically increases the brightness of the live image on the LCD, making it much easier to shoot in low lighting. Shooting outdoors in bright sunshine is no longer a problem thanks to the Power LCD function which boosts the LCD backlighting by 40%. The High Angle mode (easily via a dedicated button) makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.

Panasonic redesigned the FZ8 throughout to make it more stylish. A 27MB built-in memory supplements large-capacity SDHC memory cards. A re-designed metal mode dial adds further strength. Battery life allows about 380 photos on a single charge (CIPA). And, the FZ8 can save image data in the RAW file format which can be edited and developed with included software or other 3rd party applications.

The DMC-FZ8 also incorporate the Intelligent Image Stabilization system. This system comprises two features - Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control. Now recognized as a must-have feature for digital cameras, Mega O.I.S. compensates for the effects of hand-shake, making it possible to capture clear, crisp photos indoors, at night, or when taking macro close-ups or using high powered zooming - in situations where shutter speed might not be fast enough.

Even Mega O.I.S., however, cannot suppress the motion blur caused by a subject moving as the photo is being taken. That’s where Intelligent ISO Control takes over. The camera’s Venus Engine III image-processing engine detects whether the subject is moving and, as necessary, raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to how fast the subject is moving and the light conditions. This happens automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change.

In addition to recording standard VGA (640 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second, the DMC-FZ8 can record stunning wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30fps. These 16:9 videos are viewable on a wide-screen TV.

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