Panasonic announces the launch of Lumix DMD-FX500 digital camera
19 Mar 2008
Panasonic has announced the launch of a new 10.1 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMD-FX500 digital camera, the first Lumix-series digital camera to include a touch-screen LCD display.
The FX500 looks to be a powerhouse in the extremely competitive consumer digital camera category
The unique feature of the camera is its 3-inch, 230K-dot touch screen LCD. According to Panasonic, the touch screen interface allows users to set auto focus points and distance measurement areas simply by touching them.
The auto focus tracking system claims to track the photo subject even if it moves after the auto focus has been locked, a capability that is usually seen in higher-end D-SLR cameras.
A Leica DC Vario Elmarit branded 5x optical zoom with an impressive 25mm wide-angle lens increases the coverage of framing shots: the wider the angle, the more subjects and scenery can fit into a single shot.
Yet another feature of the FX500 is the ability to shoot 30 frames per second video at 1280x720resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio. These high-defination (HD) optimised still and video options, in addition to an on-camera HD output mean that all videos taken will be easily viewable on most HDTVs.
Unlike other touch screen models that have come to market to date, the FX500 doesn't rely exclusively on its touch interface: the latest Lumix has a hybrid control arrangement that includes a joystick as well, for added flexibility.
Other features include an Intelligent Auto (iA), Intelligent Scene Selector, red-eye, scene correction, and Intelligent ISO options.
The company said that black and silver versions of the FX500 should be available in May; suggested retail price for the new model is around $400.
Under the Panasonic brand and its slogan, "Panasonic ideas for life," Panasonic (Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) is one of the largest electronic companies in the world, which provides a wide range of products, from audiovisual and information/communication equipment to home appliances and components.