A few days before the PMA 2006 (Photo Marketing Association) event, Panasonic has announced a new model from the Lumix lineup. We are talking about the Lumix TZ1, touted by the producer as being the smallest 10X optical zoom digital camera.

We don't know if that's completely true, but one can easily see a change from the design used for the FZ models, such as the FZ7 and FZ30. As you can see in the image, TZ1's lens is completely retractable, this feature being the one responsible for the small dimension. And since we are talking about lenses, it's worth reminding you about the collaboration with Leica, whose result is the LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT.

Unfortunately for the users, the departure from the FZ implies another important change: the replacement of the pop-up type flash with that used at compact cameras. In addition, users will have to get used to composing the images on the 2.5 inch LCD, because the camera has neither an optical viewfinder nor an electronic one (EVF).

Just as other Panasonic models, the TZ1 also incorporates the Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) technology, which allows the usage of slow shutter speeds at the long end of the focal range.

The brain of the DMC-TZ1 is the new Venus Engine III image processor, offering the ability to take 250 pictures on a single charge whilst consuming only 80% of the power utilised by the predecessor, Venus Engine II. The TZ1 allows unlimited consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the 13.4MB built-in memory or the SD memory card. This new engine, the brain of a digital camera, boasts outstanding response time with an industry leading shutter release time of only 0.006sec minimum (the time taken between pressing the button on the camera and the photo being taken) and a shutter interval of approximately 0.5 seconds, thus enabling easy capture of spur-of-the- moment shots. In the burst shooting mode, it is possible to shoot at three frames per second in full.

Another novelty for the Lumix lineup is the linear AF system which, combined with the high speed AF function, achieves an industry-leading high speed AF response time among high zoom digital cameras, whilst reducing the noise of the motor.

Panasonic Lumix TZ1 will be available starting April at a price yet to be announced.