14 DAY TRIAL // Panasonic today released a new still digital camera - the 10.2 megapixel Lumix DMC-LX2, an enhancement brought to the previous model - the successful DMC-LX1, which became popular due to its unique 16:9 wide aspect ratio CCD, full-featured functions, and smart design.
"Our LUMIX DMC-LX2 has the best features for the new digital lifestyle that puts a premium on capturing and sharing the images of our lives in a widescreen format," said Rich Campbell, Director, Digital Imaging, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "The 10.2 megapixel, true 16:9 CCD is perfect for capturing images to be displayed on a widescreen plasma TV. The new digital lifestyle is about capturing expansive, beautiful pictures and sharing them in the most dramatic way possible on a widescreen TV."
As the other three digital cameras released yesterday, this one also features Panasonic's latest technology - the world's first Intelligent ISO Control, which diminishes the blur effect caused by hand moving. But this camera has some other high-end capabilities such as a full manual controllability including manual focus via a joystick that enables users to easily enjoy creative shooting and a Venus Engine III high performance image processing LSI that diminishes noise, realizing image recording at a maximum ISO 1600 high sensitivity setting at full resolution.
The LUMIX DMC-LX2 also offers a "wide" set of features such as a 28 mm wide angle LEICA DC lens, 16:9 wide aspect ratio CCD, and a 16:9 wide aspect ratio LCD screen.
The DMC-LX2 inherits from the LX1 a wide range of features including the 4x optical zoom (equivalent to 28mm to 112mm on a 35mm film camera), MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) system that reduces blurriness caused by user hand movements, an enhanced CCD capable of 10.2-megapixels and a larger 2.8" 16:9 wide LCD screen.
"Panasonic's revolutionary MEGA O.I.S. is incorporated into the entire line of LUMIX cameras. The worldwide debut of the revolutionary new Intelligent ISO Control (IIC) feature on Panasonic's LUMIX cameras signals the arrival of a new level of photographic excellence. IIC allows high sensitivity recording at full resolution (1250 ISO maximum) made possible by the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III. When set to the IIC, the Venus Engine III detects the subject's movement and adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to best suit subject movement and light conditions automatically. Panasonic's unparalleled image stabilizing system allows users to take clear, crisp images in any situation, leaving everything to the camera," said the company.
The DMC-LX2 will be available in September at a suggested retail price of $499.