LUMIX TZ5 and TZ4 from Panasonic
Panasonic has improved on the impressive wide-angle LUMIX TZ3 digital camera, with two new TZ models. The 9.1 megapixels Lumix DMC-TZ5 and 8.1 megapixels Lumix DMC-TZ4 both feature the same awesome 28mm wide-angle, 10X optical zoom Leica DC lens, but Panasonic has expanded Intelligent Auto technologies with new Intelligent Exposure, Digital Red-eye Correction, and Advanced Intelligent Auto mode. Panasonic's new Venus Engine IV high-performance image processing LSI is also incorporated to improve noise reduction, and overall image quality.
The TZ 5 also gets a newly developed 460,000-dot high resolution 3.0-inch LCD, while the TZ4 settles for a 230,000-dot, 2.5-inch LCD. Both models incorporate Intelligent LCD, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, for optimal clarity in any situation. The TZ5 is also able to record 720p High Definition video on to SD Memory Cards, which can be played back on Panasonic VIERA Plasma HDTVs with integrated SD Memory Card slots. These models also have a HD component output for connecting to any HDTV.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ5 will be available in blue, black and silver for $349.95, and the DMC-TZ4 comes in black and silver for $299.95. Both models will be available in late March 2008.
When in Advanced Intelligent Auto mode, the following technologies all operate automatically:
Intelligent Exposure – With this new feature, photos will no longer be
under- or over-exposed. Instead, the TZ5 and TZ4, instantly analyze the
framed image and adjusts the brightness in areas that are too dark
because of dim lighting, backlighting or the use of the flash. The
camera will automatically adjust the brightness accordingly.
Digital Red-eye Correction– This feature helps to eliminate the red-eye
problem that sometimes results when taking flash shots at the night.
Incorporated into the built-in flash, the camera emits a small
preliminary flash before the main flash, detects red-eye and will
digitally correct it.
MEGA O.I.S. – Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts
to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry
image.
Intelligent ISO – With Intelligent ISO, the TZ4 and TZ5 can determine
if the photo subject is moving and change the ISO setting and shutter
speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo.
Intelligent Scene Selector – Intelligent Scene Selector senses the
ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will
automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery,
Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode. This intuitive
technology, helps the consumer use the most common scene modes that are
built into the camera, but often go unused, without making any manual
adjustments.
Face Detection – Panasonic’s Face Detection detects faces anywhere in
the frame and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure
settings so portraits come out clear and crisp. Detecting up to 15
faces, Panasonic’s Face Detection can even track a face if the subject
is moving.
Continuous AF – The Continuous AF (auto focus) system maintains focus
on the subject even without pressing a shutter button halfway, thus
minimizing the AF time.
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