Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 camera is the successor to the popular Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 and comes with an increased resolution to 10.1-Megapixel with 27mm wide-angle Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and powerful 18x Optical Zoom Lens (35mm film camera equivalent: 27-486mm).

Lumix DMC-FZ28 Feautres

• 10.1 effective Megapixel CCD (up from 8MP on the FZ18)
• F2.8-4.4, 18X optical zoom lens, equivalent to 27 - 486 mm (FZ18 was 28 - 504 mm)
• Optical image stabilization
• Venus IV image processor (the FZ18 used the Venus III)
• 2.7″ LCD display with 230,000 pixels + electronic viewfinder (201k pixels)
• Full manual controls + Intelligent Auto Mode
• RAW image format supported
• Automatic image leveling tool
• Records movies at 1280 x 720 (30 fps) with sound
• Support for conversion lenses, filters, and HD video output
• 50MB onboard memory + SD/SDHC/MMC card slot
• Uses CGR-S006 li-ion battery; 460 shots per charge

The high-quality, high-performance Venus Engine IV supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and 13 shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. In High Sensitivity mode, the FZ28 can shoot up to ISO 6400 in extremely low-lit situations. The LUMIX DMC-FZ28 also is equipped with a 2.7-inch large, high resolution LCD with 230,000 pixels, and a high resolution electric viewfinder equivalent to 201,600 pixels.

The DMC-FZ28 also features High Defintion (HD) video capabilities with a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps. Still photos can also be shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio for optimal full-screen viewing on a HDTV. Panasonic VIERA Plasma or LCD HDTVs also feature an integrated SD Memory Card slot, allowing users to easily view photos by simply inserting the SD Memory Card into the convenient SD Card slot built into the TV. Consumer can also enjoy watching videos in HD quality and view still images by connecting the DMC-FXZ28 via an optional Panasonic component cable (DMW-HDC2).

Additional features of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 include:

• Image Leveling – When a captured image “leans” to the right or left because the camera was held at a slight angle when the photo was taken, the Image Leveling function rotates the image to straighten it and crops the unnecessary edges. No computer needed!
• Scene Modes – The DMC-FZ28 offers a total of 37 scene modes to respond easily to any shooting situation. The new Pin Hole and Film Grain modes add unique, film camera-like effects and ambiences to images. Additionally, the actual effects of the scene mode can be viewed on the LCD before taking the shot.
• Flash – Reaches a distance of 8.5 meters at the wide setting and 5.4 meters at the telephoto setting (ISO AUTO).
• SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0 SE – Software application comes bundled with the DMC-FZ28 for editing and developing images in the RAW file format.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 will be available in silver and black in August 2008 for a suggested retail price of $399.95.