Printable View
Panasonic is beefing up its Lumix FS-series today with the introduction of two new shooters. The 12.1 megapixel DMC-FS15 with 29mm wide-angle 5x zoom lens with Mega OIS (optical image stabilization), intelligent ISO and exposure, face detection, and AF tracking to lock onto moving subjects. A dedicated iA button on the top of the camera allows for quick access to the Intelligent Auto Mode (iA) without getting lost in the menu.
Press release:
Panasonic today announced two new additions to its LUMIX FS-Series of digital cameras, the DMC-FS7 and the DMC-FS15. The FS models, a stylish sister line of the highly-acclaimed LUMIX FX-Series, combine easy operation with a slim and sleek look, enabling both beginner and advanced users to take beautiful digital photos with a model they can slip in their pockets.
The 12.1 megapixel DMC-FS15 features a 29mm wide-angle Leica DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with a 5x optical zoom. Panasonic has enhanced the Intelligent Auto Mode (iA) on the DMC-FS15 from the previous FS models to now include AF tracking and Intelligent Exposure functions in addition to Mega O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Face Detection. AF Tracking enables the user to “lock” the focus onto a moving subject. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the need to hold the shutter button halfway down. Additionally, Intelligent Exposure helps capture natural-looking images by suppressing blocked shadows and blown highlights. It continually monitors the light source in the shooting environment and automatically activates the backlight compensation function if it detects the light source is behind the subject.
The 10.1 megapixel DMC-FS7 features a bright F2.8 Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with 4x optical zoom and iA mode, comprised of four functions including Mega O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Face Detection. Like the DMC-FS15, the DMC-FS7 also include a newly-added independent iA button on top of the camera that lets the user enter directly into the mode without going into the menu.
“These new additions to the LUMIX FS-Series incorporate a number of enhanced quality and convenience features that provide consumers with simple-to-use, intuitive cameras at an affordable price,” said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “By combining Leica lenses, Intelligent Auto Mode and powerful image processing with a sleek and compact design, the FS Series cameras are ideal for consumers looking to take easy, high-quality photos on the go.”
Other features of both FS models include a Venus Engine IV processor, which enables an advanced processing system and quick response times. An intelligent LCD screen detects light conditions and automatically adjusts the brightness levels for viewing in sunlight and helps to preserve battery life. The new Photo Frame mode lets the user put attractive borders around photos, so when printed, they look like postcards in picture frames. Also, the new My Scene setting lets the user assign their most frequently used Scene modes to the setting, and with a simple switch, access that scene instantly. The FS-Series is also capable of recording WVGA (848 x 480) motion pictures at 30 frames per second in 16:9 wide-screen format, as well as standard VGA (640 x 480) format.
The DMC-FS15 will be available in silver, black and blue at a suggested retail price (SRP) of $199.95. The DMC-FS7 will be available in silver, black, blue, pink and green at an SRP of $159.95. Both models will be available in late March 2009.
Product Specification For DMC-FS15
---------------------- ------------------------
97.0 x 54.4 x 21.7 mm
Metrics Dimensions (W x H x D) (3.82 x 2.14 x 0.85 in)
Weight Approx. 116g (0.26 lb)
Approx. 138g with
Battery and SD Memory
Card (0.3 lb)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Camera Effective
Optics Pixels Pixels 12.1 Megapixels
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
1/2.33-inch / 12.7 Total
Sensor Size / Total Megapixels / Primary
CCD Pixels / Filter Color Filter
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
F3.3 - 5.9 / Iris
Diaphragm (F3.3 - 8 (W)
Lens Aperture / F5.9 - 8 (T))
---------------------- ------------------------
Optical Zoom 5x
---------------------- ------------------------
f=5.2-26.0mm (29-145mm
Focal Length in 35mm equiv.)
---------------------- ------------------------
6.1x (4:3 / 8M), 7.8x
Extra Optical Zoom (4:3 / 5M), 9.8x (under
(EZ) 3M)
---------------------- ------------------------
Lens LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR
7 elements in 6 groups
(3 Aspherical Lenses / 4
Aspherical surfaces)
---------------------- ------------------------
2-Speed Zoom -
---------------------- ------------------------
Optical Image MEGA O.I.S. (Auto /
Stabilizer Mode1 / Mode2)
---------------------- ------------------------
Conversion lens
Compatibility -
---------------------- ------------------------
Digital Zoom 4x
( Max. 20.0 x combined
with Optical Zoom
without Extra Optical
Zoom )
(Max.39.2x combined with
Extra Optical Zoom)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Normal: Wide 50cm/ Tele
Focus Focusing Area 100cm - infinity
Macro / Intelligent AUTO
: Wide 5cm / Tele 100cm
- infinity
---------------------- ------------------------
Focus Range Display Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
AF Assist Lamp Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Normal / Macro, AF
Tracking (On / Off),
Focus Quick AF (Always On)
---------------------- ------------------------
Face / AF Tracking /
AF Metering Multi (11pt) / 1pt
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
8-1/2000 sec
Starry Sky Mode :
Shutter Shutter Speed 15, 30, 60sec.
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Finder Viewfinder -
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Optical Image
Recording iA Stabilizer Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Intelligent ISO
Control Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Face Detection Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Portrait, Scenery, Night
Intelligent Scene Portrait, Night Scenery,
Selector Macro
---------------------- ------------------------
Intelligent Exposure Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
AF Tracking Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Digital Red Eye
Correction Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
iA Direct Button Yes
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Still Image: JPEG (DCF /
File Format Exif2.21)
Motion picture:
File QuickTime Motion JPEG
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Interface Mode Switch [Recording] / [Playback]
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Intelligent AUTO, Normal
Recording Picture, MySCN, SCN,
Modes Mode Button Motion Picture
---------------------- ------------------------
Portrait, Soft Skin,
Transform,
Self-Portrait, Scenery,
Scene Mode Sports, Night Portrait,
Night Scenery, Food,
Party, Candle Light,
Baby1, Baby2, Pet,
Sunset, High
sensitivity,
Hi-Speed Burst, Flash
Burst, Starry Sky,
Fireworks, Beach, Snow,
Aerial photo, Pinhole,
Film Grain, Photo Frame
---------------------- ------------------------
Full-Resolution Image,
1.8 frames/sec Max. 5
Continuous Shooting images (Standard mode),
Mode Max 3 images (Fine Mode)
High-speed Burst Mode:
approx. 5.5 frames/sec
(recorded in 3M for 4:3,
2.5M for 3:2, 2M for
16:9)
---------------------- ------------------------
Unlimited consecutive
shooting 1.7 frames/sec
---------------------- ------------------------
Motion Picture VGA: 640 x 480 pixels,
Recording 30fps (Motion JPEG)
QVGA: 320 x 240 pixels,
30 fps (Motion JPEG)
------------------------
WVGA: 848 x 480 pixels,
30 fps (Motion JPEG)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Exposure
Parameters Exposure Program AE
---------------------- ------------------------
Exposure Compensation 1/3 EV step, +/-2 EV
---------------------- ------------------------
Yes (only in
Backlight Compensation Intelligent AUTO mode)
---------------------- ------------------------
Auto (AE) Bracketing +/- 1/3 EV ~1EV step, 3
---------------------- ------------------------
Multi-Aspect -
---------------------- ------------------------
Light Metering Intelligent Multiple
---------------------- ------------------------
Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 /
400 / 800 / 1600
High Sensitivity (ISO
ISO Sensitivity 1600-6400)
---------------------- ------------------------
Max Auto ISO Setting -
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Image
Parameters Aspect Ratio 4:3 / 3:2 / 16:9
---------------------- ------------------------
4000 x 3000(12M)/ 3264 x
2448 (8M EZ) / 2560 x
1920 (5M EZ) / 2048 x
1536 (3M EZ) / 1600 x
Still Picture 1200 (2M EZ) / 640 x 480
Recording (0.3M EZ)
------------------------
4000 x 2672(10.5M) /
3264 x 2176 (7M EZ) /
2560 x 1712 (4.5M EZ) /
2048 x 1360 (2.5M EZ)
------------------------
4000 x 2248(9M) / 3264 x
1840 (6M EZ) / 2560 x
1440 (3.5M EZ) / 1920 x
1080 (2M EZ)
---------------------- ------------------------
Image Quality Fine / Standard
---------------------- ------------------------
Auto / Daylight / Cloudy
/ Shade / Halogen /
White Balance White Set
(Selectable at Portrait,
Soft Skin, Transform,
Self-Portrait,
Sports, Baby, Pet, High
Sensitivity, Highspeed
Burst, Pinhole, Photo
Frame mode?
---------------------- ------------------------
Quick Menu Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Standard, Natural,
Vivid, Black & White,
Color Mode Sepia, Cool, Warm
---------------------- ------------------------
Still Image with Audio
Recording -
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Others Audio Dubbing -
---------------------- ------------------------
Flip Animation -
---------------------- ------------------------
Real-time histogram -
---------------------- ------------------------
Composition Guide line Yes (1 pattern)
---------------------- ------------------------
Auto Review 1sec, 2sec, Hold, Zoom
---------------------- ------------------------
Review -
---------------------- ------------------------
Easy Zoom / Zoom
Resume No / No
---------------------- ------------------------
Optical Zoom in Motion
Picture -
---------------------- ------------------------
Macro Zoom Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Orientation Detector Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Scene Mode Help Screen Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Self Timer 2sec / 10sec
---------------------- ------------------------
Focus Icon Select Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Normal Playback,
Slideshow, Category
Playback, Favorites
Playback Mode Playback
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Playback Display Easy Organization -
---------------------- ------------------------
Touch Zoom -
---------------------- ------------------------
Thumbnails / Zoomed 12,30-thumbnails / Max
Playback 16x
---------------------- ------------------------
Calender Display /
Dual-Image Playback Yes / No
---------------------- ------------------------
Set Favorites / Rotate
Image Yes / No
---------------------- ------------------------
Playback Still Images
with Audio -
---------------------- ------------------------
Playback Motion
Picture Yes (Motion JPEG)
---------------------- ------------------------
All Still Images /
Favorites / Category
BGM Effect
(Natural / Slow /
Slideshow Mode Swing / Urban / OFF)
---------------------- ------------------------
Show Histogram -
---------------------- ------------------------
Show Highlights -
---------------------- ------------------------
Single / Multi / All /
Delete Image All except Favorites
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
DPOF Print Setting /
Delete Set Protection Yes / Yes
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Resize / Trim / Aspect
Edit Conv. / Leveling Yes / Yes / No / No
---------------------- ------------------------
Copy / Title Stamp /
Text Stamp Yes / Yes / Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Cut Animation -
---------------------- ------------------------
Single / Multi / All /
PictBridge Support Favorites / DPOF
---------------------- ------------------------
English,German,French,
Italian,Spanish,Polish,
Czech,Hungarian,Russian,
Chinese(Traditional),
Chinese(Simplified),
Nethherlandic, Thai,
Korean, Turkish,
Portuguese, Arabic,
Persian, Japanese,
OSD language Swedish, Danish, Finnish
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Travel Date / World
Setup Time Yes / Yes
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
2.7" TFT Screen LCD
Others Monitor LCD Monitor Display (230K dots)
Field of View : approx.
100%
AUTO Power LCD mode,
Power LCD mode,
High-Angle LCD
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Auto, Auto/Red-eye
Reduction, Forced On,
Flash Built-in-Flash Forced Off
0.3 - 5.3m (Wide/ISO
Auto), 1.0 - 3.0m
(Tele/ISO Auto)
---------------------- ------------------------
External Flash -
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Built-in Memory, SD
Memory Card, SDHC Memory
Card, MultiMediaCard
Media Recording Media (Still image only)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Built-in-Memory approx. 50MB
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Audio Microphone / Speaker Mono / Yes
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
AV Output (NTSC/PAL,
NTSC only for N.
America) / USB2.0 High
speed, DC Input
(requires optional DC
Interface Interface Coupler)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
ID-Security Li-ion
Battery Pack (3.6V,
Power Power 940mAh) (Included)
AC Adaptor (Input:
110-240V AC) (Optional)
---------------------- ------------------------
Battery life 330 pictures (CIPA
(approx.) Standard)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Standard
Package Included Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO v3.0
ArcSoft (MediaImpression
/ Panorama Maker)
USB Driver, QuickTime
---------------------- ------------------------
Battery Charger, Battery
Pack, Battery carrying
Standard Accessories case
AV Cable, USB Connection
Cable, AC Cable
Hand Strap, CD-ROM
Product Specification for DMC-FS7
---------------------- ------------------------
97.0 x 54.4 x 21.7 mm
Metrics Dimensions (W x H x D) (3.82 x 2.14 x 0.85 in)
---------------------- ------------------------
'Approx. 117g (0.258
Weight lb)
'Approx. 139g with
Battery and SD Memory
Card (0.31 lb)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Camera Effective
Optics Pixels Pixels 10.1 Megapixels
---------------------- ------------------------
1/2.5-inch / 10.35 Total
Sensor Size / Total Megapixels / Primary
CCD Pixels / Filter Color Filter
---------------------- ------------------------
F2.8 - 5.9 / 2-Step
(F2.8 - 8 (W) / F5.9 -
Lens Aperture 16 (T))
---------------------- ------------------------
Optical Zoom 4x
---------------------- ------------------------
f=5.5-22.0mm (33-132mm
Focal Length in 35mm equiv.)
---------------------- ------------------------
Extra Optical Zoom 5.7x (4:3 / 5M), 7.1x
(EZ) (under 3M)
---------------------- ------------------------
Lens LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
6 elements in 5 groups
(3 Aspherical Lenses / 4
Aspherical surfaces)
---------------------- ------------------------
2-Speed Zoom -
---------------------- ------------------------
Optical Image MEGA O.I.S. (Auto /
Stabilizer Mode1 / Mode2)
---------------------- ------------------------
Conversion lens
Compatibility -
---------------------- ------------------------
Digital Zoom 4x
( Max. 16.0 x combined
with Optical Zoom
without Extra Optical
Zoom )
(Max.28.4x combined with
Extra Optical Zoom)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Normal: Wide 50cm -
Focus Focusing Area infinity
Macro / Intelligent AUTO
: Wide 5cm / Tele 50cm -
infinity
---------------------- ------------------------
Focus Range Display Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
AF Assist Lamp Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Normal / Macro, Quick AF
Focus (Always On)
---------------------- ------------------------
AF Metering Face / Multi (9pt) / 1pt
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
8-1/2000 sec
Starry Sky Mode :
Shutter Shutter Speed 15, 30, 60sec.
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Finder Viewfinder -
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Optical Image
Recording iA Stabilizer Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Intelligent ISO
Control Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Face Detection Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Portrait, Scenery, Night
Intelligent Scene Portrait, Night Scenery,
Selector Macro
---------------------- ------------------------
Intelligent Exposure -
---------------------- ------------------------
AF Tracking -
---------------------- ------------------------
Digital Red Eye
Correction Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
iA Direct Button Yes
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Still Image: JPEG (DCF /
File Format Exif2.21)
Motion picture:
File QuickTime Motion JPEG
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Interface Mode Switch [Recording] / [Playback]
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Intelligent AUTO, Normal
Recording Picture, MySCN, SCN,
Modes Mode Button Motion Picture
---------------------- ------------------------
Portrait, Soft Skin,
Transform,
Self-Portrait, Scenery,
Sports, Night Portrait,
Night Scenery, Food,
Party, Candle Light,
Baby1, Baby2, Pet,
Sunset, High
sensitivity,
Hi-Speed Burst, Flash
Burst, Starry Sky,
Fireworks, Beach, Snow,
Aerial photo, Film
Scene Mode Grain, Photo Frame
---------------------- ------------------------
Full-Resolution Image,
2.5 frames/sec Max. 5
Continuous Shooting images (Standard mode),
Mode Max 3 images (Fine Mode)
High-speed Burst Mode:
approx. 6 frames/sec
(recorded in 3M for 4:3,
2.5M for 3:2, 2M for
16:9)
---------------------- ------------------------
Unlimited consecutive
shooting 2.0 frames/sec
---------------------- ------------------------
Motion Picture VGA: 640 x 480 pixels,
Recording 30fps (Motion JPEG)
QVGA: 320 x 240 pixels,
30 fps (Motion JPEG)
------------------------
WVGA: 848 x 480 pixels,
30 fps (Motion JPEG)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Exposure
Parameters Exposure Program AE
---------------------- ------------------------
Exposure Compensation 1/3 EV step, +/-2 EV
---------------------- ------------------------
Yes (only in
Backlight Compensation Intelligent AUTO mode)
---------------------- ------------------------
+/- 1/3 EV ~1EV step, 3
Auto (AE) Bracketing
---------------------- ------------------------
Multi-Aspect -
---------------------- ------------------------
Light Metering Intelligent Multiple
---------------------- ------------------------
Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 /
400 / 800 / 1600
High Sensitivity (ISO
ISO Sensitivity 1600-6400)
---------------------- ------------------------
Max Auto ISO Setting -
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Image
Parameters Aspect Ratio 4:3 / 3:2 / 16:9
---------------------- ------------------------
3648 x 2736 (10M) / 3072
x 2304 (7M EZ) / 2560 x
1920 (5M EZ) / 2048 x
Still Picture 1536 (3M EZ) / 1600 x
Recording 1200 (2M EZ) / 640 x 480
4:3 (0.3M EZ)
------------------------
3648 x 2432 (9M) / 3072
x 2048 (6M EZ) / 2560 x
1712 (4.5M EZ) / 2048 x
3:2 1360 (2.5M EZ)
------------------------
3648 x 2056 (7.5M) /
3072 x 1728 (5.5M EZ) /
2560 x 1440 (3.5M EZ) /
16:9 1920 x 1080 (2M EZ)
---------------------- ------------------------
Image Quality Fine / Standard
---------------------- ------------------------
Auto / Daylight / Cloudy
/ Shade / Halogen /
White Balance White Set
(Selectable at Portrait,
Soft Skin, Transform,
Self-Portrait,
Sports, Baby, Pet, High
Sensitivity, Highspeed
Burst, Photo Frame mode?
---------------------- ------------------------
Quick Menu Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Standard, Natural,
Vivid, Black & White,
Color Mode Sepia, Cool, Warm
---------------------- ------------------------
Still Image with Audio
Recording -
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Others Audio Dubbing -
---------------------- ------------------------
Flip Animation -
---------------------- ------------------------
Real-time histogram -
---------------------- ------------------------
Composition Guide line Yes (1 pattern)
---------------------- ------------------------
Auto Review 1sec, 2sec, Hold, Zoom
---------------------- ------------------------
Review -
---------------------- ------------------------
Easy Zoom / Zoom
Resume No / No
---------------------- ------------------------
Optical Zoom in Motion
Picture -
---------------------- ------------------------
Macro Zoom Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Orientation Detector Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Scene Mode Help Screen Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Self Timer 2sec / 10sec
---------------------- ------------------------
Focus Icon Select Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Normal Playback,
Slideshow, Category
Playback, Favorites
Playback Mode Playback
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Playback Display Easy Organization -
---------------------- ------------------------
Touch Zoom -
---------------------- ------------------------
Thumbnails / Zoomed 12,30-thumbnails / Max
Playback 16x
---------------------- ------------------------
Calender Display /
Dual-Image Playback Yes / No
---------------------- ------------------------
Set Favorites / Rotate
Image Yes / No
---------------------- ------------------------
Playback Still Images
with Audio -
---------------------- ------------------------
Playback Motion
Picture Yes (Motion JPEG)
---------------------- ------------------------
All Still Images /
Favorites / Category
BGM Effect
(Natural / Slow /
Slideshow Mode Swing / Urban / OFF)
---------------------- ------------------------
Show Histogram -
---------------------- ------------------------
Show Highlights -
---------------------- ------------------------
Single / Multi / All /
Delete Image All except Favorites
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
DPOF Print Setting /
Delete Set Protection Yes / Yes
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Resize / Trim / Aspect
Edit Conv. / Leveling Yes / Yes / No / No
---------------------- ------------------------
Copy / Title Stamp /
Text Stamp Yes / Yes / Yes
---------------------- ------------------------
Cut Animation -
---------------------- ------------------------
Single / Multi / All /
PictBridge Support Favorites / DPOF
---------------------- ------------------------
English,German,French,
Italian,Spanish,Polish,
Czech,Hungarian,Russian,
Chinese(Traditional),
Chinese(Simplified),
Netherlandic,
Thai,Korean,
Turkish, Portuguese,
Arabic, Persian,
Japanese, Swedish,
OSD language Danish, Finnish
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Travel Date / World
Setup Time Yes / Yes
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
2.7" TFT Screen LCD
Others Monitor LCD Monitor Display (230K dots)
Field of View : approx.
100%
AUTO Power LCD mode,
Power LCD mode,
High-Angle LCD
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Auto, Auto/Red-eye
Reduction, Forced On,
Flash Built-in-Flash Forced Off
0.3 - 6.3m (Wide/ISO
Auto), 0.5 - 3.0m
(Tele/ISO Auto)
---------------------- ------------------------
External Flash -
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Built-in Memory, SD
Memory Card, SDHC Memory
Card, MultiMediaCard
Media Recording Media (Still image only)
---------------------- ------------------------
Built-in-Memory approx. 50MB
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Audio Microphone / Speaker Mono / Yes
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
AV Output (NTSC/PAL,
NTSC only in N.America)
/ USB2.0 Full speed, DC
Input (requires optional
Interface Interface DC Coupler)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
ID-Security Li-ion
Battery Pack (3.6V,
Power Power 940mAh) (Included)
AC Adaptor (Input:
110-240V AC) (Optional)
---------------------- ------------------------
Battery life 360 pictures (CIPA
(approx.) Standard)
---------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Standard
Package Included Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO v3.0
ArcSoft (MediaImpression
/ Panorama Maker)
USB Driver, QuickTime
---------------------- ------------------------
Battery Charger, Battery
Pack, Battery carrying
Standard Accessories case
AV Cable, USB Connection
Cable, AC Cable
Hand Strap, CD-ROM
The world renowned Panasonic Lumix range offers sophistication in both technology and style, evidence of which lies in the new 12.1 megapixel DMC-FS15. The latest addition to the award winning FS series boasts a whole host of features - including a 29mm wide angle Leica DC lens 1 with 5x optical zoom and Intelligent Auto - whilst remaining inherently easy to use.
1 35mm film equivalent: 29-145mm
Intelligent Auto Mode Just Keeps Getting Better
Panasonic incorporated Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. This mode is also further advanced with the inclusion of the AF tracking and Intelligent Exposure feature for the DMC-FS15. Furthermore, digital red-eye correction is also integrated in the Face Detection.
In iA mode the camera does all the work, activating AF tracking, Intelligent Exposure, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector, Mega O.I.S. (optical image stabilizer), and Intelligent ISO Control. This leaves the user free to simply compose the shot and press the shutter button, with the assurance that the image will be clear, beautiful and properly exposed.
With the new AF Tracking function, the user can "lock" the focus onto a moving subject. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the user having to hold the shutter button halfway down. This makes it easier to capture the perfect moment clearly and in sharp focus when shooting images of a child, pet, sports or any scene with moving subjects and spur-of-the-moment action.
Intelligent Exposure suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights to capture images that look natural and true-to-life. It now features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects that the light source is behind the subject.
Face detection accuracy has been increased in the FS15 to now provide continuous adjustment of the focus and exposure even if the face is turned sideways to the camera. Combined with AF Tracking, Face Detection helps users capture special moments, including the fleeting expressions on the faces of active children. Plus, with the FS15, the red-eye effect can be digitally corrected automatically when it occurs due to the use the flash.
Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects whichever of 5 scene modes -- Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, and Night Scenery - best suits the shooting situation. The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before pressing a shutter button.
In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include MEGA O.I.S., which prevents blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which prevents motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. The MEGA O.I.S. conventionally has mode 1 and 2, and now it has AUTO mode to select the suitable one between the modes according to the zoom ratio being used.
The user can activate all of these useful functions by simply pressing an independent iA button on the top of the camera, which is newly equipped for direct activation. All these features make the FS15 the ultimate, super-versatile automatic camera for capturing clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.