The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ3, incorporates a 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 35mm to 420mm on a 35mm film camera) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens that produces high resolution and low aberration images. with a fast aperture of f/2.8 through the full range of the zoom. The Use of 3 aspherical lenses, allows for a conspicuous downsizing even with the 12x optical zoom when compared to other similar lenses. The DMC-FZ3 offers expanded photographic possibilities by providing manual exposure in addition to aperture-priority AE and shutter-priority AE, and choices of 4 AF modes including 9-point AF. On the other hand, it also offers simple mode with backlight compensation for the entry-level users.
MEGA O.I.S., which is indispensable for a high-magnification Lens, is available with 2 selectable modes. In "Mode 1", the O.I.S. lens continuously compensates the vibration, and in "Mode 2", the O.I.S. lens suppresses hand-shake only at the moment the shutter button is pressed. In this mode, the lens can move in all directions at the moment to maximize its effect, and higher-resolution image can be taken by capturing the image as close as to the center of the lens.
The most remarkable advancement is the complete improvement of the image processing LSI, the newly developed Venus Engine II results in the improvement of the horizontal and vertical resolution by more than 10% compared to the former Venus Engine. In addition, the amount of the noise reduction is controllable according to the brightness level of each subject in the image, which reduces the noise in the dark areas without affecting the resolution in bright areas of the image.
Thanks to the further improved multi-task image processing, response has also been accelerated, resulting in the industry-leading release time lag of approx. 0.008 seconds minimum and a shutter interval of approx. 0.3 seconds, for achieving more stress-free operation. It also boasts high consecutive shooting performance (4 frames/second at full resolution). Also, the Infinite Consecutive Shooting function allows limit-free consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the SD memory card.
Features:
12x Optical Zoom
The DMC-FZ3 has a 12x optical lens system that is equivalent to 36mm to 432mm in a 35mm film camera. It comprises 13 lenses in eight groups, including three aspherical lenses and boasts f/2.8 brightness across the entire zoom range. Plus, the DMC-FZ3 also provides 4x digital zooming--combine that with the 12x optical zoom to get up to 48x zoom power for ultra-long-distance telephoto shots.
MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer Helps Eliminate Blurry Pictures
Jitter from shaky hands is one of the main reasons why cameras produce blurry images. That's why Lumix cameras help solve the problem of unsteady hands with advanced MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer technology. The DMC-FZ3 has a built-in gyrosensor that detects any hand movement and relays a signal to a tiny microcomputer inside the camera, which instantly calculates the compensation needed. A linear motor then shifts the Optical Image Stabilizer lens as necessary to guide incoming light from the image straight to the CCD. You won't even notice it working--all you'll see are the outstanding results!
Quality Leica Lens
The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens on the DMC-FZ3 follows in the Leica tradition of excellence. Although it is small in size, it has a large, bright aperture, meeting Leica's stringent quality standards. A Leica multi-coating process applied to the lens helps to prevent the fogging caused by flare, and ghosts that can result from excessive light. Even enlarged images captured by the DMC-FZ3 are crisp and clear--right to the edges.
Venus Engine II LSI
Thanks to the high-performance Venus Engine II LSI, shutter release time lag is reduced to approximately 0.008 seconds and the shutter interval to only around 0.3 seconds. This gives the DMC-FZ3 a super-fast response that lets you snap off consecutive shots at 3 frames per second with full resolution. And the Unlimited Consecutive Shooting function allows unlimited consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the SD Memory Card in the camera--ideal for capturing fast-moving objects in high resolution.
Take Control of Your Camera with Manual Functions
The Manual Exposure Mode allows you to select the aperture and shutter speed of your choice. You can even see how much your setting differs from the setting the camera considers optimal with the Manual Exposure Assist function.
Intelligent Multiple Metering Mode
Provides incredible exposures by helping to improve brightness, color temperature and focus information. It also helps to determine the best exposure setting in difficult shooting situations - such as when there is intrusive backlighting.
Motion Image Recording with Audio
Using the QuickTime Motion JPEG format, the Lumix DMC-FZ3 can record moving images with audio at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. The maximum time for each recorded segment varies depending on the camera model and SD card capacity.
Photo Editing Software
The photo editing software included with the Lumix DMC-FZ10 camera lets you turn your home computer into a virtual photo studio:
Features & Specifications:
Total Megapixel: 3.34
Effective Pixels: 3.1 Megapixels
CCD (Image Sensor): 1/3.2"
Image Processor: Venus Engine II LSI
Recording Image Size: (Pixels )
2016 x 1512
1600 x 1200
1280 x 960
640 x 480
1920 x 1080
Motion Image: 320 x 240
Motion Image: 30 or 10 fps (320 x 240 pixels)**
Lens:
Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens: 13 Elements in 8 Groups
Optical Image Stabilizer: MEGA O.I.S. (Mode 1 / Mode 2 )
Optical Zoom: 12x
Digital Zoom: 4x
Combined Total Zoom: 48x
F Stop: F2.8 (wide to telephoto)
Aperture: F2.8 - F8
Focal Length: f=4.6-55.2mm (35mm equiv: 35-420mm)
Normal Focusing Area:
Wide: 0.98 feet / Tele: 3.94 feet-Infinity
Macro, A/S/M mode Focusing Area:
Wide: 0.16 feet;Tele: 3.94 feet-Infinity
Focus Modes:
Auto Focus System
Normal/Macro (Dial)
Continuous AF On/Off
AF Trigger (Shutter/Focus Button)
ISO Sensitivity: Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400
White Balance:
Auto/Daylight/Cloudy/Halogen/ Flash/White Set
White Balance Adjustment
(except for Auto WB)
Exposure:
Program AE (Program Shift (P mode))
Aperture Priority AE
Shutter Priority AE, Manual
Exposure Compensation: 1/3 EV Step, +/- 2 EV
Auto Bracketing (AE): +1/3EV-1EV Step, 3 Frames
Light Metering: Intelligent Multiple / Center-weighted / Spot
Scene Modes:
Modes Dial: P(Program) Mode, A(Aperture Priority) Mode, S(Shutter Priority) Mode, M(Manual) Mode, Macro SCN1, SCN2: Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Night Landscape, Panning, Night Portraight, Fireworks, Party, Snow, Moving Image, Playback
Shutter Speed: 8 - 1/2,000 sec.
Self Timer: 10 seconds / 2 seconds
Picture Adjustment: Natural, Standard, Vivid
Color Effect Mode: Cool, Warm, Black & White, Sepia
Image Quality: TIFF/Fine/Standard
Mega Burst Shooting Mode: (Full-resolution image)
Standard Mode: Up to 13 images at 4 or 2 frames/sec.
Fine Mode: Up to 7 images
Still Image Recording with Audio: 5 seconds
Audio Dubbing: Maximum of 10 Seconds
Built-in Flash Mode:
Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction,
Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction
Forced On/Off
Flash Output Adjustment (1/3EV step, -2 +2EV)
0.98 ? 15.10 feet (ISO Auto)
Viewing:
1.5" diagonal Polycrystalline TFT LCD Display (114k pixels)
Field of view: approx. 100%
Viewfinder: 0.33" diagonal Color EVF (114k pixels)
Recording Media: SD Memory Card / Multimedia Card
Microphone: Built-in
Speaker: Built-in
Interface: DC Input, A/V Output (NTSC/PAL), USB
Power Supply:
Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 680 mAh) Included
Battery Charger/AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) Included
Battery Life:
Up to 260 pictures (CIPA Standard)
Up to 280 pictures with EVF
Auto Review: 1 sec/3 sec/zoom
Review: 1x/4x/8x
Included ArcSoft Software:
ArcSoft PhotoImpression
ArcSoft Panorama Maker
ArcSoft PhotoBase
Other Included Software:
SD Viewer for DSC
USB Driver
OSD Language: English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, German, Italian, French
Dimensions: (H x W x D) 2.69'' x 4.25'' x 3.34''
Weight: .64 lbs.
Other Features:
Color: Silver
Exposure Button
AF Metering
AF Assist Lamp
Composition Guide Lines
Flip Animation
Unlimited Consecutive Shooting
Playback Mode: 9-Thumbnail Display
Zoomed Playback (16x max)
Slide Show
Resizing
Trimming, Protection
Real-time Histograms
DPOF Setting
Direct Print: PictBridge
Backlight Compensation