LUMIX Digital Cameras - Super Zoom - DMC-FZ100 - Overview - Panasonic UK & Ireland

Hybrid Super Zoom Camera FZ100 - For both Still and Full-HD Motion Pictures, and High-speed Response

The DMC-FZ100 features a 25mm wide-angle 24x optical zoom f/2.8-5.2 LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens. The 25mm wide-angle lens has about twice the shooting area of the standard 35mm lens. The powerful 24x optical zoom can be used both in still and motion picture recording. The Extra Optical Zoom function uses the center part of the MOS sensor to extend this 24x zoom ratio to powerful 50.6x zoom at a resolution of 3-megapixel or less in still picture recording.

The DMC-FZ100 can record 1,920 x 1,080 full-HD movie of 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL) in AVCHD with high sound quality of Dolby Digital Stereo Creator. In the Creative Movie Mode, the shutter speed and aperture can be adjusted. The iA Mode can also be activated in motion picture recording. In addition, the DMC-FZ100 can record high-speed movie at 220fps in QVGA size. When the DMC-FZ100 is connected to a Panasonic VIERA via an optional mini HDMI cable, the TV's remote control unit can be used to enjoy playback with greater convenience.

To realize the full-HD movie recording, the 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor has been developed for the DMC-FZ100. It enables the DMC-FZ100 to shoot 11 fps / 5 fps with continuous AF in 14-megapixel full resolution, and 60 fps in approx. 3.5-megapixel resolution. The frame rate, AF setting and the recording resolution can be easily selected with a dedicated button on the top of the camera. The Venus Engine FHD, featuring Intelligent Resolution technology and 32x Intelligent Zoom, is also incorporated in the DMC-FZ100.

The iA Mode is advanced with the Motion Deblur Mode by updating the Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Exposure to gain shutter speed. Combined with the POWER O.I.S., the DMC-FZ100 prevents any kind of blur. With the POWER O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control, Face Detection AF/AE, Face Recognition, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent Exposure and AF Tracking, the camera does all the work in the iA Mode. The Happy Mode optimizes colour saturation and brightness for vividly memorable scenes.

The excellent manual controllability is the advantage of DMC-FZ100. The jog dial enhances ease of use together with the focus switch relocated on the lens barrel. In addition, easy manual operation is possible with the DMC-FZ100. My Colour Mode and Film Mode make it easy to customize colour effects to suit your mood. The Advanced Scene Mode lets you quickly set the frequently used Scene Modes with the mode dial. The DMC-FZ100 also features a 3.0-inch free-angle LCD with 460,000-dot high resolution.

via panasonic.co.uk

My next goal is to get one of these - or equivalent by the time I get the money - or work the trade or whatever (-: