Panasonic Malaysia’s managing director Hiroshi Nakamura said the new models come with more advanced features and innovative technologies along with the well-known features from Panasonic.

Among the advanced features for the Lumix range are the enhanced Intelligent Auto technology and 25-millimetre wide-angle lens.

On the camcorder side, new features include face detection, Intelligent Index System, Digital Cinema mode and Quick Start for the Secure Digital (SD) card models.

There is also increased hard disk capacity, enhanced optical zoom and advanced optical image stabiliser.

Nakamura pointed out that the new Lumix models meet the current demand for higher resolution, better picture quality, improved features yet being more user-friendly while the new camcorder models meet the demand for full high-definition (HD) capabilities.

“With the SD camcorder models, our camcorders are now smaller and more lightweight,” he said.

The six new Lumix models ranging from entry level to mid-range are the DMC-LS80, DMC-TZ15, DMC-FX36, DMC-FS3, DMC-FS5 and DMC-FS20. The last three options are part of the new FS series, which is a sister line of the FX series and offers entry-level digital cameras that are also stylish.

The new models can capture HD (1,920 by 1,080 pixels) photos, which users can view on wide-screen HDTVs such as the Panasonic Viera by just inserting the SD card into the TV’s memory card slot.

All new models, except the LS series, also include a wide-angle lens ranging from 25mm to 33mm, the new Venus Engine IV image processing and more advanced signal processing technology.

The Venus Engine IV has a faster response time, shorter shutter release and is more energy-efficient. The new engine also enables Burst Shooting and High Speed Burst modes as well as High Sensitivity mode, which allows recording at up to ISO 6400.

Except for the DMC-LS80, the new Lumix models come with Intelligent Auto technology, which now includes shake detection, motion detection, face detection and scene detection.

The DMC-FX36 and DMC-TZ15 also include light detection, which automatically controls exposure, and digital red-eye correction. The latter even comes with an intelligent liquid crystal display function, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the three-inch LCD to offer the most appropriate display.

The 9.1-megapixel DMC-TZ15, which features a 28mm wide-angle and 10X optical zoom Leica DC lens and 59 megabytes (MB) of built-in memory, is priced at RM1,399 while the

10.1-megapixel DMC-FX36, which comes with a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens and 4X optical zoom and 2.5-inch LCD, goes for RM1,299.

Looking at the FS series, the DMC-FS3 is an 8.1-megapixel camera with 3X optical zoom and features a 2.5-inch LCD and 50MB built-in memory. It is priced at RM799.

Both the DMC-FS5 and DMC-FS20 offer 10.1 megapixels with a 30mm wide-angle lens, 4X optical zoom and 50MB built-in memory. The former comes with a 2.5-inch LCD and is priced at RM1,099 while the latter comes with a three-inch LCD and retails at RM1,199.

Then there is the DMC-LS80, which operates on AA batteries and comes with an optical image stabiliser, intelligent ISO control, Auto Macro mode and a Quick AF system. There is also High Sensitivity mode, which offers recording at up to ISO 6400, but the model uses the Venus Engine III.

In addition, the eight-megapixel DMC-LS80 comes with the Lumix DC Vario lens system, 3X optical zoom and has 24MB built-in memory. The DMC-LS80 is priced at RM549.

As for camcorders, Panasonic has introduced nine new models, including the world’s smallest and lightest 3CCD full HD HDC-SD9, the full HD HDC-HS9, the ultra-compact SDR-S7, and the waterproof, shockproof and dustproof SDR-SW20.

The other options are the SDR-H280, SDR-H60, SDR-H40, VDR-D50 and NV-GS330.
Highlight features include advanced optical image stabiliser, face detection, intelligent contrast control and Quick Start.

The HDC-SD9 records on both SD and SD High Capacity memory cards while the HDC-HS9 is a hybrid model that comes with a built-in 60-gigabyte (GB) hard disk and also records on both SD or SDHC memory cards.

Both models come with a Leica Dicomar lens and 3CCD camera system with full HD (1,920 by 1,080 pixels) progressive recording at 25 frames per second.

The HDC-SD9 is priced at RM2,799 while the HDC-HS9 goes for RM3,399.

The SDR-S7 and SDR-SW20 also record on both SD and SDHC memory cards. The latter is waterproof up to 1.5 metres and can withstand drops from up to 1.2m.

The SDR-S7 is priced at RM999 while the SDR-SW20 retails at RM1,599.

Next, the SDR-H280, SDR-H40 and SDR-H60 feature 20GB, 40GB and 60GB built-in hard disk drives respectively, and can also record on SD memory cards. The VDR-D50 records onto DVD discs while the NV-GS330 records onto mini DV tapes.

The SDR-H60 comes with 50X optical zoom while the SDR-H40, VDR-D50 and NV-GS330 offer 42X optical zoom.

The SDR-H280 and NV-GS330 also feature a 3CCD professional camera system and Leica Dicomar lens.

The SDR-H280 is priced at RM2,399, SDR-H40 at RM1,699, SDR-H60 at RM1,999, VDR-D50 at RM1,499 and NV-GS330 at RM1,999.

Panasonic also launched a 32GB SDHC memory card with Class 6 speed and a long-life alkaline battery, Evolta. The 32GB SDHC memory card is expected to be available in the first half of the year while the battery will be available in June at RM6.90 for two pieces.