NewsJanuary 2011

Previous news story    Next news story

Panasonic introduces Lumix DMC-FH5 and DMC-FH2

Pre-CES 2011: Panasonic has introduced the Lumix DMC-FH5 and DMC-FH2 digital compacts. Featuring Leica 4x zoom lenses starting at 28mm and 2.7" LCD, the 16Mp and 14Mp cameras come with a similar feature set to the company's other announcements today, with 720p HD recording, image stabilization and AF tracking. They will be available at suggested retail prices of $169 and $149 respectively in black, pink, red and blue.

Jump to:

• Press Release
• Specifications
• Additional image

Press Release:

PANASONIC ADDS FEATURE-PACKED, SUPER-SLIM LUMIX DIGITAL CAMERAS WITH HD RECORDING CAPABILITIES

New Panasonic LUMIX FH5 and LUMIX FH2 Include Advanced, Easy-To-Use Features Including Intelligent Auto Mode to Create Beautiful, High-Quality Photos and Videos

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 5, 2011) – Panasonic today introduces two slim and stylish digital cameras to its highly-successful LUMIX FH-Series. The ultra-compact 16.1 megapixel LUMIX DMC-FH5 and 14.1 megapixel LUMIX DMC-FH2 both feature newly-developed retractable, high-quality 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC lenses with a 4x optical zoom. With the new retractable lens, the LUMIX FH5 and LUMIX FH2 have approximately 20% slimmer profiles than their predecessors, while still maintaining exceptional performance. Both models also record 1280 x 720p High Definition (HD) video.

“The new additions to the popular LUMIX FH-Series provide the same advanced features that consumers have come to expect from the LUMIX brand, such as Intelligent Auto mode and Intelligent Zoom, but now offer even greater speed and accuracy,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Panasonic continues to pack a variety of valuable features into slim camera bodies making shooting easier, convenient and fun.”

The newly-incorporated Venus Engine VI in the LUMIX FH5 and LUMIX FH2 elevates resolution performance, zooming capabilities, start-up speed and auto focusing. The Intelligent Resolution technology realizes optimum signal processing to give the entire image outstanding natural clarity. Taking advantage of the powerful Intelligent Resolution, the 4x optical zoom* power is increased to 5x with the Intelligent Zoom function, while still preserving photo quality.

Panasonic’s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, a suite of technologies that engage automatically, with no setting changes needed, makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos. The LUMIX FH5 and LUMIX FH2 feature two new iA functions – AF (Auto Focus) Tracking and Intelligent Exposure. AF Tracking locks onto any subject and keeps it in focus. Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights, while helping to ensure that gradation and details are reproduced flawlessly. Other features of Panasonic iA mode include:
 

• MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) – Helps reduce blurry photos due to hand-shake
• Intelligent ISO Control – Reduces blur when the subject is moving
• Face Detection – Helps to ensure registered faces are captured in focus with appropriate exposure, and also digitally corrects unwanted red eyes
• Intelligent Scene Selector – Selects the best option from Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset by detecting the environment

Users can also enjoy instant photo and video sharing with LUMIX Image Uploader. Simply check the photos/videos you want to share and connect the camera to a PC. Uploading starts just by following the easy on-screen guide.

Other features include:

• Intelligent LCD – The LCD detects the lighting conditions and controls the brightness level in 11 fine steps, to display the most appropriate setting
• Scene Modes – A total of 28 modes, such as Baby, Pet and Sports, and users can also record the name/birthday of a child or pet and embed the information in the photo
• Built-in memory – Has increased to 70MB

Pricing and availability for the Panasonic LUMIX FH5 and LUMIX FH2 will be announced 30 days prior to shipping date. Encased in a metallic, noble hairline finish, the LUMIX FH5 will be available in silver, black, violet and gold models and the LUMIX FH2 in black, pink, red and blue. For more on these Panasonic LUMIX models, please visit www.panasonic.com/CES.

* 35mm camera equivalent: 28-112mm

Panasonic DMC-FH5 and DMC-FH5 specifications

	DMC-FH5	DMC-FH2
Sensor	• 1/2.33" Type CCD • 16.6 million total pixels • 16.1 million effective pixels • Primary colour filter (RGB)	• 1/2.33" Type CCD • 14.5 million total pixels • 14.1 million effective pixels • Primary colour filter (RGB)
Image sizes	4:3 Aspect Ratio: • 4608 x 3456 (16M) • 3648 x 2736 (10M) • 2560 x 1920 (5M) • 2048 x 1536 (3M) • 640 x 480 (0.3M) 3:2 Aspect Ratio • 4608 x 3072 (14M) 16:9 Aspect Ratio: • 4608 x 2592 (12M)	4:3 Aspect Ratio: • 4320 x 3240 (14M) • 3648 x 2736 (10M) • 2560 x 1920 (5M) • 2048 x 1536 (3M) • 640 x 480 (0.3M) 3:2 Aspect Ratio • 4320 x 2880 (12.5M) 16:9 Aspect Ratio: • 4320 x 2432 (10.5M)
Movie clips	• HD Movie: 1280 x 720 pixels, 30fps (Motion JPEG) • 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels 30 fps • 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 848 x 480 pixels 30 fps
File formats	• JPEG( Exif 2.3) • QuickTime Motion JPEG
Lens	• 4x Optical zoom • 28 - 112mm (35mm equiv.) • f = 5-20mm • F3.1- 6.5 • LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR • 6 elements in 5 groups (3 Aspherical surfaces)
Image stabilization	MEGA O.I.S. Lens-shift stabilization
Digital zoom	Yes, up to 4x
Focus	• Normal • Macro • Zoom Macro • Quick AF (Always On) • AF Tracking
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	• Normal: Wide 50 cm - infinity / Tele 100 cm - infinity • Macro / Intelligent AUTO / Motion Picture : Wide 5 cm - infinity / Tele 100cm - infinity
Metering	Intelligent Multiple
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • 100 • 200 • 400 • 800 • 1600 • High Sensitivity Mode : Auto (1600 - 6400)
Exposure compensation	± 2EV, 1/3EV steps
Shutter speed	• 8-1/1600 sec • Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60sec.
Aperture	F3.1 - 6.5 / 2-Step (F3.1 - 9.0 (W) / F6.5 - 20 (T))
Modes	• Intelligent AUTO • Normal Picture • Motion Picture • SCN • My SCN
Scene modes	Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, 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, Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic(Standard, Art, B&W), Photo Frame
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Shade • Incandescent • White Set
Self timer	2, 10 sec
Flash	• Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off • 0.4 - 3.3m (Wide/I.ISO), 1.0 - 1.6m (Tele/I.ISO)
LCD monitor	• 2.7" TFT LCD Display • 230K pixels • Power LCD mode, AUTO Power LCD mode, High Angle mode
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Full speed • AV Output (NTSC/PAL) • DC Input
Storage	• Approximately 70 MB built-in memory • SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
Power	• ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack • Charger included
Weight (no batt)	104g
Weight (with batt and card)	121g
Dimensions	94.3 x 53.5 x 18.8 (3.7 x 2.1 x 0.7 in)

Additional images

DMC-FH5	DMC-FH2