Panasonic adds DMC-LZ30 35x budget superzoom to lineup

Panasonic has introduced the DMC-LZ30, a 35x superzoom offering a 25-875mm equivalent zoom range, based around a 16MP sensor. The LZ30 features a large, 3.0", 460k dot LCD and uses a CCD sensor, restricting it to 720p HD video output. In common with most of the cameras being launched at CES, it features a resolution-boosting extra zoom mode, HDR, panorama function and a choice of pre- and post-shot creative effects.

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Press Release:

Panasonic announces the LUMIX DMC-LZ30

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30

A Powerful 35x Optical Zoom Compact Camera Featuring iA(Intelligent Auto) mode and 720p HD Video Recording

Panasonic unveils a digital compact camera, the LUMIX DMC-LZ30 with powerful 35x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-875 mm) lens with Optical Image Stabilizer. The 16.1-megapixel high resolution CCD and high performance image processing LSI powerfully supports shooting high quality photo and video.
The iA (Intelligent Auto) mode lets users leave everything to the camera to take beautiful images with its Optical Image Stabilizer, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Once you enter the iA mode, these multi-capable functions occur automatically, so that you can shoot without adjusting settings should conditions change.
DMC-LZ30 is also capable of recording HD video in 720p. The popular Creative Control and Creative Retouch are newly available with a total of 10 (Creative Control) / 11 (Creative Retouch) attracting filter effects. Panorama Shot and HDR(High Dynamic Range) are also incorporated in DMC-LZ30. The 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot LCD assures high visibility in any lighting circumstances, which is excellent for both shooting and playing back images. Its ergonomic design offers stable, comfortable grip even after holding a camera an extended time.

1. Highly Versatile 25 mm Wide Angle Powerful 35x Optical Zoom Lens in a Compact Body
The DMC-LZ30 features 25 mm wide angle lens with a 35x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-875 mm). Comprising of 14 elements in 10 groups including 3 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens and 1 dual-sided aspherical lens, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly compact body. The Extra Optical Zoom function that extends zoom power to 78.8x (at 3-megapixel resolution) by using the center part of the 16.1-megapixel high resolution CCD to bring subjects even closer. Not only drawing near the subject distant away with its powerful optical zoom, the 25 mm ultra wide angle lens captures wider angle of view compared with a standard 35mm camera. It is helpful for shooting dynamic landscape or indoor group portrait. The blurring of an image due to hand shake occurs often when using a high zoom, however, the Optical Image Stabilizer minimizes it without causing deterioration of image quality. Linking smoothly with the 16.1-megapixel high resolution CCD sensor, the image processor reproduces high quality image even in high sensitivity recording at ISO 1600 and max. ISO 6400 with High Sensitivity mode.

2. iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode and Manual Exposure
Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of missed shots. The mode is a comprehensive integration of Optical Image Stabilizer, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure - the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots, aim and shoot the subject. The Face Detection sets appropriate AF/AE on the face of people while removing the unwanted red-eye. The Intelligent Exposure corrects the brightness in parts of the image that are too dark due to insufficient lighting, backlighting or use of the flash. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects the 6 Scene modes - Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset - that yields the best shooting situation. While offering a convenient shooting-assist function such as iA, DMC-LZ30 is equipped with P / M mode for users that are more advanced to enjoy more creative photography.

3. High Quality 720P Video Recording and Instant Image Sharing with Family and Friends
The DMC-LZ30 records dynamic HD video in 1280 x 720p in Motion JPEG. Recording motion image can be started with a press of an independent motion picture button on the top of the camera, which is extremely convenient for users to switch photo/video shooting instantly. Zooming is also available to draw subjects far away. Users can also sort and archive the images via a bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO Ver. 9.0 LE and upload them to the social networking services like Facebook™ or YouTube™.

• Use a media card with SD Speed Class* with "Class 6" or higher when recording motion pictures.
* SD speed class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.
* Motion pictures can be recorded continuously up to 2 GB. The maximum available recording time for up to 2 GB only is displayed on the screen.

4. Other Features to Enhance the Performance of Cameras
The DMC-LZ30 newly integrates popular Creative Control and Creative Retouch. The Creative Control lets users shoot with a filter effect (Expressive, Retro, Low Key, High Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process and One Point Color) while checking how it makes difference on the picture, which can be used for video recording, too*. The Creative Retouch enables applying a filter effect (Retro, Low Key, High Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Star Filter and One Point Color) on the picture after shooting in camera.
The Panorama Shot makes it possible to shoot a horizontal / vertical panoramic image with consequent shots taken by overlaying the previous picture. With the new HDR(High Dynamic Range) mode, several photos are consecutively shot at different exposure level to make a single composite picture without whiteout (over-exposure) or blackout (under-exposure) even in difficult lighting conditions.

* Impressive Art cannot be used for video recording.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 specifications

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Comments

Total comments: 8

By tbaker (9 months ago)

The lack of a f2.8(or better yet f2.5) like the FZ200 is a bit disappointing. The bigger disappointment is the Leica glass and that something special they put in the FZ to make it an excellent camera.

1 upvote

By Francis Carver (9 months ago)

Wow, a Motion-JPEG codec camera that can only record ancient type 720-line pseudo-HD video -- in the year 2013? Wow, Panasonic is funny, at the same CES show in Las Vegas they are showing a 4K resolution tablet and then this sub-HD video resolution camera.

And where did the "lose" the viewfinder for this thing, anyhow? BTW, video need to top out at 720p just because the imager is a CCD. In fact, Panasonic still carries their top 2/3-inch sensor video camcorder (Model 3700) that has a CCD sensor and yet can do 1080-lines.

1 upvote

By Pat Cullinan Jr (9 months ago)

@peevee1
>Shooting at this focal without a viewfinder must be interesting. :)

Bingo!

I guess they'll be telling us to use a tripod.

1 upvote

By mpgxsvcd (9 months ago)

Is this a camera or a microscope/telescope? Who actually needs an 800mm equivalent camera? My HUGE telescope barely has that focal length.

1 upvote

By steve_hoge (9 months ago)

AA batteries? And not taking advantage of FZ-200 f2 lens architecture? Wouldn't hold out much hope for RAW support on this either. Hope Panasonic has a real FZ-series announcement for CES.

2 upvotes

By AmateurSnaps (9 months ago)

Guess the FZ is reserved for their high end bridge cameras and the LZ is for their budget offerings. To be honest I'm not certain what thus has to offer over any number of alternatives? Price might be interesting?

Comment edited 17 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

By jaykumarr (9 months ago)

Why is this not a FZ-xx camera, but LZ camera?

0 upvotes

By peevee1 (9 months ago)

No viewfinder, and generally cheaper specs I guess. A camera which should not be. Shooting at this focal without a viewfinder must be interesting. :)

0 upvotes

Total comments: 8