Pre-CES 2010: Next up from Panasonic are three slimline Lumix compacts, in the shape of the 12MP FP1, and the 14MP FP2 and FP3. All three models feature a 4X non-extending image-stabilized zoom lens (35-140mm equivalent range) and the Venus Engine IV processor; the FP1 and FP2 use 2.7" LCDs, whereas the FP3 uses a 3" touch-screen with Touch AF and metering area selection. The cameras all come in a generous range of pretty colors - 8 for the FP1 and FP2, and no fewer than 12 for the FP3.

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Press Release:

Ultra-Flat, Lean Design Stylish Digital Camera
With 4x Optical Zoom Lens*1 and iA(Intelligent Auto) Mode

14.1-Megapixel LUMIX DMC-FP3/FP2 and 12.1-Megapixel DMC-FP1

January 6, 2010: Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new ultra slim design digital camera 14.1-megapixel DMC-FP3/FP2 and 12.1-megapixel DMC-FP1 of newly developed ultra thin 4x optical zoom (equivalent to 35mm to 140mm on a 35mm camera) lens with folded optics. Newly adopted lens cover is not only for the lens protection but also to serve as a power switch of the camera. Actions of taking the camera out and turning the power of it on can be seamless and astonishingly quick. The cover for FP3 has a noble hairline finish on the surface of the cover to add an exquisite accent.

Panasonic's world-acclaimed iA (intelligent auto) mode makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos by various shooting-assist functions. It comprehends MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) for hand-shake, Intelligent ISO Control for subject movement, Face detection and Intelligent Scene Selector. The dedicated iA button on the top of the camera lets you enter the iA mode directly. Once you enter iA mode, these multi-capable functions happen automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. You can enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.

What is newly featured in the FP3/FP2/FP1 is HD(high definition) movie recording capability in 720p motion jpeg. Not only viewing the movie on PC but also burning the movie and photos made into a slideshow of MPEG2 file on a DVD disc to enjoy watching it on TV via the bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0.

The DMC-FP3 incorporates a 3-inch, while the DMC-FP2/FP1 a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot LCD with Intelligent LCD function, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD in 11 fine steps, to offer a display with the most appropriate clarity in any situation. The 3.0-inch Intelligent LCD for FP3 features a touch-screen that boasts an intuitive hybrid operation combined with the buttons. Other various upgrades make FP3/FP2/FP1 enhance fun of taking pictures.

Built of high-quality aluminum, the DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1 bring an especially wide color variation to the series to choose from, with silver, black, red, navy, gray, orange, violet, blue, light pink, pink and green for FP3, silver, black, red, gray, orange, blue, light pink and green for FP2, and silver, black, red, gray, orange, blue, pink and green for FP1. Uncompromising beauty lies in both appearance and recording photo of the DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1.*2

4x Optical Zoom (35-140mm*1)  Lens with Folded Optics to Fit in a Flat, Futuristic Design and 14.1-Megapixel(FP3/FP2) / 12.1-Megapixel(FP1) High Resolution CCD
The DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1 features a high-quality 4x optical zoom Lumix DC Lens(35-140mm*1). The folded optics of the shaft guide method is adopted to secure the toughness of the lens unit. Comprising 11 elements and a prism unit in 10 groups, including an ED lens and 4 aspherical lenses with 7 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit renders high resolution image corner to corner even adopting the folded optics. 

Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 8.4x (294mm*1) for FP3/FP2 and 7.8x (273mm*1) by using the center part of the high resolution CCD.

The image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features advanced signal processing technology for rendering high quality images. Featured in the DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine IV supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.006 (FP3/FP2) / 0.007 (FP1) second.  The camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the sonic speed AF(auto focus) that lets you lock on the subject minimum 0.33 second*3 and the short start-up time of approx. 0.96 second.

The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.*4

The iA(Intelligent Auto) mode for making every photographer to be a good photographer
Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. This mode is of course comes with the new FP3/FP2/FP1. The MEGA O.I.S. suppress hand-shake and the Intelligent ISO control prevents moving subject to be blurred by optimizing the shutter speed and ISO setting, to render sharp, clear images whatever the shooting situation is. Human faces are captured in focus and appropriate exposure with the Face Detection.

Unwanted red-eyes are digitally corrected and backlight compensation automatically activates if they happens. Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects whichever of 6 scene modes -- Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and newly added Sunset - that best suits the shooting situation. The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before without pressing a shutter button halfway, to get the best result out of a shutter chance because the focus is always near the subject and the AF time is minimized.

The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by simply pressing an dedicated iA button on the top of the camera. All these make the FP3/FP2/FP1 the ultimate, super-versatile automatic camera for capturing clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.

Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era
All Lumix cameras can take 16:9 HD (high-definition) quality photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen  HDTV for full-screen viewing. You can enjoy slideshow of photos taken with the camera in stunning HD quality by inserting an SDHD/SD memory card in to the SDHC/SD card slot with the VIErA HDTV (VIErA Image Viewer).

The new DMC- FP3/FP2/FP1 even records dynamic HD movie in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480). It is also possible not only to watch the movie on PC but also to upload it on YouTube with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO ver.5.0. 

･Use a card with SD Speed Class*5 with “Class 6” or higher when recording motion pictures.
･For Europe, motion images can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes.

Advanced 3.0-inch Touch-Screen(FP3) / 2.7-inch (FP2/FP1) Large Intelligent LCD for Easy Shooting and Playback
The DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1 incorporates an easy-to-see, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD for comfortable viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back the results. The Intelligent LCD function detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by Max. 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and adjusts the frame rate when shooting in low-lit situations in addition to using the pixel mixed readout method to secure clarity in such situations. Detecting the lighting condition precisely and automatically controlling the brightness with a total of 11 fine steps, this function gives the display the most appropriate clarity in any situation without using extra energy. The High-angle mode makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as when shooting over a crowd.

The newly adopted static sensor type 3.0-inch touch screen LCD on FP3 gives users an easy, intuitive control thanks to a hybrid operation combined with the four major operation buttons. Touch operation is free and smooth either in recording and playing back images. In recording mode, once you compose the flame, all you have to do is touch the area you wish to focus before pressing the shutter button halfway. In playback mode, you can drag the image across the screen with a finger to browse the collection of photos as you flip over the pages of the book.

Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography
The new DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1 feature a variety of functionalities to expand fun and convenience for users at every stage to enjoy taking beautiful pictures.

A rich variety of scene modes make it easy to get beautiful photos in a range of photographic situations. Baby, Pet and Sports mode take advantage of the Intelligent ISO Control as previously described, to let you get great results even if the subjects have unexpected motion. Furthermore, you can record the name and birthday of your children or pet and embed the information of the name and at which age in year and month the photo was taken on the photo, and choose to print either or both of them on the photo. Photo Frame mode lets the user put attractive borders around the photo. When printed, the photos look like postcards in picture frames, making them ideal postcards.

The functions and settings used most often, such as O.I.S., consecutive shooting, auto focus point, white balance adjustment, ISO level, image size and LCD mode are quickly and easily accessed via the Quick Setting function. There's no need to open menus to adjust them.

The user can select from among several pretty icons for the camera to use for indicating when the subject is in focus. With the My Scene setting, the user can assign up to specific Scene modes to that setting, and switch instantly to the mode when desired.

Using the Macro Zoom function, the user can pull subjects even closer than the closest point possible with the wide-angle setting by using 3x digital zoom, and capture dramatic close-ups.

In addition to the conventional SD/SDHC memory card, the DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1 accepts next-generation SD format SDXC, that features high potential in both capacity and data transfer speed. The DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1 is compatible with Windows 7.

*135mm camera equivalent.
*2Availability of models and colors may vary depending on the sales area.
*3At wide-end, using 1-area AF.
*4In 3-megapixel(4:3), 2.5-megapixel(3:2), 2-megapixel(16:9) recording
*5SD speed class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.

Panasonic DMC-FP3/FP2/FP1 specifications

Additional images