Panasonic Lumix FZ150

Description

The new Panasonic LUMIX super-zoom FZ150 digital camera as a top-end model of LUMIX's popular FZ series. The DMC-FZ150 features 1920 x 1080 full HD 60p(NTSC) smooth video recording. The high quality lens unit of 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with powerful 24x Optical Zoom newly features Panasonic's Black Box Nano Surface Coating technology to minimize light reflection that causes ghost and flare. The powerful 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm) can increase its power to 32x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function taking advantage of the Intelligent Resolution technology maintaining the picture quality even using digital zoom. 

The combination of the 12.1-megapixel MOS sensor and the Venus Engine empowers the camera with high performance image recording capability in both sensitivity and speed. It realizes 1,920 x 1,080 60p (NTSC) full-HD video recording in AVCHD and high speed continuous shooting at 12 fps in full resolution. The Lens, the sensor and the engine - all plays a significant part in improvement of image quality especially those shot in low light situations. The Light Speed AF of approx. 0.1 sec never misses a fleeting photo opportunities. To encourage step-up users to enjoy shooting even more, full manual control is available with DMC-FZ150. User can enjoy image shooting expressing their intention not only in photo but also in video, utilizing a host of options including the new Creative Control or Photo Style with a wide variety of preset options. 
The LUMIX's popular iA (Intelligent Auto) powerfully assists in any shooting situations to get the best result. The effective hand-shake correction system POWER O.I.S. now gains Active mode, which helps recording stable video even it is shot while walking. 

In addition, the realistic, less-distorted 3D image produced by DMC-FZ150 with the 3D Photo mode can also be enjoyed on a VIERA 3D HDTV or other MPO-compatible 3D equipment. Videos can be recorded in MP4 format to play it back directly on the PC or other portable electronic devices without a need of conversion. 
Packing a powerful zoom lens, high performance imaging devices, a host of functions and manual control in a compact body, the stunning versatility and expressive performance of DMC-FZ150 even satisfies high amateur photographers with its high quality photo and video.

25mm Ultra Wide-Angle, Powerful 24x Optical Zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens with Nano Surface Coating for Ultra Versatility in Both Photo and Video Recording
The DMC-FZ150 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra wide-angle lens with a 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm). With the newly applied Nano Surface Coating technology, light reflection is dramatically minimized at entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) by applying the extra-low refractive index coating with nano-sized structure on the surface of the lens. It results in the super clear picture with dramatic reduction of ghost and flare. With this Panasonic's black box technology, the image delivered through the lens of DMC-FZ150 has exceptional optical performance with stunning clarity that passes Leica's stringent standards. Comprising 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly compact body while delivering exceptional optical performance suppressing distortion at wide end and color bleeding at tele-end. 

Thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the DMC- FZ150 which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even combining a digital zoom. This means the 24x optical can virtually extend to 32x equivalent. Not only drawing near the subject distant away with its powerful optical zoom, the 25mm ultra wide angle lens captures approx.196% wider angle of view compared with a standard 35mm camera. It is helpful for shooting dynamic landscape or indoor group portrait.

1,920 x 1,080 60p (NTSC) Full-HD Video Recording in the AVCHD Progressive Format
The LUMIX DMC-FZ150 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful full-HD videos. Now the DMC-FZ150 can record high-resolution full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60p (NTSC) / 50p (PAL) videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264)* format. Upgrading the full HD recording capability from interlaced to progressive, subjects with fast motion or fine details are reproduced even more clearly. 
The powerful 24x optical zoom is available in video recording. With DMC-FZ150, there are always two options to record spur-of-the-moment scenes - high-quality photos or videos. The user can simply choose the one that saves precious memories most beautifully. 

The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in video recording. The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent D-range Control also support shooting beautiful video with ease. For more effective countermeasure against blur, the Active Mode is newly equipped with DMC-FZ150 for an option of image stabilization in video recording. In addition to the conventional POWER O.I.S., the Active Mode effectively suppresses blur in video recording especially at wide angle while walking. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality. The Intelligent D-range Control makes images look more natural by preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights to optimize the exposure for each part of an image. It also ensures a beautiful reproduction of gradation and details. 

Incorporating a stereo zoom microphone, the videos also come with the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator, to offer highly realistic sound to the video. Mechanical noise caused by a zooming operation is suppressed to improve the clearness. Also, the Auto Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind automatically making the human voice to stand out. 
It is also possible to take still image while recording video simultaneously (3.5-megapixel). You can also cut out the favorite scene as a still image from the video in the camera. The image is clear thanks to the rich Progressive recording format and the Intelligent Resolution technology. A host of options enhance the usability and fun of recording high quality full-HD video. 
Photos or videos recorded in AVCHD on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on VIERA TV or Blu-ray Disc Player/Recorder to playback your contents. Alternatively, you can use an optional mini HDMI cable to output the AVCHD Progressive video from the DMC-FZ150 directly to the TV for VIERA Link. 
12-Megapixel High Sensibility MOS Sensor Pursuing Even Higher Level in Resolution, Sensitivity and Speed

The 12-megapixel MOS sensor and the Venus Engine excel in image processing in both sensitivity and speed. The combination of these powerful components results in the S/N ratio improvement by 3.9dB (ISO 100) to 4.7dB (ISO1600) compared with the predecessor DMC-FZ100. Newly developed Multi-process Noise Reduction applies optimum noise reduction according to the brightness of the part of the picture. Both high frequency noise that occurs in the dark part and low frequency noise in the light part are suppressed even they happen in a picture. As a result, Images recorded in low-lit situations are now dramatically clear. 
The Venus Engine has quad-circuit system to for processing large amount of progressive full HD data at high speed. Not only 1,920 x 1,080 60p(NTSC) smooth full-HD video recording, but also super fast consecutive shots at 12 fps (without auto focusing) and 5.5 fps(with auto focusing) in full resolution. It is also compatible with recording high speed video at 220 fps in QVGA. At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine, the Venus Engine realizes a super-fast response time. The auto focus gains approx. 50% faster speed compared with the DMC-FZ100 achieving Light Speed AF of approx. 0.1 second. The speed in AF Tracking also becomes faster thanks to the improved tracking performance which doubles its sampling frequency. 

Intuitive Manual Control and Creative Options including 3D Photo Shooting
The full manual control available with the DMC-FZ150 elevates the operability even higher. The side lever is newly added on the left side of lens barrel, which makes it smoother to zoom when concentrating on the shutter operation with the right hand. Focus can also be changed with this lever, which is convenient in video recording. 

You can enjoy creative shooting expressing their intention not only in photo but also in video, utilizing a host of options including the Creative Control and the Photo Style. 
The conventional My Color mode is renewed for Creative Control with a selection of artistic effect modes; Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia, High Dynamic, Miniature Effect, Film Grain and Pin Hole. Now it is possible to adjust exposure compensation in the Creative Control mode. In addition, Photo Style is newly added to the DMC-FZ150 for the expression of finer nuance. It has Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait presets while enabling finer adjustment of contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction by each. It is possible to fully customize those settings to make user's own color effect manually in Custom mode. These two modes Creative Control and Photo Style let users at any level of skill enjoy giving photographers' intention to make photos or videos even more impressive. 

In video recording, the DMC-FZ150 goes further than simply recording HD videos. Apart from the video recording capability of conventional digital compact cameras, the DMC-FZ150 also features a Creative Video mode, which lets the user set the shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive videos. Changing the shutter speed brings special effects to videos, which is especially suitable for shooting fast-moving subject. The ability to control the aperture is convenient when there are several subjects at different distances and it is desired to have each of them stand out. 

For more advanced creative freedom, the DMC-FZ150 is equipped with a hot shoe allowing attachment of various accessories including an optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) or an optional external flash (DMW-FL220 / FL360 / FL500). The DMC-FZ150 is also compatible with an optional remote shutter (DMW-RSL1) for advanced expression in photography. 

The newly added 3D Photo mode* produces a 3D image in the camera. Take 20 panning shots and the camera automatically selects two most suitable images - one for the right eye and one for the left eye - to synthesize a 3D composite. The 3D image can be viewed on VIERA HDTV. The format of 3D image is compatible with MPO which can be played back on other MPO-compatible equipment such as TV, Digital Photo Frame or Printing. 
*The picture size is fixed to 2M (16:9) 

The Evolving iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode Makes Every Photo and Video More Beautiful
Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. In the iA mode, the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments. 
With the DMC-FZ150, the Motion Deblur mode* is incorporated to prevent blur even more powerfully. Plus, the Intelligent Handheld Nightshot mode is newly added. It generates a beautiful night scenery with illumination by multiply layering the images shot consecutively. Bright glamorous night scenery can be recorded without using a tripod. 

The Face Recognition function remembers registered faces to give an appropriate AF/AE on the people while removing the unwanted red-eye. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects whichever of 6 Scene modes - Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset - that best suit the shooting situation. 

Once you enter the iA mode, these functions happen automatically together with other powerful shooting-assist functions - AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent D-range Control - 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. 
*The picture size may be reduced. 

Friendliness with PCs and Other Portable Electronic Devices for Sharing Excitement
For higher compatibility with PC, the DMC-FZ150 is capable of recording video in MP4 format in addition to the AVCHD. It is possible to directly play back the video recorded in MP4 on PC or other portable electronic devices without extra conversion. Resolution can be selected among 1,920 x 1,080 (20Mbps), 1,280 x 720 (10Mbps), 640 x 480 (4Mbps), all at 30p (NTSC). 
The DMC-FZ150 also features a new way of communication LUMIX Image Uploader by sharing photos or videos taken by users. All you have to do is checkmark the photos you want to share and connect the camera to a PC. Uploading starts just by following the guidance. You can add comment and let your friends know the update of your album via e-mail consequently. Facebook can be used for photos and YouTube for videos. Users can join these social networking services without installation of special software. It is easy to share photos and videos on the spot, which means that your friends do not have to wait for you to come back home.