Panasonic Lumix cameras go from strength to strength with technological advancements designed to offer the ultimate in picture performance and convenience. Successor to the highly regarded DMC-ZX1, Panasonic’s new DMC-ZX3 is the latest addition to the award winning Lumix range of cameras. Offering style and compactness whilst also boasting a powerful 8x optical zoom, and newly added AVCHD Lite movie recording function – the new hybrid addition is perfect for day trips, business and leisure.
Ultra Compact Zoom
Streets ahead of its competitors, the new ZX3 offers unparalleled features – incorporating an impressively powerful 8x optical zoom into a slim and compact body. Featuring such a powerful 25-200mm high performance lens in a diminutive sized body is made possible by the lens unit comprising of 0.3mm super thin aspherical lens and 0.3mm spherical lens. Highly technically specified, yet astonishingly slim and compact – the ZX3 is a photographers dream.
The DMC-ZX3 features a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens and powerful 8x optical zoom (equivalent to 25-200mm on a 35mm camera) together with a 14.1-megapixel high resolution CCD into a compact body. The lens unit is comprised of 9 elements in 7 groups, including 4 aspherical lenses with 6 spherical surfaces.
Intelligent Resolution Technology Assures High Picture Quality for Both Photo & Movie
The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD has been re-engineered to compile the new image processing technology “Intelligent Resolution”. It enables the recording of beautiful photos and high-definition movies with higher quality signal processing. The high performance Venus Engine HD II is also more energy efficient compared with the conventional Venus Engine HD II, extending the battery life up to 330 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.
Record High Definition Motion Images Thanks to AVCHD Lite
In addition to Motion JPEG images, the DMC-ZX3 can record high-definition motion picture (2) in AVCHD Lite. It features almost doubling the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. The picture quality is greatly enhanced thanks to the newly added Intelligent Resolution technology. The ZX3 also features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio, so you can match the beautiful motion images with outstanding sound.
The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) mode is now also available in motion image recording. Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it so it always turns out beautiful. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows.
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.
iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode Further Enhanced with New POWER O.I.S
Following in the footsteps of the award winning ZX1, the ZX3 of course includes Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode – a hallmark of Lumix cameras – featuring Face Recognition, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Additionally, the new model also features new POWER O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer) which features a double the repression power compared to the conventional image stabilization system, MEGA O.I.S.
The hand-shake component, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is recognized as a low-frequency vibration, for which the new POWER O.I.S. is particularly effective. This greatly improves the quality of shots taken at night or indoors where a flash cannot be used.
Other Versatile Functions Adding to the Photographic Enjoyment
The ZX3 is equipped with a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with super high resolution and a wide viewing angle. The screen brightness automatically adjusts in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times. The big screen reflects fine details, making it easy to check the focus before shooting. It also serves as a small photo and video viewer, allowing the user and friends to enjoy viewing the still and motion images together.