Panasonic announces Lumix DMC-F3
By
Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Wednesday, January 6, 2010 - 18:30 EST)
Panasonic has today announced its Lumix DMC-F3 digital camera, an entry-level model designed with an eye towards simplicity.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-F3 is based around a twelve megapixel CCD image sensor and a Lumix DC Vario-branded 3x optical zoom lens. The Panasonic F3 forgoes an optical image stabilizer in favor of a digital image stabilization. Images are framed and reviewed on the DMC-F3's 2.7-inch LCD display, as there's no optical viewfinder on this model. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 80 to 1,600 equivalents, except when using the Lumix F3's high sensitivity mode when ISO 1,600 to 6,400 equivalents are possible. Available shutter speeds in the Panasonic Lumix F3 are between 1/1,000 and 60 seconds. With a two-step aperture, the F3 offers a choice of either f/2.8 or f/6.2, controlled automatically. The Panasonic DMC-F3 stores images on SD, SDHC or the latest SDXC cards. Power comes courtesy of a proprietary lithium ion battery rated as good for 220 shots on a charge, and connectivity options in the Lumix DMC-F3 are USB 2.0 High Speed data, and NTSC / PAL video - except in the US market, where only NTSC output is offered. Pricing and availability have not been disclosed at this time. For more details, read our Panasonic F3 preview. | Panasonic Lumix DMC-F3 |  | | General | | Camera Type | Ultra Compact | | Manufacturer | Panasonic | | Model Number | DMC-F3 | | Dimensions | 3.8 x 2.1 x 0.9 in.
(96 x 54 x 22 mm) | | Weight | 4.7 oz
(132 g) | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | CCD
1/2.33" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
12.70 megapixels (total)
12.10 megapixels (effective) | | Filter Type | RGBG | | Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 16:9 | | Image Dimensions | 4000 x 3000 (12.0 megapixels)
4000 x 2672 (10.7 megapixels)
4000 x 2248 (9.0 megapixels)
3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
2560 x 1920 (4.9 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
4.4 megapixels
3.7 megapixels
3.1 megapixels
2.8 megapixels
2.1 megapixels
1.9 megapixels
0.3 megapixels
| | Capture Speed | Continuous: 1.0 frames per second for 9999 frames | | Image Preview / Review | | Viewfinder | No | | LCD | 2.7 in. diagonal
230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels) | | Playback Zoom | 16.0x max | | Lens | | Lens Type | Lumix DC VARIO, 6 elements in 5 groups, 3 Aspherical
4x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | No | | Focal Length | 5.0 - 20.0mm (actual)
28 - 112mm (35mm equivalent) | | Aperture Range | f/2.8 - 6.2 (wide) / ?? (tele) | | Focusing System | Contrast Detection: Face / 9 pt / 1 pt
Has AF assist lamp
Manual focus possible | | Focusing Range | Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 8.2" - 4,082" (20 cm - 10,000 cm) | | Exposure | | ISO Sensitivity | Auto, High Sensitivity Auto (1600-6400), 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 | | Sh utter Speed | 60 - 1/1000 second | | Exposure Modes | Program | | Metering Modes | Intelligent Multiple | | Exposure Compensation | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments | | White Balance | Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, White Set | | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Range: 0.3 - 7.1m (Wide/ISO Auto), 0.7 - 3.0m (Tele/ISO Auto) | | Creative | | Scene Modes | Portrait, Soft Skin, Self-Portrait, Scenery, 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 | | Digital Zoom | Up to 4x | | Self Timer | Yes, 2 or 10 seconds | | Movie Format | QuickTime Motion JPEG with audio | | Storage | | Recording Medium | SD/MMC including SDHC / SDXC, Built-in | | File System | FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) | | File Format | JPEG (EXIF 2.21) | | Connectivity | | Video | Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable | | Computer | USB 2.0 High Speed | | Other | DC Input (requires optional DC Coupler) | | Power | | Battery Type | 3.6V, 740mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable | | Battery Form Factor | Proprietary | | Product Bundle | | Software | PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 Edition, QuickTime, Adobe Reader | | Battery / Charger | 1 x Proprietary 3.6V, 740mAh Lithium-ion rechargea battery and charger | | Flash Memory | 40.0MB built-in memory | | Other | | Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant | Yes | | PictBridge Compliant | Yes | | Internal Microphone | Yes | | Internal Speaker | Yes | | Tripod Mount | Yes | | Remote Control | No | | Notes | Digital Image Stabilization, Intelligent Auto, 720p HD movies. Available in Silver and Black. | | More Photos |  |  |  |  | | |
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Original Source Press Release:
| Panasonic's New Lumix DMC-F3 Digital Camera Delivers On Style And Convenience For Entry-Level User New LUMIX F3 Digital Camera is Compact with 4x Optical Zoom and High Definition Video Recording Capabilities LAS VEGAS, NV (January 6, 2010) – Panasonic today introduces a new entry-level digital camera, the LUMIX DMC-F3, which has been designed with simplicity in mind, without overlooking the importance of style and performance. The 12.1-Megapixel LUMIX DMC-F3 has an impressive 4x optical zoom, considering its small size, as well as Panasonic’s shooting-assistant, Auto Scene Mode. The LUMIX F3 also records dynamic High Definition video in 1280 x 720p, at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480). The LUMIX F3 is equipped with a 28mm wide-angle lens, a high-sensitivity CCD, and an Extra Optical Zoom function which extends zoom power to 7.8x, plus a 2.7” 230,000-dot resolution LCD designed so the user can clearly see it while shooting still photos and videos. “The Panasonic LUMIX F3 was designed for the casual and frequent user who wants a digital camera that is not only small and stylish in design, but that has sophisticated features to help enrich the photo-taking experience,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronic Company. “With extended zoom and Auto Scene Mode, the Panasonic LUMIX F3 can take high-quality photos and videos, while still being easy-to-use and small enough to fit in your pocket.” Other features include, Auto Scene Mode, which when activated, includes the following three shooting-assist functions: Intelligent ISO Control prevents the blurring of a moving subject by optimizing shutter speed and ISO settings to render sharp, clear images. On the LUMIX F3, unwanted red-eyes are digitally corrected and backlight compensation automatically activates. Face Detection helps to clearly capture registered faces and focus on faces with the appropriate exposure. This is helpful when trying to focus on one person within a group. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects one of six scene modes that best suits the shooting situation – Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery.
Additionally, the Panasonic LUMIX F3 also has a Digital Image Stabilizer which helps suppress hand-shake and prevent blurry photos. The Panasonic LUMIX F3 has an auto power LCD function which detects light conditions and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by a maximum of 40% when shooting outdoors to secure clarity and visibility of the screen. In addition to supporting conventional SD/SDHC Memory Cards, the LUMIX F3 is compatible with SDXC Memory Cards, including Panasonic’s newly announced 48 GB* and 64 GB SDXC Memory Cards – to enable high capacity content storage and fast data transfer speeds. The LUMIX F3 is compatible with Windows 7**. Pricing and availability for the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-F3 will be announced 30 days prior to shipping date. The Panasonic LUMIX F3 will come in silver and black models. For more information on these LUMIX models, please visit: www.panasonic.com/ces2010. *GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes. Usable capacity will be less.
** Windows and the Windows logo are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice. About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. In its commitment to provide consumers with extensive imaging resources, Panasonic LUMIX established the Digital Photo Academy, a series of nationwide workshops designed to instruct consumers how to optimize the features on their digital cameras and produce high-quality photos. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs. Company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom. For more than 20 years, Panasonic has been proud to support the Olympic Movement as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category and, beginning in 2009, in the Digital Imaging category as well. Panasonic has also renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for an additional eight years through the 2016 Summer Games. For more information, visit http://panasonic.net/olympic/. # # # |
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