Camera Broadens Idea of Picture Taking With True Wide Aspect Ratio CCD, Wide Angle Lens, and Wide Screen LCD

SECAUCUS, NJ (July 19, 2006) – Panasonic today introduced the 10.2 megapixel Lumix DMC-LX2, successor to the popular DMC-LX1, which received worldwide acclaim for its unique 16:9 wide aspect ratio CCD, full-featured functions, and smart design. The DMC-LX2 will have an MSRP of $499.95.

New features included on the DMC-LX2 include the world’s first Intelligent ISO Control to compensate for blurriness caused by subject movement. It also offers triple-“wide” features such as a 28 mm wide angle LEICA DC lens, 16:9 wide aspect ratio CCD, and a 16:9 wide aspect ratio LCD screen. The DMC-LX2 is further distinguished from other cameras by its full manual controllability including manual focus via a joystick allowing users to easily enjoy creative shooting. Its Venus Engine III high performance image processing LSI dramatically reduces noise, realizing image recording at a maximum ISO 1600 high sensitivity setting at full resolution.

“Our LUMIX DMC-LX2 has the best features for the new digital lifestyle that puts a premium on capturing and sharing the images of our lives in a widescreen format,” said Rich Campbell, Director, Digital Imaging, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “The 10.2 megapixel, true 16:9 CCD is perfect for capturing images to be displayed on a widescreen plasma TV. The new digital lifestyle is about capturing expansive, beautiful pictures and sharing them in the most dramatic way possible on a widescreen TV.”

The DMC-LX2 inherits from the LX1 a wide range of features including the 4x optical zoom (equivalent to 28mm to 112mm on a 35mm film camera), MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) system that reduces blurriness caused by user hand movements, an enhanced CCD capable of 10.2-megapixels and a larger 2.8” 16:9 wide LCD screen.

Panasonic’s revolutionary MEGA O.I.S. is incorporated into the entire line of LUMIX cameras. The worldwide debut of the revolutionary new Intelligent ISO Control (IIC) feature on Panasonic’s LUMIX cameras signals the arrival of a new level of photographic excellence. IIC allows high sensitivity recording at full resolution (1250 ISO maximum) made possible by the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III. When set to the IIC, the Venus Engine III detects the subject’s movement and adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to best suit subject movement and light conditions automatically. Panasonic’s unparalleled image stabilizing system allows users to take clear, crisp images in any situation, leaving everything to the camera.

The DMC-LX2 also incorporates 13 MB of built-in memory while the battery life is extended up to 300 pictures* on one charge, to help avoid missing those spur-of-the-moment shots. A print mode has also been added to the mode dial so that you can print the images quickly. Bundled software allows users to edit and develop RAW files.

The DMC-LX2 will ship in September.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

*Based on the CIPA standard.

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