31st January 2007 - Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new Lumix DMC-LS75 and DMC-LS60. Successors to the award winning DMC-LS2, the new additions are stylish, sophisticated and packed with features. The 7.2-megapixel DMC-LS75 and 6.0-megapixel DMC-LS60 offer a whole host of features while remaining inherently easy to use making these highly portable cameras perfect for everyday photography. These compact cameras run on two AA batteries, making them convenient and ideal for taking on holiday.

3x Optical zoom inside a compact body
The Lumix DC Vario lens, with 3x optical zoom allows photographers powerful magnification of images. It comprises seven elements in six groups, including three lenses with a combined three aspherical surfaces, and delivers outstanding optical performance. Furthermore, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 4.5x (4.1x LS60) by using the centre part of the CCD. This powerful zooming function allows you to easily capture and magnify distant subjects.

Both the DMC-LS75 and DMC-LS60 include an all new Easy Zoom feature which shifts the lens instantly to full 3x zoom power at a single touch of a button, with a second touch, the lens is shifted to 4.5x (4.1x LS60) by activating the Extra Optical Zoom function.

Clear pictures, even when the subject is moving!
Panasonic was the first manufacturer to have successfully incorporated Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) into its compact cameras - a feature strongly appreciated worldwide and now considered to be a standard requirement of photography. O.I.S minimises the jitter from shaky hands that causes many photos to look blurred by shifting the O.I.S lens unit to keep the optical axis aligned straight against the CCD, this ensures images are captured with supreme clarity and sharpness.

While hand-shake is the single biggest cause of blurry images, it is not the only one. Another problem is the motion blur that can occur when a subject moves as the shot is being taken - particularly common when taking pictures of babies for example. This is where Intelligent ISO Control comes into its own. This system detects whether the subject is moving and, if necessary, raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to how fast the subject is moving and the lighting conditions. This happens automatically, so you can effortlessly shoot without the need to adjust the settings every time the conditions change.

Panasonic Lumix now offers solutions for both major causes of blurred images - O.I.S when you are moving, and Intelligent ISO Control when the subject is moving. Thanks to Panasonic, you can now take clear and beautiful images in almost all situations.

Powered by the Venus engine III
The DMC-LS75 and DMC-LS60 have raised the standard for everyday cameras with the introduction of Panasonic's Venus Engine III, an advanced image processing engine which has previously only been enjoyed by higher end Lumix cameras.

The Venus Engine III can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 at full resolution. Noise reduction is also greatly improved, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing. Critical noise is analysed, and chromatic and luminance noise are reduced separately. The chromatic noise, which has greater effect on picture quality, is then selectively suppressed, resulting in clearer images.

Lightning speed, superb performance
The DMC-FX12 and DMC-FX10 feature the Venus Engine III, Panasonic's advanced image-processing engine that can record at a sensitivity setting as a high as ISO 1250 at full resolution. This engine features the type of technology you expect to find in a higher end camera, providing an exceptional level of functionality for cameras in this class.

Spontaneous moments can easily be captured thanks to a 1.8 second start up time and a 0.005 second shutter release time lag (the time between pressing the button on the camera and the photo being taken). Additionally, the burst shooting mode boasts the capability of sequential shots at a rate of 3 frames per second at full resolution . The unlimited consecutive shooting function allows you to take photos in succession up to the capacity of the memory card or built in memory.

Effortless capturing and playback of images
The DMC-LS75 boasts a large, bright 2.5" LCD (2.0" for the LS60) allowing you to effortlessly capture and playback your pictures. The mixed-pixel readout method performed by the CCD automatically increases the brightness level of the live image on the LCD, which greatly assists shooting in low light situations. Panasonic is the first manufacturer to offer the new High Angle LCD function on a digital still camera display. This new mode makes the LCD display extremely easy to view from low angles, for example, when holding the camera up high to take pictures over a crowd.

Simplicity and Convenience!
In addition to recording standard VGA (640 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second, the LS75 and LS60 can record stunning wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) motion images at the same speed. These 16:9 motion pictures, look extremely impressive on a wide-screen TV and the pixel-mixed readout method used by the CCD enhances image brightness, so the pictures you see are clear, bright and beautiful.

To ensure convenience and user-friendliness, the DMC-LS75 and DMC-LS60 run on two widely available AA batteries. If your battery is running low, just pick up a fresh supply, although with the supplied Panasonic Oxyride AA batteries, you can take up to 60 percent more shots than you can with ordinary Panasonic alkaline batteries. Another user friendly feature is that the compact DMC-LS75 and DMC-LS60 feature 27 MB (approx.) of built-in memory, which could save the day should you happen to fill up or forget to take a memory card. They also accept large-capacity SDHC memory cards giving users more flexibility.

Effortlessly easy to navigate, settings such as white balance adjustment, ISO level, image size, image quality (compression format) and consecutive shooting can be accessed without opening menus through the Quick Setting function - perfect for people who are looking for a camera that is easy to use.

With a compact, sleek design, these 3x optical zoom cameras are highly portable and easily slip into your pocket, making them perfect for holidays and taking photos on the move. The DMC-LS75 and DMC-LS60 will be available from March.