Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 Digital Camera Announced

One of eight new Panasonic cameras announced today, the ultra-zoom Lumix DMC-FZ8 is the successor to the FZ7. It features a 12x optical zoom with optical image stabilization, 7.2 megapixel resolution, 2.5 inch LCD, and a new Panasonic LSI Venus Engine III processor for better response times and quicker operation over its predecessor.

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The FZ8 includes "Intelligent Image Stabilization", which uses Intelligent ISO control and Panasonic's MEGA OIS optical image stabilization system to counteract blur from moving subjects and from camera shake. Intelligent ISO Control can detect the subject movement and lighting conditions, then determine the best ISO settings to achieve the correct shutter speed to capture your subject. The optical image stabilization system can counteract the minor movements from hand-holding a camera - something especially important when shooting at long zoom lengths.

The Pansonic LSI Venus Engine III processor allows for quicker operation and better noise performance than with previous generations of the processor. Shutter release lag times can be as short as 0.005 seconds and the shutter interval can be as shot as 0.6 seconds.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 will be available in February at an MSRP of $349.

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Additional features:

• Modes: P(Program) mode, A(AperturePriority) Mode, S(Shutter Priority) Mode, M(Manual) mode, Simple, SCN (Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Panning, Food, Party, Candle, Fireworks, Starry Sky, Baby1, Baby2, Snow, High sensitivity, Beach, Aerial photo ,Sunset, pet ), Motion Picture, Playback, Print, Intelligent ISO
• 27MB internal memory, support for SD, SDHC, and MMC memory media
• Approximately 380 shots per charge with a lithium-ion battery pack
• VGA (640x480) movies at 30 fps
• Dimensions: 4.43 x 2.84 x 3.11 inch