Panasonic Canada Inc. has announced a major refresh of its Lumix digital camera lineup for the late summer and fall. The new models include two super-zooms, a waterproof model, and two advanced compacts for photo enthusiasts.

Two new super-zoom FZ-series cameras with 24x lenses will ship in early August. Priced at $550, the Lumix DMC-FZ100 (shown at top of story) features a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit covering the 25-600mm (equivalent) range and a 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor. It offers ultra-fast burst shooting at 11 frames per second at full resolution, and up to 60fps at 3.5 megapixels, with continuous autofocus at up to 5fps. Like all of Panasonic's recent cameras, it features a very Intelligent Auto (iA) mode, but this year's version has been enhanced with a new Motion Deblur mode for subjects with motion. It can also shoot 1080i HD video in AVCHD format.

The Lumix DMC-FZ40 is similar, also featuring a 24x Leica zoom lens and 14.1-megapixel sensor, but lacks some of the FZ100's advanced features, such as ultra-fast burst mode. It will arrive in late August at $450 MSRP.

Arriving in late August at $500 suggested retail is the Lumix DMC-LX5, a compact camera aimed at serious photographers. It boasts two features for low light-photography: a fast 24-90mm f/2.0 Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens and a redesigned 10.1-megapixel CCD sensor. The new sensor offers improved sensitivity, dynamic range and saturation compared to the sensor used on the previous Lumix LX3, while the lens offers longer reach on the telephoto end compared to the 24-60mm optic on the LX3, as well as constant f/2 maximum aperture throughout its range. The LX5 can also shoot HD video in the AVCHD format, and the lens can be zoomed while shooting video.

The Lumix DMC-FX700 has a wide-angle 5x Leica Vario-Summicron lens, covering the 24-120mm range with a fast constant maximum aperture of f/2.2. Priced at $400 and arriving in late September, the FX700 has a three-inch touchscreen LCD; users can set autofocus for the primary subject by tapping on the screen. Its Intelligent Auto (iA) mode has a new Motion Deblur mode, and the camera also incorporates Panasonic's Power O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) technology. The FX700 can also shoot full HD 1080i video in the AVCHD format.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Lumix DMC-TS10 is waterproof (to 3m) shockproof (to 1.5m), freeze-proof (to -10°C) and dustproof. It features a folded 4x zoom lens, 14.1-megapixel sensor, Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) mode, Intelligent ISO (which analyzes motion, and selects ISO and shutter speed settings that will prevent blur), and a new 2.7-inch Intelligent LCD that adjusts backlighting and frame rate to maintain visibility in different lighting conditions. It will be available in early October for $280 MSRP.

Article Tags:  Panasonic, Lumix, LX5, TS10,FX700, FZ100, FZ40, Mega O.I.S., Lecia, Summicron, Elmarit, Intelligent Auto, Deblur, HD, AVCHD