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| (Credit: Panasonic) |
Panasonic finally expanded its ultra-slim FP-series of digital cameras. The lone FP8 is now joined by the Lumix FP3 and FP1. The new cameras add HD video modes, and the FP3 adds a 3-inch touch screen LCD.
The Panasonic Lumix FP3 is the flashier of the two new cameras with its large touch screen. It can be used to determine the area of focus when capturing images – just touch the subject and the auto focus will kick in – and it can be used to drag through photos in the playback mode.
The FP3 has 14.1 megapixels, the most of the FP-series. The original FP8 and the new FP1 have 12.1 megapixels; they also have 2.7-inch standard LCD screens. The original FP8 comes with a Leica-branded 4.6x optical zoom lens that measures 28-128mm. The new cameras come with a proprietary 4x, 35-140mm lens and add a lens cover that slides to protect the lens and turn the camera on.
All three cameras in the series have an Intelligent Auto button that automatically activates a host of technologies: optical image stabilization, intelligent ISO control, face detection, and automatic scene selection. The two new models offer 720p HD video that records at 30 fps while the FP8 offers standard VGA movies.
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| (Credit: Panasonic) |
“Panasonic’s new Lumix FP-series models are designed to be sleek in appearance and easy-to-use, perfect for a user who is concerned with the look and style of their digital camera, but does not want to compromise performance,” said David Briganti, senior product manager of imaging at Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, in the Jan. 6 press release. “Starting with how the camera is turned on – simply by sliding the lens cover, the FP-series is innovative and uniquely designed.”
