- 10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints.
- 12x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.0-inch free-angle LCD display.
- Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) reduces image blur from subject movement and low light.
- Records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 frames per second.
- Stores images on SD memory cards (32MB card included); powered by li-ion battery pack (battery and charger included).
From the Manufacturer
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The new 10.1-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50, successor to
the popular DMC-FZ30, features a powerful f2.8 Leica DC lens with
12x optical zoom. The lens focal length is equivalent to 35-420mm
on a 35mm film camera and is enhanced by Mega O.I.S., Panasonic's
exclusive Optical Image Stabilizer system.
The DMC-FZ50 boasts a 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD for its
image sensor and Venus Engine III for the image processing LSI,
making it possible to record a image at maximum ISO 1600 high
sensitivity setting at full resolution. Furthermore, by
dramatically reducing the noise levels that challenged its
predecessor, the DMC-FZ50 is able to capture 10.1-megapixel full
resolution images even in high sensitivity .
To fight against the major cause of blurred images, Panasonic
invented the Mega O.I.S. system taking advantage of its superior
lens technology to compensate for handshake--a feature which has
long been incorporated into the Lumix range of cameras. In
addition, to also compensate for the other major cause of blurred
images--movement of the subject--the FZ50 is also equipped with
the world's first Intelligent ISO Control (hereafter I.I.C.) and
maximum ISO 1600 high sensitivity capabilities within
the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III. When set to
the I.I.C., the Venus Engine III detects the subject's movement
and adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to best suit the
subject movement and the light condition automatically.
Panasonic's excellent image stabilizing system allows users to
take clear, crisp images in any situation automatically, leaving
everything to the camera.
From a point of view of further improving the usability of its
predessor, the DMC-FZ50 is equipped with a new Function Button
which serves as a shortcut to quickly set frequently-used
settings such as image size, light metering, AF area,
white balance, and ISO sensitivity. Also, thanks to the newly
incorporated custom setting function, your frequent setting
patterns can be memorized and it can be instantly applied by
simply selecting this function with the mode dial. The 2-inch LCD
flips out to 180 degrees, making it easier to view even when
shooting from high or low angles. As for optional accessories,
the DMC-FZ50 is now compatible with TTL external flashes.
Finally, the battery life is greatly extended by approximately
29% compared with its predecessor allowing the FZ50 to shoot
approximately 360 images on one charge (CIPA).
The Lumix DMC-FZ50 faithfully inherits the well received basic
specifications from its predecessor FZ30 such as the manual focus
ring and manual zoom ring, yet enhances the image sensor up to
10.1-megapixel. Noise is drastically reduced with this new FZ50
achieving a rendition of even higher quality images.
10.1-Megapixel CCD and f2.8 12x Optical Zoom Leica DC Lens
The DMC-FZ50 includes a 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD and
the f2.8 Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x optical zoom (equivalent to
35mm to 420 mm with a 35mm film camera) lens. The lens unit is
comprised of fourteen elements in ten groups including three
aspherical lenses and an ED lens, All these are incorporated to
generate low distortion and high optical performance while
preserving the compactness of the unit. The Extended Optical
Zoom, made possible by using the center part of the
10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD, further extends the powerful
12x optical zoom to up to 21x for 3-megapixel image
(17.1x for 5-megapixel and13.4x for 8-megapixel ). High
resolution images with richer gradation are always assured with
these Leica DC 12x optical zoom lens and the 10.1-Megapixel CCD.
Lumix's Image Stabilizing System Evolves
Taking advantage of its superior lens technology, Panasonic
invented the Mega O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) system to
fight against the major cause of blurred images. It compensates
for handshake and is now featured on the entire Lumix range, and
has been highly evaluated and appreciated by the users across the
world. Every slight hand-shake movement is detected accurately
with the sampling frequency at 4,000 times per second and will be
compensated to render clear, sharp images. In addition, movement
of the subject, the other major cause of blurred images, is
suppressed by the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III
with the Intelligent ISO Control (hereafter I.I.C.) and maximum
ISO 1600 high sensitivity capabilities. The world's
first incorporation of this I.I.C. allows the automatic
adjustment of the suitable ISO setting and shutter speed that
best suits the situation by analyzing the speed of subject
movement. If the subject is moving, the ISO setting would
automatically rise to allow high shutter speed. On the other
hand, if the subject is still and no movement is detected, you
can take beautiful natural images with a low ISO setting.
Accordingly the new Lumix automatically takes the best
countermeasures against any causes of blurred images with Mega
O.I.S. compensating for hand-shake and the I.I.C. compensating
for movement of the subject. Image stabilizing system is further
evolving with Lumix.
Dramatically Reduced Noise with Venus Engine III
The DMC-FZ50 adopts the Venus Engine III to realize high
sensitivity at maximum ISO 1600 at full resolution. The
noise reduction system is greatly improved by removing noise at
the processing stages in series. First, critical noise is roughly
undraped and the chromatic noise and the luminance noise are
separated to respectively go through the supplemental noise
reduction process so that the remaining noise is appropriately
minimized. In addition, chromatic aberration is also reduced so
beautiful images are assured even in telephoto shooting.
Despite the significantly increased performance of the camera,
the Venus Engine III consumes only 80% of the power utilized by
the Venus Engine II and is able to achieve a longer battery life
of approximately 360 pictures (CIPA) on a single charge. With its
multi-task image processing capability, the Venus Engine III also
boasts outstanding response time with an industry-leading level
of shutter release time lag of as short as 0.009 seconds. minimum
and the shutter interval of 0.8 seconds. Together with the fast
startup time of approximately 0.7 seconds, the quick response of
DMC-FZ50 enables easy capture of those spur-of-the-moment s.
The DMC-FZ50 also allows unlimited consecutive shooting up to the
capacity of the SD/SDHC memory card.
In Pursuit of Full Manual Control
The DMC-FZ50 succeeds the high operational ease and the good
design that have been highly accled with its predecessor
DMC-FZ30. Two exclusive rings on the lens barrel provide manual
control of zooming and focusing, allowing quick and fine control
that cannot be achieved with button or lever operation. This
feature will be highly valued by high-end users not only for its
precise controllability but also for the feeling of manual
operation. With the two dials located under the index finger and
the thumb, you can compensate the exposure directly in addition
to the shutter speed and the aperture smoothly and naturally. The
newly added Function Button serves as a shortcut exclusively for
the commonly used settings such as image size, light
metering, AF area, white balance, and ISO sensitivity, allowing
them to be set easily.
For further improvement, your frequent setting patterns can be
memorized and can be instantly applied by just selecting the
newly incorporated custom setting function. White balance now can
be finely adjusted with a reference to the horizontal axis for
amber to blue and vertical axis for green to magenta. Furthermore
two composition guideline patterns can be overlaid on the normal
shooting screen.
Free-Angle LCD and High-Resolution EVF to Extend Shooting
Potential
The 2.0-inch flip-out 207K high-resolution LCD is adjustable to
180 degrees both vertically and horizontally. This assists smooth
shooting even in high- and low-angle shooting positions. The
pixel-mixed readout method performed at the CCD achieves high
sensitivity to offer sufficient brightness for easy shooting even
in low-light situations. The Power LCD function boosts the
brightness level by 40% to secure clear view even in sunny
outdoors. The DMC-FZ50 is also equipped with a 235K-pixel high
resolution EVF to encourage active shooting. EVF can provide the
benefit of being able to check white balance, real-time
histogram, and the DOF (depth of field) before shooting.
Faster Autofocus
The AF mode can be selected according to the shooting situation:
9-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point high speed, 1-point normal
speed, and spot. In the 1-point and 1-point high speed AF mode,
the AF area is selectable from the nine focusing areas with the
joystick to best fit the composition of the subjects. Also, the
AF assist lamp facilitates quick, accurate focusing in situations
where focusing is difficult due to the lack of light.
Clear, Bright, Wide VGA Motion-Image for Viewing on a
Wide-Screen TV
In addition to standard VGA (640 x 480) at 30 frames per second
(fps) motion image , the DMC-FZ50 also records stunning
full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 fps.
Shooting is one thing but viewing is another, and you will be
suitably impressed by the 16:9 moving image when it is displayed
on a wide screen TV. The brightness level of these motion images
is also enhanced as a result of the pixel-mixed readout method
performed by the CCD. Zooming in while motion images is
also possible with the manual zoom ring, while image clarity is
secured by the Optical Image Stabilizer.
Included Software and Optional Accessories
To edit and develop RAW files, the Silkypix Developer Studio
2.0SE software application is bundled with the DMC-FZ50. Using
this software, you can freely adjust various setting such as
exposure, white balance, and so on afterward with the RAW files.
The DMC-FZ50 is compatible with all the same accessories as the
FZ30. In addition to those, the DMC-FZ50 is also compatible with
the TTL external flash GN50 or GN36 (not included--must be
purchased separately). This expandability enhances the potential
of shooting to make DMC-FZ50 a true high-end camera.
