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PANASONIC CANADA INTRODUCES
TWO NEW
6X-OPTICAL ZOOM COMPACT CAMERAS
LZ Series Cameras Feature
Improved LCD, Faster Autofocus
MISSISSSAUGA, ON (January 4, 2006)
-- Panasonic Canada Inc. today introduces
two new models for its compact, consumer
friendly LZ series of Lumix digital still
cameras. The six megapixel DMC-LZ5 and five
megapixel DMC-LZ3 incorporate Panasonic's
top-rated MEGA Optical Image Stabilization,
large and bright LCD displays, 6x optical
zoom, and a 1-point high-speed autofocus
feature that is new to the LZ product line.
"The DMC-LZ5 and DMC-LZ3 provide consumers
with features that are easy to understand
and use, but that don't compromise on capability,"
says Doug Borbath, Product Manager for Panasonic's
Imaging Group. "And while these are
compact cameras, the 6x optical zoom and
MEGA Optical Image Stabilization give users
the tools that are usually available only
in larger and more expensive cameras."
The MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, which
Panasonic includes in all of its cameras,
moves the lens to compensate for the slight
hand movements most people make when taking
a picture. It's hand movement that leads
to most blurry pictures, a common complaint
for amateur photographers. With MEGA Optical
Image Stabilization, pictures come out clear,
even when using the zoom feature or shooting
in low light.
The LZ5 and LZ3 also have Panasonic's Venus
Engine Plus, the processor that manages
image capture and energy use for the cameras.
Both cameras also come packaged with Panasonic's
Oxyride AA batteries, which feature longer
life and power than alkaline batteries.
With Venus Engine Plus and Oxyride, users
can get the most out of their picture-taking
experience: the LZ5 can take up to 235 images
and the LZ3 up to 250. The LZ5 and LZ3 also
can use regular alkaline AA batteries.
The LZ5's 2.5-inch LCD and the LZ3's 2.0-inch
LCD are greatly improved over the previous
cameras in the LZ series, with higher sensitivity
for viewing in low-light situations as well
as easy viewing from angles, which helps
the user when holding the camera overhead
for a high-angle shot.
In addition to the 5-point, 3-point high
speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot autofocus,
the LZ5 and LZ3 can be set to 1-point high-speed
autofocus. This setting reduces autofocus
time by about 40 per cent compared to previous
models. An autofocus assist lamp is also
added to the LZ series cameras for the first
time.
New features include an additional six
scene modes, bringing the total to 14. That,
plus Simple Mode, which offers easy shooting
to novice photographers, makes these two
cameras ready for just about any picture-taking
situation.
Both the LZ5 and LZ3 have 14 megabytes
of built-in memory, so they are ready to
take pictures right out of the box. For
additional picture-taking capacity, the
cameras take SD Memory cards. Picture files
can be transferred from the internal memory
to an SD card and vice versa. Pictures can
also be transferred to a computer using
the included USB cable.
The DMC-LZ5 will
have a retail price of $429.99 CDN* and
the DMC-LZ3 will have a retail price of
$379.99 CDN*. Both cameras are scheduled
to be at retail in March.
Panasonic imaging products are marketed
in Canada by Panasonic Canada Inc. (PCI).
PCI is a principal Canadian subsidiary of
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.,
(MEI) of Japan, one of the world's largest
producers of electronic and electric products
for consumer, business, and industrial use.
All prices are in Canadian dollars. Consumers
seeking more information on the company's
products can call Panasonic's Customer Care
Centre at 905-624-5505 or access Panasonic's
home page at www.panasonic.ca.
* Manufacturer's suggested
retail price. All prices are in Canadian
dollars.
Specifications are subject
to change without notice.
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