Gadgets News : Panasonic introduces DMC-FP8 with folding optics

Panasonic has released the Lumix DMC-FP8 digital compact. Sporting a new card style body design, it incorporates a 28-128mm equivalent lens with folding optics. It features the industry's fastest autofocus and a start-up time of 0.95 seconds. The 12.1MP camera with a 2.7 inch LCD also features the new Power OIS image stabilizer and offers HD video recording.

Introducing the Futuristic DMC-FP8 from Panasonic
with folding optics in a new stylish, flat design

July 27, 2009 : Panasonic is pleased to announce the introduction of the DMC-FP8, heralding a new style of Lumix camera. Boasting a futuristic-design the new addition has a stylish flat body built of high-quality aluminium, providing an attractive design for the camera's rear surface – the part most frequently seen by the user. To further add to its appeal, the FP8 features a blue LED cursor button, adding elegance to the design each time they are pressed. The DMC-FP8 features a high-quality, 12.1-megapixel, 28mm, 4.6x Leica DC lens with folding optics*1, as well as being equipped with many of the features Lumix cameras are renowned for, such as iA and Power 0.I.S. The DMC FP8 is a stunning all round camera that features both style and quality.

Folding Optics for Futuristic Fashion
The DMC-FP8 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4.6x optical zoom. This comprises of 10 elements and a prism unit in 8 groups, including 1 ED lens and 5 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, a difficult feat even by today's standards, this advanced lens unit passes Leica's stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance to the edges even adopting the folded optics. The body is flat due to the retracting lens with folding optics without a fixed lens barrel. The folded optics have been adopted to secure the toughness of the lens unit.
If you really want to get up close and personal to the object you are photographing, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 9.1x (252mm*2) by using the centre part of the 12.1-megapixel large CCD*3.
Striking design – Stunning Specification
A key feature of the new DMC-FP8 is its high-speed AF, the industry's fastest in class level. Combined with a high-speed start-up of only 0.95 seconds, this gives the FP8 a fast response that helps to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities. The 2.7-inch large Intelligent LCD offers dynamic and clear view out of its small body.
To realise the ultra high-speed AF, a number of re-engineering and improvements are made including the adaptation of a higher-speed actuator, the optimisation of algorithms and the parallelization of software processing element. The result is ultra high speed yet accurate AF performance for users to enjoy a freedom of shooting that has never been experienced before.
In image processing, luminance and chromatic noise are reduced separately before and after signal processing. This is further refined by separating noise two-dimensionally into high-frequency and low-frequency. The circuits then effectively reduce only the low-frequency to minimise the unwanted noise and help produce beautiful, sharp, still motion images.
This multi-task image-processing engine has a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.006 seconds, making it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the FP8 can snap approx. 2.3 shots per second at 12.1-megapixel full resolution*4. In High-speed Burst shooting mode, it fires off an incredible approx. 10 shots per second*5 and the Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take consecutive shots with continuous emissions of the flash*6.
Despite its outstanding performance, the high performance engine is also more energy efficient to extend the battery life up to 380 shots (CIPA) per a single charge*7.
iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode for Effortless Images
Panasonic's Intelligent Auto mode now includes POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser) that offers twice the repression power of conventional image stabilisation systems. Hand-shake, which occurs when the shutter button is pressed or while shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is effectively compensated by the new POWER O.I.S. to deliver blur-free photography. This improves the quality of shots taken at night or indoors without a flash.
The DMC-FP8 also features the popular Face Recognition mode, a function that “remembers” faces. When a familiar face is recorded several times, the camera will prompt the photographer to register the face. Once registered, the camera will display the name specified for the person if the familiar face appears again, and prioritize focus and exposure so that the registered face is bright and in sharp focus.

This mode allows for up to three people to be simultaneously recognized and their names shown on the monitor once registered. Three face images can be registered for each person, to dramatically raise the detection accuracy. And when the angle of view is changed horizontally, the name display even rotates for easier reading.
Once you enter iA mode, these functions happen automatically along with other powerful shooting-assist functions – AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent Exposure and Quick AF- so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. You can enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation.
Create HD Movies Too
All Lumix cameras can take 1920 x 1080 pixel HD (high-definition) quality photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV for full-screen viewing. The new DMC-FP8 even records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480) . With HD component output capability, you can enjoy watching still and motion pictures in stunning HD quality taken by your DMC-FP8 by simply connecting the camera to a TV via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 4.0, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents, making it easy to view all your families’ special moments in high definition. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.
Fun of Photography
A total of 27 scene modes are available with the DMC-FP8 and the High Dynamic mode is a new addition for the DMC-FP8. The Photo Frame mode allows you to shoot images with fine frame-like decorations, making them the perfect gift. The High Dynamic mode helps to capture a scene with moderate exposure to give you the best results. The user can select one of three options, Standard, Art, or B/W, depending on personal taste to get the desired result.
In addition, the DMC-FP8 also has PHOTOfunStudio 4.0 as its included Software, making it easy to edit your recorded contents. You may also Choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.
Available in red, black and silver*8the DMC-FP8 will ensure that you stand out from the crowd.
*1 35mm film camera equivalent: 28-128mm
*2 In 3 megapixel resolution mode
*3 Max. 5 images in standard mode / 3 images in fine mode.
*4 3 megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording. (approx.10 fps in Speed Priority mode / approx.6 fps in Image Priority mode)
*5 Max. 5 images. In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
*6 Based on a CIPA standard.
*7 In Motion Picture mode, the length of recording time depends on the capacity of the SDHC/SD Memory Card. (Up to the equivalent of 2 GB per motion-image recording.) When you set the motion picture quality to VGA 30fps, WVGA 30fps and HD(1280x720) 30/15fps, we recommend using a high-speed memory card with "10MB/s" or greater on the package. Some lens movement sounds may be recorded. For Europe, motion images can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes.
*8 Availability of the colour varies depending on the sales area

Panasonic DMC-FP8 specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.33" Type CCD • 12.7 million pixels total • 12.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 4000 x 3000, 3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 • 3:2 Aspect Ratio: 4000 x 2672, 3264 x 2176, 2560 x 1712, 2048 x 1360 • 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 4000 x 2248, 3264 x 1840, 2560 x 1440, 1920 x 1080
Movie clips	• 1280x720 pixels @ 30fps • 4:3: 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels @ 30 fps • 16:9: 848 x 480 pixels @ 30 fps • Quick Time Motion JPEG
File formats	• JPEG (DCF / Exif2.21 • QuickTime (Motion JPEG)
Lens	• 4.6x optical zoom • 28 - 128mm (35mm equiv.) • f=4.9-22.8mm • F3.3- F5.9 • LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR • 10 elements in 8 groups (5 Aspherical Lenses, 1 ED element)
Image stabilization	Power O.I.S lens-shift stabilization
Digital zoom	Yes, up to 4x
Focus	• Normal • AF Macro • Zoom Macro
AF area modes	• Face / AF tracking • Multi 11-point • 1-point high speed • 1-point • Spot
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	• Normal: Wide 30cm - infinity • Macro / Intelligent AUTO : Wide 5 cm / Tele 30 cm - infinity
Metering	• Intelligent Multiple
ISO sensitivity	• Auto • 80 • 100 • 200 • 400 • 800 • 1600 • High Sensitivity Mode : Auto (1600 - 6400)
Exposure compensation	± 2EV, 1/3EV steps
Exposure bracketing	± 1/3 EV ~ 2EV step, 3 frames
Shutter speed	• 8-1/1300 sec • Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60sec
Aperture	• F3.3 - 5.9 / 2-Step (F3.3 - 10 (W) / F5.9 - 18 (T))
Modes	• Intelligent AUTO • Normal Picture • SCN • My SCN • Motion Picture • Clipboard
Still Piture Scene modes	• Portrait • Soft Skin • Transform • Self-Portrait • Scenery • Panorama Assist • Sports • Night Portrait • Night Scenery • Food • Party • Candle Light • Baby1 • Baby2 • Pet • Sunset • High sensitivity • Hi-Speed Burst • Flash Burst • Starry Sky • Fireworks • Beach • Snow • Aerial photo • Pinhole • Film Grain • High Dynamic (Standard, Art, B&W) • Photo Frame
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Shade • Halogen • White Set
Self timer	2, 10 sec
Continuous shooting	• Full-Resolution Image 2.3 frames/sec Max. 5 images (Standard mode), Max 3 images (Fine Mode) • High-speed Burst Mode: Approx. 10 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9)(Speed Priority) Approx. 6 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9)(Image Priority)
Image parameters	Standard, Natural, Vivid, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm
Flash	• Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off • Range: 0.3 - 5.5m (Wide/ISO Auto), 0.5 - 3.1m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Viewfinder	No
LCD monitor	• 2.7" TFT LCD Display • 230K dots • Field of View : approx. 100% • AUTO Power LCD mode, Power LCD mode, High-Angle LCD
Connectivity	• USB2.0 High speed • AV Output (NTSC/PAL) • HD AV Output • DC Input
Storage	• SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card • 40MB internal memory
Power	• Li-ion battery • Charger included • AC adaptor (optional)
Weight (no batt)	131 g
Dimensions	96 x 60 x 20mm (3.7 x 2.3 x 0.80 in)