Japanese electronic giant Panasonic today unveiled its latest digital camera- the Lumix DMC-FZ40. The new camera comes loaded with a 24x zoom lens but lesser quality HD video mode. The FZ40 only supports 720p HD video recording in AVCHD Lite. The Video Record button is on top of the camera. Panasonic’s DMC-FZ100 supports video in HD mode. The DMC-FZ100 costs $100 more than the latest camera. The Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 25 – 600mm (35mm equiv.) lens is the same as well. The FZ40 is powered by a Venus Engine HD II processor. It has a 14.1-megapixel CCD sensor.
“Building on the versatility and depth of the FZ-Series, the LUMIX FZ40 provides outstanding and advanced creative hybrid camera capabilities and features to photographers – giving them increased flexibility and a wide-range of features,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “In the LUMIX FZ40, consumers will find easy-to-use features they would find in super-compact point-and-shoots, but with the added 24x optical zoom and improved manual controls,” he added.
It has Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode like other modern cameras. The FZ40 includes Sonic Speed Auto Focus and a high-speed start-up. The Lumix DMC-FZ40 is expected to go on sale in August for $399. Here’s a closer look at the Lumix DMC-FZ40:
* 3.0-inch fixed TFT LCD screen (230K-dot resolution)
* f2.8 – 5.2 aperture range
* ISO up to 6,400
* Uses SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
* Connectivity: USB 2.0, DC-in, AV-out
* Battery life: Up to 580 shots per charge