Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8

The Lumix DMC-FZ8 is equipped with a 7.2 megapixel CCD and a LEICA DC
VARIO-ELMARIT lens offering a powerful 12x optical zoom (equivalent to
36mm to 432mm on a 35mm film camera) with an aperture of F2.8 to F3.3.
If this wasn’t enough, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical
Zoom function uses the centre part of the CCD to provide additional
magnification, extending the zoom power to an impressive 18x. Using this
feature in combination with the 4x digital zoom brings the total zooming
power to a remarkable 72x.
The combination of 11 elements in eight groups, including 3 aspherical
lenses generates superior optical performance while maintaining the
compactness of the unit.

O.I.S.

By shifting the O.I.S lens unit to keep the optical axis aligned
straight against the CCD, the camera ensures images are captured with supreme
clarity and sharpness.Another problem is the motion blur that can occur when a subject moves as the shot is being taken – particularly common when taking pictures
of sports, or young children for example. Building on the success of its
predecessor the FZ8 incorporates a new feature designed to resolve
motion blur. Intelligent ISO Control detects whether the subject is moving
and, as necessary raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to
how fast the subject is moving and the light conditions. This happens
automatically, so you can effortlessly shoot without the need to adjust
the settings every time the conditions change.Panasonic Lumix offers solutions for both major causes of blurred images – O.I.S when you are moving, and Intelligent ISO Control when the subject is moving. Thanks to Panasonic, you can now take clear and
beautiful images in even the most demanding situations.
A key improvement is the inclusion of Panasonic’s advanced
image-processing LSI, Venus Engine III that can record at a sensitivity setting as
high as ISO 1250 with full resolution. Noise reduction is also greatly
improved, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing.
Critical noise is analysed, and chromatic and luminance noise are
reduced separately. The chromatic noise, which has greater effect on picture
quality, is then selectively suppressed, resulting in clearer images.
Spontaneous moments can easily be captured thanks to a 1.8 second start
up time and a 0.005 second shutter release time lag (the time between
pressing the button on the camera and the photo being taken).
Additionally, the burst shooting mode boasts the capability of sequential shots
at a rate of 3 frames per second at full resolution. The unlimited
consecutive shooting function allows you to take photos in succession up to
the capacity of the memory card or built in memory. Thanks to the
energy-efficient Venus Engine III, the FZ8 offers a long battery life,
allowing around 380 shots on a single battery charge.

Auto Focus

The various AF methods can be selected according to the shooting
environment and the position of the subject: multi, 3 point high-speed,
1-point high speed, 1-point normal-speed and spot. With the 1-point AF
method, the auto-focusing area can be chosen from as many as 11 points with
the joystick or cursor button. Various group area patterns can also be
selected in the new Multi method.

Movie Recording

In addition to standard VGA (640x480) motion image recording, the
DMC-FZ8 also records stunning full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848x480)
at 30fps, enabling you to view your recordings on a widescreen
television.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 specifications

Sensor • 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 7.38 million pixels total
• 7.2 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 3072 x 2304
• 2560 x 1920
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 1280 x 960
• 640 x 480
• 3072 x 2048 (3:2)
• 2048 x 1360 (3:2)
• 3072 x 1728 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
Movie clips • 640 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30 / 10fps
• 848 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps (16:9)
File formats • JPEG Exif v2.2
• DPOF
• QuickTime Motion JPEG
Lens • 36-432mm (35mm equiv)
• LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
• 12x optical zoom
• Extra Optical Zoom (4:3: 14.4x for 5MP, 18x for 3, 2, 1, 0.3MP, 3:2:
18x for 2.5MP, 16:9: 18x for 2MP
Image stabilization MEGA O.I.S. (Mode1 / Mode2)
Conversion lenses Yes
Digital zoom up to 4x
Focus AF/AF-Macro/MF Switchable, Manual Focus(Joystick), Continuous AF
On/Off
AF area modes 1-point / 1-point high speed / 3-point high speed /
Multi-point / Spot
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • Normal: 30cm-infinity (wide) 200cm - infinity (tele)
• Macro: 5cm-infinity (wide) 200cm - infinity (tele(except tele end)
• Tele Macro(at tele end : 100cm - infinity
Metering • Intelligent Multiple
• Center-weighted
• Spot
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1250
• High Sensitivity mode ISO 3200
Exposure compensation +/- 2EV in 1/3EV steps
Exposure bracketing +/- 1/3 EV -1EV step, 3 frames
Shuttter speed • Program AE: 1-1/2000 sec
• Aperture Priority AE / Shutter Priority AE: 8-1/2000 sec
• Manual: 60-1/2000sec.
• Starry Sky Mode: 15, 30, 60sec
Aperture F2.8 - 8 (wide) F3.1 - 8 (tele)
Modes • Program AE
• Aperture Priority AE
• Shutter Priority AE
• Manual
• Scene
• Simple
• Intelligent ISO
Scene modes • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Scenery
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Panning
• Food
• Party
• Candle
• Fireworks
• Starry Sky
• Baby 1 & 2
• Aerial photo
• Snow
• High Sensitivity
• Beach
• Sunset
• Pet
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Halogen
• Flash
• White Set 1/2
White balance fine tune 2-axis adjustable, ±9steps each, Blue/Amber
and Magenta/Green bias
Self timer 2 or 10sec, 10sec / 3 images
Continuous shooting Full-Resolution: 3 frames/sec or 2 frames/sec max.
7 images (Standard mode), Max. 5 images (Fine Mode)
Image parameters Cool, Warm, Black & White, Sepia
Flash • Auto
• Auto / Red-eye reduction
• Forced On
• Forced On / Red-eye Reduction
• Slow Sync / Red-eye reduction
• Forced Off
• Flash output adjustment 1/3EV step, +/-2 EV
• Range: 0.3 - 6.0m (wide) 1.0 - 5.4m (tele)
Viewfinder 0.44" Color EVF (188K Pixels), Field of View : approx. 100%
LCD monitor • 2.5-inch Polycrystalline TFT
• 207,000 pixels
Connectivity • DC in
• AV out
• USB
Print compliance PictBridge
Storage • SD/SDHC/MMC card
• 27 MB built-in memory
Power • Li-ion battery pack
• Optional AC adapter
Weight (no batt) 310 g (0.68lb)
Dimensions 112.5 x 72.2 x 79.0 mm (4.43 x 2.84 x 3.11 in)