Las Vegas, NV—Panasonic took the wraps off of its high-end Lumix DMC-ZS100 compact travel camera and the pocketable Lumix DMC-ZS60 at CES 2016 in Las Vegas.
Lumix DMC-ZS100. A premium compact travel camera, the ZS100 offers advanced features and a 10x optical zoom lens for both photographers and videographers. Its large, 1-inch MOS sensor combines with Panasonic’s Venus processing engine to capture bright images despite difficult lighting. The camera is capable of full-res, 10-frame-per-second bursts (5 fps with AF). And with simple controls and connectivity, users can share their adventures with the press of a button.
This model is the first in the ZS series to incorporate a 25–250mm (equivalent) f/2.8–5.9 Leica DC lens, to capture images with impressive depth of field. In addition to photos, the camera records 4K 3,840×2,160 video at 24 and 30 fps, as well as Full HD 1,920×1,080 60p videos, in the transfer-friendly MP4 format.
For the first time in a travel camera, Panasonic’s 4K photo function allows users to extract an 8 megapixel still image from 4K video (30 fps). Now even fleeting events, such as the exact moment a subject hits the water diving into the sea, can be captured. Another addition to the ZS range is the post-focus feature, which permits users to choose the focal point of any picture, even after it’s taken. The DMC-ZS100’s 0.1s Light Speed Autofocus and Depth from Defocus (DFD) technologies combine to calculate the distance between the camera and the subject, capturing optimal focus for 49 individual areas within each frame. Once the photo is taken, users can manually select the exact area they want to focus on, such as an individual bird as a flock takes flight. From a single photo, they can export multiple shots with different focal points.
Other features include: a 1,166K-dot live viewfinder (LVF) with LVF autofocus (AF) that detects when a shot is about to be taken; a 3-inch, 1,040K-dot touch screen; manual controls, including dedicated rings and dials for zoom, aperture, shutter speed, manual focus and ISO level; 5-axis hybrid optical image stabilization; level-shot functions; face/eye-tracking AF; in-camera RAW; and Wi-Fi and QR code connectivity to a smartphone or tablet for sharing via the Panasonic Image app.
The DMC-ZS100 will be available at the end of March in silver and black versions for $699.99.
Lumix DMC-ZS60. This pocket-size model weights less than 11 ounces yet boasts an 18MP MOS sensor and a 30x optical zoom Leica lens. Also able to record 4K video, its high-sensitivity sensor is engineered to provide low-light performance with minimal noise. The 1/2.3-inch sensor complements a Venus engine said to reproduce “breathtaking color that remains accurate to the composition you saw through the lens.”
The ZS60’s 24–720mm zoom lens lets photographers get close to the action, without disturbing the subject, which is useful for pictures and videos of wildlife, or more natural shots of friends and family.
Its video capabilities also include 4K 3,840×2,160 recording at 30 fps and Full HD 1,920×1,080 at 60p in the MP4 format. Again, Panasonic’s 4K photo function enables users to extract an 8MP photo from 4K video (30 fps), while its post-focus feature lets them select the focal point of a picture, even after it’s taken.
Other features include: easy-to-use manual settings; a control ring provides control of zoom, aperture and shutter speed; a 3-inch, 1040K-dot touch-screen LCD for navigating menus and selecting settings; a 0.2-inch, 1,166K-dot electronic viewfinder; 5-axis hybrid OIS to combat blurring; contrast autofocus with DFD technology; face/eye-tracking AF; and 10-fps bursts (full resolution), 5 fps with AF.
Once users have selected their favorite snaps on the DMC-ZS60, they can share them with the press of a button and by connecting to a smartphone or tablet. The camera provides full wireless control and photography via the Panasonic Image app.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 will be available mid-March in both silver and black for $449.99. panasonic.com
