The DMC-FZ50 boasts a 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD for its image
sensor and Venus Engine III for the image processing LSI, making it possible
to record a image at max. ISO 1600 high sensitivity setting at full
resolution. Furthermore, by dramatically reducing the noise levels that
challenged its predecessor, the DMC-FZ50 is able to capture 10.1-megapixel
full resolution images even in high sensitivity recording.To fight
against the major cause of blurred images, Panasonic invented the MEGA O.I.S.
system taking advantage of its superior lens technology to compensate for
handshake - a feature which has long been incorporated into the LUMIX range
of cameras. In addition, to also compensate for the other major cause of
blurred images ? movement of the subject - the FZ50 is also equipped with
the world?s first* Intelligent ISO Control (hereafter I.I.C. ) within the
advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III. When set to the I.I.C, the
Venus Engine III detects the subject?s movement and adjusts the ISO setting
and shutter speed to best suit the subject movement and the light condition
automatically. Panasonic's excellent image stabilizing system allows users
to take clear, crisp images in any situation automatically, leaving
everything to the camera.
From a point of view of further improving the usability of its
predecessor, the DMC-FZ50 is equipped with a new Function Button which
serves as a shortcut to quickly set frequently-used settings such as
recording image size, light metering, AF area, white balance, and ISO
sensitivity. Also, thanks to the newly incorporated custom setting function,
your frequent setting patterns can be memorized and it can be instantly
applied by simply selecting this function with the mode dial. The 2-inch LCD
flips out to 180 degrees, making it easier to view even when shooting from
high or low angles. As for optional accessories, the DMC-FZ50 is now
compatible with TTL external flashes. Finally, the battery life is greatly
extended by approx. 29% compared with its predecessor allowing the FZ50 to
shoot approx. 360 images on one charge (CIPA).
The LUMIX DMC-FZ50 faithfully inherits the well received basic
specifications from its predecessor FZ30 such as the manual focus ring and
manual zoom ring, yet enhances the image sensor up to 10.1-megapixel. Noise
is drastically reduced with this new FZ50 achieving a rendition of even
higher quality images. The DMC-FZ50 is bound to spark the imagination of
high-end users and join the Panasonic LUMIX high-end model lineup.
* Based on the CIPA standard.
1. 10.1-megapixel CCD and f/2.8 12x optical zoom LEICA DC lens
The DMC-FZ50 includes a 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD and the f/2.8
LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 35 mm to 420 mm with
a 35 mm film camera) lens. The lens unit is comprised of fourteen elements
in ten groups including three aspherical lenses and an ED lens, All these
are incorporated to generate low distortion and high optical performance
while preserving the compactness of the unit. The Extra Optical Zoom, made
possible by using the center part of the 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD,
further extends the powerful 12x optical zoom to up to 21.4x for 3-megapixel
image recording (17.1x for 5-megapixel and13.4x for 8-megapixel recording).
High resolution images with richer gradation are always assured with these
LEICA DC 12x optical zoom lens and the 10.1-Megapixel CCD. .
2. More than just a MEGA O.I.S., LUMIX's image stabilizing system
further evolves
Taking advantage of its superior lens technology, Panasonic invented the
MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer( system to fight against the major
cause of blurred images. It compensates for handshake and is now featured on
the entire LUMIX range, and has been highly evaluated and appreciated by the
users across the world. Every slight hand-shake movement is detected
accurately with the sampling frequency at 4,000 times per second and will be
compensated to render clear, sharp images. In addition, movement of the
subject, the other major cause of blurred images, is suppressed by the
advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III with the Intelligent ISO
Control (hereafter I.I.C. ) and max.ISO1600 high sensitivity recording
capabilities. The world's first incorporation of this I.I.C. allows the
automatic adjustment of the suitable ISO setting and shutter speed that best
suits the situation by analyzing the speed of subject movement. If the
subject is moving, the ISO setting would automatically rise to allow high
shutter speed. On the other hand, if the subject is still and no movement is
detected, you can take beautiful natural images with a low ISO setting.
Accordingly the new LUMIX automatically takes the best countermeasures
against any causes of blurred images with MEGA O.I.S. compensating for
hand-shake and the I.I.C. compensating for movement of the subject. Image
stabilizing system is further evolving with LUMIX.
3. Dramatically reduced noise with Venus Engine III
The DMC-FZ50 adopts the Venus Engine III to realize high sensitivity
recording at max. ISO 1600 at full resolution. The noise reduction system is
greatly improved by removing noise at the processing stages in series.
First, critical noise is roughly undraped and the chromatic noise and the
luminance noise are separated to respectively go through the supplemental
noise reduction process so that the remaining noise is appropriately
minimised. In addition, chromatic aberration is also reduced so beautiful
images are assured even in telephoto shooting.
Despite the significantly increased performance of the camera, the Venus
Engine III consumes only 80% of the power utilized by the Venus Engine II
and is able to achieve a longer battery life of approx. 360 pictures (CIPA)
on a single charge. With its multi-task image processing capability, the
Venus Engine III also boasts outstanding response time with an
industry-leading level of shutter release time lag of as short as 0.009
sec*. minimum and the shutter interval of 0.8 sec*. Together with the fast
startup time of approx. 0.7 sec., the quick response of DMC-FZ50 enables
easy capture of those spur-of-the-moment shots. The DMC-FZ50 also allows
unlimited consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the SD/SDHC memory
card* * * * Not including the time for AF. * *The number of recordable
pictures depends on the memory card size, battery life, picture size and
image compression.
4. Intensifying functionality in pursuit of full manual
controllability
The DMC-FZ50 succeeds the high operational ease and the good design that
have been highly acclaimed with its predecessor DMC-FZ30. Two exclusive
rings on the lens barrel provide manual control of zooming and focusing,
allowing quick and fine control that cannot be achieved with button or lever
operation. This feature will be highly valued by high-end users not only for
its precise controllability but also for the feeling of manual operation.
With the two dials located under the index finger and the thumb, you can
compensate the exposure directly in addition to the shutter speed and the
aperture smoothly and naturally. The newly added Function Button serves as a
shortcut exclusively for the commonly used settings such as recording image
size, light metering, AF area, white balance, and ISO sensitivity, allowing
them to be set easily.
For further improvement, your frequent setting patterns can be memorized
and can be instantly applied by just selecting the newly incorporated custom
setting function. White balance now can be finely adjusted with a reference
to the horizontal axis for amber to blue and vertical axis for green to
magenta. Furthermore two composition guideline patterns can be overlaid on
the normal shooting screen.
5. Free-angle LCD and high resolution EVF to extend shooting potential
The 2.0-inch flip-out 207k high resolution LCD is adjustable to 180 degrees
both vertically and horizontally. This assists smooth shooting even in high-
and low-angle shooting positions. The pixel mixed readout method performed
at the CCD achieves high sensitivity to offer sufficient brightness for easy
shooting even in low-lit situations. The Power LCD function boosts the
brightness level by 40% to secure clear view even in sunny outdoors. The
DMC-FZ50 is also equipped with the 235 k pixels high resolution EVF to
encourage active shooting. Not OVF but EVF can provide the benefit of being
able to check white balance, real-time histogram and the DOF (depth of
field) before shooting.
6. Faster AF
The AF mode can be selected according to the shooting situation: 9-point,
3-point high speed, 1-point high speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot. In
the 1-point and 1-point high speed AF mode, the AF area is selectable from
the nine focusing areas with the joystick to best fit the composition of the
subjects. Also, the AF assist lamp facilitates quick, accurate focusing in
situations where focusing is difficult due to the lack of light.
7. Clear, bright, wide VGA motion image recording for viewing on wide
screen TV
In addition to standard VGA (640x480) at 30 fps motion image recording, the
DMC-FZ50 also records stunning full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848x480)
at 30 fps. Shooting is one thing but viewing is another, and you will be
suitably impressed by the 16:9 moving image when it is displayed on a wide
screen TV. The brightness level of these motion images is also enhanced as a
result of the pixel mixed readout method performed by the CCD. Zooming in
while recording motion images is also possible with the manual zoom ring,
while image clarity is secured by the Optical Image Stabilizer.
8. Included software and optional accessories
To edit and develop RAW files, the "SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE"
software application is bundled with the DMC-FZ50. Using this software, you
can freely adjust various setting such as exposure, white balance, and so on
afterward with the RAW files to take maximum advantage of digital camera
photography enjoyment.,
The DMC-FZ50 is compatible with all the same accessories as the FZ30. In
addition to those, the DMC-FZ50 is also compatible with the TTL external
flash (GN50 or GN36). This expandability enhances the potential of shooting
to make DMC-FZ50 a true high end camera.