Panasonic Canada Inc. today introduced the new LUMIX 7.2-megapixel DMC-FX50 and DMC-FX07 digital still cameras, and also the 6-megapixel DMC-FX3, the world's first(*) to feature Intelligent ISO Control (IIC) to correct image blurriness caused by movement of the subject matter. The FX50 will have an MSP(xx) of $549.99, the FX07 will have an MSP of $479.99 and the FX3 will have an MSP of $349.99.

All three models offer Panasonic's exclusive MEGA Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) technology which reduces blurry photos caused by unsteady hands. The FX50 and FX07 give consumers superior lens quality in a compact camera with a 28mm wide angle f/2.8 LEICA DC lens with 3.6x optical zoom (equivalent to 28mm to 102mm on a 35mm film camera) which will allow users to enjoy the benefit of a wide angle lens when shooting indoor group portraits, expansive landscapes, or architectural scenes. The FX3 features an equivalent 35 mm lens with 3x optical zoom.

"Smart design, sleek form factor and powerful automatic features guided Panasonic's engineers when they developed the FX series of LUMIX digital cameras," said Doug Borbath, Product Manager for Panasonic's Imaging Group. "And packed into the FX50 and FX07 is our new cutting edge Intelligent ISO Control technology, which focuses on the one thing the user can't always control: subject movement."

Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S. is in the entire line of LUMIX cameras. And the FX50 and FX07 signal the debut of the next step in photographic technology with Panasonic's revolutionary new Intelligent ISO Control (IIC) feature. IIC allows high sensitivity recording at full resolution (1250 ISO maximum) within the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III. When set to the IIC, 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 image stabilizing system allows users to take clear, crisp images in any situation, leaving everything to the camera. The FX3 features a maximum ISO 1600 high sensitivity mode for capturing images of fast-moving objects.

The FX50 features a new 3-inch LCD while the FX07 offers a more compact size with a 2.5-inch LCD. The FX50 allows dual image playback, enabling the user to see and compare any two images at a time. It also allows selection of up to nine sequential frames from a captured motion image file to be displayed as thumbnails and saved as still images. The FX3 also has a large, crisp 2.5-inch LCD.

All three cameras come with multiple scene modes that make it simple to capture great images in all kinds of shooting conditions, such as night portrait, party, food, sports, and the ever popular Baby Mode, which lets the user set a birth date for a child and automatically capture the age each time a picture is taken.

The FX50 will be available in silver or black. The FX07 will come in silver and black, each with a specially textured finish. The FX3 will come in black or silver. All three models will begin shipping this September.

Panasonic imaging products are marketed in Canada by Panasonic Canada Inc. (PCI). PCI is a principal Canadian subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (MEI) of Japan, one of the world's largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business, and industrial use. All prices are in Canadian dollars. Consumers seeking more information on the company's products can call Panasonic's Customer Care Centre at 905-624-5505 or access Panasonic's home page at www.panasonic.ca.

(*)For a digital still camera, as of July 19, 2006

(xx)Manufacturer's suggested price. All prices are in Canadian dollars.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

For further information: please contact: Nicole Paara, Environics Communications, (416) 969-2831, npaara@environicspr.com; Toni Peet, Environics Communications, (416) 969-2719, tpeet@environicspr.com

Source: newswire