Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 Digital Camera

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 Digital Camera records images at a resolution of up to 10.1 megapixels and incorporates a premium wide-angle LEICA lens with an 18x optical zoom and a focal length range equivalent to 27- 486mm, ideal for tight indoor shots and long-distance action photos. The camera's lens incorporates the Panasonic MEGA O.I.S. Image Stabilization system, which helps to prevent hand-shaking from creating a blurry image. The camera also provides an Extra Optical Zoom of up to 32.1x and a macro capability that allows you to shoot subjects as close as 0.4" (1cm) with a Tele macro that gives you great macro shots with beautiful, softly focused backgrounds. The 1/2.33-inch CCD image sensor is a bit larger than most others in this class of camera, providing dynamic high-resolution images.

The enhanced Intelligent Auto Mode (iA), with the AF (auto focus) Tracking function, makes it easier for photographers at any level to shoot sharp, well-focused photos, even when the subject is moving - making it ideal for action shots. The AF Tracking technology also improves Face Detection (up to 15 faces), by providing continuous adjustment of the focus and exposure, even if the face is turned away from the camera. Other iA technologies incorporated in the DMC-FZ28 include Intelligent Exposure to prevent photos from being under or over-exposed even when shooting in dim lighting, or backlight conditions, Digital Red-eye Correction, Intelligent ISO, which automatically changes the ISO setting and shutter speed for blur-free photos, the Intelligent Scene Selector that automatically selects the appropriate scene mode based on the image being captured, plus many more convenient and useful functions.

The high-performance Venus Engine IV supports fast response times, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and up to 13 shots per second in High-Speed Burst mode. In addition, the camera's processor reduces image noise and allows for High Sensitivity of up to ISO 6400 - a powerful feature when shooting in extremely low-lit situations. The DMC-FZ28 also is equipped with a 2.7-inch high-resolution LCD and a high-resolution electric viewfinder to provide flexibility in framing and reviewing your shots.

The DMC-FZ28 also features high-definition (HD) video capabilities with a resolution of 1280 x 720p at 30fps. Still, photos can also be shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio for optimal full-screen viewing on an HDTV. You can even enjoy watching videos in HD quality and viewing still images by connecting the DMC-FXZ28 via an optional Panasonic component cable (DMW-HDC2) to any HDTV display. Plus you'll get Panasonic's SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0 SE Software, which provides for easy editing and developing of your camera's images.

10.1 Megapixel CCD

The DMC-FZ28 features a high-quality 1/2.33-inch CCD that has been designed and built by Panasonic and provides a 10.1-megapixel resolution for exquisite image quality with both excellent sensitivity and a wide dynamic range. Panasonic also minimized noise generation by using highly efficient support electronics around the CCD and a large output buffer to provide dramatically improved color reproduction in low lighting, where noise is typically a problem.

18x Optical Zoom with Extended Optical Zoom & Digital Zoom

The DMC-FZ28 features a remarkable 18x optical zoom, equivalent to a 27- 486mm lens on a 35mm film camera. A film camera with an optical zoom this powerful would be so big and heavy, you couldn't handle it with one hand. The DMC-FZ28, on the other hand, is small, lightweight, and easy to handle. It also has Panasonic's Extended Optical Zoom, which uses the center portion of the camera's image sensor to provide a zoom ratio of up to 32.1x (35mm equivalent of 866mm) for images with a 3-megapixel resolution or less. Adding the Extra Optical Zoom to the camera's 4x digital zoom further extends the total zooming power to an incredible maximum of 128x (35mm equivalent of 3,456mm).

Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens

The Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens of the DMC-FZ28 features 27mm equivalent wide-angle capability and is housed in a surprisingly compact camera body. The bright, large-diameter lens with f/2.8 to 4.4 aperture has minimal distortion and captures images with corner-to-corner clarity. The lens unit comprises 11 elements in 8 groups, with 2 ED (Extra Low Dispersion) lenses and 3 aspherical lenses, including a dual-sided aspherical meniscus lens, to achieve high optical performance while maintaining compactness. With its high resolution and superb contrast, this high-quality lens gives you the freedom to express yourself with the finest of nuances.

Special Zoom Features

The camera provides some very useful zoom features including a 2-step Zoom Speed function that allows you to control the zoom operation at two different speeds, Low and Fast, with the zoom lever. Rotate the lever a small amount for slow zooming, and a larger amount for high-speed zooming to provide for finer zooming control. The camera also provides a Zoom Resume function that lets you decide on your composition before you shoot, so you can be prepared for sudden opportunities. It stores the zoom position (magnification) in memory, so you can shoot with the same zoom setting once the power is turned on again. The camera also allows the optical zoom to function when recording video clips - an unusual feature for a digital still camera.

Impressive Focus Control

The camera incorporates the latest optical focus technology to ensure that you get the sharpest and clearest shot possible - regardless of the shooting conditions or the nature of the subject. Besides having a very fast and accurate focus system for more typical shooting conditions such as posed shots or landscapes, the DMC-FZ28 incorporates the impressive AF Tracking system that allows the camera to continue to automatically keep a moving subject in focus, even when you remove your finger from the AF/AE Lock button. This keeps the focus sharp and blur-free when shooting active children or pets, as well as when capturing sports scenes or subjects in a moving object. There is also the Quick AF mode, which starts operating as soon as the camera is pointed toward a subject to dramatically reduce the shutter delay time and lets you take pictures quickly - ideal for capturing quick photos of active children and pets.

Face Detection for Superb Portraits

The Face Detection function automatically chooses the optimal settings to make sure faces appear well-lit and in focus. This advanced technology can detect up to 15 faces in a scene, and will even automatically readjust the settings if their positions change. The DMC-FZ28 is also equipped with Digital Red-eye Correction to automatically take care of the red-eye effect that often happens when shooting with a flash.

High-Sensitivity Mode

This mode helps suppress motion blur by automatically setting the ISO sensitivity in the range of 1600-6400, which increases the shutter speed. It also lets you take clearer, sharper shots in dim lighting without using a flash.

MEGA O.I.S. with Intelligent ISO Control

The MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) system compensates for handshake - the major cause of blurred images. Every slight hand-shake movement is detected accurately and is compensated to render clear, sharp images. In addition, the movement of the subject, the other major cause of blurred images, is suppressed by Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) that provides for automatic adjustment of the ISO setting and shutter speed that best suits the situation by analyzing the speed of the subject movement.

Venus Engine IV Image-Processing LSI

The Panasonic image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features more advanced signal processing technology for rendering even higher-quality images, including improved parallel noise reduction in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing systems. This not only produces a clearer image in high ISO sensitivity recording but also faithfully reproduces details in low-lit areas of pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity. The Venus Engine IV also supports sensitivity settings of up to ISO 3200 at full resolution and even up to ISO 6400 when using the high sensitivity mode, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash. Plus the Intelligent Exposure function now has high, standard, and low settings of effect to match the shooting conditions and desired result.

High-Speed Performance

Thanks to the Venus Engine IV, the DMC-FZ28 boasts outstanding response time with a shutter release time lag is as short as 0.006 seconds to make it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment shots. The camera also provides a burst shooting mode that can snap 2.5 shots per second at full resolution, and a High-Speed Burst mode that fires off an incredible 13 shots per second at lower resolution. Plus you'll also get unlimited consecutive shooting and a Flash Burst mode that makes it possible to take continuous shots - even with the flash on.

Intelligent Auto (iA) Mode

While the DMC-FZ28 allows full manual control for more advanced photography, the camera also allows users to take perfect shots with outstanding ease. This is made possible by Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) mode. In the iA mode, the camera does all the work, activating Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection, and Intelligent Exposure. This leaves the user free to simply compose the shot and press the shutter button, with the assurance that the image will be clear, beautiful, and properly exposed.

Joystick-operated Intuitive Manual Control

The DMC-FZ28 offers manual focus and manual exposure, and both are adjustable with an independent omnidirectional joystick. Users can quickly shortcut to frequently used variables containing white balance adjustment, ISO setting, image size setting, and compression format just by pressing and holding down the joystick, even while monitoring a subject on the LCD. There's no need to switch to the menu screen. When you focus in the Manual Focus mode, not only the focus distance but also the depth of field (according to the zoom range and aperture) is displayed. There is also a MF assist function that enlarges the center of the image to make focusing easier.

Standard & Intelligent Scene Modes

The DMC-FZ28 contains a host of scene modes to assist your shooting for a wide range of situations - letting the camera make the optimal settings for you automatically, so anybody can take superb photos with ease. To make it even simpler to use the scene modes, the icons and display are designed for easy visibility. The Advanced Scene Mode function lets you quickly set the frequently used Portrait, Scenery, Sports, or Night Portrait Modes with the mode dial, and each of these modes can be fine-tuned to match the shooting situation. Creative mode also lets you adjust the aperture or shutter speed, for easy manual control.

Unique Scene Modes

Panasonic has made some unique Scene modes available - such as the "Baby" mode which allows easy growth recording in which the baby's age according to the preset birthday would be automatically recorded onto the image, A Pinhole mode to emulate the look of a classic Pinhole camera, and a film Grain mode that looks like you've been shooting onto monochrome high-sensitivity film. Plus, the Tele-Macro function allows shooting the subject in the Macro mode at the telephoto end of the lens range, giving a soft-focused background to make the subject stand out.

Intelligent Scene Detection

With the Panasonic Lumix digital camera in Intelligent Auto Mode, the Intelligent Scene Selector will sense the ambient conditions and automatically select either the Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode accordingly. With the camera choosing the settings for you, you'll get beautiful results every time you shoot, no matter what the scene or subject.

Auto Angle Detection & Leveling

Auto angle detection records whether an image was taken horizontally or vertically, and ensures that when playing back on the LCD monitor and displaying images on your TV vertical images are automatically displayed vertically and horizontal images are automatically displayed horizontally. The leveling feature lets users fix images that were accidentally shot at a slight angle - right inside the camera. Rotational correction up to 2° is possible in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and even difficult corrections of straight horizons and architectural buildings can be made with excellent results.

Versatile Video Options

The DMC-FZ28 records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480). The DMC-FZ28 also has a slideshow function that allows users to assemble slide shows in-camera complete with music and a variety of slide change effects for emotion-filled slideshows. Both video clips and slideshows can be viewed on a standard TV with the included video cable or viewed on a large-screen HDTV - thanks to the camera's HD component output capability (requires optional DMW-HDC2 component cable).

Built-in and Expandable Memory

The camera includes 50MB of built-in memory, and the memory capacity can be expanded dramatically with Secure Digital (SD) or Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory cards. You can also copy images from a memory card or PC to the built-in memory, and view them on the LCD anytime you like.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 Digital Camera - Blacl

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