Panasonic has announced a slew of new cameras, including the new Lumix DMC-FZ300, a camera capable of 4K recording and a whopping 24x zoom.
The sensor packs a maximum aperture of f/2.8 across the full zoom range, along with a maximum ISO of 6400. This helps users capture fast-moving objects and low-light scenes with a high level of clarity.
"The stunningly fast F2.8 aperture with 600 mm which makes it possible to clearly capture moving subjects at a high shutter speed even at a great distance has not been achieved by any digital compact camera except for the LUMIX FZ200," said Panasonic in a statement. "The splash and dust proof capability make the LUMIX FZ300 the all-around great camera for sports, outdoor and events."
While the FZ300 is similar to the FZ200, the new camera does have a number of improvements over its predecessor. For example, the FZ300 includes a splash-proof and dust-proof body, making this the only option on the market for a splash-proof super-zoom camera, apart from the Fujifilm 50x zoom FinePix S1.
Of course, the FZ300 also includes a new image processor capable of handling 4K video at 30 or 24 frames per second in MP4. Video at 60 frames per second can also be captured at 1080p.
In order to keep photos blur-free, Panasonic has also included its five-axis hybrid optical image stabilization, combining both electrical and mechanical stabilization. This is the same stabilization technique found in the higher end FZ1000, which worked quite well for the camera.
While the camera's predecessor, the FZ200, was known for being quite a fast snapper, the FZ300 promises to take that to a new level. This is thanks to the camera's depth from defocus technology, which basically helps out the contrast-detection autofocus system by deciphering how far a subject is at a high speed and enabling the focus to accurately lock onto a target.
The viewfinder of the camera has also been beefed up, offering a 0.39-inch 1,440k-dot display with 100 percent field of vision. It includes 4:3 aspect and 0.7x magnification.
Other interesting features include Wi-Fi connectivity and built-in noise reduction features.
The new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 will be available in the U.S. starting in October and will cost $600. The company has not released details on pricing for other countries. However, it is largely expected that it will cost the same as the FZ200 did at launch.
Via: Cnet
