Panasonic reveals DMC-FZ28 megazoom, DMC-LX3 and DMC-FX37

Shortly after Samsung unveiled its summer stable of cameras, along comes Panasonic with a new trio of its own. Kicking things off is the zoom-infatuated DMC-FZ28, which features a remarkable 18x optical zoom, 10.1-megapixel sensor, Intelligent Auto Mode, Auto Focus and a 27-millimeter wide-angle lens. Moving on, we see the DMC-LX2's rightful successor -- the unimaginatively named LX3 -- which lands in August alongside the aforementioned FZ28. Said shooter packs a 10.1-megapixel sensor, F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens and the ability to capture 720p movies at 24fps. Bringing up the rear is the pocket-friendly LUMIX DMC-FX37 (due in September), which touts a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC lens, 10.1-megapixel sensor (are you sensing a trend?), a 5x optical zoom and 720p movie mode. Ready for the sting(s)? Try $449.99, $499.95 and $349.95 in order of mention.

[Via LetsGoDigital]

Read - DMC-FZ28
Read - DMC-LX3
Read - DMC-FX37

[homer_lopez @ Jul 21st 2008 11:51AM]

For that price and size, I'd rather go with a Canon DSLR.

[Sphynx @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:08AM]

I'm wondering where you get a Canon DSLR with one 27-504mm objective (or at least something closely comaprable) for $450.

[neofolklore @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:07AM]

or you can get a DSLR without movie mode.

[neofolklore @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:07AM]

oh, I tend to just reply to the first post so my comment gets read, I didn't realize people were actually saying intelligent things this time around.

[Ian @ Aug 3rd 2008 10:26PM]

This is clearly marketed as a second camera for DSLR users, not a DSLR competitor.

[stretchsje @ Jul 21st 2008 12:05PM]

FINALLY, a return to bright lenses for compact cameras. Those tiny sensors demand bright lenses. Not since the Canon G6 has their been an F2.0 lens on a compact camera.

To put this in perspective, the average compact camera lens nowadays goes from F2.8 to F5.6 as its largest aperture depending on where the lens is in its zoom range. F2.0 means it lets exactly twice as much light onto the image sensor as F2.8, and F2.8 lets FOUR times more light onto the sensor than an F5.6 lens.

Thus, while a compact camera with an F5.6 lens may have to use a sensitivity ISO800 to shoot indoors, an F2.8 lens can use ISO200 and get the exact same shutter speed. This means MUCH, MUCH less noisy images.

Of course, Panasonic's historically noisy sensors need this advantage, but nonetheless it's good to see a manufacturer start to push its focus (and hopefully advertising) to lens quality. I'd love to see the race for camera quality start focusing on lenses instead of megapixels.

[E. Leigh @ Jul 21st 2008 12:13PM]

I absolutely agree - I have an Olympus deal with an F2.8 but the model before it had an F1.2! It was the one disadvantage to the newer model. I hope manufacturers will look at the lense rather than the megapixel capture - what good is it when my camera can capture the booger in your nose but the noise in the photo is so great that I still can't see it? :P Let's hope we get some faster lenses.

[stretchsje @ Jul 21st 2008 12:24PM]

Wow, the 1/1.63-inch CCD (in the LX3) is new for Pansonic too. They developed TWO new 10 megapixel sensors, one of which is about the size of a Fuji 12-megapixel SuperCCD. I think Panasonic is also going to take the crown for lowest pixel density (a great thing) with this new camera, albiet just barely. It's still immensely dense compared to, say, an SLR, but the important thing is that Panasonic is reversing the trend of increasing density with each new model. This really is a huge turn-around for Pansonic, and a very welcome one!

To sum up, Panasonic is offering in the LX3 one of the brightest lenses and least-dense pixel sensors in a compact camera in a long time. The combination should yield a camera able to shoot in 4 to 8 times lower light than its predecessor (or even the other current Panasonic models). This is an incredible reversal of some horrible trends plaguing camera design for YEARS.

[The Pepto Pimp @ Jul 21st 2008 1:00PM]

While I agree with most of ideals in your post (such as the suggestion that the camera race should focus away from mega-pixels), I think you need to let go of your use of the work exactly.

F stops are theoretical measurements. Impurities in the glass as well as reflective and absorptive properties of materials inside that lens determine how much light passes through the aperture and onto the imaging medium. Try T-stops if you want to talk about exactly how much light is reaching the image sensor.

[joe blow @ Jul 21st 2008 12:20PM]

I used to hate Panasonic. They have actually redeemed themselves with some of their cameras. Decent quality and features for a decent price, and lens capability above the price range competitors.

[4honor @ Jul 21st 2008 12:56PM]

I don't HATE panasonic, but I used to just buy Canon/Nikon/Sony digicams. This seems pretty good if I don't already have my Canon XSi.

[bartoron @ Jul 21st 2008 1:02PM]

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 and I absolutely love it. It has 12x optical zoom, really good battery life, and best of all it takes great pictures. :D

[rcappo @ Jul 21st 2008 2:51PM]

I have a 5MP Panasonic with 6x zoom. It has been abused by me for 3 or 4 years and taken over 11,000 pictures and still works. It doesn't like sandy environments like the beach anymore, but the pictures are worth taking it there.

[icepop4who @ Jul 21st 2008 12:43PM]

I hope these cameras have some kind of anti-blur/shake electronics or else it's useless as a point and shoot beyond 10x zoom. It's also pretty expensive for a super zoom camera at $400~$500. @homer_lopez, a DSLR does sound like a better deal.

[paul-engadget @ Jul 21st 2008 1:16PM]

the LX3 says sensor is 1/1.63", but cannot find sensor size for the FX28. The press release for the LX3 implies Panasonic have realised that to be taken seriously they need to use larger sensors - I've always been put off older models because they've stuck with tiny 1/2.5" sensors!

[LloydChiro @ Jul 21st 2008 1:33PM]

It's on the Panasonic website. I just closed it, but the FX28 has a smaller sensor.

The LX3 is the one that I want. It looks like a decent, affordable alternative to some of the bridge cameras out there like the Sigma or Pentax models. Plus, it's got that beautiful 460K LCD screen.

[paul-engadget @ Jul 21st 2008 5:44PM]

its now reached dpreview - http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08072104panasonicfz28.asp

and, oh dear, it's a 1/2.33" sensor. sigh. it's almost as if Panasonic want to cripple the camera.. but I guess they do, to not undermine their massive SLR business. Oh wait, they don't have one!!!

[Cycomachead @ Jul 21st 2008 6:12PM]

The Panasonic LX series have used 1/1.65" sensors for just over 3 years now. Now it's a bit bigger :-)

[LloydChiro @ Jul 21st 2008 1:20PM]

This post represents three different cameras, thus warrants three different posts. Or, at least there should be pictures of each one in this post. One of them is a hulking superzoom (pictured); the other one is a pocket camera.

[rodman @ Jul 21st 2008 1:26PM]

I want my FZ8 became FZ28 :P

[apeguero @ Jul 21st 2008 3:42PM]

I'm so happy with my Canon 40d that I no longer even bother looking at these camera posts :) And no, I didn't read the post, I just commented in it.

[mrpoo @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:35AM]

I didn't read your comment, it just gave me something nice to poop on.

[apeguero @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:10PM]

@mrpoo: A boo-hoo Mr. Stinky!

[carter @ Jul 21st 2008 8:03PM]

Damn I just purchased an LX2!

It's an excellent camera, especially if you work with it, especially in b+w. It's got a slightly unusual form factor, with the lens sticking out the front, so I'm wondering what the bigger glass for the f 2.0 is going to look like. The 28mm lens in the LX2 works pretty well, but again I'm wondering how the 24mm is going to hold up. It's a big jump.

But basically I'm just jealous - and if I hadn't just got the LX2 I'd be after the LX3!

[ms @ Jul 21st 2008 9:05PM]

I'm still wondering when the successor to the FZ50 is coming out. The FZ50 has stayed remarkably competitive despite coming out in '06, but you'd think they'd come up with something newer by now.

[aaron @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:53AM]

I have a Panasonic DMC FZ-30 (the one that looks like an slr with fixed lens/manual focus ring).
Terrific zoom, great pictures and great wide angle shots. Very easy to use, tactile (manual focus ring, thumb selector, etc) and long battery life. quick start up and fast response.

Nothing to dislike except at night, dark photos have noise unless you're using a very fine tripod or take great pains. most cameras do, though...
Also, it's not compact.

Awesome camera. I'd buy another (or it's latest version) if broken or lost.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC-FZ30