Panasonic is pleased to announce a new addition of slim, stylish compact digital camera DMC-FX80 to the LUMIX FX series which is popular with its outstanding performance and sophisticated design.

LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens 24mm ultra wide angle 5x optical zoom (equivalent to 24mm to 120mm on a 35mm camera) with F2.5 brightness fits in the compact lens unit enhancing the slimness of camera body. The lens especially excels not only in shooting dynamic landscapes with its wide angle of view but also in capturing moving subjects even in low-lit situations such as indoors or at night with its outstanding brightness. The 5x optical zoom increases its power to 10x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function with minimum deterioration of image quality thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology.

Incorporating a 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, the DMC-FX80 is compatible with high-speed, large-capacity signal processing required for 1,920 x 1,080 full-HD video recording in AVCHD/MP4. It also contributes to the high speed burst shooting and Sonic Speed AF to catch the most fleeting shooting opportunities. And the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine assures high picture quality in both photo and video recording with its Intelligent Noise Reduction system.

A variety of special effects that add fun to shooting experience are newly integrated in the DMC-FX80. In addition to 3D Photo mode and Panorama Shot, Creative Control offers 10 patterns of attractive filter effect in photo / video recording. It is also possible to look images nicer even after shooting with Artistic Retouch (Creative Retouch, Defocus Effect, Color / Brightness), Beauty Retouch and Auto Retouch.

Also, iA (Intelligent Auto) mode lets users leave everything to the camera to take beautiful images with MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) with Active Mode and Motion Deblur mode together with AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Face Recognition, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Once you enter the iA mode, these multi-capable functions happen automatically, so that you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change.

The DMC-FX80 is newly compatible with USB power charging in addition to the conventional AC power supply. Users can enjoy their communication with the LUMIX Image Uploader, which realizes instant image sharing via Facebook or YouTube with any PC on the spot.

Based on a high picture quality supported by the high quality imaging devices, DMC-FX80 further pursues enjoyment not only during but also after shooting which ordinary digital still cameras can never offer.

The DMC-FX80 incorporates high quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens that boasts excellent brightness of F2.5. The F2.5 lens is even brighter by approx. 25% than the F2.8 lens which is generally considered a bright lens. It allows the use of higher shutter speed but captures stunningly clear, sharp, blur-free images even in lower lighting situation. Together with the MEGA O.I.S. in the iA mode, DMC-FX80 powerfully suppresses blur caused by the movement of subjects. Also, the 24mm (35mm camera equivalent: 24-120mm ) ultra-wide-angle lens – rare on a compact camera – gives photographers a wider range of composition possibilities with approx. 213% larger viewing space compared to that of 35mm camera. The super-high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens minimizes distortion at the wide end. Comprising of 6 elements in 5 groups with 3 aspherical lenses with 5 aspherical surfaces, the lens unit in DMC-FX80 realized downsizing of both total length and diameter to fit in the slim, compact body of the camera. This advanced lens unit passes Leica’s stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance with its minimal distortion and chromatic aberrations while suppressing ghosting and flaring. The Intelligent Zoom is also available with the DMC-FX80. It is an extensive zoom function using digital zoom, however, you can even draw the subject 2x closer than the original optical zoom with minimum deterioration of image quality thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. This means the 5x optical can virtually extend to 10x equivalent.

The 12.1-megapixel CCD with 2-channel signal output structure boasts higher signal transfer speed for the operations that require high performance and speed such as 1,920 x 1,080 full HD video recording and high speed continuous shooting. The picture quality is also improved thanks to the higher sensitivity which is made possible by highly efficient light condensation adoption larger on-chip micro lenses.

For the image processor, the Venus Engine FHD is incorporated that features exceptionally advanced signal processing capabilities featuring its Intelligent Noise Reduction.

The multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine supports a super-fast response time which makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) that lets you lock on the subject. The LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens, high resolution CCD and the high performance Venus Engine assures high quality image rendering.

The DMC-FX80 adopts touch-screen operation with 3.0-inch Smart Touch Screen. Auto Focus is immediately set to the subject by just touching it on the large LCD and you can even release the shutter. Once you lock on the subject by a touch, the camera tracks the subject with the AF tracking function even if it moves.

The Creative Control mode offers a selection of artistic filter effects when recording images; Expressive, Retro, High Dynamic, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, High Key, Low Key, Miniature Effect, Toy Effect and Soft Focus. Miniature Effect mode in which the peripherals are defocused while saturation and contrast is emphasized to look the picture like a diorama. The video recorded in this mode is played back in 10x fast-forwarding making it more comical to watch*.

And Expressive, Retro, High Key, Dynamic Monochrome, Toy Effect and Soft Focus effect can be applied even after images were shot with Creative Retouch function. Taking advantage of the touch operation, Defocus Effect is also new on DMC-FX80 that gives a beautifully defocused background to the macro shots to look the subject stand out. Brightness can be changed with exposure and the color with saturation letting users give different impression to the photo in camera from the original.

The Beauty Retouch mode makes it possible to virtually make up the human faces to look them nicer. This mode is advanced with addition of smile look in addition to the Aesthetic Retouch (Clear Skin, Shine Removal, Whitening of Teeth, Lift Up, Eye Emphasis), Foundation and Make-up Retouch (Lip Color, Cheek Color, Eye Shadow). A rich variety of trend color is available in each cosmetic and the strength of effect can be adjusted individually according to the user’s intention. On the other hand, One-touch Make Up mode offers 4 patterns of latest trend make-up – Natural, Smokey, Glamour and Cheerful. Furthermore, new My Beauty setting can memorize 3 patterns of adjusted parameter. Once favorite pattern of Beauty Retouch is created, users can recall and apply it immediately when they want it.

Despite its compact profile of body, the DMC-FX80 is capable of recording full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL) videos in AVCHD (MPEG-4 / H.264)* format. The AVCHD format excels in the compatibility with AV equipment like HDTVs or Blu-ray Disc players and the video can be played back by just inserting an SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card or by connecting with mini HDMI cable. A special, separate button on the top lets the user instantly start recording videos while shooting photos without having to make any extra settings. Alternately, user can choose MP4 at 30p (NTSC) / 25p (PAL) for video recording, which has higher compatibility with PCs.

For more effective countermeasure against blur, the Active Mode is equipped with DMC-FX80 for an option of image stabilization in video recording. In addition to the MEGA O.I.S., the Active Mode encourages active video recording at wide angle such as shooting while walking without deterioration of the image quality. The 5x optical zoom is available in video recording. The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in video recording.

The videos also come with the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator, to offer highly realistic sound to the motion images. The stereo zoom microphone comes with zoom noise reduction system, and the Auto Wind Cut function blocks out most of the noise from background wind.