New Panasonic Lumix FZ100 Announced!

22 Jul 2010

22 Jul, 2010 Digital Cameras, Panasonic Digital Cameras

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 The Panasonic Lumix FZ100 is one of two new cameras launched to replace the Panasonic FZ38. The FZ45 is certainly an improvement on the older FZ38 model, but the FZ100 is undoubtedly Panasonic’s new flag-ship superzoom. Many features are similar to the FZ45 such as the 14.1 million pixel resolution, the huge 24x optical zoom, My Colour mode, Intelligent Auto and Power Optical Image Stabilisation. However, the are a few things that certainly set the DMC-FZ100 apart. Firstly, it uses a CMOS sensor (as opposed to a CCD) which supposedly generates less heat on the sensor thus reducing the ‘noise’. Secondly, the FZ100 has a Free-Angle LCD screen with a 460,000 dot resolution, as opposed to the 230,000 dots and static LCD on the FZ45. Thirdly, the FZ100 has a hot shoe allowing for the attachment of accessories such as a microphone (DMW-MS1), a remote shutter (DMW-RSL1) or an external flash (DMD-FL220). Further to this, the Lumix FZ100 has the capability of shooting full HD-Movie (1920 x 1080p) in AVCHD with Dolby Digital Stereo Creator.

The Panasonic Lumix FZ100 is set for release sometime between the end of August and mid-September 2010. The product is on our site and we have already started taking pre-orders. Please note – if you place a pre-order we will not charge your card until stock has been received and we have confirmed with you that you still want the camera.

All FZ100’s sold at UK Digital Cameras come with a 2 Year Warranty as standard which is upgradeable to a 3 Year Warranty when purchased with any of our 4GB card/case bundles.

CMOS generates less heat on the sensor so that suppsedly renders less ‘noise’

Phiroze Javeri

As a user of the FZ50 (and the FZ20 before it), I was waiting to hear of the next in line. I almost thought that, with the advent of the micro-four-third series, Panasonic had discontinued with this series altogether. For this camera to be an outright winner, it will need to have a brighter view-finder for low-light photography, and significant noise control at 8oo ISO. Moreover, the extreme zoom range is taking a toll of the f-number. The FZ20 was unique in retaining f/2.8 throughout its 12X range; now the FZ100 takes you down to f/5.6. Looking forward to test reports.