Panasonic Lumix lollapalooza: TZ5, FX35 and many more

By Lori Grunin on 30 January 2008, 11:32am

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Panasonic offers a wide range of compact cameras and its FS series sits square in the middle of its range, offering smallness and interesting features. This year, Panasonic is announcing three new FS models at the PMA trade show -- the Lumix DMC-FS20, Lumix DMC-FS5 and Lumix DMC-FS3.

At the top of the three models are the FS20 and FS5, which both offer 10.1-megapixel CCD sensors, 4x optical 30-120mm f/3.3-5.8 Leica DC Vario-Elmar zoom lenses, and sensitivity of up to ISO 1,600 at full resolution. The main difference between the two models is their LCD screens. The FS20 includes a 76mm (3-inch) LCD, while the FS5 includes a 64mm (2.5-inch) LCD.

Both cameras offer Panasonic's suite of automatic options, including Mega OIS optical image stabilisation, face detection, Intelligent ISO and Intelligent Scene Selector, as on the FX35. Both cameras are expected to be available in February. The DMC-FS20 is expected to sell -- in a choice of pink, black or silver -- for about $300 (£150), while the DMC-FS5 is expected to carry a price tag of about $250 (£125) and will be offered in a choice of red, black and silver.

The Lumix DMC-FS3 steps down to an 8.1-megapixel CCD, 3x optical 33-100mm f/2.8-5.1 Leica DC Vario-Elmarit zoom lens, and 64mm LCD. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 1,600 at full resolution and the FS3 also includes the same array of automatic features as the FS20 and FS5. Panasonic will offer the FS3 in a choice of blue, pink, green, silver and black models when it arrives this February for about $200 (£100). Again, no UK prices have been announced for the FS series. -Phil Ryan