10x Optical Zoom
A unique integration of a retractive lens with folded optics technology allows zooming to occur horizontally within the camera. This makes it possible to pack a powerful 10x optical zoom (equivalent to a big 35 to 350mm lens on a 35mm camera) into a compact camera. The Extended Optical Zoom function, which magnifies the image with minimal deterioration by using the center part of the high-resolution CCD, boosts the zoom power to a maximum of 12.5x.
Crisp, Clear Shots of Moving Subjects
The Venus Engine III in the DMCTZ1A provides a high sensitivity ISO 800 setting that captures images with minimal noise at full resolution. The higher ISO setting lets you use higher shutter speeds to minimize the motion blur that can occur when you're shooting a moving subject, particularly in dim lighting. Even indoors, you can get crisp, clear, beautiful shots of children, pets and other subjects that won't hold still.
Taking Hand Movement Out Of The Picture
All of us have taken a shot that we thought was focused perfectly, only to have it turn out blurry. The most common cause of this is hand movement. Digital cameras are wonderfully light and compact -- but for the same reason they can be hard to hold still. Even pressing the shutter button can cause the camera to move. Basically, hand movement is a real concern anytime you're taking a handheld telephoto shot, macro shot or self-portrait, or when shooting at night or in dim lighting. The answer to the hand movement problem is MEGA Optical Image Stabilization. This system uses built-in gyrosensors to detect even tiny camera movement and then shifts a lens in the opposite direction to compensate. The system is completely optical -- it does not affect the CCD or image processing -- so you get sharp, clear images with minimal degradation. It lets you reduce the shutter speed more than 3 steps below the conventionally accepted hand movement limit, which is calculated as 1/focal length (1 divided by the focal length). It greatly expands what you can do with a handheld digital camera.
High Sensitivity Mode
When there's not a lot of light or you're using a slow shutter speed, hand movement isn't the only potential problem. There's also "motion blur" -- the blurring that can result if your subject like children or pets move even a little in low lighting. That's why Panasonic added a High Sensitivity mode that allows you to shoot at up to ISO 1600 by using the pixel-mixed readout method, effectively raising the shutter speed. It not only minimizes motion blur, it also lets you take clearer, sharper shots in dim lighting without using a flash. The picture quality is good enough for printing at the ordinary 4" x 6" size.
Rapid Focusing with Linear AF
The DMCTZ1A lets you choose from several auto focus modes -- spot, 1-point (normal or high speed), 3-point high speed, and 9-point -- to suit the scene you're shooting. The DMCTZ1A also introduces a new Linear AF system, which has resulted in the achievement of an industry-leading fast auto focusing time. Not only the speed but also the noise of the motor is reduced and even zooming while recording a motion image is possible. Combined with a startup time of merely 0.95 seconds, this fast focusing lets you catch every shooting opportunity. Plus, the AF Assist Lamp helps when focusing in dimly lit places.
2.5-Inch High-Resolution LCD with High Angle Mode
With its 2.5" diagonal size and 207,000 pixels, the DMCTZ1A's high-resolution LCD monitor makes it easy to see text and small thumbnail images. The pixel-mixed readout method performed by the CCD increases the brightness level of the live image on the LCD, which greatly facilitates shooting in low lighting. If it's difficult to see the display on a sunny day, simply press the Power LCD button and the display becomes about 40 percent brighter. A High Angle shooting function also provides easier viewing when you're holding the camera high to shoot over the heads of people in front of you.
MEGA BURST Consecutive Shooting
Thanks to the Venus Engine III, the DMCTZ1A has a release time lag as low as 0.006 seconds. The DMCTZ1A can also fire off consecutive shots at a swift 3 frames per second, and offers Unlimited Consecutive Shooting, so you can keep shooting until your optional SD Memory Card or the built-in memory is full.
Included With Purchase
Battery charger, battery pack, battery carrying case, USB and AV cables, lens cap, strap, software (ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, ArcSoft PhotoBase, USB Driver, Lumix Simple Viewer, Photo Fun Studio).
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