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The number 100 always sounds like a milestone and definitely FZ100 in the Lumix family combines the best capabilities of the older Panasonic cameras with powerful optical zoom and creative options including manual operation and adding Full HD movie recording.

Updates
Some of the old features are extended, others are brand new or connected to some modifications with how the buttons are situated on the body of the camera. However, the most important change with Lumix FZ100 is the introduction of a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra wide-angle lens with a 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent:25-600mm). Comprising 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly compact body while passing Leica's stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance suppressing distortion at wide end and color bleeding at tele end. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the FZ100 which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even combining a digital zoom. This means the 24x optical can virtually extend to 32x equivalent.

The last edition of the new Venus Engine FHD features exceptionally advanced signal processing capabilities. It provides precisely selective noise reduction to the chromatic noise without affecting the border of colors and of course at the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine FHD achieves a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.008 second and the camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden photos together with the Sonic Speed AF. Up to 11 photos per second at full resolution.

3.0" Free Angle TFT LCD Display

Unlike the older Lumix models, FZ100 has a Free Angle 3.0" display that eliminates the problems with not so convenient photos when shooting for example human body from an unusual close-up. The resolution in this TFT LCD display is almost double higher than in older models like FZ45 and FZ38, with 460K dots. But the most important feature added to FZ100 is the Full HD video recording. That makes Panasonic Lumix FZ100 almost unexceptionable in its class or at least in video mode.

For except the new features that extend the inheritance of the FZ line, FZ100 keeps also some of the old disadvantages. The main is noise at values over ISO 400. Some users even may prefer to turn off the auto noise reduction at ISO 100-400 to avoid the loss of details.

The comfort of modern design
Panasonic Lumix FZ100 is quite light model compared to its dimensions of 124x82x95 mm. It weighs 540 g with the battery. However, you will get the DSLR feeling of stability that is based mainly on the fact that this camera is very comfortable to wear. The rearrangement of some buttons will find its fans, mostly among the users that prefer manual adjustments. For example there is a special, separate button on the top lets the user instantly start recording movies while shooting photos without any having to make any extra settings. You also have a quick settings button situated near the display that in some way covers the functionality of the joystick in FZ8.

To complete the impressions for Lumix FZ100 we have to say that this camera has one of the most durable batteries in the Lumix line. The price is also reasonable : around US: $499.95.

And here some more quick characteristics:

• 25-600mm f/2.8-5.2 LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens
• Powerful 24x Optical Zoom
• 25mm Ultra Wide-angle Lens
• 32x Intelligent Zoom / 50.6x Extra Optical Zoom
• POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
• 1920 x 1080 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL) Full-HD Movie in AVCHD Format
• Film mode
• Newly Developed 14.1-megapixel MOS Sensor
• High-speed Consecutive Shooting
• Burst Mode Button