Panasonic Unveils New FS Camera Series

Panasonic has just announced the FS series, a new set of digital cameras aimed at users who are looking for sleek, stylish design. The first three cameras in the new Lumix series are the $200 DMC-FS3, the $300 DMC-FS20 and the $250 DMC-FS5.

The first camera in the new series is the $200 DMC-FS3, an 8.1 megapixel model that features a 3x zoom and Panasonic's new Intelligent Auto Mode. They claim that this new combination of technologies provides better automatic image adjustments, leading to better images. The five technologies in the new mode are Mega O.I.S. (the optical image stabilization system), Intelligent ISO (which adjusts ISO if it detects moving subjects), intelligent scene selection (where the camera selects the best scene mode automatically), Face Detection and Quick AF. Panasonic claim that the improved face detection on the new cameras can keep track of up to 15 faces, while the Quick AF system attempts to pre-focus the camera before you press the shutter.

The FS3 is built around the new Venus Engine IV image processing chip, which Panasonic claims is faster than previous models. The new camera also includes a 2.5-inch LCD with an ambient light sensor that adjusts the screen brightness. It's just 0.89 inches thick, and weighs in at a lightweight 4.9 ounces. The DMC-FS3 will be priced at $199.99 and will be available in February.

The next camera in the new range is the $250 DMC-FS5, which ups the resolution to 10.1 megapixels and includes a 4x zoom lens, with a 35mm equivalent range of 30mm to 120mm. It also includes the new Intelligent Auto Mode described above and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Finally, the DMC-FS20 increases the size of the LCD screen to 3 inches, However, the resolution of the screen remains the same at 320,000 pixels. Other features remain the same: the 4x zoom that starts at 30mm and the 2.5-inch LCD screen.