Panasonic announced a new addition to its slim and stylish FX series, the FX66 (aka FX68 outside the U.S). It features 14 megapixels of resolution, 2.7-inch LCD screen and HD movie capture.

The camera uses 25 mm ultra wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom that can be further extended to 6.5 x equivalents with the Intelligent Zoom function. It is also equipped with optical (lens-shift) image stabilizer to minimize blurring caused by camera shake.

The FX66 features the “Intelligent Resolution” technology which is is incorporated in the Venus Engine VI. This technology is integrated in iA(Intelligent Auto) mode that automatically chooses the best automatic setting to match shooting conditions. The engine also allows for fast performance and short start-up time.

The iA mode combines AF Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Exposure for you to enjoy clear, beautiful images captures with ease. t is also possible to choose from 25 scene modes manually.

Face detection makes it even easier to capture great portraits while the new Cosmetic mode allows to take portraits with favored skin color(soft skin, natural skin, summer look), which will enhance your creativity and make the faces looking smoother and more beautiful.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX66 aka FX68 – Specifications:

• 1/2.33″ CCD Sensor
• 14.1 Megapixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
• 5x Optical Zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 25 -125mm
• Aperture Range: F2.8 (W)- 5.9 (T)
• Power O.I.S Lens-Shift Stabilization
• AF area modes: Face / AF tracking, 11-point, 1-point high speed, 1-point, Spot
• AF assist lamp Yes
• Macro Focus: 3 cm
• Sensitivity: ISO 80-6400
• Shutter Speed: 60-1/2000 sec
• Intelligent AUTO Mode
• 24 Scene modes
• Continuous Shooting: 1.8 frames/sec
• High-speed Burst Mode: up to 10 frames/sec
• 2.7″ TFT LCD Display with 230K dots
• Movie clips: 1280×720 pixels @ 30 fps
• SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
• 40MB Internal Memory

Panasonic today introduced the new Lumix DMC-TS2 (aka FT2 in Europe), a successor to the company’s Lumix DMC-FT1/TS1. It is rugged as well as its predecessor, and features 14.1-megapixel sensor, 4.6x optical zoom,2.7-inch LCD screen and HD movie capture.

The camera’s toughness includes being waterproof to 33 feet (10m), shockproof to 10 feet (2m), freezeproof to 14° F (-10° C) and dustproof.

As other Panasonic digicams announced this year, the TS2 uses Venus Engine HD II image processor with new Intelligent Resolution processing technology. This allows to achieve super-fast response time, and short shutter lag times and while delivering quality, noise-free, clear and detailed images.

The camera incorporates with 28mm wide-angle lens with 4.6x optical zoom, which can be further extended to a total zoom of 6x, thanks to the Intelligent Zoom function. The lens is equipped the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) to combat blurring.

The TS2 is a simple digital camera that makes it easy to get beautiful shots. It offers the iA (Intelligent Auto) feature, which combines Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Exposure and Intelligent Scene Selector to adjust camera settings to any shooting conditions.

You can as well choose manually from 25 pre-set scenes available in the camera. There’re also Face Detection and AF Tracking function in the camera to make shooting great portraits easy.

The camera can record HD video in Motion JPEG and AVCHD Lite. The latter format almost doubles the recording time in HD quality compared with the Motion JPEG format. Dolby Digital Stereo Creator, in its turn, enables high quality audio.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 aka FT2 – Specifications:

• 1/2.33″ CCD Image Sensor
• 14.10 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4320 x 3240 pixels
• 2.7 in. LCD Screen with 230,000 dots
• 4.6x Optical Zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 28 - 128mm
• Aperture Range: f/3.3 (wide) - f/5.9 (tele)
• Optical Image Stabilization
• Contrast Detection Focusing: Face, AF Tracking, 11 pt, 1 pt HS, 1 pt, Spot
• Manual Focus Possible
• Macro Mode: 5 cm/ 2.0″
• Sensitivity: ISO80 - 1600
• Shutter Speed: 60 - 1/1300 second
• Intelligent Multiple Metering
• Intelligent Auto Mode
• 25 Scene Modes
• Continuous Shooting: 1.8 fps for 3 frames
• SD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC
• 40.0MB Built-In Memory
• Movie Mode: 720p HD (AVCHD Lite, MotionJPEG)
• Waterproof, Dustproof, Freezeproof, Shockproof
• Available Colors: Silver, Blue, Orange, Yellow

Panasonic has introduced the Lumix DMC-ZS5 to the U.S. market (aka TZ8 elsewhere) bas a successor to the DMC-Zs1 akaTZ6. This is a compact ultrazoom camera that features 12.1 megapixels, 2.7″ LCD screen, full manual controls and HD movie capture.

The camera is equipped with the same lens as the ZS7, the 25mm wide-angle lens with 12xoptical zoom. Its design includes 3 aspherical elements for exceptional optical performance, and its zoom can be expended up to 16x with the help of its Intelligent Zoom function. The lens is optically-stabilized with the POWER O.I.S. that allows for blur-free photography.

The SZ5 uses the company’s new Intelligent Resolution technology that applies different image processing to different content within each image. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and movie recording.

At the heart of the camera lies the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine VI. It provides a super-fast response time and short shutter lag time, which is vital in catching sudden photographic moments.

The DMC-SZ5 offers its Intelligent Auto mode for those who are new to photography. It comprises several technologies - Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure – to achieve the best result possible. At the same time there’re Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority and Manual Exposure modes for step up users

People will look great in your photos thanks to the camera’s Face Recognition function that applies correct focus and exposure to faces in a frame, and AF Tracking function that constantly keeps a moving subject in focus.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 aka TZ8 – Specifications:

• 1/2.33″ Type CCD Sensor
• 12.1 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4000 x 3000
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
• 12x optical zoom
• Aperture Range: F3.3 (W) - 4.9 (T )
• Focal Length Equivalent: 25 - 300mm
• Power O.I.S lens-shift stabilization
• 2.7″ TFT LCD Display with230K dots
• AF area modes : Face / AF tracking, 11-point, 1-point high speed, 1-point, Spot
• Macro Focus: Wide 3 cm
• Metering: Intelligent Multiple, Centre-weighted, Spot
• Sensitivity: ISO 80- 6400
• Shutter Speed: 60-1/2000 sec
• Shooting Modes: Intelligent AUTO, Program, Aperture & Shutter Priority, Manual, Custom
• 29 Scene modes
• Continuous shooting: 2.3 frames/sec
• High-speed Burst Mode: up to 10 frames/sec
• Movie clips: 1280×720 pixels @ 30fps
• SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
• 40MB Internal Memory
• Colors: Black or Silver
• Availability: mid March 2010