Panasonic introduced a new LUMIX series with brand new AVCHD Lite video format, the Panasonic LUMIX TZ7. Like most of the latest models in the LUMIX series, the TZ7 is capable of wide angle shots with its 25-300mm (35mm equivalent) lens. As such, you’ll also have a stronger optical zoom ratio at up to 12X, which serves well for long distance shots. The device retains the standard 1/2.33″ sensor size used in its latest lineup, and balances it off with a 10.1MP resolution. This should keep the noise level in check, and we did see less discernible noise in our color charts, though going beyond the ISO 800 range is not recommended due to the resultant noise. Panasonic’s iA mode does reasonably well in identifying and correcting the camera’s various features such as white balance, scene and shutter speed to enhance the image quality. Keeping in line with its mid-range series, the TZ7 comes with Panasonic’s latest Face Recognition feature that aids in sorting images according to your preset facial settings.

The TZ7’s real focus lies not in its imaging function, but in its latest AVCHD Lite video recording format which is accessible with a dedicated video recording button. Whilst HD video recording in the 720p range has been introduced amongst other digital compact cameras, Panasonic managed to up the ante with this new space saving format. The TZ7 brings its iA mode into its video recording mode, and it showed itself to be capable of correcting its focus according to facial portraits or poor lighting conditions.

Product Specifications

• Image Sensor: 1/2.33-inch, 10.1-megapixel
• Intelligent Auto (iA) Mode: Optical Image Stabilizer (Still & Movie), Intelligent ISO Control (Still), Face Detection (Still & Movie), Face Recognition (Still) Intelligent Scene Selector (Still - Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Macro), Intelligent Exposure (Still)
• Optical Image Stabilizer: MEGA O.I.S.
• Optical Zoom: 12x
• Focal Length: F=4.1-49.2mm (25-300mm in 35mm equiv.)
• Lens: LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT, 10 elements in 8 groups (2 aspherical lenses/3 aspherical surfaces, 2 E lens)
• ISO Sensitivity: Auto /100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 (High Sensitivity Mode : Auto(1600 …) )
• White Balance: Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / White Set / White Balance Adjustment (+10steps, except for auto set)
• Shutter Speed: 8 - 1/2000 sec
• Display: 3.0-inch TFT LCD Display (460K dots)
• Dimensions: 103 x 60 x 33mm
• Weight: 229g

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