The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ4 Digital Camera catures images at a resolution of up to 4.0 Megapixels and the 12x LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens (equivalent to 35mm - 420mm on a 35mm film camera) incorporates Panasonic's unique MEGA O.I.S., (Optical Image Stabilizer) system to compensate for the problem of unsteady hands, making images sharper. The DMC-FZ4 also incorporates other innovative technical improvements such as faster AF and ergonomic design considerations regarding the grip and the position of shutter button, to encourage higher-level shooting with comfortable operation.



Key Features

4.0 Megapixel Resolution

The 4 megapixel, 1/2.5-inch CCD produces plenty of detail for creating high-quality enlargements as large as 11x14" inches at 150-dpi print resolution. In addition, the CCD's primary color filter offers high color fidelity for images that are true to life.

12x Optical Zoom

The DMC-FZ4 has a 12x optical lens system that is equivalent to 35mm to 420mm in a 35mm film camera. It comprises 13 lenses in eight groups, including three aspherical lenses and boasts f/2.8 brightness across the entire zoom range. Plus, the DMC-FZ4 also provides 4x digital zooming - combine that with the 12x optical zoom to get up to 48x zoom power for ultra-long-distance telephoto shots.

Quality Leica Lens

The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens on the DMC-FZ4 follows in the Leica tradition of excellence. Although it is small in size, it has a large, bright aperture, meeting Leica's stringent quality standards. A Leica multi-coating process applied to the lens helps to prevent the fogging caused by flare, and ghosts that can result from excessive light. Even enlarged images captured by the DMC-FZ4 are crisp and clear - right to the edges.

MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer Helps Eliminate Blurry Pictures

Jitter from shaky hands is one of the main reasons why cameras produce blurry images. That's why Lumix cameras help solve the problem of unsteady hands with advanced MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer technology. The DMC-FZ4 has a built-in gyrosensor that detects any hand movement and relays a signal to a tiny microcomputer inside the camera, which instantly calculates the compensation needed. A linear motor then shifts the Optical Image Stabilizer lens as necessary to guide incoming light from the image straight to the CCD.

Fast Auto Focus

Select the AF setting from Spot, 1-point (normal or high-speed), 3-point high-speed, and 9-point. The 1-point normal setting solves the "image-freezing" that used to happen while focusing on fast-moving subjects, and makes them easier to track. Focusing time of the 1-point high-speed setting is reduced to about 1/3 of our previous level. This nearly eliminates the time lag that often occurs with high-magnification zoom shots, letting you capture those great moments that happen all of a sudden. Plus, an AF Assist Lamp is provided to make it easier to focus in low lighting.

Venus Engine II LSI

Thanks to the high-performance Venus Engine II LSI, shutter release time lag is reduced to approximately 0.006 seconds and the shutter interval to only around 0.3 seconds. This gives the DMC-FZ4 a super fast response that lets you snap off consecutive shots at 4 frames per second with full resolution. And the Unlimited Consecutive Shooting function allows unlimited consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the SD Memory Card in the camera - ideal for capturing fast moving objects in high resolution.

Take Control of Your Camera with Manual Functions

The Manual Exposure Mode allows you to select the aperture and shutter speed of your choice. You can even see how much your setting differs from the setting the camera considers optimal with the Manual Exposure Assist function.

Smaller, Easier-to-Hold Body

The positioning of the control buttons and shape of the grip have been improved to make operation even easier than in previous models. Functions like 12x optical zoom and MEGA Optical Image Stabilization are still neatly tucked inside the camera's extremely compact body.

Photo Editing Software

The photo editing software included with the Lumix DMC-FZ4 camera lets you turn your home computer into a virtual photo studio:


SD Viewer for DSC
Makes it easy to check image data on an SD Memory Card. Use it to create slide shows and save them on an SD Memory Card (Windows)
ArcSoft PhotoBase
Transfer images from an SD Memory Card to a PC and display them in a list
ArcSoft PhotoImpression
Adjust colors and process images to create calendars, cards, etc.
ArcSoft Panorama Maker
Merge separate photos to create a single image

Image Quality

Image Sensor 1/2.5" 4.23 Megapixel CCD with Primary Color Filter

Effective Resolution 4.0 million pixels

Color Depth 24-Bit RGB

Color Modes Natural, Standard, Vivid, Cool, Warm, Black & White, Sepia

Image File Formats TIFF
JPEG (Fine, Standard)
Exif, DCF & DPOF compliant

Recorded Resolution 2304 x 1728
1920 x 1080 (HDTV)
1600 x 1200
1280 x 960
640 x 480

Video Recording Quick Time Motion JPEG
320 x 240 @ 30 fps
320 x 240 @ 10 fps
Clip length limited only by available memory

Audio Recording No


Optics

Lens Type Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens (11 Elements in 8 Groups with 4 Aspherical Surfaces) with Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)

Optical Zoom 12x

Lens Focal Length 6.0mm - 72.0mm (35mm - 420mm equivalent)

Digital Zoom 4x

Minimum Focus Distance 1.9"

Maximum Aperture f/2.8-3.3

Accessory Lens/Filter Mount 55mm with included lens hood adapter


Focus Control

Focus Type Auto Focus System (1 point, 3 points, 9 points, Spot ) with Continuous AF and AF assist lamp

Focus Range Normal: 12" - infinity (wide)
Macro: 1.9" - infinity (wide)
Tele Macro: 39.3" - infinity


Exposure Control

Sensitivity Auto, Selectable ISO (64, 100, 200, 400)

Shutter Type Electronic and mechanical shutter

Shutter Speed 8 - 1/2000 second

Aperture Range f/2.8-3.3 to f/8.0

Exposure Metering Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot

Exposure Modes Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, Exposure compensation (+/-2EV in 13 EV steps), Exposure Bracketing (+/-1/3EV-1EV Steps, up to 3 frames)

White Balance Modes Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, Flash, White Set, White Balance Adjustment

Scene Modes Portrait, Sports, Scenery, Night Scenery, Panning, Night Portrait, Fireworks, Party, Snow


Flash

Built-in Flash Yes (Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off)

Effective Flash Range 1.0' - 13.8' (wide)

External Flash Connection No

External Flash Control Not Applicable


Performance

Start-Up Time 3 seconds

Shutter Lag 0.006 seconds

Time Between Shots 0.3 seconds

Burst Capability 4 or 2 fps up to 4 frames (Fine) or 7 frames (Standard)

Self Timer 10 seconds or 2 seconds

Interval Recording No

Date & Time Stamp Yes


8MB Secure Digital (SD) Card
Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery Pack
Battery Charger
USB Cable
A/V Cable
Wrist Strap
Lens Cap
Lens Hood & Adaptor
Camera Software CD-ROM (SD Viewer for DSC, USB Driver)
ArcSoft Software CD-ROM (ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, ArcSoft PhotoBase)
User's Guide