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Panasonic announces Lumix ZS20, ZS15, TS4 and TS20 digital cameras
Panasonic has unveiled four new Lumix digital cameras for the photographer enthusiasts, which come in the form of ZS20, ZS15, TS4 and TS20. The Lumix ZS20 claims to be the slimmest compact camera with 20X optical zoom, while the Lumix TS4 comes with a barometer, an altimeter and full manual controls.
Panasonic Lumix ZS20
The Panasonic Lumix ZS20 is billed as the slimmest digital camera with a 20X zoom lens, measuring 27.9mm deep, which is thinner than the Pentax Optio VS20 (38.1mm) and the Fujifilm FinePix F770EXR (35.6mm) that were announced this year. It is equipped with an optically stabilized 20X optical zoom lens that reaches from 24mm wide-angle to 480mm telephoto, and features a 14-megapixel CMOS sensor that can capture high-resolution images and 1080p videos. Other features include in-camera GPS functions, faster 120fps autofocus system, 3D still-image capture, 3-inch touchscreen viewfinder and full manual controls. The Panasonic Lumix is scheduled to retail in March at US$350.
Panasonic Lumix ZS15
The Panasonic Lumix ZS15 sports a 16x optical zoom optics (24mm to 384mm), 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, and offers manual exposure controls like its ZS20 sibling. It can shoot 1080i AVCHD video at 60fps; 1080p MP4 video at 30fps; and record audio via its mono microphone. The Panasonic Lumix ZS15 lacks built-in GPS feature and no touchscreen viewfinder. The Lumix ZS15 will be selling in March at US$280.
Panasonic Lumix TS4
The Panasonic Lumix TS4 is the company's latest rugged digital camera that is dustproof; waterproof down to 12.2m underwater; drop-proof of 2.2m; and freezeproof of -10 degrees Celsius. Besides in-camera mapping and real-name location database features that are on the ZS20, the TS4 also offers internal barometer, altimeter, and compass. The camera features 4.6X-optical-zoom lens, 12-megapixel "Hi-Speed CCD" sensor and can capture video in AVCHD format at 60i or MP4 format in 30p. On top of that, the Lumix TS4 also offers full manual controls for shutter and aperture, and imaging effects such as time-lapse, miniature and in-camera panorama stitching modes. The Panasonic Lumix TS4 is priced at US$400 and will be available in March.
Panasonic Lumix TS20
Aimed at the entry-level users, the Panasonic Lumix TS20 features a 4X-optical-zoom (25mm to 100mm) and 16 megapixels CCD sensor. However, unlike the TS4, this one does not have manual controls, GPS, and other integrated instruments. It is also less rugged - waterproof up to 4.9m, and shockproof at drops of 1.5m. The Panasonic Lumix TS20 will retail at US$180 in late February.
