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Panasonic has announced the 10x Optical Zoom Lumix DMC-TZ3 digital camera, the compact zoom model for its 2007 digital camera line. The new 7.2 Megapixel entry to the popular TZ family packages a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, Intelligent Image Stabilization, a 3.0-inch LCD, and a compact stainless steel body.

The entire 2007 Lumix spring digital still camera line incorporates countermeasures against blurring with the introduction of Intelligent Image Stabilization. This system comprises two features -- MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control.

The camera is also able to shoot from 28mm at the wide end and 280mm in telephoto. The DMC-TZ3 CCD area is said to be larger than those in conventional 7-megapixel class cameras, and can reproduce images shot with the lens set in any of three aspect ratios -- 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9.

The DMC-TZ3 also features the Panasonic Venus Engine III, its most advanced image-processing engine. The engine helps to improve noise reduction and can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution. With its multi-task image-processing capability, the Venus Engine III also boasts outstanding response time, shutter release time lag as short as 0.006 second, and shutter interval as short as 0.5 seconds. Additionally in burst shooting mode, the DMC-TZ3 can fire off three shots per second at full resolution and allows unlimited consecutive shooting until the SDHC/SD memory card is full.

The effective pixels in the DMC-TZ3 have also been increased to 7.2 Megapixels to support enhanced zoom functions. For example, Panasonic's Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification to 15x, when taking photos with 3-megapixel resolution by using the center part of the CCD. Using this feature in combination with the 4x digital zoom the camera provides a total zoom factor of up to 60-times.

Other features of the DMC-TZ3 that improve usability and convenience include:

• Clipboard Function: Holds and retrieves useful information on a trip - perfect for quick and easy shots of a map or train schedule.

• Dual Image Playback: Displays two images at the same time, one above the other, and offers photographers the chance to compare images.

• Added Modes: Pet and Sunset Modes have been added to make it easier to take beautiful photos in a range of photographic situations.

• Direct Print Mode: Brings immediate printing to users with one turn of the mode dial and quick USB cable and a Pictbridge-compatible printer connection.

• Built in Lens Cap: Offers added lens protection and convenience.

• Large-Capacity SDHC memory card compatibility.

· Extended Battery Life and Memory: Results in around 270 shots on a single battery charge and contains 12.7 MB of built-in memory.

· Slide Change Effect Feature: Offers photographers and easier way to view your images, replacing the classic frame-by-frame advance.

· Power LCD Function: Boosts the LCD backlighting by 40 percent, making shooting outdoors and viewing your photos in bright sunshine easy.

· High-Angle Mode: Accessed quickly and easily via a dedicated button, makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.

· Wide-Aspect VGA Motion Images: Records standard VGA (640 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second, and each camera records stunning wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second.

· Travel Date and World Time Setting: Offers the option of setting a trip's the departure date and displaying images in chronological order, as well as setting the camera's time and date for up to 74 locations around the world.

· Optional Underwater Case: Available as an add on to maximize Underwater Shooting Mode

· The Lumix DMC-TZ3 will be available in March 2007 with an MSRP of $349.95.

www.panasonic.com