First Panasonic DIWA Gold Award - LUMIX DMC-FZ30

With the LUMIX DMC-FZ30, Panasonic has developed a highly competitive alternative to digital system cameras. Not only does it match most D-SLRs with its 8 Megapixel image resolution, it also offers virtually the same automatic and manual controls in a compact and user-friendly body. Topping any D-SLR package, the FZ30 also features a fast 12x LEICA zoom with optical stabiliser, delivering outstanding image quality.

Amsterdam, 14. November 2005 - DIWA (Digital Imaging Websites Association), a world-wide organisation of collaborating websites within digital imaging, today announces a DIWA Gold Award to the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ30 megazoom camera.

With its LUMIX range, Panasonic has matured into a highly respectable digital camera manufacturer in record time; an astonishing achievement proven by the DMC-FZ30. Supported by team-mate LEICA, the world-renowned lens manufacturer, the DMC-FZ30 offers a fast, high performance 12x DC Vario-Elmarit zoom lens, equivalent to 35-420 mm f/2.8-3.7 and 5 cm macro capability. With the aid of two high quality lens converters, the focal lengths may be extended to 24.5 mm wide angle and 714 mm telephoto. To suppress image blur at hand-held telephoto shooting, the lens features an efficient image stabiliser.

Supporting its first-class lens, the FZ-30 is equipped with Panasonic's latest CCD image sensor with an impressive 8 Megapixel image resolution and the new Venus Engine II image processor. Apart from making the FZ30 remarkably fast, it also provides vignetting control, high resolution, excellent image quality and low power consumption. The photographer will also enjoy the large and detailed electronic viewfinder and flexible LCD screen, ergonomic body design and controls, as well as intuitive menus and evolutionary image playback control.

Kai Thon, DIWA's test manager, concludes: "Plummeting prices have dramatically increased the sales of D-SLR cameras. Unfortunately, many will buy a cheap D-SLR package with a mediocre standard zoom lens and never purchase additional lenses. For these people, the FZ30 will be a wiser choice than any comparable D-SLR package in terms of versatility, lens quality and value for money. Often, they may add the two lens converters, a reserve battery pack, a large memory card and still have money to spare."

Although the LUMIX FZ30 delivers a wide range of professional features, such as RAW and TIFF formats in addition to three JPEG qualities, selectable auto focus functions, conventional zoom and manual focussing rings, continuous shooting with 3 fps, USB 2.0 High Speed interface and adjustable fine-tuning of image parameters, it also provides fully automatic controls for inexperienced users. Unlike D-SLR cameras, even VGA movies with 30 fps may be recorded on the small SD memory card, and the user may choose between the high resolution electronic viewfinder and the large 2.5" LCD screen during shooting. These are only a few of the camera's many remarkable features.

DIWA testing experts reported extraordinary good overall scores for the LUMIX DMC-FZ30, primarily honouring its outstanding lens performance. Summarised qualities, such as SLR-like design, comfortable handling, a wide selection of creative controls, professional image quality and excellent value for money, compiled into a DIWA Gold Award.

For further information about DIWA please visit http://www.diwa-awards.com - or email DIWA at info@diwa-awards.com.

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