Panasonic DMC-TZ6 Camera Features
Panasonic’s new DMC-TZ6 is the latest addition to the award winning Lumix TZ family of digital cameras, which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 12x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body as well as featuring a 25mm ultra wide angle lens for wide angle shooting. Successor to the hugely popular DMC-TZ5, the TZ6 is set to be a firm favourite.
Ultra Wide Angle Lens with 12x Optical Zoom
The DMC TZ6 is a 10 megapixel digital camera featuring a high quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 25mm ultra-wide-angle-lens with 12x optical zoom. It is almost inconceivable to imagine such a powerful lens – with a range from 25mm to 300mm in 35mm film equivalence – in such a small, lightweight camera but it is made possible as the incredibe Lumix TZ series continues to go from strength to strength. Comprising 10 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, and utilizing new lens material in its design, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly slim and compact body while passing Leica’s stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance. The Extra Optical Zoom function that extends zoom power to 21.4x (at 3-megapixel resolution) by using the center part of the large CCD to bring subjects even closer without deteriorating the image quality.
Intelligent Auto Mode Just Keeps Getting Better
In an attempt to further reduce the problem of misshots and make the camera even easier to use, Panasonic have incorporated Intelligent Auto mode into the DMC-TZ6 Digital Camera. The IA mode also includes AF tracking and Intelligent Exposure features, further advancing the existing technology. Digital red-eye correction has also been integrated within the Face Detection mode.
When you enter IA mode, your TZ6 will do all the work for you by activating AF Tracking, Intelligent Exposure, Intelligent Scene Selection, Mega O.I.S (optical image stabilzer), Intelligent ISO Control and of course, Face Detection. So there’s no need for you to worry about tweaking the settings – simply aim the camera and press the button, safe in the knowledge that the result will be a clear, beautiful and properly exposed digital image.
With the new AF Tracking function, the user can “lock” the focus onto a moving subject. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the user having to hold the shutter button halfway down. This makes it easier to capture the perfect moment clearly and in sharp focus when shooting images of a child, pet, sports or any scene with moving subjects and spur-of-the-moment action.
Intelligent Exposure suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights to capture images that look natural and true-to-life. It now features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects that the light source is behind the subject.
Face detection accuracy has been increased in the TZ6 to now provide continuous adjustment of the focus and exposure even if the face is turned sideways to the camera. Combined with AF Tracking, Face Detection helps users capture special moments, including the fleeting expressions on the faces of active children. Plus, with the TZ6, the red-eye effect can be digitally corrected automatically when it occurs due to the use the flash.
Turning on Intelligent Scene Selector sets the camera to automatically select the most appropriate of 5 scene modes - Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, and Night Scenery – for your shot. The Quick AF system helps the camera to keep focus on the subject while in recording mode, even before pressing a shutter button.
In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include MEGA O.I.S., which prevents blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which prevents motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. The MEGA O.I.S. conventionally has mode 1 and 2, and now it has AUTO mode to select the suitable one between the modes according to the zoom ratio being used.
The user can activate all of these useful functions by simply pressing an independent iA button on the top of the camera, which is newly equipped for direct activation. All these features make the TZ6 the ultimate, super-versatile automatic camera for capturing clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.
The TZ6 features an impressive 2.7inch 230,000 dot resolution Intelligent LCD, ensuring images can be viewed with ease.
High Performance Venus Engine IV
The TZ6 utilises the image-processing LSi, Venus Engine IV, which enables advanced signal processing for producing high quality images. A key feature of the DMC-TZ6, the Venus Engine IV allows for super-fast response time for those spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities that you just don’t want to miss! Never be caught out by sudden events, as your TZ6 is ready to capture high quality images at the click of the button. In High-Speed Burst shooting mode, it can fire off an incredible 6.5 shots per second. You will also get unlimited consecutive shooting, meaning you only need to stop when the memory card gets full.
The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-TZ6 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.*3
Bright and Beautiful Motion Pictures
Not only can you capture beautiful still images – the TZ6 also records stunning motion images – WVGA (848×480), VGA(640×480), QVGA(320×240) – at 30 frames per second. The WVGA*4 motion picture also fits a wide-screen (16:9) TV perfectly to offer impressive viewing. Perfect for skiing holidays for example you can showcase your skiing talents in full 16:9 glory on your widescreen television to your family and friends.
Additionally, all Lumix cameras can take 1920×1080 pixel high-definition quality photos that are ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV. Panasonic has long focused on making photography more enjoyable, such as by letting people view their images easily on a Panasonic Viera TV with Viera Image Viewer (internal SD card slot).
Perfect for all occasions, the small DMC-TZ6 offers a wealth of features and effortlessly slips into your pocket ensuring you are ready for any photographic occasion. Available from April 2009, the TZ6 will be available in a choice of black or silver.
