| Panasonic sets new benchmark in optical zoom power
Panasonic has announced that it has recently introduced to the Middle East market the 8.1-megapixel DMC-FZ18, a new Lumix digital camera that features the newly developed 28mm wide angle Leica DC lens with f/2.8-4.2 brightness and powerful 18x optical zoom. The camera combines exceptional optical performance with a compactness that had been previously thought impossible to achieve with a single compact camera. "Panasonic has designed the FZ18 as a more stylish camera with enhanced functionalities and extraordinary operational ease. For users who feel that ordinary compact cameras have not delivered the high-end functions and superb control they desire, the DMC-FZ18 is the answer to all their creative longings," said Yasuo Kimoto, Product Manager, Panasonic Marketing Middle East.
Five good digital cameras
Sure Snaps describes five choices if you're considering a camera purchase for the holidays. PANASONIC DMC-FX12 LUMIX This digital camera features an optical 3x zoom (35-105mm, on a 35mm film camera equivalent) Leica DC lens with f/2.8 brightness, a 7.2-megapixel CCD and a large, 2.5-inch LCD rear display. Camera movement is the biggest cause of blurry images. Lumix cameras feature sensors that detect subject motion and automatically adjust the ISO to assure a faster shutter speed to reduce blur. Shutter lag, a common lament of photographers, has been lessened with a 0.005-second delay that allows continuous shooting. It uses a SDHC/SD memory card. Suggested retail price: $199. .
Mighty pix in this midget
IN THE world of compact digital cameras you cannot have everything. You cannot have a tiny compact camera that produces a large image, just as you cannot have a really good wide-angle zoom in a tiny body and still have a decent file size. Well, that was the case until Panasonic broke the rules again, this time with their Lumix FX100.Not only is it a tiny, sleek, stylish put-it-in-your-top-pocket camera, it has a 28-100mm zoom using a Leica lens. And it has an image size of an astounding 12.2 megapixels. This little gem is packed with useful features as well. It has an intelligent optical image stabiliser to help with the blurring more noticeable with such good resolution. There is also an Intelligent ISO Control setting that allows the camera to raise the ISO to suit the movement of the subject.
Gifts for him
If the man in your life has been subsisting on a Christmas diet of nasty socks, novelty soaps and personalised golf balls, it's time to push the boat out. These gifts will make his day - and give you a year of bonus Brownie points. The Classico by Condor is a steel road-racing bicycle made exactly as bikes used to be in the glory days of the Fifties. It's superlight and its frictionless ride is ideal for those long, Sunday-afternoon tours. Talking of frictionless rides, what about Burton's 'Last Supper' snowboard? I've never been snowboarding, but have spent years enviously watching boarders bursting through mounds of pristine powder, and it's high time I got involved. I'd also love some new jogging gear, especially a GPS watch that'll tell me how far I've come and where I'm going... in most cases, nowhere, but that Christmas waistline will hopefully focus my mind.
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