Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Digital Camera

25-600mm f/2.8-5.2 Leica DC Vairio-Elmarit Lens

The DMC-FZ100 features a 25-600mm f/2.8-5.2 Leica DC Vairio-Elmarit high-quality lens (35mm camera equivalent). Comprising 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 ED (Extra Low Dispersion) lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly compact body while passing Leica's stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance suppressing distortion at the wide-end and color bleeding at the tele-end.

This single camera lets you record both photos and movies just the way you want them, making the DMC-FZ100 twice as attractive. With a 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 600mm) that draws your subjects right up close, you can freely capture decisive sports scenes, along with the natural expressions of animals and details that you can't even see with your bare eyes - in both photos and movies.

The 25mm ultra wide-angle lens has about twice the shooting area as a standard 35mm lens. This enhances all kinds of shooting situations, like when you're photographing a group of people at an indoor party or shooting a large structure or sweeping landscape while traveling.

The 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 600mm) of the DMC-FZ100, with its wide-open aperture of F5.2 produces stunning portraits with softly focused backgrounds. The high-quality lenses of this lens system also ensure clear and sharp focusing of your subject in telephoto shots, and provide superb resolution and contrast for smoothly shaded facial complexions.

32x Intelligent Zoom / 50.6x Extra Optical Zoom

Intelligent Zoom is available with the DMC-FZ100 which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even combining a digital zoom. This means the 24x optical can virtually extend to 32x equivalent. Furthermore, the extra optical zoom function extends zoom power to 50.6x by using the center part of the large CCD to bring subjects even closer.

Sonic Speed AF

The Sonic Speed AF system in the DMC-FZ100 includes numerous re-engineering enhancements, including a higher-speed actuator, optimized algorithms and parallel software processing. The result is fast and accurate AF performance. You can quickly get moving subjects in focus, such as when you're shooting sports scenes.

Fast Start-up Time

The parallel processing of software resulted in ultra high-speed start-up.

Short Release Time Lag

The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.008 second, making it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities.

14.1-megapixel MOS Sensor

In-order to achieve 1920 x 1080 full-HD movie recording with high image quality, the DMC-FZ100 has a 14.1 megapixel MOS sensor. For the effective concentration of light, the sensor adopts microfabrication technology to achieve even higher sensitivity. With an advanced micro light tube structure, both color mixture and signal loss are prevented. The result is that the photos and movies shot at any sensitivity from low to high have outstanding sharpness with very little noise.

Venus Engine FHD

For the image processor, the Venus Engine FHD features exceptionally advanced signal processing capabilities. By separating chromatic noise from luminance noise and applying the optimal noise reduction to each, you can capture clear and beautiful images even when shooting at high ISO sensitivity levels. The Venus Engine FHD also provides precisely selective noise reduction to the chromatic noise without affecting the border of colors which is judged from the brightness level of a pixel. Linking smoothly with the MOS sensor, the Venus Engine FHD processes a large amount of signals at high speed, making it possible to record high resolution consecutive shots and full-HD movie recording.

High Image Quality in High Sensitivity Shooting

The graininess that results from picture noise and the flatness that sometimes comes with noise reduction measures are major concerns when shooting at high sensitivity levels. The Intelligent Resolution minimizes noise to produce sharp, clear images.

Extended Battery Life

The energy-saving Venus Engine HD II image processing engine and the efficient, rechargeable lithium-ion battery work together to extend the shooting time of the DMC-FZ100. This lets you take approx. 580 shots on a single battery charge.

Intelligent Resolution

With Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas - outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas - are automatically detected and optimum signal processes are performed to each area. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way for it. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and movie recording.

iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode

When you don't know which mode will give you the best shooting results, or when a sudden photo opportunity pops up and you don't have time to make any settings, simply choose the iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode and let the camera do it all for you. You just choose the iA Mode, aim at your subject, and shoot. 7 detection and correction functions are simultaneously activated to optimize the settings, so you get stunning photos every time. The DMC-FZ100, a hybrid still/motion image model, also lets you take beautiful HD movies in the iA Mode. In addition, newly incorporated the Intelligent Resolution technology is always activated in the iA Mode which results in the clearer and higher image quality in every photo and movie with extended zoom range equivalent to 32x optical zoom by the Intelligent Zoom.

Power O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) - Shake Detection

Everyone has had an experience of taking a photo at night and hoping to capture all the memories and beauty, only to be disappointed at the poor result. Panasonic has worked on the low-frequency vibration hand-shake component, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed. The Power O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer nearly doubles the hand-shake correction power of conventional MEGA O.I.S. You get bright photos without blurring even from handheld shooting at slow shutter speeds.

The quality of night shots is heavily influenced by the shutter speed. When the shutter speed is raised to prevent blurring, insufficient lighting can make the shot too dark. And when the shutter speed is slowed down to allow more light, hand-shake could occur. In addition to the powerful hand-shake correction of Power O.I.S., the DMC-FZ100 features the iA Mode, which intelligently determines the best shutter speed. Together, they produce dramatically beautiful night scenes.

Face Detection AF/AE with Face Recognition

The conventional face detection system captures a face with focus and appropriate exposure but sometimes it falls not on the face you want to capture when there are several faces in a frame. The Face Recognition prioritizes focus and exposure right on the face of your special person.

The DMC-FZ100 features the Face Recognition, a function that "remembers" faces. Register the person from the menu by taking his/her full-face portrait with his/her name. Once complete, if the familiar face appears into your frame again, the camera will display the name you specified for that person and prioritize focus and exposure so that the registered face is bright and in sharp focus. Up to 3 persons' names can be displayed at once. In playback, you can choose to display only photos that contain a specific registered face using the Category Playback. The Face Recognition makes sorting archiving incredibly easy. The Face Detection also features the Digital Red-eye Correction (Red-eye Removal). The camera takes care of the red-eye effect that often happens when shooting with a flash, to ensure attractive facial expression.

Intelligent Scene Selector - Scene Detection

When the camera's in the iA Mode, the Intelligent Scene Selector automatically sets the Scene Mode to one of Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night portrait, Night scenery or Sunset. The camera judges it from the various detection results such as focusing and brightness level. You are free from annoying settings every time the scene changes when taking images with these most frequently used Scene Modes.

Advanced Scene Mode

The Advanced Scene Mode function lets you quickly set the frequently used Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Close-up, or Night portrait Modes with the mode dial. And each of these modes can be fine-tuned to match the shooting situation. The Creative Mode also lets you adjust the aperture or shutter speed, for easy manual control. When pressing the Motion Picture button, the optimal Movie Scene Mode is automatically selected.

Happy Mode

The Happy Mode, a color mode option in the iA Mode, optimizes color, saturation and brightness to make images more vivid and true to the color of the scene you remember. It can be used in combination with each Scene Mode in the Intelligent Scene Selector. The Happy Mode is also available in movie recording.

Panorama Assist Mode

This is a handy function for aligning panorama photos using the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition. The afterimage of each previous shot is displayed, so you can use it to precisely line up the second and third shots.

AF Tracking - Subject Detection

Once you focus on your subject, the AF Tracking automatically tracks it until you press the shutter. When you're taking images of an active subject, like children or pets, this function eliminates the need to press the shutter button halfway down repeatedly to readjust the focus. The AF Tracking makes sure you don't miss those once-in-a-lifetime shooting opportunities.

Quick Auto Focus

The DMC-FZ100 features the Quick AF. Ordinary AF is activated when the shutter button is pressed half-way, while the Quick AF starts operating as soon as the camera is pointed toward a subject. This dramatically reduces the shutter delay time and lets you take images quickly. Its super-fast focus is ideal for capturing quick images of active children and pets. By setting the camera to the Quick AF, images of sudden shooting opportunities won't be out of focus or blurry.

Intelligent ISO Control - Motion Detection

The Intelligent ISO Control function in the DMC-FZ100 made possible by the Venus Engine HD II, detects subject movement and automatically adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to best suit the movement and light conditions. When it detects subject motion, it automatically raises the ISO setting and increases the shutter speed to prevent motion blur. On the other hand, when the subject is still and no movement is detected, it takes beautifully natural photos with a low ISO setting. The Intelligent ISO Control gives you stunning images with ease because there is no need for complicated settings.

Intelligent Exposure - Light Detection

The Intelligent Exposure function increases the exposure only in under-exposed areas by detecting the brightness level part-by-part in the image. If the background includes the sky, which tends to be easily washed out, the camera automatically adjusts the aperture and shutter speed to keep the setting slightly under-exposed to prevent wash-out while brightening the darkened area by increasing the ISO only in that area. If the background of an indoor portrait receives insufficient lighting from a flash and becomes dark, the ISO sensitivity is raised in only the low-lit area to make it brighter without causing graininess in the subject's face.

Auto Backlight Compensation

When there is strong backlighting, the background appears nice and bright, but the subject is dark. This function detects backlight condition and compensates it automatically.

A/S/M Mode

Manual functions are the key to taking highly controlled and distinctive photos. Aperture-priority Mode lets you open the aperture up wide for stunning portraits with softly focused backgrounds. Shutter-priority Mode makes it possible to express the dynamic power of a flowing stream by slowing down the shutter speed. And Manual Exposure Mode gives you total control of special shots, allowing you to achieve a higher level of photographic beauty.

Full Manual Operation with Jog Dial

The manual control of the DMC-FZ100 is easy to use with the incorporation of a jog dial. The AF/ AF-Macro/ MF mode button lets you change setting quickly according to shooting condition. You can enjoy creative control not only in photos but also in movies, utilizing a host of options including the Creative Movie Mode and the My Color Mode.

Direct Exposure Compensation

In Program AE, Aperture-priority, and Shutter-priority Modes, you can retrieve the exposure compensation value and manually adjust it directly with the jog dial. With the DMC-FZ100, the exposure compensation and auto bracket range is +/- 3EV in 1/3EV steps to.

ISO Auto Setting in Manual Exposure Mode

In Manual Exposure Mode, you can either select ISO Auto or make settings from ISO 80 to ISO 1600. With ISO Auto, once you set the aperture and shutter speed, the camera automatically judges the ISO sensitivity and maintains the appropriate exposure. For example, you have to use a fast shutter speed to capture moving subjects, while closing down the aperture enough to extend the depth of field for focusing ease. With this kind of shot, you can set the shutter speed and aperture manually, and then leave the exposure up to ISO Auto.

Manual Exposure Assist

When you choose the Manual Exposure Mode, this function shows how much your setting differs from the setting the camera considers optimal. This serves as a convenient guide for anyone using the Manual Exposure Mode.

My Color Mode

Naturally, you want your photos and movies to be unique. The My Color Mode, is a special option that gives free reign to your creativity. With a variety of options including new Pin hole, Film grain, High dynamic and Dynamic B&W, the My Color Mode makes it easier and more fun to create interesting, expressive images by shooting images with more intensive color, brightness and saturation parameters.

Film Mode

In the same way that photographers select different films for their distinctive coloring and contrast, you can manually choose from 6 color types and 3 monochrome types. When shooting in black and white, the contrast, sharpness and noise reduction for each mode parameter can be customized in five steps and stored in memory. The same is true when shooting in color, with the addition of the saturation adjustment. You can make a total of 4,125 settings, and you can get the exact image you want.

Detailed White Balance Setting / White Balance Bracket

2-axis adjustment feature gives you a finer white balance adjustment for Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, or Halogen conditions. It can also be used when adjusting the color temperature setting or white set function. You can adjust with a reference to the horizontal axis for amber to blue and the vertical axis for green to magenta. With still image recording, you can use the White Balance Bracket setting, which automatically shoots 3 consecutive photos with slight changes to the white balance setting of each photo in both the vertical and horizontal axes, by simply pressing the shutter button once.

AF/ AF-Macro/ MF Mode Button / Focus Button

The AF/AF-Macro/ MF mode button lets you quickly change the focus mode. The focus button helps to achieve finer focusing during both shooting and playback. During AF operation, it serves to activate the variable AF area, and during MF operation, it changes to a handy One-shot AF to provide initial focusing. During playback, this convenient and important function gives you one-touch zoom playback of subjects in focus.

Variable AF Area

You can select the AF setting from Face AF, AF tracking, Multi-AF (23-area) or 1-area AF. With the 1-area AF, the position of the AF area can be freely moved. This is convenient when you want to frame a shot for a special effect, like focusing on a subject at the very edge of the frame. The AF frame size can also be selected from among Spot, Normal, L, and XL.

Manual Focus

Select manual focus with the AF/ AF-Macro/ MF mode button, and use the jog dial for super-smooth focusing. When you focus in the manual focus mode, not only the focus distance but also the DOF (depth of field) according to the zoom range and aperture is displayed.

0.39" (1cm) Macro

The DMC-FZ100 lets you get as close as 0.39" (1cm) to your subject. Simply press AF/ AF-Macro/ MF mode button to switch to Macro Mode. Ideal for taking dynamic, intricate close-ups of flowers and insects, this feature is also great for rendering artwork and handicrafts in spectacular details

MF Assist

An MF Assist function enlarges the image to make focusing easier. The focusing area is movable, which also contributes to easy and comfortable manual focusing.

AF/ AE Lock Button

The AF/ AE Lock button lets you frame your shot freely while keeping the focus locked, or maintains the same exposure setting regardless of the subject color when taking multiple shots.

Built-in Flash

Select the flash synchronization you want from 1st Curtain Sync. or 2nd Curtain Sync. This is effective for capturing nightscapes with a natural flow of light. You can adjust the intensity within a range of +/- EV 2 in 1/3 EV steps, too

High-speed Consecutive Shooting

The camera has the industry's fastest level of burst shooting in 14.1 megapixel full resolution at 11 frames per second with the mechanical shutter and even 60 frames per second in 3.5 megapixel recording mode.

5 or 2 fps with Continuous Auto Focus

The DMC-FZ100 lets you snap off consecutive shots at approx. 5 frames per second or 2 frames per second with continuous AF. That keeps the focus on quickly moving subjects for capturing decisive moments with crisp clarity.

The DMC-FZ100 can achieve even higher-speed burst of 60 fps when shooting 3.5 megapixel resolution with the electronic shutter.

Burst Mode Button

The DMC-FZ100 features the Burst Mode Button on the top of the camera. The frame rate, AF setting and the recording resolution can be easily selected according to the movement of the subject with this dedicated button.

Burst Shooting Mode in Category Playback

While conventional models play consecutively shot images one by one, the DMC-FZ100 lets you retrieve a full consecutive shooting block. In addition, the Category Playback will gather only images that were shot with the Burst Shooting mode. Burst Shooting block images can be played together in a slideshow, or individually. And you can set your best photos as "favorite" or "protect" them from deletion.

1920 x 1080 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL) Full-HD Movie in AVCHD Format

The DMC-FZ100 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful full-HD movies. In addition to Motion JPEG images, the DMC-FZ100 can record high-resolution full-HD 1920 x 1080 60i (NTSC, or 50i in PAL) movies in AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264) format. The AVCHD format features almost twice the recording time in HD quality than the conventional Motion JPEG and excels in the compatibility with AV equipment like HDTVs or Blu-ray Disc players.

Motion Picture Button

Motion image recording can be started by pressing a dedicated button on the top of the camera - an extremely quick, convenient way to start motion image recording. Most of the camera's settings will be carried over when switched to motion image recording.

24x Optical Zoom When Shooting Movies

The 24x optical zoom of the DMC-FZ100 lets you zoom up close to subjects that you can't actually approach, even when shooting movies. This single camera will capture both photos and movies of wild animals in highly natural poses, dynamic sports scenes and countless other situations, exactly as you see them.

iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode for Movies

The iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode is also available in motion image recording. The iA Mode automatically and simultaneously activates 4 advanced detection functions: The Power O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) to detect hand-shake, the Face Detection AF/AE to detect faces in the frame, the Intelligent Scene Selector to detect scene conditions, and the Intelligent Exposure to detect the ambient light. Since the camera automatically optimizes the settings, it lets you shoot stunning HD movies every time.

Advanced Scene Mode for Movies

You are naturally supposed to take the same subject in the same situation when you start recording movie while recording photos. So you do not have to set the Advanced Scene Mode again for movie recording once you are in the Advanced Scene Mode of photo recording. The result is beautiful movies that are best optimized for the scene.

High-speed Movies at 220 fps in QVGA Size

This function lets you record high-speed movies at 220 frames per second in QVGA size (320 x 240 pixels). That means you can capture the moment the soccer ball finds the net. Or the moment that a tennis racket strikes the ball. You can even capture scenes that can't be seen with the naked eye, and play them back in dramatic slow motion.

My Color, Color Effect, & Happy Mode for Movies

You can use the My Color Mode and Color Effect Mode for shooting movies. They render highly unique expressions by matching the colors to your subject and surroundings. In the iA Mode, you can apply Happy Mode as well, for even brighter coloring.

Creative Movie Mode

The DMC-FZ100 features a Creative Movie Mode, which lets you set the shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive movies. Changing the shutter speed brings special effects to movies, which is especially suitable for shooting fast-moving subject. The ability to control the aperture is convenient when there are several subjects at different distances and it is desired to have each of them stand out. The Creative Movie Mode gives the user a wider range of expressive possibilities to explore.

Still Image Recording in Movie Recording

While shooting an HD movie, simply press the shutter button and the camera shoots a photo as it records*. This makes sure that you don't miss those decisive moments with either photos or movies, or both.

Video Editing

You can divide a single video into two parts using only the camera. This is handy for compiling memorable scenes, and deleting unwanted scenes to free up space on your memory card while you are traveling. You can also cut out a clear still image from a movie in the camera thanks to Intelligent Resolution technology.

Stereo Sound

A stereo microphone, featuring Dolby Digital Stereo Creator, on the upper body records dynamic, true-to-life stereo audio that brings out the power of your HD movies. In addition, thanks to a silence design that helps suppress lens drive noise, the DMC-FZ100 records sounds in greater clarity.

Wind Cut

The Wind Cut function is available to block out most of the noise from background wind. This gives you higher quality sound when taking images on breezy days.

Optional Stereo Microphone DMW-MS1

The DMC-FZ100 supports the optional Stereo Microphone DMW-MS1, which clearly captures distant sounds in superb quality to make the HD movies taken by the DMC-FZ100 even more lifelike. This optional microphone is connected using the built-in 2.5mm stereo mic input.

VIERA Link/ HDMI Compatibility

Just connect the DMC-FZ100 to an HDTV and you're ready to view your photos and movies in beautiful high-definition. Motion images recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot) on a VIERA TV or DIGA recorder/ player to playback your content. Alternatively, you can use an optional mini HDMI cable to output the motion images you took from the DMC-FZ100 directly to the TV for VIERA Link.

Quick Menu

Frequently used functions can be quickly retrieved and easily switched by using the Q.MENU button. The function names are displayed in text form, making them easy for anyone to understand and use.

Function Button

Functions that can be assigned to the Function button include: Aspect ratio, Quality, Metering, White balance, Intelligent exposure, Color effect, Guide line, Recording area, and Remaining display.

Custom Mode

Your frequent setting patterns can be memorized up to three and it can be instantly applied by simply selecting this function with the camera.

EVF (Electronic Viewfinder)

The DMC-FZ100 has a clear 0.2" EVF (electronic viewfinder) featuring a 100% field of view, 201,600-dot equivalent, and a large, comfortable eyepiece. Located directly on top of the lens, it is easy to use and provides fast, accurate framing. Using the viewfinder also consumes no battery power.

Large, Free-angle 3.0", 460,000-dot High-resolution LCD

The DMC-FZ100 has a 3.0" 3:2 460,000-dot free-angle LCD that rotates 180° to the side and tilts 270° up and down, and gives you an approx. 100% field of view. This is a highly practical feature for high-angle shots, like when you need to shoot over the heads of people at a parade, and enables accurate, dynamic framing for artistic low-angle shots, like when shooting at nearly ground level. It's extremely convenient when shooting with a tripod too.

Out-of-frame Display

This function is handy when you want to concentrate on shooting without having your view blocked by information displayed on the screen.

Select from 4 Aspect Ratios

In addition to 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9, you can now shoot with a 1:1 aspect ratio. This unique square frame adds to your image expression possibilities. The 16:9 ratio produces images that match the aspect ratio of an HDTV screen. Being able to match the aspect ratio to your subject and shooting intent gives you even greater control.

Optional Accessories

A wide range of optional accessories are available, such as the DMW-LT55 Tele Conversion Lens, which allows full-resolution, ultra-zoom shooting up to 40.8x (35mm camera equivalent: 1020mm), and the DMW-LPL52 PL Filter, which renders beautiful, lifelike landscapes and skies by cutting the reflections from water and glass surfaces and random light rays from the surroundings. Enjoy customizing your own, original system, and then use it to produce highly distinctive images.

Category Playback

You can playback photos from a total of 10 settings, including the Face Recognition, which lets you search for and retrieve specific subjects.

Title Edit / Text Stamp

The Title Edit function in playback mode lets you edit the titles of any photos you want. Two of the scene modes, Baby and Pet mode, let you enter the date of birth and name of your subject in advance. You can also enter your destination and the date of travel in advance, in the Travel Date setting. The title, name, age based on the birth date, date of travel information, and date of shooting are displayed during playback, and can be printed on photos.

PictBridge

The PictBridge standard lets you print directly on a compatible digital printer. Print size, layout, date and other settings can be made with the camera. Of course, you can also make multiple prints of an image, or print only the ones that you have selected.

Slideshows with Music

The DMC-FZ100 can play a slideshow with music. Choose from 4 types of music: natural, slow, swing and urban. Then, select the transition effect to match your music. You can also use the optional mini HDMI cable to connect the camera to an HDTV for breathtaking, large-screen viewing. For musical slideshows created with the included PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, you can choose your favorite iTunes music file as background music and burn it onto a DVD disc as a MPEG2 file. It is also possible to upload the slideshow to YouTube.

PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition Software

The latest version of exciting software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition comes bundled with the DMC-FZ100. With quick start-up and fast read-in of images, the PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos not only of those newly taken but also of those stored in your computer. The Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the image to automatically sort the photos by the registered faces without picking out each photo one by one when you only want images of a specific person. You can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music and burn it onto a DVD disc in MPEG2. Motion images can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader even in HD (High Definition) quality. It also lets you create a 360° rotation panorama file in MOV, which is especially easy if Panorama Assist Mode in the camera is used. The software is of course compatible with the Windows 7.

SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE Software

The DMC-FZ100 records original image data in RAW file format, which allows images to be developed according to your intention. A number of highly advanced functions can be applied to these RAW images by using the SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE software utility, with its unique combination of high resolution and extraordinary color separation performance.