At a time when shutterbugs the world over are making a beeline for the 4K technology that provides stunning true-to-life detail pictures, Panasonic has launched two new 4K-enabled compact digital cameras in India.
Part of its state-of-the art LUMIX range, the DMC-FZ1000 and DMC-FZ300 cameras will allow professionals as well as amateur photographers to capture breathtaking 4K photos and videos at four times the resolution of full-high definition (HD).
"Panasonic's LUMIX range is synonymous with photographic expertise and we have raised the bar with the incorporation of 4K advanced technology in our cameras," Gaurav Ghavri, product head (Panasonic India) said in a statement on Friday.
"We see immense potential in the Indian market for the possibilities of 4K images and videos, as ultra-high definition 4K is trending across the global camera landscape, and poised to replace full HD shooting," he explained.
The 4K technology or 4K resolution, as it is generally called, refers to a display or content which has horizontal resolution on the order of 4,000 pixels per inch (PPI).
"In tandem with this, Panasonic has brought 4K imaging products to both the professional and amateur Indian photographer, to stay ahead of the technology curve," Ghavri added.
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The two new cameras come with a classic compact design with photogenic timing and precision to capture high-resolution images in the blink of an eye.
To make things easy and fill the images with details, the cameras come with wide-angle LEICA lens systems.
High-precision OLED live viewfinders give users a higher contrast ratio (than an LCD) in low ambient light conditions.
Both devices are equipped with high-sensitivity MOS sensors and Venus Engine image processors, which together capture crystal clear images with superior colour reproduction and minimum noise or grains even in low light environments.
The cameras also boast the Depth from Defocus (DFD) that boosts both accuracy and speed.
The DFD enables the camera to achieve an ultra high-speed autofocus time of 0.09 seconds and a quick start-up time of 0.66 seconds, ensuring that the user never misses a shot.
Panasonic's DMC-FZ1000 flagship bridge camera - a camera that fills the niche between the single-lens reflex cameras (SLRs) and the point-and-shoot camera - has a 4x larger than the conventional MOS sensor of 1-inch 20.1 megapixel.
The MOS sensor, exclusively used by Panasonic, Olympus and LEICA in their cameras, can achieve a high quality image while keeping energy consumption at minimal levels.
With a 16x optical zoom, the model produces highly descriptive photographs rich in both detail and resolution.
The second 4K technology model DMC-FZ300 is the ultimate hybrid compact camera that comes with a splash- and dust-proof rugged design.
Ideal for outdoor and field photography, the camera comes with a the full range F2.8 aperture in 600mm that can capture a far-distance, high-speed image - effortlessly -- in high-definition.
The 12.1 megapixel sensor of the FZ300 is complimented by a high-powered 24x optical zoom for achieving impeccable results during sports events.
The most impressive function is the ability to extract 8 megapixel frames from a 4K video footage, capturing spur-of-the-moment image that are tricky to catch in still photography.
Apart from out-of-the-box features, the cameras have three new exclusive functions -- 4K Burst Shooting, 4K Burst S/S (Start/Stop) and 4K Pre-burst -- to capture fleeting photo opportunities.
Both models are Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with smartphones and tablets, offering a flexible shooting experience and instant image sharing with a press of a button.
The DMC-FZ1000 and DMC-FZ300 cameras are available to Indian consumers at the best buy price of Rs.45,990 and Rs.58,990, respectively.