DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS

Panasonic Adds Optical Image Stabilization To Entry-Level Camcorders

Top-of-the-Line MiniDV/SD Card Model Has 3CCD Imaging System, Leica Dicomar Lens

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 7, 2007) – Panasonic today announced three new value-priced digital camcorders using MiniDV tape and SD Memory Card1 storage media and boasting such advanced features as Panasonic's Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) system, newly developed lenses2 for extended-width 16:9 shooting, 3.1 megapixel still-picture recording3, shutter speeds up to 1/8000th of a second, one-touch navigation and joystick control, and 2.7-inch wide LCD.

At the top of the line, the $499.95 (MSP) PV-GS320 combines a Leica Dicomar ED lens and a virtually light-loss-free 3CCD imaging system to produce superior detail rendition, greater color accuracy, and enhanced depth.

"The big story here is extending the benefits of Panasonic's advanced Optical Image Stabilization technology to customers shopping for camcorders in the entry level market segment," said Rudy Vitti, Panasonic's national marketing manager for camcorders. "O.I.S. eliminates the deterioration and unnatural artifacts common with electronic stabilization systems by canceling hand-shake effects before the image reaches the CCD. With it, we have managed to increase the zoom range of several of our models to 32x while obtaining smoother, more stable images than ever before."

Vitti also noted that the O.I.S. system is fully functional in still-image as well as video mode. "Our O.I.S. secures and stabilizes a 960x480-pixel rectangle for true wide-screen shooting. "This ensures that movies taken with any of camcorders will be sharper and steadier than those of others, particularly when viewed on a big-screen HDTV."

Other key features of all three new models include 2.7-inch wide LCD viewfinders for easy 16:9 image composition, improved one-touch menu navigation and joystick controls for intuitive one-hand operation, and high-speed (1/8000 max.) shutters.

Model: PV-GS320 ($499.95, February 2007)
3CCD imaging system, optical image stabilization, Leica Dicomar ED lens, 3.1 megapixel still picture recording onto SD Card, 10x optical zoom, 2.7" wide LCD, one-touch navigation and joystick control, high-speed shutter (1/60-1/800, tape mode; 1/30-1,2000, card mode), Motion DV Studio and Quick Movie Magic software applications

Model: PV-GS85 ($349.95, February 2007)
Optical image stabilization, 32x optical zoom, 3.1 megapixel still-picture recording onto SD Card, 2.7" wide color EVF, one-touch navigation and joystick control, high-speed shutter (1/60-1/800, tape mode; 1/30-1,2000, card mode)

Model: PV-GS80 ($299.95, February 2007)
Optical image stabilization, 32x optical zoom, 2.7" wide LCD, one-touch navigation and joystick control, high-speed shutter (1/60-1/8000)