PMA 2009

New to the company's midrange FS-series compacts is the 10.1MP DMC-FS20.

(Credit: Panasonic)

Panasonic offers a wide range of compact cameras and it's FS-series sits square in the middle of its range, offering small size and interesting features. This year, Panasonic is announcing three new FS models at the PMA trade show-- the Lumix DMC-FS20, Lumix DMC-FS5, and Lumix DMC-FS3.

At the top of the three models are the FS20 and FS5, which both offer 10.1-megapixel CCD sensors, 4X optical 30-120mm f/3.3-5.8 Leica DC Vario-Elmar zoom lenses, and sensitivity of up to ISO 1,600 at full resolution. The main difference between the two models is their LCD screens. The FS20 includes a 3-inch LCD, while the FS5 includes a 2.5-inch LCD. Both cameras offer Panasonic's suite of automatic options, including Mega OIS optical image stabilization, face detection, Intelligent ISO to keep shutter speeds high when light levels are low, and Intelligent Scene Selector, which analyzes the scene and chooses the preset scene mode the camera thinks applies. Both cameras are expected to be available in February. The DMC-FS20 is expected to sell, in a choice of pink, black, and silver colors, for about $300, while the DMC-FS5 is expected to carry a price tag of about $250 and will be offered in a choice of red, black, and silver colors.

The Lumix DMC-FS3 steps down to an 8.1-megapixel CCD, 3X optical 33-100mm f/2.8-5.1 Leica DC Vario-Elmarit zoom lens, and 2.5-inch LCD. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 1,600 at full resolution and the FS3 also includes the same array of automatic features as the FS 20 and FS5. Panasonic will offer the FS3 in a choice of blue, pink, green, silver, and black models when it hits stores this February for about $200.

The new Lumix DMc-FX35 includes a super-wide 25mm zoom lens.

(Credit: Panasonic)

It's not easy to find a compact camera with a wide zoom lens. Panasonic has been good about offering cameras with a 28mm wide angle in the past, but its new Lumix DMC-FX35 offers an even wider 25mm wide-angle zoom lens. The 10.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-FX35 boasts a 4X optical, 25-100mm f/2.8-5.6 Leica DC Vario-Elmarit zoom lens with optical image stabilization. It also sports a 2.5-inch LCD screen, a 2.5fps (up to 5 images in Standard JPG, or 3 images in Fine JPG) burst mode at full resolution, and a video mode that can capture up to 720p High-Definition video clips at 30fps. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 1,600 at full resolution.

The FX35 also includes Panasonic's suite of automatic shooting options, including Intelligent ISO, which changes ISO based on the shutter speeds available with the amount of light in a given scene, Intelligent Scene Selector, which analyzes a scene and tries to choose the appropriate scene mode to deal with that situation, and Intelligent Exposure, which analyzes a scene and adjusts the exposure to achieve what the camera thinks is the optimal brightness for the given scene. The FX35 also includes digital red-eye correction-- Panasonic's term for a red-eye reducing pre-flash, as well as face detection, which can see up to 15 faces and adjusts focus and exposure to keep those faces in focus and properly exposed.

Panasonic will offer the Lumix DMC-FX35 in silver, black, and blue colors, for about $350 when it hits stores this March.

Panasonic's new Lumix DMC-LZ10 sports a 10.1MP sensor and 5X optical zoom lens.

(Credit: Panasonic)

Two new models fill out Panasonic's AA-powered LZ series compact cameras at this year's PMA trade show. The main difference between the two models is the number of megapixels. The Lumix DMC-LZ10 sports a 10.1-megapixel CCD, while the Lumix DMC-LZ8 offers an 8.1-megapixel CCD.

Both cameras include 5X optical zoom lenses covering slightly different focal length ranges. The LZ10 covers an equivalent of 30-150mm, while the LZ8 spans an equivalent of 32-160mm. Maximum aperture ranges of both cameras cover f/3.3-5.9 from their widest angles to their farthest telephoto focal lengths. Both cameras also include 2.5-inch LCD screens and offer sensitivity of up to ISO 1,600 at full resolution. Automatic shooting options include face detection, Mega OIS optical image stabilization, Intelligent ISO, which chooses a sensitivity to try to keep shutter speeds fast in the given lighting situation, and Intelligent Scene Selector, which analyzes the scene and chooses the preset scene mode it thinks is appropriate for the given scene.

Panasonic expects the Lumix DMC-LZ10 and DMC-LZ8 to hit stores this February for about $250 and $180, respectively.

Nikon's new 10.2MP D60 includes a nifty new Air Flow Control dust reduction system.

(Credit: Nikon)

While we've seen some exciting announcements from Canon and Pentax in the last week, and from Sony at CES, Nikon's PMA SLR announcement amounts to an incremental upgrade from its entry-level D40 SLR. The new D60 includes a 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor, the company's new Expeed processor, sensitivity up to ISO 3,200 (Nikon calls it Hi), and a 2.5-inch LCD. Compared to Canon's Rebel XSi, this new Nikon comes in with fewer pixels (though still more than enough for most entry-level SLR users) and a smaller LCD. With its 3-frame-per-second burst mode, the D60 is also slightly slower in continuous shooting. However, the D60 is essentially on par with Sony's DSLR-A200, though the Sony includes sensor-shift image stabilization that works with any lens, while Nikon relies on lens-based optical image stabilization. To Nikon's credit, they have upgraded the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens to include their Vibration Reduction optical image stabilization.

Like the D40, the D60 includes 3-area autofocus, 3-D Color Matrix Metering II, and a host of in-camera editing features, including Nikon's D-Lighting, red-eye reduction, and filter effects, such as the cross-screen (aka cross star) effect. Another nifty feature, also found in some of Nikon's point-and-shoots, is the Stop-Motion Movie mode, which lets you create a stop-motion movie clip from a series of up to 100 consecutive JPG images, and even lets you pluck individual images out after the fact if the clip doesn't live up to your expectations. As with all of Nikon's SLRs, the D60 can capture images as RAW (aka NEF in Nikon-land) files. However, Nikon has also included a NEF-to-JPG conversion tool in the camera itself. It won't offer all the functionality of the software included with the camera, or Nikon's optional Capture NX software, but it's a nice option to have if you don't want to shoot RAW+JPG, which can eat up a lot of memory on your SD card.

As has become the trend in SLRs, the D60 includes a dust reduction system that shakes the sensor to make any loose dust fall off of the sensor. Nikon has taken this system a step further than some by placing anti-static coatings on all parts in the mirror box (most manufacturers include an anti-static coating on the UV filter in front of the sensor), and has a new Air Flow Control system. Since the air inside the SLR is disturbed every time the mirror flips up to take a picture, this new system uses air vents in the bottom of the mirror box so that air naturally flows downward, bringing any loose dust with it, instead of bouncing around the inside of the mirror box.

According to Nikon, they have also improved the camera's help function, compared to the D40, while also offering different options for the status screen. Since, like too many entry-level SLRs, the D60 doesn't include a dedicated status display, the LCD shows you the state of your camera's settings. A sensor below the optical viewfinder turns the display off when you raise the camera to your eye. I prefer a dedicated status display, though the omission of one is usually an attempt to keep prices down, which is always a nice thing.

It's not easy to say how much of a price advantage that amounts to in the D60, since Nikon says that pricing will not be available until 30 days prior to sales availability. Strangely, they also say that the D60 will be available in February 2008. That means that unless Nikon starts selling this camera on February 29th, in celebration of leap year, we should know the pricing by now. Rest assured, once we find out the pricing we'll let you know. We do know that the D60 will be offered as a kit, with the aforementioned AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. It is unclear right now if Nikon will offer a body-only option, though they never did for the D40, so I wouldn't expect it.

Nikon's new 24mm perspective correction lens can help make diverging lines parallel.

(Credit: Nikon)

To accompany the announcement of its new D60 SLR, Nikon has announced three new lenses: the PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED, the AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED, and the AF-S DX 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G VR. The most unusual of the three is the PC-E 24mm, which is a perspective correction lens-- a type of lens that Canon has dominated for a while now with three models, though Nikon already offers the PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D. Canon refers to this type of lens as tilt-shift, since it lets you adjust the angle of the lens elements in relation to the film/sensor plane by angling the lens from side to side, up or down, and slide it horizontally. By angling the lens elements, you can compensate for the trapezoidal look that very large buildings take on when looking up as you shoot them. While this is obviously a very specialized lens, it's nice to see Nikon stepping up their already-extensive selection of lenses. The PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED will be available this fall for about $1,930. Nikon will also be showing prototypes of a new PC-E Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D ED at the PMA show this week.

An update to Nikon's 60mm macro lens now features a Silent Wave Motor and internal focusing.

(Credit: Nikon)

Next up is a new 60mm macro lens called the AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED. Compared to the existing AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D, which has been around for a few years now, this new 60mm includes a built-in Silent Wave Motor for autofocus to make it compatible with the D40 and D40x, Nikon's new Nano Crystal Coat, ED (extra low dispersion) lens elements, and fully internal focusing. The internal focusing means that the front lens element doesn't extend or retract while you focus-- something that did irk me when using the previous 60mm when shooting at magnifications close to 1:1. Nikon expects the AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED to be available in March for about $550.

With a versatile zoom range, this new DX-format 16-85mm lens makes a nice all-around lens for Nikon's sub-full-frame cameras.

(Credit: Nikon)

The last new lens is a versatile DX-format lens that covers a 35mm-equivalent zoom range of about 24-128mm. The AF-S DX 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G VR includes Nikon's Vibration Reduction optical image stabilization, which the company says can provide from 2-4 stops of leeway. Meaning that if you normally would shoot at 1/100 second for a particular shot, you should be able to use this lens at 1/25 second (a 2 stop difference), or possibly even as slow as 1/6 second (about a 4 stop difference). As always with image stabilization, your mileage may vary. This 16-85mm lens also includes ED glass and Silent Wave Motor technology. Nikon expects the AF-S DX 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G VR to be available this March for about $650.