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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45: Zooming sound and light

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 is a new 24x superzoom with a trick or two up its sleeve

Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
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Richard Trenholm

Panasonic has announced two new 24x superzoom cameras today. The Lumix DMC-FZ45 is the little brother to the all-singing, all-dancing FZ100, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a trick or two up its sleeve.

FZ45

Like the FZ100, the FZ45 sports a giant 24x optical zoom with a focal length of 25mm-600m. It lacks the FZ100's folding screen, with the fixed 76mm (3-inch) screen staying happily where it is. It's also light on superfast burst modes and video whistles and bells.

FZ45

The dedicated movie button shoots high-definition video in the space-saving AVCHD Lite format. The stereo zoom mic adjusts the sound to match whatever you've zoomed in on.

The FZ45 replaces the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38, which we rated rather highly. Here's hoping the FZ45 lives up to its older sibling's promise.

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