Panasonic is pleased to introduce the LUMIX DMC-ZR3 (ZX3) digital camera from ZR (ZX) series featuring powerful zoom with a remarkably slim and compact body. Newly added is an AVCHD Lite movie recording function to make the versatile camera even truly "hybrid".

The new image processing technology "Intelligent Resolution" is incorporated in the Venus Engine HD II for ZR3 (ZX3). By detecting the signals whether they are at edges of the subject, they compose detailed texture or just a soft gradation first and give appropriate enhancement to the edges and textured areas respectively. Unlike the uniform enhancement of sharpness, it is possible to perform the optimum signal processing to give a whole image outstandingly natural clearness with fine detail.

This technology is integrated in iA (Intelligent Auto) mode — a hallmark of LUMIX cameras — working thoroughly while the camera is in the iA mode to enhance its potential in many aspects. The iA mode is also available in movie mode. It automatically selects the most suitable Scene mode and helps to correct handshake, focus and brightness problems — making the iA mode your one-stop solution to capture beautiful photos and movies.

The powerful 8x optical zoom* lens makes it easy to pull in subjects from far away a step closer compared to the conventional stylish point-and-shoot cameras. For an added boost, zoom power can be increased to 10x with the Intelligent Zoom function taking advantage of the Intelligent Resolution technology maintaining the picture quality even combining a digital zoom. The 25mm ultra wide-angle feature is ideal for both broad landscapes and tight indoor shots, letting photographers capture a wider view. The 14.1-megapixel high resolution CCD reproduce the detailed images corner to corner and affordable with trimming or even more powerful Extra Optical Zoom by using the center part of it.

Notably the Sonic Speed AF in the ZR3 (ZX3) features its speed at the industry's fastest level. Combined with a high-speed start-up, this gives the ZR3 (ZX3) an ultra fast response that helps to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities. The 2.7-inch large Intelligent LCD offers dynamic and clear view out of its small body. The battery life is also as powerful as approx. 330 pictures shooting thanks to the highly energy efficient image processing LSI, the Venus Engine HD II.

With high-quality aluminum texture which resists fingerprints and soiling, the slim, compact, pocket-fitting size of ZR3 (ZX3) is packed with a host of functions for both photos and movies to be an ideal partner for traveling or for everyday snapshots.
*Equivalent to 35mm camera: 25-200mm.

*The "AVCHD" is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. The "AVCHD Lite" is a subset of the "AVCHD format" for HD digital video cameras with HD video recording restricted to 720P. The new "AVCHD Lite" logo and the "AVCHD Lite" license are restricted to devices within the AVCHD Video Camera category. Digital cameras have been added to the AVCHD Video Camera category.

*The "AVCHD Lite" and the "AVCHD Lite" logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
*AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.

1. 25mm Ultra Wide-Angle LEICA DC Lens with 8x Optical / 10x Intelligent Zoom for Superior Versatility in Both Photo and Movie Recording
The DMC-ZR3 (ZX3) features a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens and powerful 8x optical zoom (equivalent to 25-200mm on a 35mm camera) together with a 14.1-megapixel high resolution CCD into a compact body. The lens unit comprises of 9 elements in 7 groups, including 4 aspherical lenses with 6 spherical surfaces. Notably, Panasonic achieved the incorporation of 0.3mm super thin aspherical lens and 0.3mm spherical lens, both mold and mass production are difficult, into the lens unit. This makes it possible to fit the 25-200mm high performance lens in an astonishingly slim and compact body.

Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the ZR3 (ZX3) which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even using a digital zoom. This means the 8x optical can virtually extend to 10x equivalent. Furthermore, the Extra Optical Zoom function that extends zoom power to 16.9x (at 3-megapixel resolution) by using the center part of the high resolution CCD to bring subjects even closer.

2. Intelligent Resolution Technology Compiled in the New Venus Engine HD II Assures High Picture Quality for Both Photo and Movie
The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD has been re-engineered to compile the new image processing technology "Intelligent Resolution". It enables the recording of beautiful photo and high-definition movie with higher quality signal processing.

With the Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas — outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clearness while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed. To the soft gradation part, superior noise reduction process of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to make it smoother. 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.
The Intelligent Resolution technology also realizes Intelligent Zoom, which virtually extends the optical zoom ratio to its approx. 1.3x equivalent maintaining the picture quality even combining the digital zoom. Details of an image in high sensitivity recording tend to be lost in the noise reduction process; however, the Intelligent Resolution works to keep them.

At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine HD II supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.005 second and the camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) that lets you lock on the subject minimum in approx. 0.26 (wide-end) / 0.31 (tele-end) second* and the short startup time of approx. 1.10 second. The high performance Venus Engine HD II is also more energy efficient compared with the conventional Venus Engine HD, extending the battery life up to 330 shots (CIPA) per a single charge.
*Using 1-area AF.

3. Take Motion Picture Recording to the Next-Level with New Generation AVCHD Lite and iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode
In addition to Motion JPEG images, the DMC-ZR3 (ZX3) can record high-definition motion picture in AVCHD Lite. It features almost doubling the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. The picture quality is greatly enhanced thanks to the newly added Intelligent Resolution technology. The ZR3 (ZX3) also features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio, so you can match the beautiful motion images with outstanding sound.

Now on the ZR3 (ZX3), the popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in motion image recording. Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it, so it always turns out beautiful. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. And Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.

The powerful 8x optical zoom is also available in movie recording. With the newly added Video Divide function, users can divide the video into two sections to shorten or to delete the unwanted half on the spot in the camera. You can cut out a clear still image from a movie in the camera thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.

Still or motion images recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to playback your contents. Alternatively, you can use an optional mini HDMI cable to output the still and motion images you took from the ZR3 (ZX3) directly to the TV for VIERA Link. You can take maximum advantage of LUMIX camera's playback functions including the slideshow in which both still and motion images are integrated in the timeline, category playback according to the scene mode you used or calendar display and so on. All control is possible using only the TV's remote control.

In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.
*Motion pictures can be recorded continuously for up to 29 min 59 sec in some countries.

*Continuous recording exceeding 2GB is not possible when recording motion JPEG. Remaining time for continuous recording is displayed on the screen.
*AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played from a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.

·Use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class 4" or higher when recording motion pictures in [AVCHD Lite]. Also, use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class 6" or higher when recording motion pictures in [MOTION JPEG].
*SD Speed Class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.

4. The iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode Further Evolved with Intelligent Resolution Technology
Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. In iA mode the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments. Just press, aim and shoot. This mode is now further advanced with the inclusion of the Intelligent Resolution technology for DMC-ZR3 (ZX3).

The hand-shake component, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is recognized as a low-frequency vibration, for which the new POWER O.I.S. is particularly effective. This greatly improves the quality of shots taken at night or indoors where a flash cannot be used, or where the photographer doesn't want to use a flash because it would spoil the mood. It captures beautiful photos in situations that previously resulted in blurring. The Face Recognition function remembers registered faces to give an appropriate AF/AE on the people.

The Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects whichever of 6 Scene modes — Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and newly added Sunset — that best suits the shooting situation.

The Quick AF system helps keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before pressing the shutter button halfway. This improves the result out of a shutter chance because the focus is always near the subject and AF time is minimized.

In addition, newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology is always activated in the iA mode which results in the clearer and higher picture quality in every photo and movie with extended zoom range equivalent to 10x optical zoom by the Intelligent Zoom.

Once you enter the iA mode, these functions happen automatically together with other powerful shooting-assist functions — AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Exposure — so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. You can enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.

The new Happy mode, a color mode option in the iA mode, optimizes color, saturation and brightness to make both photos and movies more vivid and true to the color of the scene you memorized.

5. Other Versatile Functions Adding to the Photographic Enjoyment
The ZR3 (ZX3) is equipped with a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD with super high resolution and a wide-viewing angle. The screen brightness automatically adjusts in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times. The big screen reflects fine details, making it easy to check the focus before shooting. It also serves as a small photo and video viewer, allowing the user and friends to enjoy viewing the still and motion images together.

Scene modes, which are optimized for a variety of still-image shooting situations, are now available for motion images as well. Thanks to a rich variety of 28 scene modes for photo and 18 for movie (Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self Portrait, Scenery, Low Light, Food, Party, Candle Light, Sunset, Beach, Snow, Aerial, High Sensitivity, Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic and Underwater), capturing beautiful movies is effortless with the ZR3 (ZX3).

The optional marine case (DMW-MCZX3) is available for underwater photography even to 40m taking advantage of 25mm to 200mm wide shooting range.

In addition to the conventional SD/SDHC Memory Card, the DMC-ZR3 (ZX3) accepts next-generation SD format SDXC (SD eXtended Capacity), that features high potential in both capacity and data transfer speed. The DMC-ZR3 (ZX3) is compatible with Windows 7.