Panasonic Announces Pricing for New LUMIX Models, Including Rugged, GPS-Enabled and Super Slim Digital Cameras - All Available in Mid-March

SECAUCUS, N.J., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic today announced pricing for four of its new LUMIX digital cameras, which include the LUMIX DMC-TS2, LUMIX DMC-ZS7, LUMIX DMC-ZS5, and LUMIX DMC-ZR3 – all which will be available in mid-March 2010.

The LUMIX DMC-TS2, Panasonic's second-generation rugged digital camera, features High Definition video recording capability, in the AVCHD Lite format, and is waterproof to 33 feet (10m), shockproof to approximately 6.6 feet (2m), freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius) and dustproof. With a 28mm wide-angle Leica lens that extends to a 4.6x optical zoom, the user is provided with flexibility for all shooting scenarios. The LUMIX TS2, designed to be tough for active users, does not compromise on the user-friendly features typically, such as iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, with Face Recognition. The LUMIX TS2 has a suggested retail price (SRP) of $399.95.

The newest additions to the popular LUMIX ZS-Series are the LUMIX DMC-ZS7 and LUMIX DMC-ZS5 digital cameras. Complete with its hallmark 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens and a powerful 12x optical zoom, the LUMIX ZS7 is a 12.1-megapixel powerhouse performer which also includes a new built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) feature that embeds photos and videos with latitude and longitude location details. The LUMIX ZS7 also records HD video in the AVCHD Lite format and will be available for an SRP of $399.95. The LUMIX ZS5 also features a 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens, 12x optical zoom and manual controls. Distinguishing it from the LUMIX ZS7, the LUMIX ZS5 has a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD, records HD video in Motion JPG at 30fp. The LUMIX ZS5 will be available for an SRP of $299.95.

Panasonic's LUMIX DMC-ZR3 is a fully-featured compact digital camera, complete with HD video recording capabilities, a 25mm ultra-wide-angle Leica lens and a 8x optical zoom. Panasonic also introduced its new Intelligent Zoom on the LUMIX ZR3, which extends the zoom to an impressive 10x. The LUMIX ZR3 will be available for an SRP of $299.95. For more information on all Panasonic LUMIX digital camera models, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

*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.

*SD Speed Class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.

*Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. In its commitment to provide consumers with extensive imaging resources, Panasonic LUMIX established the Digital Photo Academy, a series of nationwide workshops designed to instruct consumers how to optimize the features on their digital cameras and produce high-quality photos. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

For more than 20 years, Panasonic has been proud to support the Olympic Movement as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category and, beginning in 2009, in the Digital Imaging category as well. Panasonic has also renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for an additional eight years through the 2016 Summer Games. For more information, visit http://panasonic.net/olympic/.

SOURCE Panasonic