Panasonic has announced the upcoming release of the Lumix DMC-FZ70, a compact camera with a 60x optical zoom and 16.1-megapixel sensor. With an equivalent focal length of 20-1200mm, Panasonic claims the camera has the largest zoom range of any current consumer compact camera. An optional 1.7x Tele Conversion Lens (DMW-LT55) is available and extends the zoom range to a staggering 2040mm.
According to Panasonic, the camera has a start-up time of approximately 0.9 seconds and supports continuous shooting at 9 frames per second (fps) in full resolution with mechanical shutter and limited AF, or 5 fps with full resolution and continuous AF.
The FZ70 can capture Full HD video (1,920 x 1,080, 50i, AVCHD/MP4) with stereo sound and is the first camera in the FZ range to offer Panasonic's new Wind Shield Zoom Microphone, which Panasonic says reduces wind noise by around 70%.
On the back there's a 3-inch (76mm), 460,000-dot LCD and a 0.2 inch (5mm), 202,000-dot electronic viewfinder offering 100% field of view. Full manual exposure controls are available for advanced users while novice users can access a range of auto and scene modes.
Image stabilisation is provided by Panasonic's POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser) with Active Mode to reduce blur at extended focal lengths and slower shutter speeds.
The DMC-FZ70 will be available in Australia in September 2013. Pricing will be available closer to the launch date.
