Panasonic's new Lumix line-up

Panasonic has expanded its digital camera line-up to include a new prosumer and four compact cameras as well as its first digital SLR.

Following its global launch of six digital cameras and eight camcorders in February this year, the company added six new digital still models to the Lumix range at a local event at Sydney's Balmoral beach this week.

The highly-anticipated Lumix DMC-L1 was the main drawcard, arriving five months after its initial announcement at the annual PMA show in March. The 7.5-megapixel unit is Panasonic's first foray into the digital SLR market, as well the first non-Olympus dSLR to implement the Four-Thirds System -- an open standard lens mount. This makes it compatible with 23 existing Olympus lens and should help it compete with Sony's newly released Alpha DSLR-A100 which launched with an extensive range of 21 compatible lenses.

The L1 uses a Live MOS sensor which combines the high image quality of a CCD sensor and the low power consumption of a CMOS sensor. It also boasts a Supersonic Wave Filter system that uses supersonic vibration to shake dust particles off the sensor. Similar technology has been implemented in other dSLR's including Sony's Alpha and Olympus's E-330.

In addition to entering the dSLR space, the Lumix DMC-FZ50 was announced as the successor to the Lumix DMC-FZ30, increasing its pixel count to 10.1-megapixels compared to its predecessor's 8-megapixel resolution and keeping the same 12x optical zoom.

Rounding out the "stylish and compact" range to offer the largest Lumix collection in Panasonic's history are four snapshot shooters, the DMC-LX2, DMC-FX50, DMC-FX07 and the DMC-FX3. The LX offers an impressive 10.1-megapixel resolution and 2.8-inch LCD display in a compact body weighing under 200 grams. The new additions to the FX series feature a three-inch LCD and 7.2-megapixel resolution on the FX50, 2.5-inch LCD and 7.2-megapixel resolution on the FX07 and 2.5-inch and 6-megapixel resolution on the FX3. All weigh under 150 grams.

The entire range of Lumix cameras utilise the company's Venus Engine III image processing technology and MEGA O.I.S optical image stabilisation.

All of the new models are expected to be available mid-September, with the exception of the LX2 which is slated to arrive at the end of that month.

Model	Basic specs	Pricing/availability
Lumix DMC-L1 More info...	Camera type: Digital SLR Resolution: 7.5-megapixel Display: 2.5-inch LCD Dimensions: 145.8 x 86.9 x 80 mm Weight: 530 grams	AU$3849 Mid-September
Lumix DMC-FZ50 More info...	Camera type: Digital prosumer Resolution: 10.1-megapixel Display: 2-inch LCD Dimensions: 142 x 141 x 86 mm Weight: 667 grams	AU$1099 Mid-September
Lumic DMC-LX2 More info...	Camera type: Digital compact Resolution: 10.1-megapixel Display: 2.8-inch LCD Dimensions: 105.7 x 55.9 x 26.4 mm Weight: 186 grams	AU$879 Late September
Lumix DMC-FX50 More info...	Camera type: Digital compact Resolution: 7.2-megapixel Display: 3-inch LCD Dimensions: 98 x 57 x 25 mm Weight: 150 grams	AU$769 Mid-September
Lumix DMC-FX07 More info...	Camera type: Digital compact Resolution: 7.2-megapixel Display: 2.5-inch LCD Dimensions: 94 x 51 x 24 mm Weight: 132 grams	AU$659 Mid-September
Lumix DMC-FX3 More info...	Camera type: Digital compact Resolution: 6-megapixel Display: 2.5-inch LCD Dimensions: 94 x 51 x 24 mm Weight: 125 grams	AU$549 Mid-September