Panasonic introduces the LUMIX DMC-FZ60, the latest in the popular FZ series, which packs a powerful optical zoom and superior controllability including manual operation over both photo and full-HD video recording.

The LUMIX FZ60 is equipped with a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra wide-angle lens with a 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm), allowing for flawless shooting of dynamic landscapes or indoor group portraits. With the camera's Intelligent Zoom function, zoom can be increased to 48x equivalent while Intelligent Resolution technology maintains picture quality. Nano Surface Coating technology dramatically minimizes light reflection for the entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) by applying the extra-low refractive index coating with nano-sized structure on the surface of the lens resulting in super clear picture with dramatic reduction of ghost and flare.

Comprised of 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, the LUMIX FZ60's advanced lens system fits within an outstandingly compact body while delivering exceptional optical performance and suppressing distortion at the wide-end and color bleeding at the tele-end.

The LUMIX FZ60's newly developed 16.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor combined with the high performance image processing LSI Venus Engine results in elevated response, sensitivity and image quality. Integrating high-speed digital signal output technology, the LUMIX FZ60 shoots 10 fps (frames per second) in 16.1-megapixel full resolution with mechanical shutter and 5 fps with continuous AF. Combined with its quick start-up time of approximately 0.9 seconds, the LUMIX FZ60 is able to capture even the most fleeting shooting opportunities.

The LUMIX FZ60 is a powerful, super-zoom camera which boasts extremely fast speed, and stellar image quality. The high energy efficiency of the camera's Venus Engine extends the LUMIX FZ60's battery life by about 12% as compared to its predecessor, the FZ45, making it possible to shoot 450 images per single charge making it an ideal companion for field shooting.

The LUMIX FZ60 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful high-resolution full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60i (NTSC, sensor output 30p) videos in AVCHD (MPEG-4 / H.264) format or 30p in MP4. A special, separate button on the top of the camera body allows the user to instantly start recording videos while shooting photos without having to change any settings.