Panasonic adds DMC-FS62 to its compact digital camera range

panasonic-lumix-DMC-FS62-compact-digital-camera.jpg

Panasonic has announced a new addition to its Lumix FS Series of compact digital cameras, with the introduction of the DMC-FS62.

Most of the features you’d expect on a compact are here — 10.1-megapixel, 2.5-inch LCD, face detection (up to 15 in each shot), scene selection, image stabilisation and movie mode (up to 848 x 480 WVGA resolution).

The camera has a F2.8 Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens which offers 4x optical zoom – not spectacular even for a compact but acceptable – though it can be extended up o 7.1x by using the Extra Optical Zoom function, though you’re then limited to just 3-megapixel shots…

Olympus gets in on the Micro Four Thirds scene with its compact SLR concept

Things are ALL GO on the hot Micro Four Thirds SLR scene right now. Panasonic revealed its Lumix G1 just last week, shrinking the traditional SLR into a very fancy-looking body.

Olympus, Panasonic’s partner in the new system, has different plans. It’s using the shrunken optical internals to create a compact-styled camera that boasts the power and lens connectivity of an SLR. And a lovely little orange faux-leather band. To be honest, we’re only mentioning this because of the leather band.

olympus-micro-four-thirds-compact-camera.jpg

The unnamed Olympus device is, sadly, just at concept stage at the moment, so there’s a very real risk that that leather detailing will be replaced with a cheaper plastic…