Here at tracyandmatt we’ve reviewed a huge selection of Panasonic digital cameras and we are generally impressed with their ease of use, performance and compact size.

Today Panasonic announced a new DMC-TZ8 which is the successor to the popular TZ6 that we reviewed a little while ago. The press release below outlines the specification and key features of the new camera. We’ll try to get our hands on a review unit soon too!

The Panasonic DMC-TZ8

Panasonic’s DMC-TZ8 – Perfect for all your Travelling Photography Needs

Successor to the hugely popular DMC-TZ6, Panasonic’s new DMC-TZ8 with a 25mm ultra wide angle and powerful 12x optical zoom in a compact body continues to push the boundaries, offering consumers the perfect travel companion. This 12.1 megapixel powerhouse performer TZ8 includes a multitude of features, such as Intelligent Resolution Technology and manual exposure, whilst remaining pocket sized to ensure portability and convenience.

Pocket Sized Power 

The TZ8 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens with a 12x optical zoom. A lens like this, with a range from 25mm to 300mm, is almost inconceivable in such a small, lightweight camera. Comprising 10 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ED lenses and 2 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, and utilizing new lens material in its design, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly slim and compact body while passing Leica’s stringent standards to deliver exceptional optical performance. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, a ground-breaking Intelligent Zoom is available with the TZ8 which extends the zoom ratio by approx.1.3x maintaining the picture quality even combining a digital zoom. This means the 12x optical can virtually ex tend to 16x equivalent. Furthermore, the Extra Optical Zoom function that extends zoom power to 21.4x (at 3-megapixel resolution) by using the center part of the large CCD to bring subjects even closer.

The new model has a 14.5-megapixel CCD and shoots with up to 12.1-megapixel resolution. This is because the CCD on the TZ8 is multi-aspect and can reproduce images shot with the lens set from 25mm to 300mm in any of three aspect ratios – 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 – so you can always capture dynamic, richly expressive shots with a wide perspective. The Multi Aspect mode lets you to take an image in all three aspect ratios simultaneously then choose the one that best suits your scene after shooting.

New Intelligent Resolution Technology

The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine VI has been re-engineered to compile the new image processing technology “Intelligent Resolution”. It enables the recording of beautiful photos and high-definition movies with higher quality signal processing.

With Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas – outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clarity while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look it more finely detailed. To the soft gradation part, the superior noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to make it smoother. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative Intelligent Resolution technology precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way for it. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and movie recording.

The Intelligent Resolution technology also realizes Intelligent Zoom, which virtually extends the optical zoom ratio to its 1.3x equivalent maintaining the picture quality even whilst using the digital zoom. The details of an Image taken in high sensitivity recording tends to be lost in the noise reduction process, however the Intelligent Resolution works to keep the detail, improving the picture.

At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine VI supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.006 seconds and the camera’s quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities together with the Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) that lets you lock on the subject minimum in approx. 0.35(wide-end) / 0.41(tele-end) seconds[2] and the short startup time of approx. 1.1 seconds.

Power O.I.S to Combat Handshake

Following in the footsteps of the award winning TZ6, the TZ8 of course includes Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode – a hallmark of Lumix cameras – featuring Face Recognition. AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Additionally, the new model also features new POWER O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer) which features a double the suppression power compared to the conventional image stabilization system, MEGA O.I.S. The hand-shake, which is physically generated when pressing the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed, is effectively compensated by the new POWER O.I.S. to enjoy blur-free photography. The iA mode is also available in movie recording mode. It automatically selects the most suitable Scene mode and helps to correct handshake, focus and brightness problems – making iA mode your one-stop solution to capture beautiful still and motion images.

Featuring Manual Exposure

Building on the success of the hugely popular DMC-TZ6, the TZ8 goes one step further to offer manual control for advanced expressive shooting. It has A(Aperture Priority) / S(Shutter Speed Priority) / M(Manual Exposure) modes for step up users to enjoy the creative shots depending on the subject or the scene by controlling the shutter speed and aperture. Each of these modes and iA mode can be quickly set by the mode dial on the top of the camera unit.

Bright and Beautiful Motion Pictures

Not only can you capture beautiful still images – the TZ8 also offers HD movie (1280 x 720) Recording in Motion JPEG at 30 fps – ensuring no matter what your special moment, the TZ8 can capture it.

In addition to the conventional SD/SDHC Memory Card, the DMC-TZ8 accepts next-generation SD format SDXC (SD eXtended Capacity), that features high potential in both capacity and data transfer speed. The DMC-TZ8 is compatible with Windows 7 and includes software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 for your convenience.

Perfect for all occasions, the small and stylish sized DMC-TZ8 offers a wealth of features and effortlessly slips into your pocket ensuring you are ready for any photographic occasion. With an extended battery life of approximately 340 pictures (CIPA) you can be sure you’ll never miss that perfect shot – truly making the TZ8 your perfect travelling companion. Available from mid March 2010, the TZ8 will be available in a choice of black or silver.

Posted by: Matt