The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 Digital Camera incorporates a high quality Leica DC lens with 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 35mm - 420mm on a 35mm film camera) and the MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) system in addition to an enhanced CCD capable of recording 10.1-megapixels, and a large 2.0" Free-angle LCD. The DMC-FZ50 is further distinguished from other cameras by its full manual controllability using traditional barrel controls for zoom and focus and a full range of aperture and shutter settings for more creative shooting. It also boasts the Venus Engine III high performance image processing LSI to dramatically reduce image noise - even when using the high sensitivity setting of ISO 1600 at full resolution.

• 10.1 Megapixel CCD 
 The DMC-FZ50 features a 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD provides smooth color gradations and highly detailed images with which you'll be able to print photo quality images up to print sizes of 20x30." 
• 12x Optical Zoom LEICA DC Lens
 The Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens provides a 12x Zoom equivalent to 35mm - 420mm focal length with a 35 mm film camera. The lens unit is comprised of fourteen elements in ten groups including three aspherical lenses and an ED lens; all these are incorporated to generate low distortion and high optical performance while preserving the compactness of the unit. The Extra Optical Zoom of the DMC-FZ50 is made possible by using the center part of the 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD, and further extends the powerful 12x optical zoom to up to 21.4x for 3-megapixel image recording. 
• MEGA O.I.S. with Intelligent ISO Control 
 The MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) system compensates for handshake - the major cause of blurred images. Every slight hand-shake movement is detected accurately with the sampling frequency at 4,000 times per second and is compensated to render clear, sharp images. In addition, movement of the subject, the other major cause of blurred images, is suppressed by Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) and available ISO1600 high sensitivity recording capabilities. The incorporation of I.I.C. allows the automatic adjustment of the ISO setting and shutter speed that best suits the situation by analyzing the speed of subject movement. If the subject is moving, the ISO setting would automatically rise to allow a higher shutter speed. On the other hand, if the subject is still and no movement is detected, you can take beautiful natural images with a low ISO setting. 
• High Picture Quality, Quick Response Image Processing LSI: The Venus Engine III
 The DMC-FZ50 camera utilizes the Venus Engine III Image Processing LSI to realize high sensitivity recording. The noise reduction system is greatly improved by removing noise at the processing stages in series. First, critical noise is roughly undraped and the chromatic noise and the luminance noise are separated to respectively go through the supplemental noise reduction process so that the remaining noise is appropriately minimized. Furthermore With its multi-task image processing capability, the Venus Engine III also boasts outstanding response time with a shutter release time lag of as short as 0.009 seconds and a shutter interval of 0.8 seconds. Together with the fast startup time of approx. 0.7 seconds, the quick response of DMC-FZ50 enables easy capture of those spur-of-the-moment shots. Another benefit of the efficient Venus Engine III is long battery life - sufficient to shoot approximately 360 pictures (CIPA Standard) on a single charge. 
• Full Manual Controllability
 The DMC-FZ50 is equipped with two rings on the lens barrel that provide manual control of zooming and focusing, thereby allowing quick and fine control that cannot be achieved with button or lever operation. This kind of analog control is highly valued by high-end users not only for its precise controllability but also for the feeling of traditional manual operation that would be found on film cameras. Furthermore, with the two dials located under the index finger and the thumb, you can easily compensate the exposure directly in addition to adjusting the shutter speed and the aperture smoothly and naturally. The Function Button serves as a shortcut for commonly used settings such as recording image size, light metering, AF area, white balance, and ISO sensitivity, allowing them to be set easily. 
• Free-angle LCD and High Resolution EVF 
 The 2.0-inch flip-out high resolution LCD is adjustable to 180 degrees both vertically and horizontally. This assists in smooth shooting even when using high- and low-angle shooting positions. The pixel mixed readout method performed at the CCD achieves high sensitivity to offer sufficient brightness for easy shooting even in low-lit situations, while the Power LCD function boosts the brightness level by 40% to secure clear view even in sunny outdoors. The DMC-FZ50 is also equipped with a high resolution EVF to encourage active shooting. 
• Fast Auto Focus 
 The AF mode can be selected according to the shooting situation: 9-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point high speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot. In the 1-point and 1-point high speed AF mode, the AF area is selectable from the nine focusing areas with the joystick to best fit the composition of the subjects. Also, the AF assist lamp helps quick, accurate focusing in situations where focusing is difficult due to the lack of light. 
• VGA and Wide-screen Motion Image Recording 
 In addition to standard VGA (640x480 at 30 fps) motion image recording, the DMC-FZ50 also records stunning full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848x480 at 30 fps). Shooting is one thing but viewing is another, and you will be suitably impressed by the 16:9 moving image when it is displayed on a wide screen TV. In addition, the brightness level of these motion images is also enhanced as a result of the pixel mixed readout method performed by the CCD, and zooming while recording motion images is also possible with the manual zoom ring. 
• Scene Modes and Other Features to Enrich Your Photography
 With fifteen Scene Modes, the DMC-FZ50 can assist the user in a wide range of photographic situations. Furthermore, the "High Sensitivity" mode, made possible by the pixel-mixed readout method by the CCD, is ideal for shooting moving subjects clearly without blurring by providing sensitivity as high as ISO3200. 
• Direct Print Capable
 With PictBridge direct printing, users can make prints by just connecting the DMC-FZ50 camera to a PictBridge -compatible printer via included USB cable. The Direct Print mode is easily accessible via the mode dial so that you can easily access the print control features 
• Extensive Software Included
 The DMC-FZ50 includes a host of editing software including ArcSoft PhotoImpression, and ArcSoft Panorama Maker in addition to the USB Driver, Lumix Simple Viewer, and Photo Fun Studio. To edit and develop RAW files, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE software is included so you can freely adjust various setting such as exposure, or white balance, and take maximum advantage of the RAW file format. 

 
Camera Type Advanced Digital Camera
 
  
Image Quality  
 
Image Sensor 1/1.8" 10.4 Megapixel CCD with Primary Color Filter
 
Effective Resolution 10.1 million pixels
 
Color Depth 24-Bit RGB
 
Color Modes Cool, Warm, Black & White, Sepia
 
Image File Formats RAW
JPEG (Fine, Standard)
Exif, DCF & DPOF compliant 
 
Recorded Resolution 4:3 Aspect Ratio
3648 x 2736
3264 x 2448
2560 x 1920
2048 x 1536
1600 x 1200
3:2 Aspect Ratio
3600 x 2400
3248 x 2160
2560 x 1712
2048 x 1360

16:9 Aspect Ratio
3584 x 2016
3072 x 1728
1920 x 1080
 
 
Video Recording QuickTime Motion JPEG with Audio
16:9 (848 x 480 @ 30 or 10 fps
VGA (640 x 480 @ 30 or 10 fps
QVGA (320 x 240 @ 30 or 10 fps
Clip length limited to a file size of 2GB
 
Audio Recording QuickTime Audio
Up to 5 seconds record time with image, up to 10 Seconds Dubbing
 
  
Optics  
 
Lens Type Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens (14 Elements in 10 Groups with 3 Aspherical Lenses & 1 ED Lens)
 
Optical Zoom 12x (up to 21.4x Extra Optical Zoom)
 
Lens Focal Length 7.4mm - 88.8mm (35mm - 420mm equivalent)
 
Digital Zoom 2x
 
Minimum Focus Distance 2" (5cm)
 
Maximum Aperture f/2.8-3.7 
 
Image Stabilization Yes (Mega O.I.S. with Intelligent ISO Control)
 
Accessory Lens/Filter Mount 55mm with included lens adapter
 
  
Focus Control  
 
Focus Type Contrast Type Auto Focus (1 point, 1 point high speed, 3 points high speed, 9 points, Spot) with AF assist Lamp
 
Focus Modes Auto, Manual Focus (menu select or ring), Continuous AF (On/Off)
 
Focus Range Normal: 11.9" (30cm) - infinity
Macro/Manual: 2" (5cm) - infinity wide
 
  
Exposure Control  
 
Sensitivity Auto ISO (100-800)
Selectable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600)
High Sensitivity Mode (ISO 3200)
 
Shutter Type Not Specified
 
Shutter Speed 60 - 1/2000 seconds
 
Aperture Range f/2.8-3.7 - f/11.0
 
Exposure Metering Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot
 
Exposure Modes Auto, Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, Exposure Compensation (+/- 2EV in 1/3 EV Steps), Backlight Compensation, Auto Bracketing AE +/-1/3EV-1EV Step, 3 Frames), AE Lock
 
White Balance Modes Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set, White Balance Adjustment (+/-1500K in 150K step) 
 
Scene Modes Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Panning, Food, Party, Candle, Fireworks, Snow, Starry Sky, Baby 1/Baby 2, High sensitivity
 
  
Flash  
 
Built-in Flash Yes (Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow-sync, Forced On/Off)
 
Effective Flash Range 1' (0.3m) - 23' (7.0m) @ ISO Auto
 
External Flash Connection Hot Shoe
 
External Flash Control Simple Synchro or TTL with select Panasonic Flash Units
 
  
Performance  
 
Start-Up Time 0.7 seconds
 
Shutter Lag 0.009 seconds
 
Time Between Shots 0.8 seconds
 
Burst Capability 1 or 2 fps up to 5 frames (Standard) or 3 frames (Fine)
0.7 fps continuous up to card capacity
 
Self Timer 10 seconds or 2 seconds
 
Interval Recording No
 
Date & Time Stamp Yes
 
  
Memory & Power  
 
Built-in Memory No
 
Compatible Memory Cards Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card
Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card
MultiMediaCard (MMC)
 
Recording Capacity Not Specified
 
Battery Type CGR-S006A Lithium-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 710mAh) 
 
Power Adapter AC Adaptor (110-240V AC) (Optional)
 
  
Input/Output  
 
Computer Interface USB 2.0
 
Direct Print Capable Yes (PictBridge)
 
Remote Control DMW-RS1 Remote (optional)
 
Video Output Yes (NTSC & PAL)
 
Web-Cam Capable No
 
System & Software Requirements Windows 98/98SE, 2000, ME, XP
Macintosh OS 9.x, OS X
 
  
Display  
 
Viewfinder 0.44" Color Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) (235,000 pixels)
 
LCD Display 2.0" Free-angle Polycrystalline TFT LCD Display (207,000 pixels) with Power LCD Mode, Real-time Histograms and Composition Guide Lines
 
Language Options English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese (Traditional), German, Italian, French
 
Playback Options Single image thumbnail display (9 or 25 up), Calendar display, Zoomed playback (16x max), image rotation (except for Raw), Slide Show, Favorite Pictures, Resizing, Trimming, Picture Adjustment (Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation, Noise Reduction), Image Protection, Aspect Conversion, DPOF Print Setting
 
  
Physical  
 
Dimensions (HxWxD) 5.5 x 3.4 x 5.6" (141 x 86 x 142 mm)
 
Weight 23.5 oz. (668g) without battery