4K Superzoom from Panasonic: LUMIX DMC-FZ330

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ330

Here's a new still camera from Panasonic with a powerful lens and a surprisingly low price.

We've always like the idea of camera that takes a good picture in a compact package with a quality zoom lens. If it comes with the ability to capture 4K video, then that's an important bonus.

Well, here's a camera that ticks all those boxes. It's the new and memorably named Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ330.

There's a lot of detail in the full press release which is just over the page, but here are the headlines:

Constant aperture LEICA 25-600 mm lens

The fixed lens that comes with the camera has a very useful zoom range and - quite surprisingly for a lens of this type - and constant and impressively wide maximum aperture of F2.8.

4K Video shooting

The camera seems geared up for shooting 4K (3,800 x 2,160) at 25 or 30 fps. It's not clear what the internal codec is at this stage.

12 Megapixel sensor

While this might seem reminiscent of Sony's A7S's sensor, low light sensitivity tops out at ISO 6400, which is decent, but not quite as stellar as the Sony's almost "night sight" abilities. Since the actual usability of a camera in low light depends on a subjective assessment of the amount of noise in an image, this is something that you really need to try out for yourself.

4K still image capture

One of the joys of shooting in 4K, where each frame is 8 Megapixels, is that you can capture fast action and then select the best still frame from the sequence. The FZ330 has a number of modes help you with this and we suspect that even if you're not interested in video, you'll still use this feature.

Availability

Availability is October and the price is said to be around $600. That's a lot of 4K camera for the money.

Press release in full after the break

Today Panasonic announces the LUMIX DMC-FZ330, the latest addition to its legendary FZ range of super-zoom compact digital cameras. With a LEICA DC lens boasting an F2.8 aperture throughout its stunning 25-600mm zoom range, the LUMIX DMC-FZ330 allows you to capture the moment in high-speed, even under the harshest conditions with a splash/dustproof rugged design. Newly incorporating Panasonic’s latest 4K photography and videography advances – including 4K Photo – the LUMIX DMC-FZ330 will change how you can capture the most magical moments, from distant wildlife scenes to live sport.

Getting closer to the moment with advanced LEICA DC lens

The LUMIX DMC-FZ330’s 25-600mm LEICA DC Lens with will get you closer to the scene and with an F2.8 aperture lens from wide to tele, in stunning clarity. With this wide zoom ratio, alongside Panasonic’s latest 5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S + (Optical Image Stabilisation) technology, the DMC-FZ330 will give you crisp clean images in almost every situation, even when shooting birds in the canopy or your children playing in the sea. The bridge camera’s Light Speed AF means you’ll never miss the shot, while new Depth from Defocus (DFD) technology shortens the focusing time even further by calculating the distance to the subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness levels.

Putting 4K within your reach

With the new addition of Panasonic’s latest 4K technologies, the DMC-FZ330 will put 4K shooting in the palm of your hand. 4K video provides four times the resolution and clarity of traditional Full HD, resulting in videos that jump from the screen, bringing scenes to life before your eyes. As a result of these advances, the DMC-FZ330 features new 4K Photo functionality that gives you the potential to totally change your photography. The 4K Pre-Burst, 4K Burst and 4K Burst Start&Stop modes allow you to extract an 8-megapixel still from 4K video footage with total control and precision. This means you can select the perfect image from even the most fleeting moments – such as a bird taking flight or a fish jumping from the water.

Stunning low light performance

The LUMIX DMC-FZ330’s 12-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor and new Venus Engine maximise the sensitivity and speed of image processing, providing stunning picture quality even in low light. With image capture available at ISO 100-6400, you can get beautiful results every time, even in dark woodland or at dusk.

Enhanced control and mobility, letting you go further

In addition to these image quality innovations, the LUMIX DMC-FZ330 has also been designed and engineered so that it’s ready to go on the journey with you. Both splashproof and dustproof, the camera will let you go further in tough conditions so that you can always get the perfect shot. With a high-speed, 1440k-dot, 0.7x magnification OLED Live View Finder (LVF); 3 inch, 1040K free-angle Touch LCD and Dual Dial controls, you will have the shooting flexibility you need to get the most from any scene.

Creative control in your hands

The LUMIX DMC-FZ330 also boasts a wide range of connectivity and shooting options that maximise the control and creativity of your photography and videography, as well as allowing you to share your work instantly. A wide range of manual and creative modes put the photographic control in your hands. The camera also has integrated Wi-Fi connectivity for fast and easy sharing online, as well as allowing you to use your mobile device as a remote control. With the ability to change settings such as focus, aperture, shutter speed and ISO remotely, as well as triggering the shutter, you will be able to capture even the most timid wildlife.

LUMIX DMC-FZ330: Other exciting features

12 fps / AFC 6 fps Burst Shooting
3.5mm Microphone Socket
240 fps AF Drive
RAW shooting
Macro shooting – w: 1cm / T: 1m
About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, enterprise solutions and device industries. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates 468 subsidiaries and 94 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.715 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2015. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/global.