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Featuring a 12.1MP High Sensitivity MOS sensor and a Venus Engine image processor, the silver Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Digital Camera is a compact point-and-shoot digital camera that captures high-resolution still images and full HD 1080p video in noticeable low-light quality and with sensitivity up to an expandable ISO 6400.
Additionally, the camera system boasts fast performance throughout, including the ability to record full-resolution imagery at up to 10 frames per second or 6 frames per second with continuous autofocus.
The built-in Leica DC Vario-Elmar 30x optical zoom lens enhances the image capabilities of the camera by providing a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 24-720mm, allowing it to be used in a wide range of shooting conditions.
Optical components with spherical and extra-low dispersion properties contribute to the production of clear, high contrast picture while also working to reduce aberrations and distortion throughout the zoom range.
The presence of HYBRID O.I.S.+ image stabilization, which helps to reduce the appearance of camera wobble when working with higher zoom magnifications or longer shutter speeds, is a significant benefit of this lens’s broad zooming capabilities.
In order to watch live view and examine images, a big 3.0″ 1,040k-dot LCD screen and a small 0.2″ 1,166k-dot electronic viewfinder are both available for use. In addition, the screen allows straightforward menu navigation for applying a variety of camera settings, such as Creative Control modes and Creative Panorama, as well as for accessing the built-in Wi-Fi capability.
This connectivity enables the transfer of photographs or videos in real time to linked mobile devices, as well as the shooting and viewing of images from a distance.
A Control Ring, which surrounds the lens and allows for simple and fast access and modification to some of the most frequently used camera settings and functions, adds even more versatility to the camera’s design.
a MOS sensor with a resolution of 12.1MP and a Venus Engine
Together, the 1/2.3″ High Sensitivity MOS sensor and Venus Engine image processor generate high-resolution images with exceptional low-light sensitivity, which can be stretched to ISO 6400. As a consequence, the combination of these two technologies provides an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for the creation of pictures with a high degree of clarity and minimum noise.
It is also possible to capture images in the RAW file format, which provides images with more depth and information, allowing for a more complex post-processing workflow. The imaging technology also provides a high level of speed and performance across the camera system, including a full-resolution continuous shooting rate of 10 frames per second and a continuous autofocus rate of 6 frames per second.
As a result of its short start-up time, the CPU and the Light Speed AF technology deliver quicker focusing performance across the zoom range.
Leica DC Vario-Elmar 30x Optical Zoom Lens (Leica DC Vario-Elmar 30x Optical Zoom Lens)
Wide-angle to telephoto views are covered by an extremely long-reaching Leica DC Vario-Elmar 30x optical zoom lens with a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 24-720mm, making it possible to photograph from virtually any location.
Intelligent Zoom and Extra Optical Zoom (EZ) technologies, which work together to efficiently enhance the zoom ratio of this lens even further while causing the least amount of picture deterioration, further boost the magnification of this lens.
A total of five aspherical elements with ten aspherical surfaces and three extra-low dispersion elements are used in the lens design, which helps to reduce chromatic aberrations across the zoom range while also improving overall picture sharpness and clarity.
Functions of the HYBRID O.I.S.+ and the Level Shot
Camera shake is successfully minimized while shooting with longer shutter speeds or bigger zoom magnifications with the HYBRID O.I.S.+ (Optical Image Stabilizer), resulting in steady, crisp and clear pictures.
When capturing video, this stabilization technology successfully adjusts for five types of camera movements: horizontal, vertical, axis of rotation, vertical rotation, and horizontal rotation. As a result, video is shown in a smooth and realistic manner, regardless of the camera movement.
The Level Shot Function, in addition, can automatically identify the horizontal line of the recorded picture and maintain it level while recording, independent of camera tilt, allowing for improved shooting stability.
Full-HD video recording is available.
Video recording in full HD 1080p at numerous frame rates up to 60 frames per second in the high-quality AVCHD Progressive format or 30 frames per second in the Internet-friendly MP4 format is supported. Integrated into the camera’s architecture is an integrated stereo microphone, which produces clear-sounding audio with less mechanical noise and, thanks to the presence of an Auto Wind Cut function, less background noise.
During movie recording, the optical zoom lens may be employed to its full 30x magnification range, which benefits from the HYBRID O.I.S.+ technology, which produces smooth, shake-free films. As an added bonus, high-speed HD 720p movie recording is possible with a sensor output frame rate of 120 frames per second.
Design of the Camera
Within the camera’s overall small design, there is a huge 3.0″ 920k-dot LCD monitor with anti-reflective coating, as well as a 0.2″ 1,166k-dot LVF (Live View Finder) for bright, clear monitoring, review, and menu navigation, both of which are integrated within the camera’s overall compact design.
A Control Ring, which surrounds the lens and provides intuitive, tactile control over some of the most often used camera settings, including as manual focusing, zoom, aperture, shutter speed, and Creative Control filter options, is also included for more versatility.
The focus peaking feature is accessible while working with manual focus, and it may be used to accentuate borders of contrast to help in the creation of finely focused pictures.
Wi-Fi connectivity is pre-installed.
NFC technology allows the camera to be quickly and easily connected to mobile devices (Near Field Communication). Once the devices are linked, remote shooting and viewing, as well as picture transferring and sharing, can be accomplished quickly and efficiently..
Additional Camera Functions
- When you use the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, the camera automatically adjusts all exposure settings for you, taking use of a number of shooting-assist features such as i-Food mode and Intelligent Handheld Night Shot to clearly represent the scene at hand, enabling you to simply compose and shoot.
- Additional controls are available in iA Plus mode, including background defocusing, exposure correction, and white balance adjustments for even greater flexibility.
- 15 different filter effects can be applied to your images to change the appearance of your images. These include: expressive; retro; old days; high key; low key; sepia; dynamic monochrome; Impressive Art; high dynamic; cross process; toy effect; miniature effect; soft focus; star filter; one point color; and one point color. In addition, several of these filters may be utilized while video recording, which is another advantage.
- Using the Creative Panorama mode, the camera automatically stitches together many photos captured while swiveling the camera to create a single image that spans a large horizontal or vertical range.
- An AC or USB power supply may be used to conveniently charge the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can be used to record about 350 photographs each charge. The battery can be charged in-camera using either an AC or USB power source.
Panasonic Lumix ZS50 Specs
MSRP | $399 |
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Body type | Compact |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 |
Other resolutions | 4:3 (3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 640 x 480), 3:2 (4000 x 2672, 3264 x 2176, 2560 x 1712, 2048 x 1360, 640 x 424), 16:9 (4000 x 2248, 3840 x 2160, 2560 x 1440, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 360), 1:1 (2992 x 2992, 2448 x 2448, 1920 x 1920, 1536 x 1536, 480 x 480) |
Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
Effective pixels | 12 megapixels |
Sensor photo detectors | 13 megapixels |
Sensor size | 1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm) |
Sensor type | CMOS |
ISO | Auto, 80-6400 |
White balance presets | 4 |
Custom white balance | Yes |
Image stabilization | Optical |
Image stabilization notes | 5-axis hybrid OIS |
Uncompressed format | RAW |
JPEG quality levels | Fine, standard |
Focal length (equiv.) | 24–720 mm |
Optical zoom | 30× |
Maximum aperture | F3.3–6.4 |
Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View |
Digital zoom | Yes (2X-4X) |
Manual focus | Yes |
Normal focus range | 50 cm (19.69″) |
Macro focus range | 3 cm (1.18″) |
Number of focus points | 23 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed |
Screen size | 3″ |
Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
Touch screen | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD with AR coating |
Live view | Yes |
Viewfinder type | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46× |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,166,000 |
Minimum shutter speed | 4 sec |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 sec |
Aperture priority | Yes |
Shutter priority | Yes |
Manual exposure mode | Yes |
Subject/scene modes | Yes |
Built-in flash | Yes |
Flash range | 6.40 m |
External flash | No |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
Continuous drive | 10.0 fps |
Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
Exposure compensation | ±2 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
AE Bracketing | ±1 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
WB Bracketing | No |
Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Format | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone | Stereo |
Speaker | Mono |
Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage included | 86MB |
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
Microphone port | No |
Headphone port | No |
Wireless | Built-In |
Wireless notes | 802.11 b/g/n with NFC |
Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
Environmentally sealed | No |
Battery | Battery Pack |
Battery description | Lithium-ion battery and charger |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 300 |
Weight (inc. batteries) | 243 g (0.54 lb / 8.57 oz) |
Dimensions | 111 x 65 x 34 mm (4.37 x 2.56 x 1.34″) |
Orientation sensor | Yes |
GPS | None |