Lumix

Lumix is the brand name for Panasonic's range of digital cameras; in the digital photography segment, Panasonic’s Lumix brand is respected for its expansive range that includes both entry-level pocket point-and-shoot cameras and high-end digital SLRs. Many of the cameras in the Lumix range are equipped with Leica lenses; these lenses, though produced in Japan, are nevertheless designed and developed by Leica’s optical engineers in Germany.

In fact, some models in the Panasonic Lumix digital camera range are effectively Leica cameras that have been externally redesigned and feature a different brand name. It must be noted that the Panasonic Lumix branded Leica cameras produce the same RAW image as their Leica counterparts, but differ when it comes to the processing of white balance, noise reduction, etc. Also, both cameras also differ when it comes to the application software they come equipped with.

Furthermore, Lumix cameras are less expensive then their Leica counterparts and have a lower brand value. Though Panasonic produces and markets Leica’s digital cameras under its own Lumix brand name, Leica’s film camera range is produced and marketed as it is, and is not rebranded by Panasonic. Almost all Lumix cameras (at least all of the cameras in the current Panasonic Lumix camera range) use different releases of the Panasonic Venus engine for digital image processing.

A noteworthy feature in Panasonic Lumix digital cameras is the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, which allows the user to take instantaneous shots at the most optimal settings without the need to manually adjust settings. The iA mode uses many technologies such as Mega O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer), Intelligent ISO Control, Face Detection AF/AE, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red Eye Correction.

Lumix cameras also come equipped with Panasonic’s "Extra Optical Zoom," an optical magnification function that offers far better performance than conventional digital zoom. Most Panasonic Lumix cameras also feature an "Easy Zoom Button" that toggles between 1x zoom, mid-range zoom, and full optical zoom.

Among the most popular cameras in the Panasonic Lumix digital camera range is the Lumix DMC-TZ5 digital still camera. This camera comes equipped with a 28 mm Wide Angle & 10x Optical Zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR Lens and boasts an impressive 9.1 megapixel 1/2.33" CCD. The Lumix DMC-TZ5 digital still camera is powered by the Panasonic Venus IV engine, and offers 30 fps High-Definition Motion picture/HD output.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33 digital still camera is no longer manufactured. The Panasonic Lumix FX33 8 megapixel camera came equipped with 28 mm Wide Angle & 8x Optical Zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR Lens.

Another popular offering that is no longer manufactured is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 camera that came equipped with a 10-megapixel high resolution CCD and 12x optical zoom. Powered by the Venus III engine, the Panasonic Lumix FZ50 featured a free angle 2" TFT LCD. This Lumix FZ camera stored still images as JPEG and motion images as QuickTime motion JPEG RAW. This camera had a strong contender in the Panasonic FZ range - the Panasonic Lumix FZ7 6 megapixel camera.