LUMIX DMC-FX180

FX180 features a 1/1.72-inch CCD with ultra-high, 14.7-megapixel resolution. It ushers in a new world of photographic quality by capturing high-resolution, distortion-free images with the 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, and sending that rich image information to its large, ultra-high-pixel CCD.

The DMC-FX180 features the f/2.8 LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens. Advanced optical technology accurately delivers the light received by this 28mm wide-angle lens to the large 1/1.72-inch CCD with 14.7-megapixel resolution. The lens unit, which comprises seven elements in six groups, including an EA lens and four lenses with five aspherical surfaces, is designed and manufactured to LEICA's stringent standards. This advanced lens design ensures that the images sent to the CCD are high in resolution, low in distortion, and clear from corner to corner.

The iA (Intelligent Auto) mode includes MEGA O.I.S. to detect hand-shake, Intelligent ISO Control to detect subject movement, Face Detection to detect faces in the frame, Intelligent Scene Selector to detect scene conditions, Light Detection to detect the brightness level and - new to the DMC-FX180 - AF Tracking to continually track a moving subject and keep it in focus. These six functions work automatically and simultaneously in iA Mode to optimize your settings, making it easier than ever to take beautiful photos every time.

The DMC-FX180 has a Simple Manual mode to allow users to change aperture and shutter-speed setting for taking specific shots. You can expand creative horizons with this feature.The joystick can be easily operated by the thumb while holding the camera to prevent any interruption to your shooting rhythm. This lets you smoothly optimize the settings at the exact moment you finish framing the shot, whether you are capturing the proud stance of a single magnificent flower, the gentle flow of a stream, or a bird taking flight.

Venus Engine IV uses advanced signal processing to give you even higher-quality images. It also offers a number of other improvements, including more accurate detection and better correction for its MEGA O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO Control functions. Venus Engine IV responds quickly and saves power even with full 10.1-megapixel resolution. Also, the engine splits noise into high and low frequency noise using Wavelet filter. Then it targets its noise reduction algorithms to attain high resolution and low noise even at high ISO sensitivities.

The DMC-FX180 features the 28mm wide viewing angle Intelligent LCD function to allow you to view images or compose your shots from many angles. Under bright sunlight, the Auto Power LCD function increases the backlight brightness in nine steps according to the ambient light intensity. In dimly lit locations, it adjusts the frame rate of live images in two steps according to the ambient darkness. At the highest of these 11 steps, the LCD backlight becomes approx. 1.4 times brighter than normal.