Newly developed high quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with ultra wide-angle to powerful 16x optical zoom covers even wider shooting situations. The lens system is totally redesigned with new mechanical structure, optical system combining advanced technology such as Nano Surface Coating for even higher optical performance while maintaining the compactness of the unit.
Newly adopted 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor and the advanced image processor Venus Engine FHD feature high speed, high sensitivity image recording to realize 1,920x 1,080 full-HD movie recording, high speed burst shooting in high picture quality. It also compiles the Intelligent Resolution technology to perform the optimum signal processing depending on the part of a picture to give a whole image outstandingly natural clearness with fine details. The powerful 16x optical zoom* increases its power to 21x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function taking advantage of the Intelligent Resolution technology maintaining the picture quality even using digital zoom. The Sonic Speed AF, which boasts approx. 49% higher speed compared with the predecessor, and a quick start-up time give the DMC-TZ20 super fast response that helps to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities.
The built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) function is upgraded for DMC-TZ20. The number of landmark information is increased to more than 1,000,000 and the speed of search is accelerated.
The newly incorporated 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot Smart Touch Intelligent LCD allows Touch AF, Touch Zoom or Touch Shutter during recording and various playback functions with high visibility.
The iA (Intelligent Auto) mode is also evolved. For more correction effect in movie recording, Active Mode is added to the conventional POWER O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer). It excels in suppressing blur when recording movie especially at wide angle in shooting while walking. Together with the POWER O.I.S. for photo, the DMC-TZ20 powerfully prevents blur in any situation, in both photo and movie recording. The Intelligent Handheld Nightshot mode is also new which generates a beautiful night scenery with illumination by multiply layering the images shot consecutively. The Intelligent Burst Shooting automatically sets the frame rate of burst shooting according to the subject’s movement – whether it moves fast or slow – utilizing the mechanism of Intelligent ISO Control. Plus, Motion Deblur mode** is also available by updating the motion detection (Intelligent ISO Control) and brightness control (Intelligent Exposure) to gain as high shutter speed as possible. The Face Recognition recognizes registered human faces to set appropriate focus and exposure on the person even showing his/her name on the LCD. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically sets the scene mode among frequently used scene mode - Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Sunset or Handheld Night Shot. Also, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure work appropriately just by entering the iA mode for any user to take beautiful photos with maximum ease.
The realistic, less-distorted 3D image produced by DMC-TZ20 with the new 3D Photo mode*** can also be enjoyed on a VIERA HDTV or other MPO-compatible 3D equipment.
The newly added Lumix Image Uploader realizes direct, instant image sharing via Facebook(photo) or YouTube(movie) with any PC on the spot to let users enjoy communication with photos and movies they take.
With a host of technologies advanced further, more compact, pocket-sized hybrid powerhouse performer DMC-TZ20 offers exquisite beauty in photo and movie recording and ultimate convenience and fun tailored for the energetic world travelers.
1. 24mm Ultra Wide-Angle LEICA DC Lens with 16x Powerful Optical Zoom with New Mechanical Structure and Optical System
The compact, versatile lens system is the hallmark of LUMIX TZ series and now this lens system is totally redeveloped for DMC-TZ20 in both optical and mechanical design. The new high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens system is even more versatile with 24mm ultra wide-angle to powerful 16x optical zoom(35mm camera equivalent: 24-384mm).
The newly applied Nano Surface Coating boasts extremely low reflectance ratio compared with the conventional multi coating to suppress ghost. With this Panasonic’s black box technology, which is adopted for the first time to the LUMIX cameras, the image delivered through the lens of DMC-TZ20 has exceptional optical performance with stunning clarity that passes Leica's stringent standards. Comprising 12 elements in 10 groups, including 1 ED lens and 3 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit suppresses chromatic aberration which tends to occur in telephoto shooting effectively. It also boasts a short total length of lens unit despite its higher versatility with longer zoom range, which is made possible by a development of new mechanism for a structure of lens barrel. The lens system is also compatible with high shutter speed of min.1/4,000 sec.
Thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the TZ20 which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even combining a digital zoom. This means the 16x optical can virtually extend to 21x equivalent. Furthermore, the Extra Optical Zoom function that extends zoom power to 33.8x (at 3-megapixel resolution) by using the center part of the large MOS sensor to bring subjects even closer.
2. 14.1-Megapixel MOS Sensor and Venus Engine FHD for High Speed, High Sensitivity Image Recording
The new 14.1-megapixel MOS sensor integrated in DMC-TZ20 boasts high speed signal output and high sensitivity image recording for making many advanced features possible.
The high speed digital signal output technology integrated in the cameras of LUMIX G Micro System is applied realizing the high speed consecutive shooting and full-HD movie recording. It lets the DMC-TZ20 shoot 10 fps in 14-megapixel full resolution with mechanical shutter and 5 fps with continuous AF. Even higher speed burst shooting is available with DMC-TZ20 if electronic shutter is used - 60 fps in 3.5-megapixel*. It also enables the camera to record full-HD 50i (PAL) / 60i (NTSC) smooth movie. In addition, the high speed movie at 220 fps in QVGA size is another advantage of the sensor which captures the motion of a subject. The frame rate, AF setting and the recording resolution can be easily selected according to the movement of the subject.
For the effective concentration of light, the newly developed sensor adopts microfabrication technology to achieve even higher sensitivity. With an advanced micro light tube structure, both color mixture and signal loss are prevented. The result is that the photo and movie shot at any sensitivity from low to high have outstanding clearness. Furthermore, optimization of semiconductor production process achieves dramatic suppression of noise. Together with the picture parameter setting suitable for the MOS sensor, the stunningly clear image rendered by TZ20 boasts high picture quality with minimum noise.
3. 1,920 x 1,080 50i(PAL)/60i(NTSC) Full-HD Movie Recording in the AVCHD Format
The LUMIX DMC-TZ20 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful full-HD movies. In addition to Motion JPEG images, the DMC-TZ20 can record high-resolution full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 50i (PAL) / 60i (NTSC) movies in AVCHD (MPEG-4 / H.264)* format. The high frame rate of 50i(PAL)/60i(NTSC) excels in recording moving subjects with outstanding smoothness. The AVCHD format features almost twice the recording time in HD quality than the conventional Motion JPEG and excels in the compatibility with AV equipment like HDTVs or Blu-ray Disc players. A special, separate button on the top lets the user instantly start recording movies while shooting photos without any having to make any extra settings.
The powerful 16x optical zoom is available in movie recording. With DMC-TZ20, there are always two options to record spur-of-the-moment scenes - high-quality photos or movies. The user can simply choose the one that saves precious memories most beautifully.
The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in movie recording. The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure also support shooting beautiful movie with ease. For more effective countermeasure against blur, the Active Mode is newly equipped with DMC-TZ20 for an option of image stabilization in movie recording. In addition to the conventional POWER O.I.S., the Active Mode effectively suppress blur in movie recording especially at wide angle while walking. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality. The Intelligent Exposure that also optimizes the exposure to prevent over/under exposure part from occurring.
The movies also come with the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator, to offer highly realistic sound to the movie. And a Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.
It is also possible to take still image while recording motion picture simultaneously (3.5-megapixel). With the Video Divide function, users can divide the video into two sections to shorten or delete the unwanted part on the spot in the camera. You can cut out a clear still image from a movie in the camera thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. A host of options enhance the usability and fun of recording high quality full-HD movie.
Photos or movies recorded in AVCHD on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to playback your contents. Alternatively, you can use an optional mini HDMI cable to output the still and motion images you took from the TZ20 directly to the TV for VIERA Link. Most of the control is possible using only the TV's remote control.
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.1 HD Lite Edition, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.
4. Advanced GPS System
The TZ series camera is acclaimed as an excellent travel companion because of a wide shooting range, hybrid recording capability of high quality photo and movie and a host of travel-friendly functions represented by the built-in GPS system.
The location data where the photo was taken is embedded with its latitude and longitude is automatically in the Exif data. These geo-tagged images can be pinpointed on the maps of social media internet maps to be shared with your friends and families. Plus, the DMC-TZ20 also shows the name of the Country/Region, State/Prov./County, County/Township, City/Town/Village and Landmark using the internal data to give users real-time information of the place when taking photos to add fun of photo shooting during travel. The area information covers 203 countries or regions for global use. Plus, more than 1,000,000 of landmark information covers 78 countries or regions. The speed of search is accelerated thanks to the improvement in the algorithm of the software.
The photos and movies with the location names are automatically sorted in the virtual folder alphabetically in the camera allowing quick reach. You can also refer to the location names via the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.1 HD Lite Edition. It is also easy to sort or search images by the location names. Internal clock of the camera is automatically adjusted to the local time of the place where the camera is, so you do not have to set the clock manually whether you go abroad or come back home.
Menus of GPS are located in an independent tab for quick access.
5. The Smart Touch Screen for Intuitive Touch-Control on the 3.0-inch Large 460,000-dot Intelligent LCD
The DMC-TZ20 adopts touch-screen operation with new Smart Touch Screen. Auto focus is immediately set to the subject by just touching it on the large LCD and you can even release the shutter. Its response is incredibly quick thanks to the upgraded Sonic Speed AF which boasts approx. 49% higher speed compared with the DMC-TZ10, never to miss a fleeting photo opportunity. The 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high resolution screen reflects fine details, making it easy to check the focus before shooting. It also serves as a small photo and video viewer, allowing the user and friends to enjoy viewing the still and motion images together.
With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject touched. For example, a touch on a human face switches to the portrait mode and a touch on the background or scenery to the scenery mode while a touch on the subject close to the camera to the close-up mode. You can directly touch the icon to change its setting quickly in the shooting screen.
The touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting but also for playing back images with outstanding visibility. You can play back the image you want out of hundreds of stocks by touching in the thumbnails. To play back images one by one in order, you can drag the image over the screen with a finger to browse the collection of photos as you flip over the pages of the book. Max. 16x of enlargement is also operated easily with touches. The touch control also allows easy, intuitive operation in attractive features, which will be detailed later.
The Intelligent LCD with wide-viewing angle automatically adjusts the screen brightness in 11 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times. The AR (Anti-Reflection) coating is especially effective in suppressing reflection under strong sunlight in daytime.
6. The Evolving iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode Makes Every Photo and Movie More Beautiful
Panasonic incorporated the Intelligent Auto mode in pursuit of the ultimate ease of operation and the reduction of misshots. In the iA mode, the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose shots and capture moments. Just press, aim and shoot.
For more effective countermeasure against blur, the Active Mode is newly equipped with DMC-TZ20 for an option of image stabilization in movie recording. In addition to the conventional POWER O.I.S., the Active Mode is especially effective in active movie recording at wide angle such as shooting while walking without deterioration of the image quality. The Intelligent Handheld Nightshot mode is also new on DMC-TZ20. It generates a beautiful night scenery with illumination by multiply layering the images shot consecutively. Bright, glamorous night scenery can be recorded without using a tripod. Furthermore, the Intelligent Burst Shooting automatically sets the frame rate of burst shooting according to the subject’s movement – whether it moves fast or slow – utilizing the mechanism of Intelligent ISO Control. With the DMC-TZ20, the Motion Deblur mode* is incorporated to prevent blur even more powerfully. The mode is a comprehensive integration of Intelligent ISO Control which automatically adjusts ISO setting and shutter speed according to the subject's movement and the advanced contrast control system of Intelligent Exposure that also optimizes the exposure to prevent over/under exposure part in a picture. The camera judges the appropriate shutter speed to suppress the motion blur according to the movement of the subject. The shutter speed can be raised by activating the high sensitivity recording by pixel mixed readout method. The DMC- TZ20 thoroughly prevents blur in any shooting situation with a variety of countermeasures optimized for each nature of blur in photo or movie recording.
Not only those, the Face Recognition function remembers registered faces to give an appropriate AF/AE on the people while removing the unwanted red-eye. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects whichever of 7 Scene modes - Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery Sunset and Handheld Night Shot - that best suit the shooting situation.
Plus, the light control of flash is optimized according to the scene more precisely and the portrait shots using flash, which tends to be overexposed, are now even more beautiful.
Once you enter the iA mode, these functions happen automatically together with other powerful shooting-assist functions - AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Exposure - so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. You can enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.
6. Other Exciting Features for More Fun of Photography
The DMC-TZ20 features a new way of communication by sharing photo or movies taken by users via LUMIX Image Uploader. All you have to do is checkmark the photos you want to share in the camera and connect it to a PC with an included USB cable or just by inserting the SD Memory Card to the slot of a PC. Uploading automatically starts just by following the guidance. You can add comment and let your friends know the update of your album via e-mail consequently. Facebook can be used for photos and YouTube for movies. Users can join these social networking service without installation of special software. It is easy to share photo and movies on the spot, which means that your friends do not have to wait for you to come back home.
The newly added 3D Photo mode* produces a 3D image in the camera. Take 20 panning shots and the camera automatically selects two most suitable images –one for a right eye and one for the left eye – to synthesize a 3D composite. The 3D image can be viewed on VIERA HDTV. The format of 3D image is compatible with MPO which can be played back on other MPO-compatible equipment such as TV, Digital Photo Frame or Printing.
PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.1 HD Lite Edition
The PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.1 HD Lite Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos not only of those newly taken but also of those stored in your PC with quick start-up and fast read-in of images. The images recorded with GPS information are automatically sorted by the place name making it easy and fun to organize the images taken on your travel. For the portraits, the Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the picture automatically sorts the photos by the registered faces without picking out each photo one by one when you only want pictures of a specific person.
Recorded movies can be edited with the Short Movie Story function and written into MPEG2 to burn onto a DVD disc. You can also enjoy making photo and movie slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music. It is also possible to put a title or add comments on the scene utilizing the information from the place names recorded with GPS and from the people’s names registered in Face Recognition. In addition to the direct connection of the camera, you can upload photos to Facebook and movie to YouTube via this software, too.
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