In addition, newly adopted iris diaphragm allows the users to adjust aperture at fine steps manually.

*35mm film camera equivalent: 25-125mm
**When the picture size is set to 3 megapixels or larger, the photo is automatically resized to 3 megapixels. When the lens is shifted back to the wide-end, the picture size is set to the original size automatically. The original size is maintained for photos smaller than 3 megapixels.

2. Intuitive Manual Operation with 3.0-inch Large Touch Screen Interface

A first for Panasonic Lumix cameras - the DMC-FX500 incorporates a 3.0-inch large touch-screen interface achieving the ultimate ease of use in terms of both taking and playing back images. Panasonic proposes a hybrid operation system combining the new touch-screen interface and the conventional operation system with joystick for more quick and intuitive control, by taking advantage of both operation systems. Users can make basic settings directly with the joystick while they can make extensive adjustments intuitively by touching or moving the slider on the screen.

To activate the menu, all you have to do is to touch the mode you want after pressing the mode button. Notably in the recording mode, auto focus and exposure can be set at the desired part of the frame by simply touching the subject at that part to activate the AF/AE. The camera continues tracking the subject even if it moves with the AF/AE Tracking function to minimize the shutter time lag at the spur-of-the-moment. In manual operation mode, aperture and shutter speed can be set to the desired value by moving the slider.

In playback mode, a new Easy Organisation menu is provided to simplify image organising. The user can quickly select an image to view by scrolling the thumbnails located below the main window, and then edit the image by resizing, trimming and inputting the text title of the picture. You can also flag the desired image as your favourites or delete them in one menu interface.

This touch-screen interface features a high-resolution Intelligent LCD which automatically controls the brightness at a total of 11 fine steps by detecting the surrounding lighting condition. This function gives the display the most appropriate clarity in any situation.

3. Great Photography Is Not Only from Professional Photographers Anymore – Advanced Intelligent Auto Mode

Intelligent Auto mode, which comprises various shooting-assist functions, has been advanced for the DMC-FX500 by adding the new Intelligent Exposure feature and Digital Red-eye Correction in addition to the conventional Mega O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection and Quick AF functions. Mega O.I.S. suppresses hand-shake and Intelligent ISO Control prevents motion blur. The Intelligent Scene Selector sets the appropriate scene mode by automatically selecting it from the most frequently used scene modes, such as Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Portrait and Night Scenery. The Face Detection system detects human faces to set the focus and appropriate exposure for them automatically. The unwanted red-eye effect caused by the use of the flash can be digitally corrected. The newly added Intelligent Exposure function automatically controls the ISO sensitivity partially to increase the exposure of only the darkened area due to backlighting or insufficient flash lighting to capture the scene as you see it by suppressing the extreme brightness and darkness in the picture. The Quick AF system allows the camera to start focusing on the subject even without pressing the shutter button halfway, to get the best results from every shooting opportunity by minimizing the AF time. Once you enter iA mode, these multi-capable functions happen automatically 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.

The DMC-FX500 is a class above it’s peers. You can set auto focus and exposure on the desired subject by simply touching it on the screen with your intention and the rest of the settings are automatically supported by the iA mode.

4. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era

All Lumix cameras can take 1920x1080 pixel HD (high-definition) quality photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV for full-screen viewing. The new DMC-FX500 even records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480)* **.

With the newly added HD component output capability, you can enjoy watching still and motion pictures in stunning HD quality taken by your DMC-FX500 by simply connecting the camera to a TV via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).

The DMC-FX500 also provides slideshows complete with music for your ultimate convenience. Just select the pictures you want to show and choose the mood that best matches your selection from natural, slow, urban or swing, and you'll get an emotion-filled slideshow with a variety of slide change effects and matching music without any annoying adjustments. If you make the slideshow with HD photos in 1920 x 1080 pixels, you can also enjoy watching an impressive HD slideshow with music on a large-screen HDTV by using the optional component cable.

*In Motion Picture mode, the length of recording time depends on the capacity of the SDHC/SD Memory Card. (Up to the equivalent of 2 GB per motion-image recording.) When you set the motion picture quality to VGA 30fps, WVGA 30fps and HD(1280x720) 30/15fps, we recommend using a high-speed memory card with "10MB/s" or greater on the package. Some lens movement sounds may be recorded.
**For Europe, motion images can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes.

5. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV

A new image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features more advanced signal processing technology for rendering even higher-quality images.

Notably, parallel noise reduction in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing systems, a technology established by the preceding Venus Engine III, gains a more sophisticated process. First, the luminance noise is two-dimensionally separated into high-frequency and low-frequency noises and only the low-frequency noise, which tends to be conspicuous, is eliminated without affecting the high-frequency noise that greatly influences resolution. Second, the information of the change point between colours is minutely stored for precise determination of edges, thus colour bleeding is dramatically suppressed. This not only produces a clearer image in high ISO sensitivity recording, but also faithfully reproduces details in low-lit areas of pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity.

The Venus Engine IV also elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effect in both Mega O.I.S., which prevents hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which suppresses motion blur.

Featured in the DMC-FX500, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine IV supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx.0.005 second and the camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the DMC-FX500 can snap approx.2.5 shots per second at full resolution.* And in High-Speed Burst shooting mode,** it fires off an incredible approx. 6 shots per second. You also get unlimited consecutive shooting,*** which lets you keep shooting until the memory card is full.

The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FX500 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.****
*Max. 5 images in standard mode/ 3 images in fine mode.
** In 2-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
***The consecutive shooting speed varies with the memory card, image size, and image compression mode. The number of shots depends on the memory card size, battery life, image size and image compression mode.
**** In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording

6. Other Features

The new DMC-FX500 features a variety of functionalities to expand the convenience and fun for users to enjoy taking beautiful pictures.

The energy-efficient Venus Engine IV imaging engine contributes to the long battery life of the DMC-FX500, making it possible to shoot around 280 shots* ** on a single battery charge despite the large, bright touch-screen LCD. A total of 20 scene modes help you to take more beautiful pictures in a wide range of situations. Also interesting is the Title Edit function, which allows text to be input as additional information for the picture, for example, names of children or pets, and travel places. Inputting and editing the text is astonishingly smooth and quick, thanks to the touch-screen interface. This information, as well as dates, which can be helpful when making a photo album, can be stamped on photos with the Text Stamp function whether you print them yourself at home or have a photo shop do them. Around 50 MB of internal memory is built-in to back up the SDHC/SD Memory Card recording and copying.

Inherently user friendly, all new Lumix cameras incorporate a REC/PLAYBACK mode switch. This helps the photographer to instantly switch between recording and playback modes, while always knowing which mode the camera is in. The GUI (Graphic User Interface) has been designed exclusively for the touch-screen interface looking more futuristic in terms of design and colour while maintaining the visibility of characters and usability of settings.

The major features mentioned above can be quickly understood with the newly installed slideshow program called Demo mode.

The included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO-viewer-2.0 offers more convenience to the user by taking advantage of the features available on the LUMIX cameras. You can access pictures not only by date, but also by scene mode, or baby name that you have inputted on the camera. The PHOTOfunSTUDIO-viewer-2.0 allows you to easily organize your growing number of still and motion pictures on one simple interface.

Dimensions (W x H x D)	94.9 x 57.1 x 22.9 mm (3.74 x 2.25 x 0.90 in)
Weight	Approx. 155g ( 0.3417lb)
	Approx. 175g with Battery and SD Memory Card (0.3858 lb)
Camera Effective Pixels	10.1 Mega pixels
Image Sensor	1/2.33", 10.7 Total Mega Pixels CCD
	Primary Color Filter
Optical Zoom	5x
Extra Optical Zoom	4:3 Aspect Ratio: 5.9x for 7Mega, 7.1x for 5Mega, 8.9x for 3Mega, 2Mega, 0.3Mega
	3:2 Aspect Ratio: 5.9x for 6Mega, 7.1x for 4.5Mega, 8.9x for 2.5Mega
	16:9 Aspect Ratio: 5.9x for 5.5Mega, 7.1x for 3.5Mega, 8.9x for 2Mega
Digital Zoom	4x
	( Max. 20.0 x combined with Optical Zoom without Extra Optical Zoom )
	(Max. 35.6x combined with Extra Optical Zoom)
Focal Length	f=4.4-22.0mm (35mm Equiv.: 25-125mm)
Lens	LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
	7 elements in 6 groups (4 Aspherical Lenses / 6 Aspherical surfaces)
Aperture	Wide: F2.8 - F8 Tele: F5.9 - F8
Optical Image Stabilizer	MEGA O.I.S. (Mode1/ Mode2)
Focusing Area	Normal: wide 50cm - infinity / Tele 100cm - infinity
	Macro / Intelligent AUTO : wide 5cm/Tele 100cm - infinity
AF Metering	Face / 1-point/ 1-point high speed/ 3-point high speed/ 9-point/ Spot / Touch AF
Focus	Normal / Macro / Touch AF
AF Assist Lamp	Yes
ISO Sensitivity	Auto /100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600
	(High Sensitivity Mode : Auto(1600 - 6400) )
White Balance	Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / White Set
	White Balance Adjustment (±10steps, except for auto set)
Exposure	Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, Touch AE
Exposure Compensation	1/3 EV step, +/-2 EV
Backlight Compensation	Yes (in Intelligent AUTO mode)
Auto (AE) Bracketing	+/- 1/3 EV ~1EV step, 3 frames
Light Metering	Intelligent Multiple / Center-Weighted / Spot
Rec Mode	Intelligent AUTO, P(Program) mode, A(Aperture Priority) mode, S(Shutter Priority) mode,
	M(Manual) mode, Scene, Motion Picture
	Portrait, Soft Skin, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery,
	Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst,
	Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial photo
Shutter Speed	60-1/2000 sec, Starry Sky Mode : 15, 30, 60sec.
Self Timer	2sec / 10sec
Auto Review	1sec, 2sec, Zoom, Hold
Review	1x / 4x / 8x (only in Self-Portrait mode)
Picture Adjustment	Contrast ±2steps
	Sharpness ±2steps
	Saturation ±2steps
	Noise Reduction ±2steps
Colour Effect Mode	Standard, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm
Recording Format	Still Image: JPEG(Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif 2.21 standard), DPOF corresponding
	image with audio: JPEG (Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif 2.21 standard)+ QuickTime
	Motion picture: QuickTime Motion JPEG
Recording Image Size	Still Image:
	4:3 Aspect Ratio: 3648 x 2736 pixels, 3072 x 2304 pixels, 2560 x 1920 pixels, 2048 x 1536 pixels,
	1600 x 1200 pixels, 640 x 480 pixels
	3:2 Aspect Ratio: 3648 x 2432 pixels, 3072 x 2048 pixels, 2560 x 1712 pixels, 2048 x 1360 pixels
	16:9 Aspect Ratio: 3648 x 2056, 3072 x 1728 pixels, 2560 x 1440 pixels,1920 x 1080 pixels
Image Quality	Fine / Standard
Motion Picture	4:3 Aspect Ratio: 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels 30 fps, 10 fps
	16:9 Aspect Ratio: 848 x 480 pixels 30 fps, 10 fps HD（16:9 Aspect Ratio）: 1280x720 30fps, 15fps
Burst Shooting Mode	Full-Resolution Image, 2.5 frames/sec Max. 5 images (Standard mode), Max 3 images (Fine Mode)
	High-speed Burst Mode: approx. 6 frames/sec (recorded in 2M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9)
Unlimited consecutive shooting	Yes
Intelligent Exposure	Yes
Digital Red Eye Correction	Yes
AF Tracking / Touch AF AE / Touch Zoom	Yes / Yes / Yes
Easy Organization	Yes
Easy Zoom / Zoom Resume / Zoom in motion picture	No / No / No
Still Image Rec. with Audio	5 sec
Audio Dubbing	Max. 10sec
Real-time histogram	Yes
Composition Guide line	Yes (2 patterns)
Built-in-Memory	approx. 50MB
Scene Mode Help Screen	Yes
Auto Angle Detection	Yes
Flip Animation	No
Travel Date / World Time	Yes / Yes
Title Edit	Yes
Text Stamp	Yes
Built-in-Flash	Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
	0.6 - 6.0m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 2.8m (Tele/ISO Auto)
LCD Monitor	3.0" TFT Touch-Screen LCD Display (230K dots)
	Field of View : approx. 100%
	AUTO Power LCD mode, Power LCD mode, High angle mode
Playback mode	[ REC]/[Play] Selector switch
	Normal Playback, 30-thumbnail display, 12-thumbnail display, calendar display,
	Easy Organization (favorites, delete, title edit, trimming, resize)
	touch zoom playback, playback of favorite pictures,
	image rotation, protection
	aspect conv., DPOF print setting
	Creating still pictures from a motion picture, Dual image playback
Slideshow Mode	Yes (duration & effect with music adjustable)
Category Playback	Yes (in slideshow mode and normal playback)
OSD language	Japanese, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish
Recording Media	Built-in Memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard(Still image only)
Microphone	Yes
Speaker	Yes
Interface	DC Input, AV Output (NTSC/PAL), HD AV Output (Component), USB2.0 High speed
Direct Print	PictBridge
Power	Li-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, 1000mAh) (Included)
	AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Optional)
Battery life (approx.)	280 pictures (CIPA Standard)
Included Software	PHOTOfunSTUDIO -viewer-
	ArcSoft (MediaImpression / Panorama Maker)
	QuickTime, Adobe Reader, USB Driver
Standard Accessories	Battery Charger, Battery Pack, Battery carrying case, AV Cable, USB Connection Cable, AC Cable, Strap, CD-ROM, Stylus
	*