Panasonic has been quite busy this morning with a plethora of camera announcements. It seems 4k is strongly anchored in the product line matrix by adding the feature on pretty much every product category this year. It seems to throw the message to the rest of the electronics camera industry that 1080p is so last year and that 4k is the make it or break it feature for compact and larger cameras alike.

Camcorder Replacements:

We get a replacement for last year’s WX970 and VX870 camcorders with the newly released WXF991 and VX981 with improved 4k performance and refined viewfinder features with a Slow and Quick frame rate mode which is of interest as a slow motion feature “See the video below”. However there are no firm specs at this time and the spec list on the cameras has no frame rate indication above the 1080p 60 spec.

• Recording/ Playback Mode
• AVCHD1080/60p (28Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60p)
• PH (24Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i)
• HA (17Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i)
• HG (13Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i)
• HE (5Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i)
• MP42160p/30p(72M) (72Mbps / VBR), (3840 x 2160)
• 2160p/24p(72M) (72Mbps / VBR), (3840 x 2160)
• 1080p/60p(50M) (50Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080)
• 1080p/60p(28M) (28Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080)
• 1080p/24p(50M) (50Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080)
• 720p/30p(9M) (9Mbps / VBR), (1280 x 720)
• iFrame960 x 540/30p (28Mbps / VBR)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XxsA6WTj_c

Features

• Ultra-sharp 4K Ultra HD recording, plus in-camera editing for 1080p displays.
• Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) emulates a semi-professional recording experience.
• LEICA Dicomar Lens optical 20x zoom, 5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization.
• Built-in Twin Camera, plus WiFi mobile features add multi-camera scene picture-in-picture recording.
• 4K Cinema in-camera editing and effects (Dolly Zoom, Slow/Quick motion, 4K Post Cropping, Stabilization and Zoom).
• 4K PHOTO captures high-quality photos from 4K video frames.
• Exclusive High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode reduces the overly high-contrast look created by overexposed and underexposed shooting conditions.

As with the camcorder line last year the higher end 991 differs from the 881 by incorporating a second camera in the tilt screen for real time dual recording. It is kind of a gimmick but can be useful for some selfie enthusiasts.

Once we get more information about the high frame rates we will let you know.

Estimated ship dates are Mid – March 2016!

New Compact Camera Announcements from Panasonic:

Lumix DMC-ZS60 North America and TZ80 Rest of the world!

We have a somewhat neat slow motion mode on this small camera besides the 4k recording mode. It is not super high res at 720p but it does 120fps and 240fps at VGA 640*480 Resolution.

ZS60 /TZ80 Slow motion modes:

• High Speed Video1280 x 720 pixels, 30p (HD: MP4) (Sensor Output is 120fps)
• 640 x 480 pixels, 30p (VGA: MP4) (Sensor Output is 240fps)

ZS60 Other Features:

• 30x (24-720mm) LEICA DC Lens optical zoom performance is ideally suited for travel and everyday photography.
• 18 Megapixel sensor delivers high-resolution photos with fewer image artifacts.
• 4K Ultra HD video recording plus exclusive LUMIX 4K PHOTO and 4K Post Focus photo capture features.
• Eye-level Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) and touch-enabled LCD for a wider viewing experience.
• Lens-mounted control ring brings DSLR-like exposure control to a compact point-and-shoot camera body.
• WiFi mobile device connectivity via Panasonic Image App for photo sharing and controlling camera features remotely.
• MSRP $449.99 
• Estimated ship date is Mid – March 2016!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 :

Main ZS100 Features:

• Large 1”, 20 Megapixel sensor delivers brighter, more colorful photos with fewer image artifacts.
• 10x (25-250mm) LEICA DC Lens optical zoom performance with a wide F/2.8-5.9 aperture for impressive background defocus effects.
• 4K Ultra HD video recording plus exclusive LUMIX 4K PHOTO and 4K Post Focus photo capture features.
• Eye-level Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) and touch-enabled LCD for a wider viewing experience.
• Lens-mounted control ring brings DSLR-like exposure control to a compact point-and-shoot camera body.
• WiFi mobile device connectivity via Panasonic Image App for photo sharing and controlling camera features remotely.

Video Recording Modes:

• 4K Video3840 x 2160 pixels, 30p (4K: 100Mbps / MP4) (Sensor Output is 30fps) (AAC)
  3840 x 2160 pixels, 24p (4K: 100Mbps / MP4) (Sensor Output is 24fps) (AAC)Motion Picture Recording –
• HD Video1920x1080 pixels, 60p (FHD: 28Mbps/AVCHD)(Sensor Output is 60fps)(Dolby)
  1920×1080 pixels, 24p (FHD: 24Mbps/AVCHD)(Sensor Output is 24fps)(Dolby)
  920×1080 pixels, 60i (FHD: 24Mbps/AVCHD)(Sensor Output is 30fps)(Dolby)
  1920×1080 pixels, 60i(FHD: 17Mbps/AVCHD)(Sensor Output is 60fps)(Dolby)
  1920×1080 pixels, 60p(FHD: 28Mbps/MP4)(Sensor Output is 60fps)(AAC)
  1920×1080 pixels, 30p (FHD: 20Mbps/MP4)(Sensor Output is 30fps)(AAC)

High Speed Video M ode:

1920 x 1080 pixels, 30p (FHD: MP4) (Sensor Output is 120fps)

We have an increase in resolution for the ZS100 in slow motion from 720p to 1080p at full 120fps.  It omits higher frame rates at lower resolutions and it seems a missed opportunity to unleash 240fps at 720p in this camera or even higher frame rates at VGA resolution.   Still full 1080p at 120fps is not bad.

MSRP $699.99 

Estimated ship date is Mid – March 2016!

 

HSC- It is good to see Panasonic up the ante in resolutions to 4k in smaller less expensive camera hardware. At the same time not ignoring slow motion altogether makes it stand as an option. No match for Sony’s RX series but it is at least something.

There will be more from CES in the coming days regarding slow motion.  It seems high frame rates are here to stay in product lines.

Adorama Camera has all the products listed for pre-order with prices and release dates here!