Panasonic Lumix ZR1: Big Zoom in a Small Package
By Chris Weiss
The new 12-MP Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 combines the best of both worlds in providing a bulked-up and maintaining a slim profile. Using a new aspherical lens, the ZR1 includes an 8 x optical zoom while keeping the numbers down to just an inch thick and 5.6 ounces, with battery and SD/SDHC card. A high-speed auto focus system makes the camera very quick, so that your next candid won’t be of the side of some guy’s face as he turns tail and runs in the other direction. Rounding out the spec sheet, the ZR1 includes a 2.7-inch screen, 330 pics worth of battery life per charge, the latest in Panasonic’s image stabilization technology: Panasonic Power Optical Image Stabilizer, face recognition, and Travel mode, which lets you group according to destination, time and date. The ZR1 will be available in September in a number of colors for $279.95. [via CNET]
