Panasonic is proud to introduce the LUMIX DC-TZ220, the latest flagship in its popular ‘Travel Zoom’ series. The ultimate in travel compacts, this premium camera delivers impressive performance and versatility with 15x zoom LEICA lens, 1-inch MOS sensor, and 2.3 million-dot Live View Finder with 0.53x magnification.

Other convenient and creative capabilities offered by the sleek TZ220 include Panasonic’s latest suite of 4K features; Bluetooth for a quick, low energy connection to smartphones; customisable aperture and focus bracketing which combines a series of shots such as landscapes or macros for the best image; and L-Monochrome Mode to create film-like black and white shots.

Scott Mellish, Product Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic, said: “The new zoom lens on the TZ220 provides wider angles and longer reach for greater versatility, backed up by the depth and clarity of the 1-inch sensor. This benchmark travel compact is designed for uncompromising shooters who want to create and share amazing images that bring their journeys to life in stunning detail.”

Key Features

The ultimate travel zoom – exceptional image quality

Now, photographers can perfectly capture even the finest details of their travels. The camera’s 20MP high sensitivity 1-inch MOS sensor with Venus engine processor delivers incredibly sharp images with rich depth. Supporting  this, the TZ220’s 15x zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens (24-
360mm – 35mm camera equivalent) offers crystal clear images from high zoom to close-up shots, with a macro focusing distance as close as 3cm. For rock-steady zooming, the camera incorporates Panasonic’s latest image stabilisation technology - 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+i (Optical Image Stabiliser Plus) - which compensates for hand-shake occurring in virtually any direction.

A high-resolution viewfinder is key to ensuring once-in-a-lifetime shots are precisely framed and in sharp focus. Panasonic has equipped the TZ220 with a high quality 0.21-inch 2,330K-dot equiv. Live View Finder (LVF), with a high magnification ratio of approximately 1.45x / 0.53x (35mm camera  equivalent). Image output between the LVF and the 1,240K-dot rear monitor is automatic, using an eye sensor on the LVF. The LVF and the 3-inch monitor provide approximately 100% field of view.

DFD (Depth From Defocus) technologyii minimises focusing time, with a quick autofocus (AF) speed of around 0.1iii sec; and supports high-speed burst shooting at 10 (AFS)/6 (AFC) frames per second (fps) to capture fast-moving subjects in crisp detail.

The latest 4K capabilities

The camera also incorporates the latest updates to Panasonic’s trademark suite of powerful 4K Video and 4K Photo capabilities to capture the decisive moment with impressive clarity and total precision. It captures smooth 4K Video in 3840 x 2160 at 25p.

For still shooting, 4K Photo with 4K Pre-burst mode shoots 30 frames per second before and after the shutter is released to capture the defining shot. Batch Save stores an entire burst sequence of up to 150 frames at just one press of a button. On this new model, Panasonic has made it easier to
select the best shot from hundreds on a reel with Auto Marking, which highlights images that contain movement or faces.

The Post Focus feature, once set, allows you to choose the focal point of an image after it’s been taken. You can then use the touchscreen to select the exact area you want to focus on – ideal for macro shots of food. Focus Stacking allows the user to combine focal points to achieve complete foreground to background focus.

In addition, the new in-camera Sequence Composition function allows a sequence of images to be shown within one shot – for example, the trajectory of a motorbike jump, the arc of a diver leaving the board, or the movement of a dancer.

For video shooters, 4K Live Cropping provides amazing flexibility – for example, cropping to create smooth, slow zooms or stable pans, while maintaining Full HD picture quality in the final footage.

Enhancing creativity

Bracketing modes available on the TZ220 include focus, aperture, exposure and white balance bracketing. Focus bracketing allows the user to capture up to 999 shots at different focus points with just one shutter press – ideal for shooters who want maximum image quality and the ability to stack focus in post-production. With aperture bracketing, at a single press, photographers can quickly capture multiple shots at varying depth of field. When shooting with shallow focus it can be challenging to quickly decide on the optimum amount of focus that’s best for a shot, so this feature provides the security of alternative choices.

Photographers can capture their creative vision with ease and precision, using intuitive dials and a control ring located on the lens barrel. Smooth control of exposure and zoom free the user to frame and capture the image at the perfect moment. These controls also provide easier access to
frequently-used settings such as aperture, shutter speed, focus, filter effects and scene mode. Focus Peaking shows the peak of focus in manual mode, allowing the image to be fine-tuned to the smallest of details. The TZ220 offers in-camera RAW data development.

Designed with the traveler in mind

Sharing of images with smartphones while on the move is streamlined with Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy connection and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi® (IEEE 02.11b/g/n). With an always-on connection, images can be geotagged for social sharing and you’ll always know exactly where you took that shot. You can also use your smartphone as a convenient remote control. The TZ220 can be charged on the go via USB cable direct to the camera, anywhere there is a USB power source.

The lightweight, portable camera is available in a choice of black or dark silver, with a chassis using aluminum plates for durability, and grips at front and rear for stable shooting. In addition, the new eco30fps mode gives the LUMIX TZ220 a maximum battery life of around 370 images per charge