Panasonic LUMIX DMC-SZ7

Panasonic launches two new 10x optical zoom ultra slim digital cameras, the LUMIX DMC-SZ7 and LUMIX DMC-SZ1. Both of them pack a 25mm wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 10x zoom in a slim, compact body. The SZ7 features a 14.1 Megapixel MOS sensor and is capable of 1920×1080/60i video, while the 16.1 Megapixel SZ1 supports 720p video recording. Each of them has a 3-inch Intelligent LCD display that automatically adjusts the backlight based on the environment’s lighting.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150 Blue

Sony is launching in May two new compact long-zoom cameras, the Cyber-shot DSC-WX150 and DSC-W690, which are the world’s thinnest 10x optical zoom cameras on the market. Both cameras are equipped with 10x optical zoom lens with 25mm wide angle and the newly developed AA lens element. The WX150 adds the Clear Image Zoom technology extending the zoom range to 20x at full resolution, and sports BIONZ image processor. The WX150 features 18.2 Megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor while the W690 has a 16.1 Megapixel CCD imager.

Another new compact from Olympus is the VR-340 with 10x optical zoom lens with 24mm wide angle. The affordable long-zoom camera sports a 16 Megapixel CCD image sensor and a 3-inch LCD display with a wide viewing angle. The camera features Dual Image Stabilization, which combines Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds to capture crisp, clear images in any situation.

FujiFilm FinePix T400

FujiFilm has newly announced the FinePix T350 (aka T360) and FinePix T400 entry-level long zoom compact cameras. Both compact cameras are equipped with Fujinon 10x optical zoom and are still thin enough to fit in your jeans or shirt pocket. The T400 sports 16 Megapixel CCD sensor and the T350 has 14 Megapixel sensor. They have a 3-inch LCD display.

Nikon brings the new S6200 digital camera to replace the S6100. The new camera features a 16 Megapixel image sensor and a 10x optical zoom 25mm wide angle NIKKOR ED glass lens. It is equipped with the EXPEED C2 image processing engine and features ISO up to 3200 and lens-shift vibration reduction (VR) function for camera shake compensation.

Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-H70 is a compact digital camera with a 10x optical zoom Sony G Lens with 25mm wide angle. This long-zoom camera, successor to the Cyber-shot H55, is equipped with a 16.2 Megapixel Super HAD CCD image sensor and a large 3-inch Clear Photo LCD display.

Ricoh adds to its CX line the new CX5 model with the new Hybrid AF system and 10.7x optical zoom lens. With the new Hybrid AF system, the CX5 has a higher auto focus speed than other CX models. Its AF focusing times are decreased to as low as 0.2 sec. for both wide-angle 28 mm and telephoto 300 mm, up to half as short compared to the CX4.

Sony introduces the Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V, a new compact camera with a 10x optical zoom Sony G lens. Like the DSC-TX100V and DSC-TX10, the HX7V can take 3D still images and offers 3D Sweep Panorama capabilities. It sports a 16.2 Megapixel Exmor R CMOS image sensor and supports Full HD 1080/60i AVCHD video recording.

Remember the EX-H10G Hybrid GPS camera prototype shown by Casio earlier this year? The Japanese company has just announced the EXILIM EX-H20G, the world’s first Hybrid GPS camera. Thanks to its built-in Hybrid GPS system, the EX-H20G offers ultra-precise location data for the geotagging of photos and videos. The camera can also display user’s current location on a map that can be viewed right on the camera itself. It is also the first camera able to geotag indoors.

Pentax introduces the Optio RZ10, a new digital camera with 10x optical zoom lens covering focal lengths from 28mm wide angle to 280mm telephoto (in the 35mm format). The new long-zoom camera record 1280x720p HD movie at 30fps and includes the Movie SR (Shake Reduction) mode.