New model features 28mm wideangle lens, 8.1MP image sensor and Intelligent Auto Mode.

Hot on the heels of Olympus’ recent SP-550UZ, digital imaging vendor Panasonic has released its own 18X-optical zoom lens digital still camera in the new DMC-FZ18.

The new model features an 8.1-megapixel image sensor combined with the new zoom lens that itself has a 28mm (35mm-equivalent) wideangle view.

Focal length of the lens is 28-504mm (35mm equivalent).

The camera is the third in the Lumix range, after the DMC-FX33 and FX55 models to feature Panasonic’s new Intelligent Auto Mode that takes away the guesswork from taking better quality photos.

Intelligent Auto Mode is said to have three main features – intelligent scene selector, which allows the camera to automatically select the correct scene mode from its most frequency used list that includes portrait, night scenery and macro. It also has its own face detection system, that allows it to adjust focus and lighting for up to 15 faces within a frame. Perhaps the most useful is the continuous auto-focus, which keeps the subject in focus without first having to depress the shutter-release button down half-way. This will not only save time but make taking those fast once-in-a-lifetime shots possible.

The camera also includes optical image stabilisation in conjunction with intelligent ISO speed control to allow the camera to adjust for camera movement from shaky hands.

The FZ18 comes with a 2.5-inch LCD screen on the rear plus a 0.44-inch electronic viewfinder. And in keeping with the rise of digital television, the FZ18 has a mode to allow capture of stills at 1920x1080-pixel, the ideal resolution for high-definition televisions.

As for video, the FZ18 offers two aspect ratio modes – standard 4:3 and widescreen 16:9. The best resolution for 4:3 is 640x480-pixels at 30fps while at the same frame rate, the camera can manage 848x480-pixels in 16:9 mode.

While the maximum image size is 3264x2448-pixels, the FZ18 can manage to shoot in continuous mode at maximum resolution at three frames per second to a maximum of seven shots. It’s not quite in the realms of digital SLRs in this respect but at this price, it’s quite reasonable value.

The camera includes 27MB of on-board memory however that is expandable through SecureDigital-HighCapacity (SD-HC) flash memory cards. Standard SecureDigital (SD) cards are also supported.

It also has a mode that allows the camera to extend the optical zoom to 28.7X with the limitation of image frame size being no more than 3-megapixels.

As for image formats, the FZ18 not only captures in standard JPEG format but also captures in high-quality RAW mode. Panasonic bundles a copy of SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0 SE to enable basic editing and conversion of those RAW images.

Power comes from a proprietary Lithium-ion battery good for 400 shots per charge based on Panasonic specifications. A charger for the battery is included.

The DMC-FZ18 will be available in silver and black and will be available from September this year. Panasonic’s suggested retail price is $US399.95.