Panasonic releases Lumix FS5

After a minor delay, Panasonic has released its latest compact camera, the Lumix FS5. The camera is a 10.1-megapixel model, and uses a Leica lens with 4x optical zoom, giving it a focal range equivalent to a 30-120mm SLR lens. The camera is also able to shoot in a burst mode operating at 6fps, although this requires dropping resolution down to at least 2.5 megapixels.

ISO light sensitivity can be similarly extended, pushed from a normal 100-1600 range to 1600-6400. Storage comes in the form of SD, MMC or SDHC cards, and on the back is a 2.5-inch LCD, which adjusts brightness through 10 steps as ambient light brightens or dims. Panasonic is selling the camera for $250.