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Panasonic today announced the 10x Optical Zoom Lumix DMC-TZ3 digital camera, the compact zoom model for its 2007 digital camera line. The new 7.2 Megapixel entry to the popular TZ family packages a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, Intelligent Image Stabilization, with the industry’s most advanced countermeasures against blurring, a 3.0-inch LCD, and a compact, stylish, Stainless Steel body.

The Lumix DMC-L1 is an intriguing product, and a good first digital SLR for Panasonic. It offers a lot of features, some of which are quite unique, though some of its frustrations (namely noise at high ISOs, so-so image processing, and poor ergonomics) really stick with you. The biggest problem I have with the L1 is its price: no matter how nice the lens is (and it IS nice), $1700 is a steep price to pay for a 7.5 Megapixel camera that’s far from perfect.

Panasonic, one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers, today introduced its new and improved premium alkaline battery, Digital Power™, at the CES in Las Vegas. The advanced AA Digital Power batteries, which have begun shipping this past holiday season, have been proven in internal Panasonic testing to last longer and deliver ultimate performance when compared to current digital alkaline batteries.

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company today announced plans to launch new Pro High Speed SD Cards with Class 6 SD Speed specification with 1GB/2GB/4GB memory capacity. Sales of the memory cards worldwide are scheduled to begin in February 2007.

The FZ50 isn’t a masterpiece, though, which is why, although it’s an EC, it rated four stars rather than five. Aside from being really big and pricey ($649.95 list), it has a few shortcomings. With so many cameras shipping with large 2.5-inch and 3-inch LCDs these days, Panasonic’s 2-inch LCD looks tiny to me. I would have liked to see some onboard help as well, similar to what Olympus provides on its point-and-shoot cameras.

The Lumix MDC-FX07 is a worthy competitor in the entry-level 7-megapixel class. While offering loads of user friendly exposure options, speedy shooting performance, and a quality Movie mode, I was a bit surprised at the noise levels in our photos. However, I still feel this holds a good value with the price tag of US$279, just be sure to compare some similar models before making the final decision.