Secaucus -based consumer electronics manufacturer Panasonic (News - Alert) today introduced the LUMIX DMC-LX3 digital camera, which it calls a much higher version of the popular DMC-LX2 model.

 

 The new $500 device is specifically targeted for professional photographers and serious amateurs, according to the company.

 

“With the strong response towards the DMC-LX2, Panasonic has taken its technology a step further by upgrading several key components that we think will make the LX3 another win,” said David Briganti, a Panasonic manager.

 

The new digital camera combines a high-quality lens and sensor ready for a variety of shooting conditions with a wide range of accessories and manual controls, according to the company.

 

The camera is easy to use and offer creative shooting, high-performance in low-light conditions, with a F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, 10.1 megapixels and an ultra-sensitive 1/1.63-inch CCD (Charge Coupled Device) developed specifically for this model, company officials say.

 

“With the enhanced CCD and extensive manual and automatic functions, the DMC-LX3 is ideal for photographers looking for a full-featured compact digital camera with some DSLR-like characteristics and a wide range of optional accessories,” Briganti said.

 

The 1/1.63-inch CCD with 10.1 megapixels offers sensitivity to almost 40 percent higher and increased saturation by 35 percent thereby meeting the demand for a camera that works optimally in low-light environments, according to the company. The CCD is also capable of reproducing images in new Multi Aspect (News - Alert) mode that allows the camera to take an image in all three aspect ratios simultaneously, allowing users to choose the version that best suits their needs, company officials say.

 

The F2.0 24mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens produces high resolution and minimal distortion and artifacts – such as chromatic aberrations, ghosting and flaring.

 

The LX3 also incorporates the Venus Engine IV, which provides more advanced signal processing technology for producing higher-quality images with reduced noise in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing.