A small camera with 12x Optical zoom & full -range F2.8 brightness

The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens on the DMC-FZ3 is small and lightweight yet delivers the same zoom power as a big, heavy 400 mm-class lens. This lens system consists of 13 lenses in 8 groups with 3 aspherical lenses. With outstanding F2.8 brightness across the entire zoom range, this fine lens renders exquisite images, even when the subject is a far away. In addition, when using 4x digital zoom together with this 12x optical zoom, you've got ultra-powerful 48x zooming* that approximates a huge 1680 mm lens on a 35 mm camera.

Super-Fast Shutter Response with the Venus Engine II

Improved multi-task image processing in the Venus Engine II LSI has further accelerated response speed, giving you more comfortable shooting with a shutter release time lag of about 0.008 second minimum and a shutter interval of around 0.3 second*.

^{*Not including the time for AF.}

MEGA BURST Consecutive Shooting

You can snap off consecutive shots at 4 frames per second with full resolution*. In addition, the new Unlimited** Consecutive Shooting function lets you continue shooting until the memory card is full.

^{*Max. 13 images in Standard mode/7 images in Fine mode.}

^{**Depending on memory card size, battery power, picture size, and compression. The consecutive shooting speed varies depending on the memory card.}

A single, easy-to-use dial for beautiful shots in most any situation.

Mode Dial

Simple Mode

All settings are made automatically, so it's easy to take beautiful photos even if you've never before used a digital camera. Just aim and press the shutter button. When shooting directly into a light source, press the cursor button. This will turn on the backlighting compensation mode so the subject doesn't appear too dark.

Program AE Mode

This mode determines the optimal aperture and shutter speed settings for you.

Aperture Priority AE Mode

You can set the aperture between F2.8 and F8.0 to create a softer focus.

Shutter Priority AE Mode

You can set the shutter speed between 8 and 1/2,000 sec to freeze or express movement.

Manual Exposure Mode

Manual Exposure Mode gives you full control over the aperture and shutter speed.

Manual Exposure Assist

This function shows how much your setting differs from the setting the camera considers optimal.

Macro Mode

You can focus on subjects as close as about 5 cm from the lens*.

^{*When shooting with the lens at the wide-angle position.}

Moving-Image Mode

Playback Mode

SCN

This position lets you look at the menu screen and select the most suitable scene mode.

On the LCD, choose the setting that best matches the situation.

Scene Mode

Portrait Mode

This mode helps you take beautiful portraits by adjusting the exposure and coloration to produce natural, true-to-life skin tones.

Night Portrait Mode

The MEGA O.I.S. minimizes hand-shake at slow shutter speeds, to clearly capture subjects such as people and night landscapes.

Sports Mode

Uses a higher shutter speed to catch fast-moving subjects.

Panning Mode

To capture a moving subject in clear detail while the background appears to flow by, Panning mode lets the camera detect hand-shake and then automatically compensates for vertical jitter only.

Scenery Mode

This mode provides quick focusing and crisp detail, for beautiful photos of scenery.

Night Scenery Mode

Lets you capture beautiful photos of lit-up landscapes or buildings at night.

Fireworks Mode

Slows the shutter speed to capture fireworks with vivid beauty.

Party Mode

Uses MEGA O.I.S. to let you capture clear, jitter-free shots of subjects and natural, true-to-life colors - even in dim lighting.

Snow Mode

Prevents subjects from looking washed out in scenes with bright surroundings.

Soft Skin Detail Function

In Portrait or Night Portrait mode, this function adjusts the skin colors to make complexions more attractive.

Functions for More Shooting Fun

AF Distance Metering:

•  Spot 
•  1-point 
•  3-point 
•  9-point

AF Assist Lamp:

Provides extra lighting as a focusing aid for slightly dark situations where AF focusing would ordinarily be difficult.

Continuous AF:

Clear, sharp focus even for moving subjects.

Light Metering:

•  Intelligent Multiple
•  Center Weighted
•  Spot 

Highlight Display:

A flashing indicator on the LCD shows any parts of the images that have been overexposed.

Flash*:

•  Auto
•  Auto/Red-eye Reduction
•  Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction
•  Forced On/Off 

^{*The flash intensity can be adjusted within a range of ± 2 EV.}

White Balance Adjustment:

±10 steps of 150 Kelvin each (except Auto mode)

Real-Time Histograms:

Check the exposure level in graph form.

Composition Guide Lines:

Help to balance photo compositions.

Auto Bracketing:

±1/3 - 1 EV step, 3 frames

Color Effect Mode:

• Black & White
• Cool
• Warm
• Sepia

Flip Animation:

Create your own animations frame-by-frame.

ISO Sensitivity Settings:

• Auto
• 80
• 100
• 200
• 400

TIFF Format Compatible:

Saves image data without compressing it, so there's almost no quality degradation.

PictBridge Compatible:

The PictBridge standard lets you print directly on a compatible digital printer. Print size, layout, date and other settings can be made with the camera.

Standard Accessories:

?BatteryCharger ?BatteryPack ?SD Memory Card (512 MB) ?Lens Cap ?Lens Hood ?Lens Hood Adaptor ?A/V Cable ?USB Connection Cable ?AC Cable ?Strap ?CD-ROM