Panasonic's Lumix S-series 14.1-megapixel DMC-S3 is super-simple, super-smart and super-stylish. The Lumix S-series is totally new - not only in design but also in concept - exclusively developed for users who are picking up their first digital camera. With a focus on ultimate ease of operation, essential functions are emphasised, without compromising high performance. A newly developed 28mm wide-angle 4x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 28mm to 112mm on a 35mm camera) is equipped for versatility and ease of image composition. In addition to MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) the popular and powerful shooting assist mode iA (Intelligent Auto) also delivers a host of other convenient features such as the Intelligent Scene Selector and Face Detection. Compact and lightweight, the Lumix DMC-S3 fits superbly into the palm, and makes shooting beautiful photos and HD movies both easy and fun.

28mm Wide-angle 4x Optical Zoom

The DMC-S3 features a newly developed 28mm wide-angle^* 4x optical zoom f/3.1-6.5 LUMIX DC VARIO lens (35mm camera equivalent: 28–112mm) into a compact body. Comprising 6 elements in 5 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly slim and compact body yet achieving exceptional optical performance. The 28mm wide-angle lens lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective, even from short distances. The Extra Optical Zoom function^** uses the center part of the CCD to extend this 4x zoom ratio to powerful 8.4x zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 235mm) at a resolution of 3-megapixel or less. Adding the Extra Optical Zoom to the 4x digital zoom^*** extends the total zooming power to a maximum of 33.8x.

^* Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the wide-end.
^** At a resolution of 3-megapixel or less.
^*** As digital magnification increases, resolution significantly decreases.

MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) – Shake Detection

The MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)^* in the DMC-S3 compensates for blurring caused by hand-shake. In addition to digital image correction, the MEGA O.I.S. corrects a jolt of light axis by shifting the O.I.S. lens unit to offset it. The image is, therefore, not affected digitally nor deteriorated at all. The MEGA O.I.S. lets you shoot in dimly lit rooms or evening illumination to preserve the mood, and works for macro shots and zoom shots, which are especially susceptible to hand-shake. In short, it lets anybody take beautiful, blur-free shots with ease.

^*MEGA O.I.S. is automatically turned on in iA Mode and can be turned on or off in Normal Picture Mode or some Scene Modes.

Easy to use iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode

When you don't know which mode will give you the best shooting results, or when a sudden photo opportunity pops up and you don't have time to make any settings, simply choose the iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode and let the DMC-S3 do all the work for you. You just choose the iA Mode, aim at your subject, and shoot. Four detection and correction functions (Mega O.I.S Shake Detection, Intelligent ISO Control Motion Detection, Face Detection, and Intelligent Scene Selector) are simultaneously activated to optimise the settings, so you get stunning photos every time.

14.1MP Still Photos with HD Movie Recording

The DMC-S3 features a 1/2.33-inch CCD with effective 14.1-megapixel high-resolution. Images remain clear and sharp even when they are enlarged to A2 size (594 x 420 mm). An A2 photo is large enough to show a new-born baby or the head and chest of an adult in actual size. The DMC-S3 can record motion images in high-definition (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format). The pixel mixed readout method enables bright motion-image recording even in low-light settings. The DMC-S3 can also record standard motion images in VGA (640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps) and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps).

Large 2.7" High-Resolution Intelligent LCD

The DMC-S3's large 2.7-inch LCD features high 230,000-dot resolution LCD. The big screen reflects fine details, making it easy to check the focus before shooting. It also serves as a small photo and video viewer, allowing the user and friends to enjoy viewing the still and motion images together. The large Intelligent LCD automatically adjusts the screen brightness as the surrounding brightness level changes, ensuring easy visibility at all times.

Lumix Facebook and YouTube™ Image Uploader

The DMC-S3 gives you a new form of communication by letting you share your photos and movies. All you have to do is checkmark the photos and movies you want to share and connect the camera or SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card to a computer. Uploading automatically starts by simply following the simple guidance provided. Facebook can be used for photos and YouTube™ for movies. You can join these social networking services without having to install any special software. It's easy to share photos and movies on the spot, which means that your friends don't have to wait for you to come back home to see them.

PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0

The PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 makes it possible to sort and organize photos not only of those newly taken but also of those stored in your computer with quick start-up and fast read-in of images. The Face Recognition function that recognises the faces in the picture automatically sorts the photos by the registered faces without picking out each photo one by one when you only want pictures of a specific person. A Panorama Stitch lets you make a panoramic composite in MOV file by synthesizing photos taken in Panorama Assist Mode of the camera. It is also possible to make a slideshow with the selected photos adding music file on. In addition to the LUMIX Image Uploader (a direct uploading function of the camera), you can upload photos to Facebook and movies to YouTube via this software, too.

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery

The energy-saving Venus Engine VI image processing engine and the efficient lithium-ion battery, which stands up durably to repeated recharging, work together to extend the shooting time of the DMC-S3. This lets users take approximately 250 shots on a single battery charge^*.

^*Based on the CIPA standard.