Panasonic has jumped on the image stabilization bandwagon promoted by Minolta for digital cameras. Hopefully all the makers will do this. Curiously Olympus had a stabilized camera years ago and dropped the line. The semipro camera (above) looks cool, but it’s the new little camera (below) that interests me. It’s with small cameras that you have the most problem with blur due to subtle movement.

Secaucus, NJ (July 21, 2004) – Panasonic’s new model DMC-FX7 5-megapixel Lumix(Tm) digital camera packs a wealth of advanced technology and easy-to-use features in a sleek, compact package. It’s the first compact digital camera to feature both an Optical Image Stabilizer, and 2.5″ LCD. Incorporating a high-performance Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, the DMC-FX7 combines the ease and convenience of digital utility with the expressiveness of film photography.

Scheduled to begin shipping to retailers in August, the DMC-FX7 will be available in black or silver. The unit will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $499.95.

There are a couple of things to note. The first is that the difference between these cameras and a branded Leica seem minor and these are cheaper. I don’t know exactly how Panasonic got in bed with Leica, but it was smart. The second, as mentioned in the press clip, are the available colors of the little camera. If you look carefully at the gif picture you’ll see it is a nice blue, yet no blue is mentioned. This is obviously an Asian version of the camera. In Asia almost all the camera makers offer a variety of stylish colors typically including a blue and some version of red, silver, gold and black. The US market gets black and/or silver with no other choices. This is getting very annoying.