One of the things that always appealed to many users of point-and-shoot cameras is that you could get them with giant zoom ranges and the ability to record video as well. Some DSLRs will record video now as well, but a point-and-shoot is cheaper and easier to use for most users.

Panasonic has announced its latest super zoom camera called the FZ35 boasting an 18x zoom lens and the ability to record HD video. The camera has a dedicated record button and the zoom lens is fully functional while recording.

I have been waiting for a point-and-shoot camera to come along that has a shutter speed fast enough for me to leave my DSLR at home in most instances. The problem I have with most point-and-shoots is that they can’t take pictures of fast action.

Panasonic has announced a new point-and-shoot called the DMC-ZR1 that puts the world’s first 0.3mm thick aspherical lens into a compact body. The thin lens means that the camera can be compact and have a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens with 8x optical zoom.

Here’s some good news for folks living in Japan. That’s because Panasonic has announced that they will release the Lumix DMC-FS7 10MP compact camera in Japan. It’s already available across Europe from early 2009. The colorful cameras are available in Silver, Blue, Pink and Green.

These digital cameras feature a 4x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch wide view LCD. It can also record VGA video at 30fps. Sadly there’s no word on pricing for the Japanese version.

Panasonic unleashed a slew of new digital camera announcements yesterday. We covered one of them already, the FX580. Along with that camera also came several others, one of which gets an obligatory world’s first claim.

Panasonic claims the TS1 is the world’s first waterproof, shockproof and dustproof digital camera that features AVCHD Lite HD video recording capability. The camera is built to withstand drops from five feet, dust and it is water resistant to 10 feet. That means you can shoot video and still shots underwater.

Panasonic launched today a number of new LUMIX digital cameras. One of these is the 12.1-megapixel DMC-FX580, priced around $400 and available in April.

The DMC-FX580 follows in the footsteps of the DMC-FX500, said Panasonic. Key features of this camera include a 25mm ultra-wide-angle LEICA DC lens with F2.8 brightness, a 5x optical zoom and a three-inch LCD which is touch sensitive for handling much of the control functions.

Panasonic introduced several new digital cameras today from its Lumix line. One of these is the AA-battery powered DMC-LS85. It will be available in April for around $120.

The Panasonic DMC-LS85 is an 8.1-megapixel model with 4x optical zoom and a F2.8 Lumix DC Vario lens. It will be available in silver, black and pink body colors and sports a 2.5-inch LCD. The LCD is equipped with auto brightness display technology.

A few things tend to be common amongst DSLR cameras. They tend to be large and heavy cameras, have interchangeable lenses and usually you only get black or silver colors to choose from. The DSLR is becoming more popular as new models are introduced that add new features to the category as the cameras get smaller, the get more appealing as well.

Today, Panasonic announced the world’s first Micro Four Thirds system camera. The Lumix G1 claims several world’s firsts including the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera and the world’s first to be offered in multiple colors. The G1 weighs 0.85 pounds, making it about half the weight of DSLR cameras.

Panasonic has finally answered the clamors of those seeking a successor to its popular DMC-LX2 digital camera by introducing the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3. This updated model, pricing at around $500, will be available in August.

The DMC-LX3, according to Panasonic, includes enhanced CCD technology, a LEICA lens and what is described as a “wide range of manual shooting controls.” This camera effectively offers 10.1-megapixels and, with the special CCD,  “sensitivity is almost 40 percent higher and saturation is increased by 35 percent.” This reportedly means picture quality is better while also supporting a wider range.

Panasonic unveiled today the LUMIX DMC-FZ28, an action focused digital camera with what the company says is a long zoom and 27mm wide-angle lens. It prices at around $400 and will be available in August.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ28 is a 10.1-megapixel shooter with an 18x optical zoom, enhanced auto mode and new auto focus tracking which which lets you automatically track a subject while it moves. This reportedly keeps it in focus without needing to hold the shutter halfway down. Up to 15 faces can be focused upon with this feature as well.

Panasonic is bringing a new wireless digital camera to the ranks of its TZ-family. This model will be known as the LUMIX DMC-TZ50 and it will price at around $450.

The LUMIX DMC-TZ50 from Panasonic is a 9.1-megapixel shooter with a 28mm wide-angle lens and 10x optical zoom. It can be used to wirelessly connect to a hotspot and upload the photos to Google’s Picasa Web Albums either one at a time or multiple photos at a time. Panasonic is trying to push using a T-Mobile HotSpot for this feature, offering a year of free wireless usage from T-Mobile.

Panasonic unveiled today its first touchscreen digital camera. It is called the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 and pricing is set at around $400.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 sports a three-inch display which serves double duty as a LCD touchscreen. From this touchscreen one access the bulk of control options this camera makes available. It also makes use of joystick control for selection of options.

Panasonic announced the DMC-TZ5 as another Lumix camera heading for shelves soon with very similar features to the DMC-FX35 model including a wide-angle lens and high-def video recording. The TZ5 loses a little in megapixels compared the FX35 with 9.1, but gains in just about everything else.

The DMC TZ5 Lumix has a 10x optical zoom, generous 3-inch LCD display and a 28mm wide-angle lens that can get almost twice as much panorama compared to typical lens. It also features Panasonic’s big 5 Intellegent Auto features for automatic adjustments for exposure, scene selection, image stabilization, facial detection of as many as 15 faces and ISO Control to adjust shutter speed for moving images. This model can also record video with 1280 x 720 HD resolution at 30 frames per second with an HD out component cable port.

Panasonic is expecting to have the TZ5 available by the end of March with a retail price of just under $350. More detailed release information below:

Among the many shooters hitting the market today from Panasonic, the latest added to the Lumix lineup was announced as the DMC-FX35. This model has Panasonic’s first wide-angle lens at 25mm giving the ability to get almost double the width into the picture.

The Lumix DMC-FX35 takes photos at 10.1 megapixels with a 4x optical zoom, and can also recored 720p high-def video 1920 x 1080 ready to play on your widescreen at home. If pictures are too slow and high-def video is just too much this Lumix also has a high-speed burst of photos that can take up to 6 per second and go non-stop, limited only by the size of the memory card.