Panasonic brings Wi-Fi LUMIX camera stateside

Panasonic topped off its LUMIX cameras today via the new TZ50. The 9.1-megapixel camera is Panasonic's first Wi-Fi model in the country and draws on its wireless linkup to share photos without the memory card leaving the camera: Internet access allows the camera to send individual or batch photos to a Picasa Web Gallery and provide a link to the gallery through e-mail. Every TZ50 will also have a year of free T-Mobile hotspot access to let photographers upload photos from normally pay-only connections.

The Panasonic camera is also touted as strong in actual shooting with a 28mm, 10X zoom wide-angle lens that allows both very close and very distant shots without cropping key subjects out of the frame. Optical image stabilization corrects the lens, while a newer and larger 3-inch LCD provides previews. Video recording is considered a highlight with native 720p capture and optional component video out. Shipments start in May for $450.