Panasonic has announced three new digital compact cameras due in UK shops in March – the five-million-pixel DMC-LS2 and LZ3 and 6MP LZ5.

The LZ5 and LZ3 both feature a 6x optical zoom designed to deliver the 35mm viewing angle equivalent of a 37-222mm lens. The f/2.8 Lumix DC Vario optic contains two aspherical lenses.

Both include a High Sensitivity Mode (ISO 800-1600), white balance adjustment, exposure compensation and autobracketing.

The LZ5 sports a 2.5in LCD screen while the LZ3 features a 2in monitor.

Meanwhile, the DMC-LS2 is a 5MP model, weighing around 186g (with battery and memory card).

The on-board 3x f/2.8 Lumix DC Vario zoom aims to deliver the 35mm viewing angle equivalent of a 35-105mm lens. Colour effect modes include b&w and sepia.

In burst mode all the cameras are claimed to shoot at up to three frames per second.

They can all be powered by AA batteries and boast Panasonic?s Mega Optical Image Stabiliser ? technology designed to help reduce camera shake.

All three are compatible with SD and MultiMediaCard (MMC) memory cards.

Prices have yet to be confirmed.

For details call Panasonic on 01344 862444.