(TS) – Panasonic has released the Lumix DMC-FP8 digital compact. Sporting a new card style body design, it incorporates a 28-128mm equivalent lens with folding optics. It features the industry’s fastest autofocus and a start-up time of 0.95 seconds. The 12.1MP camera with a 2.7 inch LCD also features the new Power OIS image stabilizer and offers HD video recording.

One thing you’ll look for but never see on the FP8 is the lens extend or retract as you zoom it from one end to the other – in fact you won’t see it protrude from the body at all. The FP8′s foldable optics Leica DC lens sits comfortably behind a clear screen at the right front of the camera body.