As part of a wider onslaught on the digital compact camera market, Panasonic has announced two new TZ-Series Lumix models.

The 9.1-megapixel DMC-TZ5 and 8.1-megapixel DMC-TZ4 – both packing a 28mm wide-angle, 10X optical zoom Leica DC lens - let the user capture a wider-framed shot compared to a traditional 35mm camera.

Panasonic has also added its Intelligent Auto technologies with new Intelligent Exposure and Digital Red-eye Correction to the new models.

Also new to the TZ5 and the TZ4 is the Venus Engine IV, Panasonic's new high-performance image processing LSI that claims to offer better processing than the proceeding chip, the III, and less noise.

Both models also incorporate Intelligent LCD, which detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level of the LCD depending on conditions.

With a newly developed 460,000-dot high resolution in the TZ5's 3.0-inch LCD and 230,000-dot in the TZ4's 2.5-inch LCD, Panasonic states photos can be easily viewed on the display regardless of environment.

The TZ5 is capable of recording 720p High Definition motion pictures, while both can take 1920 x 1080 pixel pics.

With UK specifics yet to be confirmed, we do know the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ5 will be available in blue, black and silver models for $349.95, while the DMC-TZ4 gets just black and silver finishes for $299.95. Both on sale in late March in the States.