Panasonic introduced on Wednesday the youngest member of the TZ-family, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ50, with full Wi-Fi capabilities, wireless LAN connectivity and access to T-Mobile HotSpot Service, enabling users to upload photos directly to Google’s Picasa Web Albums.

“This advanced digital camera makes it possible for users to share their photos with friends and family with unprecedented ease and without a computer,” said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company in a statement.

Among its features, the Intelligent ISO determines if the subject of the photo is moving and adjusts the speed accordingly, the continuous AF (auto focus) system is always on the subject, without having to press the shutter button halfway, while the Intelligent Scene Detector recognized the environment and opts for the appropriate scene mode.

“Active users will appreciate the TZ50’s Wi-Fi capabilities so they can share photos while on-the-go,” Fried said, “but they will also benefit from HD video recording, a 10x optical zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens, so capturing images, whether far or wide; moving or still – is all possible with this compact camera.”

The TZ50 offers wireless connection to home networks, as well as T-Mobile HotSpot Service, which is available across the United States, including in major airports. Users will be granted a 12-month complementary offer for T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi service.

The camera includes the Venus Engine IV, a high-performance image processing LSI - an advanced version of the Venus Engine III, which improves noise reduction, elevated detection accuracy and corrective effects in MEGA O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO, and also reduces the shutter release time lag, the company unveiled.

The Intelligent LCD function detects and controls lighting and brightness conditions for a perfect display with 460,000-dot high resolution on the 3.0-inch LCD screen.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ50 is expected to become available in May 2008, with a retail suggested price of $499.95.