New (not officially announced) Panasonic FS4 shows up on their website for $100

As we mentioned before, the waves and waves of "shiny silver clones" have been so out of control in both 2009 and 2008, that digital camera manufacturers sometimes forget to mention or intentionally omit some new digital cameras from their official new product announcements.

One such case may be the Panasonic FS4 digital camera which showed up on the Panasonic USA website going for $100.

A brief Google search finds the detailed specifications of the camera at Mumbai's JJ Mehta & Sons retail website.

We do not know for how long this camera has been "hiding" like that, however, it uses the abomination that is called the "ID Security" battery feature, which means it is a recent development.

Main Panasonic FS4 specs
+ 8-megapixel 1/2.5" sensor
+ 4x optical zoom lens (33-132mm) - no MegaOIS
+ 30fps VGA video
+ 2.5-inch LCD (230k)
+ "ID Security" LiIon battery with CIPA 410 estimate (nice stamina, but horrible "ID Security")

PS: "ID Security" is the new horrible anti-consumer anti-free-market feature that allows Panasonic to block third-party batteries from being used on their cameras. The Consumerist gave them a high-profile yelling, however, most of the leading camera review sites are "appeasing the lion" by saying nothing about the issue. I'm sure they don't want to be dis-invited from the next Panasonic cocktail party ;-)

Today is the 64th day since the declaration of "Battery Blocking Accomplished" by Panasonic.