The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 ($350) is the updated version of the popular DMC-FZ7 ultra zoom from last year (see our review). This latest model is an evolutionary upgrade, providing these new features compared to the FZ7:
* A 7.2 effective Megapixel CCD (versus 6MP on the FZ7)
* Uses Venus III image processor (the FZ7 used Venus II)
* Higher resolution LCD and electronic viewfinder (the latter is a bit larger as well)
* RAW image format supported
* 11-point autofocus system (versus 9-point)
* "Two speed" zoom controller
* ISO now goes up to 1250 in regular shooting modes, or 3200 in high sensitivity mode
* Intelligent ISO mode automatically adjusts ISO based on lighting and subject moving
* Support for SDHC memory card format
* Battery life improved by almost 20%
For detailed : www.dcresource.com
June 19, 2007
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8
May 26, 2007
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3
Panasonic - the company that is more than any other responsible for the renaissance and continuing success of the 'big zoom' bridge camera - launched the original 'Travel Zoom' TZ1 back in February 2006. The formula - a big zoom on a small camera - isn't exactly new, but the combination of Leica's lens design expertise and Panasonic's technology (image stabilization, fast performance) made the TZ1 the first serious alternative to bigger 'SLR-style' super zooms. And now the TZ1 has been superceded by two models with a new 28-280mm equiv. lens, the TZ2 (6MP, slightly lower spec) and the camera on test here, the TZ3. As well as the new wide lens the TZ3 also ups the sensor resolution to 7 megapixels, increases the screen size and throws in a few new features. The big question is, has Panasonic managed to improve some of the image quality issues that dogged the otherwise superbly capable TZ1? Let's find out, starting as usual with the headline specification:
- 7.2 million effective pixel / 8.5 million pixels total 1/2.35" CCD
- 10x (28-280mm equiv.) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit optical zoom
- MEGA OIS image stabilization
- Larger sensor for 28mm equiv. angle of view at 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratios
- Venus III Engine processor
- Fast Linear autofocus system
- High Resolution (230,000 pixel) 3.0-inch LCD
- Movies up to 840 x 480 pixels (WVGA) @ 30 fps
- 20 scene modes plus Intelligent ISO mode
May 25, 2007
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1
On February 26th 2006, in a packed press conference on the first day of PMA 2006 Panasonic revealed their first digital SLR, the DMC-L1. The DMC-L1 represents another first, it's the first non-Olympus Four Thirds digital SLR which has to be good news for the system which has up until now been an Olympus only affair. When it was announced many noted the resemblance to the E-330, this is no coincidence as the DMC-L1 shares its optical subsystem (lens mount, mirror box, viewfinder, auto focus and exposure sensors) with the Olympus E-330.
The L1 features the same 7.5 megapixel 'LiveMOS' sensor used in the E-330 (which we now know is manufactured by Panasonic), this provides the camera with TTL live view capability in a similar manner to the E-330. Unlike the E-330 however the DMC-L1 does not have a secondary Live View CCD and so provides only one Live View mode, this is known as 'B mode' on the E-330 and utilizes the main image sensor. The downside to this is that although the DMC-L1 provides auto focus in Live View it requires the mirror to be lowered and raised again during focusing.
Firmware ver 2.0 (March 2007)
As most of the first half of this review was written before Panasonic issued firmware 2.0 (here) hence it's worth noting the following improvements included:
- Added a multiple exposure function.
- Added panning mode [MODE3] to the optical image stabilizer.
- Added a low-angle viewing mode that makes it easier to view the LCD display when the camera is held below eye level.
- Added feature that simplifies setting the aperture when using a lens without an aperture ring.
- Added two manual white balance settings to GUI. GUI design uses navigational cursor to easily select, and set, white balance (WB) to change the color temperature, or set the ISO sensitivity or flash. Time restriction for making changes was removed.
- Added "HOLD" option to Auto Review time, enabling continuous viewing.
- Added feature to allow zoomed playback of photos. It's now possible to move back to the preceding images or forward to the next images while the image is still zoomed.
- Added [AUTO] for the ISO sensitivity in the aperture-priority AE mode [A] and shutter speed-priority AE mode [S].
- Added GUI option to easily check the firmware version.
May 22, 2007
Panasonic’s new DMC-FX100
The World’s First 12.2-Megapixel 28mm Wide-Angle Premium Compact Digital Camera As of 22nd May 2007, as a digital camera with 28mm wide angle zoom lens
Beautifully designed and packed with high-end features, Panasonic is pleased to announce the new DMC-FX100, an eminently worthy addition to the Lumix line of advanced digital cameras. The world’s first 12.2-Megapixel digital camera with 28mm*1 wide-angle lens – the FX100 offers the outstanding performance of a 28mm wide-angle lens and a 12.2-Megapixel CCD in a sleek body. A superior camera with extraordinary expressive power, the DMC-FX100 is a highly sophisticated proposition.
Broaden your outlook and get the big picture
The FX100 is equipped with a newly developed 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO ELMARIT lens featuring f/2.8 brightness and a 3.6x optical zoom*3 plus a 12.2-megapixel CCD. Developed specifically for the DMC-FX100, this Leica DC lens gives users the creative power to capture stunningly true-to-life high-resolution images with extraordinary resolution, detail and clarity. The 28mm wide-angle lens opens up a plethora of photographic opportunities, allowing photographers to easily capture a large group of people, or expansive architectural structures and landscapes with dynamic width and rich perspective. The wide-angle lens is particularly helpful in situations where you cannot step back or move away from a subject - ideal for shooting group portraits in a small room for example. To further add to its appeal, Panasonic has managed to pack the advanced 28mm wide-angle lens and large CCD into a sleek, slim body.
The new lens unit comprises seven elements in six groups, including an EA (extra-high refractive index aspherical) lens and four lenses with five aspherical surfaces to generate high optical performance. The zoom ratio can be extended up to 7x in 3-megapixel resolution mode with minimal deterioration thanks to the Extra Optical Zoom. By using the central part of the CCD, this powerful zooming function allows you to easily capture and magnify distant subjects. The FX100 also has an Easy Zoom feature that, at the touch of a button, shifts the lens instantly to full 3.6x zoom power. A second touch of the button activates the Extra Optical Zoom function and extends zoom all the way to 7x*4
Highest Resolution in its class
The DMC-FX100 incorporates a new 1/1.72-inch large CCD with 12.2-megapixel rich recording resolution. This super-high resolution is possible because sufficient light-receiving area is allocated to each pixel, thus preventing noise that would otherwise be generated by a smaller pixel area. Images seen with the FX100's Leica DC lens – a lens superior in quality and performance to those found in other compact cameras – are rendered with the incredibly rich detail and gradation that only 12.2-megapixel resolution can achieve. Delicate flower petals, subtle skin textures, the changing hues of sunset – the FX100 captures the nuances of images like these with breathtaking clarity and detail. The 12.2-megapixel resolution also allows images to be printed up to A2 size with spectacular results, so you can make life-size prints of a baby or the upper half of an adult's body. Similarly, the high resolution lets you trim an image – framing only the part you like – and then magnify it and still get outstanding detail and resolution.
Intelligent Image Stabilisation – automatically helps prevent blurring
Panasonic is the first manufacturer to have successfully incorporated Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) into its compact cameras – a feature strongly appreciated worldwide and now considered to be a standard requirement of photography. O.I.S minimizes the jitter from shaky hands that causes many photos to look blurred by shifting the O.I.S lens unit to keep the optical axis aligned straight against the CCD. This ensures images are captured with supreme clarity and sharpness. The new advanced Mega O.I.S system in the DMC-FX100 can even detect and separate hand-shake from other movement of camera to raise both precision of detection and corrective effect.
While hand-shake is the single biggest cause of blurry images, it is not the only one. Another problem is the motion blur that can occur when a subject moves as the shot is being taken in poor light – particularly common when taking pictures of sports or young children for example. This is where Intelligent ISO Control comes in. This system detects whether the subject is moving and, as necessary raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to how fast the subject is moving and the light conditions. This happens automatically, so you can effortlessly shoot without the need to adjust the settings every time the conditions change. Panasonic’s Intelligent Image Stabilisation offers two distinct solutions for both major causes of blurred images – O.I.S when you are moving, and Intelligent ISO Control when the subject is moving. Thanks to Panasonic, you can now take clear and beautiful images in various situations.
The power of the Venus Engine III
The DMC-FX100 features the Venus Engine III, Panasonic’s advanced image-processing engine that supports a super-fast response time. Spontaneous moments can easily be captured thanks to an impressively quick 0.009 second shutter release time lag (the time between pressing the button on the camera and the photo being taken) and shutter interval as short as 0.9 seconds*5 – outstanding for a camera recording at 12.2-megapixel resolution. Additionally, the burst shooting mode boosts the capability of sequential shots to a rate of 2 frames per second at full resolution*6. In High-Speed Burst shooting mode the FX100 fires off an incredible eight shots per second. If this wasn’t enough, you also get unlimited consecutive shooting*7 - which allows you to take photos in succession up to the capacity of the memory card or built in memory.
Playback at your leisure
With TV screens getting bigger and picture definition increasing, consumers want to be able to shoot higher-quality still images and motion pictures. With the FX100, you can shoot hi-definition 1920 x 1080 pixel photos that are ideal for full-screen viewing on a wide-screen (16:9) TV. Not only can you capture beautiful still images – these new models also record stunning wide aspect VGA (640 x 480) and WVGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second. If this wasn’t enough, the FX100 can also record stunning wide-aspect HD (1280 x 720) motion images at 15 frames per second. This enables you to view them on a widescreen HDTV television perfectly. Panasonic also offers the DMW-SDP1 HDTV Photo Player, which makes it easy to view a slideshow of Lumix photos in 1080i high definition quality. Simply connect the SDP1 via a component cable to a HDTV and slip the SDHC/SD memory card into the slot, and you’re ready to view high definition images on a large display with family or friends.
Providing the outstanding performance of a 28mm wide-angle lens and a 12.2-megapixel CCD in a sleek body, the new DMC-FX100 is a superior camera that can be relied upon to capture your most special moments. Elegantly finished in a choice of either sleek silver metallic or cool black metallic, the sleekly styled FX100 will be available from July.
For detailed information, please visit www.panasonic.co.uk/lumix
May 20, 2007
Panasonic DMC-LZ7S Silver Digital Camera
The 7.2 megapixel DMCLZ7 is equipped with a 6x optical zoom (equivalent to a 37mm-222mm zoom on a 35mm camera) lens, in a body size with the same compactness as ordinary 3x zoom cameras. This powerful zoom lets you easily capture and magnify distant subjects, and also produces impressive photos with soft-focused backgrounds. The zoom lens crystallizes Panasonic's optics technology, using two aspherical lenses to achieve compactness and boost optical performance. The 6x optical zoom ratio can be extended up to 9x (35mm equivalent: 333mm) at resolutions of 3 megapixels or less by using the central part of the CCD. Adding the Extra Optical Zoom to the 4x digital zoom extends the total zooming power to a maximum of 36x (35mm equivalent: 1,332mm). And now, with the DMCLZ7's Easy Zoom feature, zooming is easier than ever. Even when the zoom is set to a position lower than 6x, the first press of the Easy Zoom button immediately gives you the maximum 6x power of the optical zoom. A second press delivers the maximum 9x power of the Extra Optical Zoom. This lets you bring your subject right up close, easily and comfortably.
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May 18, 2007
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30K Black Digital Camera
The DMCFX30 is a remarkably slim and super-stylish camera. The body features a distinctive finish, with a different texture to match each body color. Its cool design and light weight make it easy to take with you everywhere you go, just like a fashion accessory, for even more photographic fun. The 7.2 megapixel DMCFX30 houses a 28mm wide-angle f/2.8 Leica DC lens in its slim body. A new lens design using five aspherical lenses, including Extra High Refractive Index Aspherical Lens (EA Lens), made it possible to fit the 28mm wide-angle lens into this compact body. The lens unit comprises a Leica DC lens with seven elements in six groups. The new lens design combines higher optical performance with compactness. The 28mm wide-angle lens lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective. This LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens inherits both its name and outstanding quality from the LEICA ELMARIT lens, renowned in the film camera world for its superb performance and compact size.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7S Digital Camera
The DMC-FZ7 has Panasonic's Extended Optical Zoom. While causing minimal deterioration by using the center part of the high resolution CCD, this function magnifies the image to give you total zoom power of 16.5x. Optical Image Stabilization uses built-in gyrosensors to detect even tiny camera movement and then shifts a lens in the opposite direction to compensate. The system is completely optical so you get sharp, clear images with minimal degradation. There's also "motion blur". High Sensitivity allows you to shoot at up to ISO 1600 by using the pixel-mixed readout method, effectively raising the shutter speed. It not only minimizes motion blur, it also lets you take clearer, sharper shots in dim lighting without using a flash. The DMC-FZ7 features a large, 2.5" diagonal LCD and the Power LCD function. The pixel-mixed readout method performed by the CCD increases the brightness level of the live image on the LCD, which greatly facilitates shooting in low lighting. Simply touch the Power LCD button and the display becomes about 40% brighter for easier viewing on sunny days. The DMC-FZ7 also has the world's first developed High-Angle shooting function, which makes it easier to check the LCD when you're holding the camera high to shoot over a crowd. Thanks to the multi-task image processing in the Venus Engine II LSI, the DMC-FZ7 can fire off up to 13 consecutive shots at a swift 3 frames per second in Standard Mode. It also has Unlimited Consecutive Shooting, so you can keep shooting until the SD Memory Card full. The joystick on the back of the camera gives you quick, easy and accurate manual focusing. You can also use the Manual Focus Assist function, which helps you set a perfect focus by magnifying the center of the LCD image and displaying a bar graph of the focal distance and depth of field.
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Panasonic DMC-LZ7SK Black Digital Camera
The 7.2 megapixel DMCLZ7 is equipped with a 6x optical zoom (equivalent to a 37mm-222mm zoom on a 35mm camera) lens, in a body size with the same compactness as ordinary 3x zoom cameras. This powerful zoom lets you easily capture and magnify distant subjects, and also produces impressive photos with soft-focused backgrounds. The zoom lens crystallizes Panasonic's optics technology, using two aspherical lenses to achieve compactness and boost optical performance. The 6x optical zoom ratio can be extended up to 9x (35mm equivalent: 333mm) at resolutions of 3 megapixels or less by using the central part of the CCD. Adding the Extra Optical Zoom to the 4x digital zoom extends the total zooming power to a maximum of 36x (35mm equivalent: 1,332mm). And now, with the DMCLZ7's Easy Zoom feature, zooming is easier than ever. Even when the zoom is set to a position lower than 6x, the first press of the Easy Zoom button immediately gives you the maximum 6x power of the optical zoom. A second press delivers the maximum 9x power of the Extra Optical Zoom. This lets you bring your subject right up close, easily and comfortably.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 Silver Digital Camera
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 Digital Camera incorporates a wide angle Leica DC lens with 4x optical zoom (equivalent to 28mm - 112mm on a 35mm film camera) and the MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) system in addition to an enhanced CCD capable of 10.2-megapixels and larger 2.8" 16:9 wide LCD. The DMC-LX2 is further distinguished from other cameras by its full manual controllability with a joystick allowing users to easily access the manual features for more creative shooting. It also boasts the Venus Engine III high performance image processing LSI to dramatically reduce image noise - even using the high sensitivity setting of ISO 1600 at full resolution.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8S Digital Camera
The DMCFZ8 features the 12x LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, a small, lightweight lens that packs the same zoom power as a big, clunky 400mm-class film camera lens. This 12x optical zoom lens is super-bright, too, at f/2.8 to f/3.3 with a focal length of 7 to 72mm (equivalent to 36mm to 432mm in a 35mm film camera). You've got all the power and flexibility you need to take beautiful shots from telephoto to wide angle and macro. Designed for uses like bird watching, where you need maximum telephoto capability, the Extra Optical Zoom employs the center of the CCD to further extend the powerful 12x optical zoom when a resolution of less than 7.2 megapixels is used. This lets you extend the zoom ratio to 18x for 3-megapixel or less images.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1S Silver Digital Camera
The world's first integration of retractive lens with folded optics technology allows the zooming to occur horizontally within the camera. This makes it possible to pack a powerful 10x optical zoom (equivalent to a big 35 to 350mm lens on a 35mm camera) into a compact camera. The Extended Optical Zoom function, which magnifies the image with minimal deterioration by using the center part of the high-resolution CCD, boosts the zoom power to a maximum 12.5x. MEGA Optical Image Stabilization uses built-in gyrosensors to detect even tiny camera movement and then shifts a lens in the opposite direction to compensate, so you get sharp, clear images with minimal degradation. When there's not a lot of light or you're using a slow shutter speed, hand movement isn't the only potential problem. There's also "motion blur". A High Sensitivity mode allows you to shoot at up to ISO 1600 by using the pixel-mixed readout method, effectively raising the shutter speed. It not only minimizes motion blur, it also lets you take clearer, sharper shots in dim lighting without using a flash. With its 2.5" diagonal size and 207,000 pixels, this high-resolution LCD monitor makes it easy to see text and small thumbnail images. The pixelmixed readout method performed by the CCD increases the brightness level of the live image on the LCD, which greatly facilitates shooting in low lighting. If it's difficult to see the display on a sunny day, simply press the Power LCD button and the display becomes about 40% brighter. The world's first developed High Angle shooting function also provides easier viewing when you're holding the camera high to shoot over the heads of people in front of you.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 SLR Digital Camera
The DMC-L1 features analog-like controls that feel comfortable and instantly familiar. You can easily adjust settings with the touch of a fingertip, check them with a quick glance, and set the exposure intuitively. Turn the aperture ring with your left hand (which supports the lens) and operate the shutter speed dial with your right hand (holding the camera body). These two controls adjust the exposure, which is critical in picture quality. It's easy to use and feels just right in your hands. Each time you make a 1/3-EV step adjustment of either the shutter speed or the aperture, the camera responds with a reassuring click.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3K Silver Digital Camera
The DMCTZ3 is ultra-compact and has been given a luxurious touch with its stylish design and metallic, stainless-steel exterior. A newly integrated lens barrier takes the place of the lens cap, to ensure that it never gets lost again. With the wide-angle lens, you can get all your friends in the picture or capture an expansive landscape in a single shot. And with the high-power 10x optical zoom, you can get clear, beautiful shots even when you can't get close to your subject. The lens unit comprises eleven elements in nine groups, with three aspherical lenses, including dual-sided aspherical meniscus lens, to achieve high optical performance while preserving compactness. The dual-sided aspherical memiscus lens represents a major achievement in mass-produced lens elements, and enables the remarkable 20 to 280mm range of focal lengths in this compact body. Inheriting the fine rendering and outstanding quality of the LEICA ELMAR lens, this easy-to-carry camera delivers beautiful pictures any time, any place.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8K Digital Camera
The DMCFZ8 features the 12x LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, a small, lightweight lens that packs the same zoom power as a big, clunky 400mm-class film camera lens. This 12x optical zoom lens is super-bright, too, at f/2.8 to f/3.3 with a focal length of 7 to 72mm (equivalent to 36mm to 432mm in a 35mm film camera). You've got all the power and flexibility you need to take beautiful shots from telephoto to wide angle and macro. Designed for uses like bird watching, where you need maximum telephoto capability, the Extra Optical Zoom employs the center of the CCD to further extend the powerful 12x optical zoom when a resolution of less than 7.2 megapixels is used. This lets you extend the zoom ratio to 18x for 3-megapixel or less images.
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Panasonic DMC-FZ50 Digital Camera - Black
With its long-range zoom, superb optics, and 10.1-megapixel resolution, Panasonic's DMC-FZ50 is a photographic powerhouse. For starters, you get a 12X optical zoom that lets you zero in on far-off scenes or shoot an intimate portrait from across the room. And the 'FZ50's optical image stabilizer ensures that those kinds of shots aren't blurred by hand shake. It uses a built-in gyroscope to sense camera movement and shift the lens accordingly. You get a 10.1-megapixel image sensor for snapping crisply detailed pictures that make gorgeous large prints. The camera's extraordinary Leica lens includes manual zoom and focus rings for precise, immediate control as you compose your shot. Panasonic's latest generation image processor delivers blazing-fast camera response for minimal shutter lag time, better low-light shooting, and longer battery life. The handy flip-down 2" LCD screen swivels for easy shooting from difficult high- or low-angle positions. The full auto mode delivers outstanding photos, or you can use the picture preset modes to capture perfectly exposed shots in tricky conditions such as candlelight, nighttime shooting, or snow. Plus, sophisticated controls let you manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, white balance, ISO sensitivity (film speed equivalent), and more. The 'FZ50 even lets you capture widescreen photos and movies that look great when displayed on your widescreen TV or computer monitor.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3K Black Digital Camera
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