Digital Camera News and Reviews

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

Panasonic has released a new firmware for their Micro Four-Thirds Lumix DMC-G1 camera. Firmware version 1.2 improves color reproduction and the performance of Auto White Balance. The in-built flash is now more reliable during shooting in lower temperatures. Panasonic has also fixed a so cameras shipped for Europe also can file write back from PC to the camera.

For more information and how to download firmware version 1.2 for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 visit their Micro Four-Thirds website.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

DxOMark has released their test data of Raw files from the first micro Four Thirds camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1. They have also released test data of the performance on Raw files from the entry level DSLR camera from Olympus, the E-420 and E-510.

All the test data can be read on the DxOMark website.

Press release:
DxOMark Releases Analyses of Panasonic Lumix G1, Olympus E-420 and E-510

dxomark.com publishes Raw performance data on the first-ever Micro Four Thirds camera, along with data on two Four Thirds system cameras

PARIS, France — Jan. 27 — DxO Labs has announced the publication of detailed Raw-based image quality data and DxOMark Sensor rankings on its popular http://www.dxomark.com Web site for two additional Four Thirds format cameras, the Olympus E-420 and E-510, as well as for the first commercially-released Micro Four Thirds format camera, the Panasonic Lumix G1.

With the addition of the data on the new Olympus cameras, the Four Thirds category is now well represented on dxomark.com, with a total of five models (including previously-released data on the Olympus E-3 and E-520 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC L10).

The Panasonic Lumix G1 is the first commercially-available camera using the new Micro Four Thirds technology unveiled this past August. Other models using this format are expected to become available this year.

As the name suggests, Micro Four Thirds camera bodies are smaller than conventional Four Thirds cameras because the lens mount is smaller and the traditional mirror and pentaprism have been replaced by an electronic viewfinder. Despite the difference in overall size, however, both conventional Four Thirds cameras and Micro Four Thirds cameras have the same image sensor size and specifications. This means that photographers can easily compare both kinds of cameras’ Raw-based performance on the DxOMark Sensor scale, regardless of other differences (optics, ease of handling, etc.).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25

Panasonic today announced the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 compact digital camera. It sports a 12.1 megapixel sensor, 3″ LCD screen and 5x optical zoom.

Some key features for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25:
-12.1 megapixel sensor
-3″ LCD screen
-5x optical zoom (29 – 145mm)
-50MB built in memory

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25 will be available from April 2009 and cost about $250.

Press release:
Panasonic Adds Lumix DMC-FS25 To Its FS-Series Of Slim And Sleek Digital Cameras

DMC-FS25 Features Advanced Intelligent Auto Capabilities and a High-Powered Leica Lens in Ultra-Compact Body

MIAMI, FL (January 27, 2009) – Panasonic today announced the DMC-FS25 as its newest addition to the LUMIX FS-Series of digital cameras. The 12.1 megapixel DMC-FS25 features a 5x optical zoom and a 29mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, a 3.0-inch intelligent LCD and is the top-of-the-line FS-Series model. The LUMIX FS models, a stylish sister-line of the highly-acclaimed LUMIX FX-Series, combine easy operation with a sleek look, enabling both beginner and advanced users to take beautiful digital photos with a camera that slips in a pocket.

Panasonic has enhanced the Intelligent Auto Mode (iA) on the DMC-FS25 from the previous FS models to now include AF tracking and Intelligent Exposure functions in addition to the standard Mega O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Face Detection. AF Tracking enables the user to “lock” the focus onto a moving subject*1. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the need to hold the shutter button halfway down. Additionally, Intelligent Exposure helps capture natural-looking images by suppressing blocked shadows and blown highlights. It continually monitors the light source in the shooting environment and automatically activates the backlight compensation function if it detects the subject is backlit.

The newly added dedicated iA button on top of the camera enables the user to enter iA mode directly without the need for entering the menu. This allows the user to automatically shoot in iA mode any time the conditions change without adjusting the camera’s settings.

“The DMC-FS25 is the new top-of-the-line model for LUMIX’s ultra-slim line of FS-series cameras,” said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “By incorporating some advanced features and technologies previously only found on our higher-end models, the DMC-FS25 offers users a stylish, pocket-sized digital camera capable of producing high-quality photos. This new model exemplifies Panasonic’s goal of providing photographers at every level with easy-to-use cameras that make photos appear professional grade.”

Other features of the DMC-FS25 include a Venus Engine IV image processor, which provides an advanced signal processing system and a shutter release time lag as short as 0.006 seconds. The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the camera record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.

An intelligent 3.0-inch LCD screen detects light conditions and automatically adjusts the brightness levels for viewing in sunlight conditions and dark places. It also helps to preserve battery life. Menus are clearer and easier to navigate with the Display Size option. The new Photo Frame mode lets the user put attractive borders around photos, so when printed, they look like postcards in picture frames. Also, the new My Scene setting lets users assign their most frequently used Scene modes to the setting, so they can easily access that scene instantly. The DMC-FS25 records WVGA (848 x 480) motion pictures at 30 frames per second in 16:9 wide-screen format, as well as standard VGA (640 x 480) format.

Other features of the LUMIX FS25 include:

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Macro Zoom function lets users pull subjects even closer to capture dramatic close-up shots by using the 3x digital zoom in the wide-angle.
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Bundled PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 software that features a Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in photos stored on the computer, allowing the user to easily sort files by the people photographed. Using the software, motion pictures can also be uploaded directly to YouTube.

The DMC-FS25 will be available in silver, black and gold for a suggested retail price of $249.95 and will be available in April 2009. For more information, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48

Panasonic announced a bunch of cameras today and among them we find the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48. It sports a 5 optical zoom lens and a 12.1 megapixel sensor.

Some key features for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48:
-12.1 megapixel sensor
-5x optical zoom lens (25 – 125mm)
-2.5″ LCD screen
-40MB built in memory

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 will be available in April 2009 and cost about $350.

Press release:
Panasonic Lumix Digital Camera Features Powerful 5x Optical Zoom In Slim Body That Fits In Pocket

New LUMIX FX48 Has 25mm Ultra-Wide-Angle LEICA Lens, Plus Newly Added Face Recognition in Panasonic’s Advanced iA Mode

MIAMI, FL (January 27, 2009) – Panasonic today expanded its popular LUMIX FX digital cameras series with the introduction of the 12.1-megapixel DMC-FX48, which features a 25mm ultra-wide-angle LEICA DC lens and a powerful 5x optical zoom (equivalent to 25mm to 125mm on a 35mm film camera), yet its slim profile makes it convenient to slip into a pocket. With a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens and 5x optical zoom, users can capture nearly double the viewing space at the same shooting distance compared to standard 35mm cameras, thus the FX48 can photograph images with great width and depth. The FX48 also features Face Recognition, a new technology to Panasonic’s proprietary advanced iA (Intelligent Auto) mode.

“With Panasonic’s acclaimed FX-Series, we are pursuing high photo quality in a camera body that is sophisticated, easy-to-carry and intuitive to use,” said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With features like Face Recognition and High Definition video capability, we are packing advanced and powerful features into a small, attractive camera that can easily be carried in a pocket or purse.”

The FX48 features iA mode, a system of technologies, such as MEGA O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control, Face Detection, Auto Focus (AF) tracking*1, Intelligent Exposure and Intelligent Scene Selector, that engage automatically, without the user having to adjust any settings. New in 2009, Panasonic’s advanced iA adds Face Recognition, a feature that recognizes individual faces, making it a “personal verification system” in the digital camera. With the Face Recognition feature, a user can give AF and auto exposure priority to a single person in a group, ensuring that a particular person’s face will be focused and exposed beautifully.

With Face Recognition, when a familiar face is recorded several times, the camera will prompt the users to register the face. Once registered, if the familiar face appears in the frame again, the camera will display the name specified for that person and prioritize focus and exposure so that the registered face is bright and sharply focused*2. During registration, the user can change the icon that indicates when the registered subject is in focus and the person’s age can also be registered. When children less than three years-old are registered, the camera will automatically switch to the Baby scene mode when the child is in the frame. Furthermore, in playback, users can choose to display only photos that contain a specific registered face using Category Playback, so organizing and archiving photos by person becomes much easier.

Panasonic’s newly developed Venus Engine V integrates these advanced functions and controls the camera’s operation with high speed, high performance, and low-power consumption. Beyond the power of the conventional imaging engine, the Venus Engine V has twin CPUs to boast approximately 2.4x processing capability. The Venus Engine V improves its energy efficiency by 16%, when compared to the Venus Engine IV, thus extending the battery life to 350 pictures (CIPA).

The DMC-FX48 can also record High Definition (1280 x 720p) motion images at 30 fps. And, using the DMW-HDC2 component cable (optional accessories), the video can output directly to a television, such as a Panasonic VIERA HDTV, for easy playback.

Other features of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX48 include:

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A bright 2.5-inch, 230,000-dot resolution Intelligent LCD that provides high resolution and a wide viewing angle.

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New Panorama Assist scene mode allows users to shoot a number of consistent photos, either vertically or horizontally, by aligning them according to a guide that overlaps the screen. Then using those photos and the bundled PanoramaMaker software, users can create dramatic panoramic images.
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High-Speed Burst (Speed Priority) that fires off approx. 10 shots per second*3.
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Macro Zoom function lets users pull subjects even closer to capture dramatic close-up shots by using the 3x digital zoom in the wide-angle.
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Bundled PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0 software that features a Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in photos stored on the computer, allowing the user to easily sort files by the people photographed. Using the software, motion pictures can also be uploaded directly to YouTube.

The DMC-FX48 will be available in silver and black models starting in April 2009 for a suggested retail price of $349.95. For more information, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.