Digital Camera News and Reviews

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Panasonic has released firmware version 1.2 for their digital camera DMC LX3. The new firmware fixes errors with the EXIF data in JPEG files, improve withe balance when used with the DMW-FL220 flash and proper setting of shutter speed on iA mode and Scene mode when OIS is turned ON.

Download firmware version 1.2 for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 camera here.

Buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 from BH Photo and get free shipping.

Panasonic HDC-TM300

Among the camcorders that Panasonic announced at CES 2009 we find the HDC-TM300. It is able to record full HD 1920×1080 and has a 32 GB built-in hard drive. The camcorder also contain technology that make it able to switch seamlessly to
a SDHC memory card when the built-in hard drive is full.

Some key features for the Panasonic HDC-TM300:
-32GB Built-In Memory and SD card slot
-Full HD 1920×1080 Recording
-Manual ring
-Electrical viewfinder
-3MOS camcorder System
-10.6 Megapixel Still Images

The Panasonic HDC-TM300 camcorder will sell for about $1299.95.

Information from Panasonic:
Full HD Camcorder with 3MOS Sensor and Manual Operation Recording On SD Card and Internal Memory

The TM300 is a twin memory model that records Full HD images either on its 32GB internal flash memory or an SD (or SDHC) Memory Card. A 32-GB SDHC Memory Card can hold around 12 hours of recorded video clips (in HE mode). The TM300 can copy recorded video images from the SD Memory Card to the internal memory, or vice versa, with easy operation.

The TM300 features the Full HD 3MOS sensor, developed by Panasonic based on its proven 3CCD technology. Panasonic’s new 3MOS system captures more vibrant, true-to-life colours, greater detail and richer gradation.

The iA function automatically activates several convenient shooting functions. These include Advanced O.I.S., which compensates for hand-shake to eliminate blurring; Face Detection, which adjusts the exposure so faces are captured perfectly; and Intelligent Contrast Control, which helps ensure proper contrast. Also included is the Intelligent Scene Selector, which determines the shooting conditions and automatically selects the scene setting that will provide optimal results. (Face/Scenery/Low light/Spot Light) And AF Tracking keeps the subject in focus even if it moves around to ensure continuously perfect image quality.

The Manual Ring is provided for users who want more creative freedom in their image production. with the new HDC-TM300 users can enjoy precise, responsive fingertip control over five key settings — zoom, focus, iris, shutter speed, and white balance.

Image sensor size has been increased from previous 1/6 inch to 1/4.1 inch. 3MOS system with 3 full-HD sensors has total pixel count of 9,150,000 pixels* (3,050,000-pixel x 3). While higher pixel count tends to make noise more noticeable when shooting under dim light conditions, HDC-TM300 solves this problem by using 3 high-sensitivity MOS sensors. It records beautiful images even under dim lighting while maintaining high pixel count, thus making it possible to shoot under minimum luminance of 1.6 lx. * Effective motion image pixels: 6,210,000

Panasonic SDR-SW21

At CES 2009 Panasonic a wide range of new camcorders. Among them we find the Panasonic HDC-HS300 camcorder, a HD camcorder with 120GB built-in hard drive that can store up to 50 hours of video.

Some key features for the Panasonic HDC-HS300:
-Full HD 1920×1080 Recording
-120GB HDD and SD card slot
-Manual ring
-Electrical viewfinder
-10.6 Megapixel Still Images

The Panasonic HDC-HS300 camcorder will be available from 2009 for about $1,399.95.

Information from Panasonic:
120GB Full HD SD/HDD Hybrid Camcorder with 3MOS Sensor System and Manual Operation

The HDC-HS300 is a hybrid camcorder that records Full HD images either on an SD (or SDHC) Memory Card or the built-in 120GB hard disk drive. A 32-GB SDHC Memory Card can hold around 12 hours of recorded video clips (in HE mode). The HDC-HS300 camcorder can copy recorded video images from the SD Memory Card to the hard disk, or vice versa, with easy operation.

The HDC-HS300 camcorder features the Full HD 3MOS sensor, developed by Panasonic based on its proven 3CCD technology. The Panasonic 3MOS sensor system captures more vibrant, true-to-life colours, greater detail and richer gradation.

The iA function automatically activates several convenient shooting functions. These include Advanced O.I.S., which compensates for hand-shake to eliminate blurring; Face Detection, which adjusts the exposure so faces are captured perfectly; and Intelligent Contrast Control, which helps ensure proper contrast. Also included is the Intelligent Scene Selector, which determines the shooting conditions and automatically selects the scene setting that will provide optimal results.

The Manual Ring is provided for users who want more creative freedom in their image production. with the HDC-HS300 camcorder users can enjoy precise, responsive fingertip control over five key settings — zoom, focus, iris, shutter speed, and white balance.

Image sensor size has been increased from previous 1/6 inch to 1/4.1 inch. 3MOS system with 3 full-HD sensors has total pixel count of 9,150,000 pixels* (3,050,000-pixel x 3). While higher pixel count tends to make noise more noticeable when shooting under dim light conditions, HDC-HS300 solves this problem by using 3 high-sensitivity MOS sensors. It records beautiful images even under dim lighting while maintaining high pixel count, thus making it possible to shoot under minimum luminance of 1.6 lx. * Effective motion image pixels: 6,210,000

Panasonic SDR-SW21

Panasonic has announced the new SDR-SW21 camcorder which is waterproof and shockproof. Should be a great camcorder for people who like to go trekking in the nature or are known to be a bit careless with their equipment.

Some key features for the Panasonic SDR-SW21:
-Waterproof up to 2 metres
-Dustproof
-Shockproof up to 1.2 metres
-MPEG2 Recording (DVD Quality)

The Panasonic SDR-SW21 will cost about $399.95 and hit the marked in April 2009.

Information from Panasonic:
Rugged Compact SD Card Camcorder

The SDR-SW21 camcorder combines a rugged, compact body with waterproofing that allows use in seawater to a depth of 2 metres, shockproofing that protects against falls from up to 1.2 metres, and dustproofing. This camcorder, offering its small size, light weight and superb mobility made possible by SD/SDHC Memory Cards, let users shoot videoa with the same casual ease and carry-about convenience they enjoy with small digital still camcorders.

A waterproof design, taking advantage of the water resistance of an SD/SDHC Memory Card, lets you use the SDR-SW21 camcorder underwater to a depth of 2 metres. The SDR-SW21 camcorder can even be used in seawater, so users can take moving images of friends snorkelling or tropical fish darting in and out of coral reefs. You can use the SDR-SW21 camcorder at the beach, a ski resort, or a host of other active, outdoor situations where you wouldn’t dare use a conventional camcorder.

Unlike recording media such as hard disk drives or DVD discs, SD/SDHC Memory Cards require no drive mechanism. This gives the SDR-SW21 camcorder sufficient impact resistance to prevent malfunction when dropped from up to 1.2 metres. Combined with its dustproof and waterproof features, this makes it the ideal camcorder for anytime use outdoors, in active situations, and for casual everyday video shooting.

The SDR-SW21 camcorder features the new YouTube Uploader function that makes video uploading super easy! Simply set the camcorder to “Web Mode” and it will record the movie in a YouTube compatible format. After shooting connect the camcorder via USB to a PC and the YouTube Uploader automatically starts. Simply follow the procedure to upload your video clips to the YouTube video-sharing site.

The SDR-SW21 camcorder offers a function that simplifies the process of copying recordings from the Memory Card or hard disk drive to a DVD. Simply connect the camcorder to a VW-BN1 DVD Burner (optional) and press the button. No PC is required. A DVD disc created this way can be easily played directly from a DVD player.