Digital Camera News and Reviews

Panasonic HM-TA20

Panasonic has announced a so called Mobile Camera. It is called Panasonic HM-TA20 and has several nice features including being waterproof, shockproof and dustproof.

The camcorder also has a Night View mode for shooting in low light.The TA20 also has a 3.0″ Touch LCD screen and uses MPEG-4 AVC file format (MP4).

Press release:
Panasonic Releases Two New HD Mobile Cameras

The new Panasonic HM-TA20 HD Mobile Camera has a tough design and provides great performance even in dim lighting, so anyone can capture beautiful images easily—anywhere and anytime.

London, UK (February 15, 2011) – Panasonic today announced the release of the tough designed new HD Mobile Camera HM-TA20. The TA20 features a triple tough design that is waterproof, shockproof and dustproof, and Night View mode for shooting in dim lighting. These features greatly expand shooting possibilities—for both movies and photos—and allow users to enjoy active movie shooting during all kinds of sports and recreational activities. In addition, a large 3.0-inch Touch LCD enables easy and intuitive operation anywhere and anytime. The TA20 features the MPEG-4 AVC file format (MP4), which is convenient for uploading and editing images with a PC or the Internet.

The TA20 includes an integrated USB terminal in its compact body. After editing images inside the camera, the user simply connects the camera to a PC and the built-in software launches automatically. This makes it easy to upload movies online, such as to Facebook or YouTube. The new model can also be used as a web camera.

Panasonic introduces the new HD Mobile Camera especially for use in active lifestyles, making it possible to capture Full-HD movies and high-resolution photos as you like.

Some of the other new features of the new HM-TA20 include:
1. Full-HD Shooting with a 3-Meter Waterproof, 1.5-Meter Shockproof and Dustproof Design
The TA20 can be used underwater at depths down to 3 meters. The TA20 is dustproof for use in sandy or dusty places, and shockproof against drops from up to 1.5 meters1 for active movie shooting fun in various situations. The TA20 features high picture quality with Full-HD recording in MP4 format making it ideal for clear, high-resolution viewing both on a large-screen TV and a PC.
1. This doesn’t guarantee no destruction, no malfunction, or waterproofing in all conditions.
2. Night View Mode for Bright Movie Shooting
When shooting in dim lighting, the TA20 will automatically prompt the use of Night View Mode. This new function enables shooting at a frame rate of 1/15 with a single operation, which makes it possible to shoot bright images even in dimly lit conditions, such as a birthday party scene where someone is blowing out candles or a party at night.
3. Large 3.0-inch LCD with Touch Operation
The TA20 features a large 3.0-inch LCD with Touch Operation providing smooth, intuitive operation for anyone. The Touch Operation controls not only essential operations such as play, record, stop and zoom, but also enables users to edit, upload and configure settings with one finger. By holding the camera horizontally, images that were taken can be immediately viewed on the large LCD screen.

Other features of the HM-TA20 include:
– Tripod stand included for self-portraits
– Shooting faraway subjects with 4x Digital Zoom
– 8-megapixel still picture recording
– Blur-free shooting with E.I.S (Electrical Image Stabilizer)2
– Automatic optimal settings with iA (Intelligent Auto) mode3/4
– Captures faces beautifully with Face Detection
– 1-button simple operation for easy recording
– Simultaneous linear PCM sound recording with still pictures
– Still image cut out from video clips5/6
– Three playback effects: sepia/monochrome/soft skin
– Use as webcam with Skype
– Direct connection to high-definition TVs with a single HDMI cable

In addition to the TA20, Panasonic will also introduce the TA2 HD Mobile Camera which features Night View Mode for Bright Movie Shooting, a larger 3.0-inch LCD with Touch Operation and a bundled tripod stand for self-portraits.

2. Only for movie recording.
3. iA for movie recording includes 5 settings: Normal/Scenery/Portrait/Low Light/Spotlight. iA for photo shooting includes 6 settings: Normal/Scenery/Portrait/Night Scenery/Night Scenery & Portrait/Macro
4. The functions included in iA may not be applied when conditions do not call for them.
5. Cannot be cut out while shooting a movie.
6. The size of the cut-out still image is the same as that of the movie image.

About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.42 trillion yen (US$79.4 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2010. The company’s shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE: PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company’s website at http://panasonic.net

Panasonic HX-WA10

Panasonic has today announced a new HD camcorder that is waterproof and has a pistolgrip. The HD camcorder is called Panasonic HX-WA10 and is able to withstand depths down to three meters for up to an hour.

The HX-WA10 is able to record Full HD videos with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and 16 megapixel still photos. Other specifications is 5x optical zoom, 2.7″ TFT LCD screen and it comes with the HD Writer VE 1.0 software that lets you upload videos to Facebook and YouTube.

Panasonic has not announced a price or when the Panasonic HX-WA10 camcorder will be for sale on the market.

Press release:
New Waterproof Full-HD Camcorder HX-WA10 enables users to shoot both photos and videos in high quality.

Panasonic today announced the release of the new waterproof Full-HD Camcorder HX-WA10, which allows easy, effortless photo and video shooting. The WA10 is also optimized for shooting outdoors and in rainy weather. It captures stunning, detailed images with Full-HD 1920×1080 resolution, thanks to Backside Illumination (BSI) technology for shooting in dimly lit conditions, and 16-megapixel still image recording with top-class digital camera quality. This lets users easily enjoy authentic HD shooting in a wide range of situations.

The MPEG-4 AVC file format (MP4) is convenient for uploading and editing images with a PC or the Internet. Blog and SNS handles are also easily used. Operation of the WA10 is very very easy thanks to the included HD Writer VE 1.0 software, which is compatible with both YouTube and Facebook, With the release of this new multi functional camcorder, Panasonic offers users the ability to shoot Full-HD videos and high-resolution photos, even during rugged outdoor, recreational and everyday activities.

Some of the new video features of the new HX-WA10 include:

Waterproof for Active Shooting
The WA10 can be used to a depth of 3 meters underwater for up to 60 minutes4/5 complying with IPX8 standards.

4. Must be placed in dry conditions for more than 10 minutes after being used in water for 60 minutes.
5. This doesn’t guarantee no destruction, no malfunction, or waterproofing in all conditions.

Bright and Stunning Full-HD Video Shooting with BSI Sensor
The BSI (Backside Illumination) sensor technology has improved the sensitivity of the CMOS sensor, making it possible to shoot images with high-resolution Full-HD quality even in dimly lit areas. Full-HD video (1920 x 1080 pixels) can also be captured in all kinds of year-round outdoor conditions, not only in the rain or while swimming in a pool or the ocean, but also during marine sports6 such as snorkelling and surfing, and winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. The PC-friendly MPEG-4 AVC file format (MP4) makes it super easy to load and edit data with a PC. It’s also hassle-free to directly upload video clips to YouTube or Facebook with the included application after editing.

6. When using the camera in sub-zero or hot and humid conditions, be careful of condensation.

16-Megapixel Still Image Recording – Highest Class Resolution among Compact Digital Cameras
The WA10 captures 16-megapixel photos, in addition to Full-HD video shooting. By separating photo and video capture buttons: images can be captured by using only the thumb to press the desired button, without having to change modes. By pressing the still image button, even while shooting a movie will produce a photo with resolution of up to 2 megapixels.7
7. Varies depending on the Movie mode used for shooting.

Other features of the WA10 include:

– Stylish, easy-to-hold vertical design
– 2.7 -inch wide TFT LCD monitor
– Capable of shooting faraway subjects with an optical 5x zoom/12x Advanced zoom for movie recording.
– Blur-free shooting with E.I.S (Electrical Image Stabilizer)
– Automatic optimal settings with iA (Intelligent Auto) mode8/9
– Captures faces beautifully with Face Detection
– Clearly records sound with stereo microphones
– MP4 recording for easy PC networking
– Mini HDMI Terminal10 for enjoying even more beautiful Full-HD resolution
– Compatible with large-capacity recording media SDXC memory card
– Rechargeable via USB port: High-power mode

8. iA includes 4 settings: Face detection/Intelligent Scene Selector/Intelligent Contrast Control/AF and AE Tracking
9. The functions included in iA may not be applied when conditions do not call for them.
10. An HDMI mini cable is not included.

Panasonic 12.5mm f/12 Lumix G 3D

SLR Gear has reviewed a 3D lens from Panasonic that is designed for the Micro Four Thirds system. The lens is called Panasonic 12.5mm f/12 Lumix G 3D and gives you the opportunity to take 3D-photos. It has two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount that will create a stereo image. Let us hear what the website thinks about this Panasonic lens.

SLR Gear ends up giving the Panasonic 12.5mm f/12 Lumix G 3D a good review, but there are some shortcoming. Since the lens is f/12 you need a lot of light to take 3D pictures. You also need a big 3D TV and 3D glasses to really enjoy the photos that this lens produces. If you are into 3D-photography and are a Micro Four Thirds photographer this should be the lens for you, especially if you look at the reasonable price tag.
Read the full review of the Panasonic 12.5mm f/12 Lumix G 3D lens here.

Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm F2.8

When it comes to macro lenses for the Micro Four Thirds there are not many choices, but Panasonic has now released a 45 macro lens called Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm F2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. The Panasonic lens comes at pretty high price tag (about $899.99 in USA) so it is interesting to see if Photography Blog, who have reviewed the lens, think it is worth that price.

Photography Blog ends up giving the 45mm macro lens a very good review with a “Highly Recommended” rating and an overall score of 4.5 stars out of 5 possible. The lens scores highest on design, features, image quality and ease of use while it scores a little lower on value for your money. If you are a Micro Four Thirds photographer and are interested in a high quality macro lens this is definitely your choice. Let us hope that the price will go down a bit and that we will get more macro lenses for this format in the future.
Read the full review of the Panasonic LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm F2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens here.