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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Panasonic Patent Reveals DSLR w/ Video Recording and Advanced Video Lenses

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Panasonic DSLR with Movie Mode

Panasonic has been on a real tear lately with its solid line of Lumix Micro Four Thirds cameras, which feature interchangeable lenses. The latest two Panasonic Micro Four Thirds models, the GH1 and GF1, offer solid HD video capture.  The Panasonic GH1 comes with a 14-140mm HD lens specifically designed for quiet auto operation for use in video recording.  Currently, Panasonic has no DSLRs in its line-up.

Several recent patent applications filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) indicate that Panasonic may be bringing some of the popular features found in the GH1 and GF1 to a full-on DSLR.  In particular, USPTO Application No. 12/581,286, filed by Panasonic on October 19, 2009, reveals a DSLR (complete with mirror and optical viewfinder) with a video mode, vari-angle LCD, on-board video LED light source and special video-compatible lenses. [Read more…]

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

The Panasonic DMC-ZS7 is a 12.1-megapixel point and shoot camera with a 12x zoom lens and optical image stabilization.  The ZS7 also features built-in GPS that embeds photos and videos with longitude and latitude details.

The ZS7 is compatible with new SDXC cards and provides HD video recording in AVCHD Lite format.  The ZS7 also boasts a new Sonic Speed AF system for fast AF acquisition and a quick shutter response time.

No word on pricing or availability yet.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 Reviews and Resources

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Panasonic DMC-TS2

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 is a 14.1MP point and shoot camera that is freezeproof, waterproof, shockproof and deathproof.  It is capable of recording AVCHD Lite video and is compatible with SDXC cards.  It also has a 2.7-inch LCD with a 230k dot resolution and optical image stabilization.

No word on price or availability yet. Check availability of Amazon.com.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 Reviews

Digital Camera Review

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3

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Panasonic DMC-ZR3

The Panasonic DMC-ZR3 is a 14.1MP point and shoot camera with an 8x optical zoom with optical image stabilization and the ability to capture HD video in the AVCHD format.  The ZR3 features a “super fast” AF acquisition time and is a compatible with the new SDXC memory card format.

No word on pricing or availability yet. Check availability on Amazon.com.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Panasonic Introduces SDXC 64GB and 48GB Cards

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Panasonic SDXC

Panasonic introduced new SDXC cards in 64GB and 48GB capacities at CES 2010.

SDXC cards are a new standard from the SD Association that allows for capacities ranging from 64GB to 2TB.  SDXC cards also have a speed advantage over the SDHC format.  The SDXC format has a theoretical speed of 104MB/s to potentially 300MB/s in the future.

It is important to note that SDXC cards are not compatible with camera models that are not specifically designed with the SDXC format in mind.

The Panasonic 64GB SDXC card carries an initial retail price of $599.95, while the 48GB SDXC card has an initial retail price of $449.95.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Panasonic FP1 and FP3

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Panasonic FP3

Panasonic introduced the FP1 and FP3 at CES 2010. These two point and shoot cameras feature a sliding front panel and an internal 4x optical zoom.  Both cameras feature SDXC compatibility for use with the new SD card standard, allowing 64GB to 2TB in card size and theoretical speeds up to 300/MBs.  Additionally, both cameras feature Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S. optical image stabilization technology.

The Panasonic FP3 features a 3-inch touchscreen LCD and 14.1MP sensor, while the FP1 offers a 230k dot, 2.7-inch LCD (not a touchscreen) and a 12.1MP sensor.

Check availability on Amazon.com:  Panasonic FP1 – Panasonic FP3.

Panasonic FP3 Reviews

Neutral Day

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Panasonic FH20, FH3 and FH1

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Panasonic FH20

Panasonic introduced the FH20, FH3 and FH1 digital cameras at CES 2010.

The FH20 is the top end of the FH-Series cameras with a 14.1MP sensor, 8x optical zoom and 28mm field of view on the wide end.

Panasonic FH3

The FH3 features a 14.1MP sensor, 5x optical zoom and the same 28mm wide-angle.

Panasonic FH1

The FH1 rounds out the low-end of the the FH-series with 12.1MP sensor, 5x optical zoom at 28mm on the wide end.

All three cameras feature 72op video recording, MEGA O.I.S. image stabilization and SDXC compatibility for use with the new SD standard of 64GB to 2TB cards.

No word on pricing for any of these cameras at CES 2010.

Additional info about these new Panasonic cameras can be found in the press release below. [Read more…]

Panasonic F3

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Panasonic F3

Along with several other point and shoot cameras, Panasonic introduced the Lumix F3 at CES 2010.

The Panasonic F3 is a 12.1MP point and shoot camera that features a 4x optical zoom, 720p video recording, a 2.7-inch LCD screen. The F3 follows suit with the FH-Series from Panasonic by offering a focal length of 28mm at the wide end.

As with Panasonic’s other announcements at CES, there’s no word on pricing or availability.

Additional details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Panasonic GF1 Firmware Update Version 1.1

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Panasonic has released a firmware update, version 1.1, for the GF1 Micro Four Thirds camera, along with 5 Panasonic lenses.  The firmware provides the GF1 with improved auto focus, auto white balance, noise performance and more.  The lens firmware upgrades offer improved auto focus in video recording modes, along with other improvements.

You can obtain instructions and download the firmware on Panasonic’s website.

Additional details on the firmware update in the press release below. [Read more…]

Panasonic GH1 Review

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Panasonic GH1

The Panasonic GH1 is a 12.1-megapixel camera built on the Micro Four Thirds platform.  The GH1 is Panasonic’s follow-up to the G1, which was the first Micro Four Thirds camera offered by the company.

What makes this platform unique is the camera body’s mirror-less design, which allow manufacturers to make smaller cameras while still using larger, DSLR-sized sensors.  Additionally, the GH1, like other Micro Four Thirds cameras, has a detachable lens and will accept other lenses with the same lens mount – or even different lens mounts if you use an appropriate adapter.

Another powerful feature for Micro Four Thirds cameras is the use of full time live view.  That is, the image that the lens sees passes directly to the image sensor rather than using a mirror to redirect it to the optical viewfinder.

The Panasonic GH1 adds 1080p video capture at 24fps to its predecessor’s spec list.  Additionally, the GH1 includes a new superzoom lens, specially designed for this camera – the 14-140mm f/4-5.8 HD MEGA O.I.S. lens.  The GH1 was met with a lot of fanfare due to its impressive spec list and overall potential.   While there is no doubt that the GH1 offers a lot of versatility and is fun to shoot with, it’s not without a few chinks in its armor. [Read more…]