Pacific Image Electronics has announced PrimeFoto 2.0, the latest version of
the product that creates picture album CDs from photos stored on digital camera
memory cards. PrimeFoto 2.0 now includes an automatic orientation feature that
rotates pictures automatically for users whose digital cameras have an auto
rotation function, rather than checking each image one-by-one. Users can also
now generate picture albums from a CD. Just select the desired images and press
"Make CD" on the remote control.
Panasonic
has introduced the first digital cameras to combine 12x optical zoom with
an optical image stabilizer. Panasonic's three new 12x zoom are the DMC-FZ3
(3-Megapixel), DMC-FZ15 (4-Megapixel) and DMC-FZ20 (5-Megapixel). Each
features a Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with 12x zoom (equivalent to a
35 - 420mm zoom lens on a conventional 35mm film camera) and F2.8 brightness
throughout the entire zoom range. Panasonic's MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer
automatically detects and optically compensates for hand movement by shifting
internal lens elements, enabling the user to capture crisp, clear, distortion-free
ultra-telephoto or macro shots of distant or moving subjects, even in
low lighting conditions.
These cameras also feature an extra-low dispersion (ED) lens to minimize
color aberration (color bleeding) -- a common problem in high-magnification
/ large aperture lenses. ED lenses are typically exchangeable lenses designed
for single-lens reflex cameras and high-end, professional cameras.
Panasonic has also improved its innovative Venus Engine LSI, the "brain"
of the camera that converts the optical data into digital information.
The new Venus 2 Engine LSI handles all image processing functions simultaneously
-- from displaying the image on the LCD to writing data to the memory
card -- as soon as the CCD captures the image signal. This simultaneous,
parallel processing results in a quick start-up, increased shutter speed
and reduced lag time. The improved LSI also allows faster consecutive
shooting than its predecessor. If desired, the camera will keep shooting
until the memory card is full.
All three cameras also include a host of sophisticated features such as
MEGA BURST consecutive shooting mode, real-time histogram, auto bracketing,
color viewfinder and more.
Panasonic and Leica Camera have announced that they have launched the development
of a new Leica D large-diameter telephoto zoom lens, specifically designed for
Panasonic's first digital SLR camera, the LUMIX DMC-L1 and other Four
Thirds System compatible digital SLR cameras. The new LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-150mm/F3.5-5.6
ASPH./ lens will also feature Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
and become the first Leica D lens with range up to 300mm*.
The new large-diameter 10.7x telephoto zoom lens, which meets Leica's stringent
quality and performance standards will be just as light and compact as the previously
released LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 14-50mm/ F2.8-3.5 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens, but
provide a considerably longer telephoto range as a result of incorporating four
aspherical lenses in the unit. The aspherical lenses and an ED (extra-low dispersion)
lens will also improve optical performance of the lens by minimizing distortion,
even at the 28mm wide end.
Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S. also allows for slower shutter speed use and the
ability to detect and correct hand-shake accurately using Panasonic's
Venus Engine LSI, which will be incorporated into the lens. Additionally when
the lens is mounted on the LUMIX DMC-L1, or the LEICA DIGILUX 3, photographers
will be able to use the aperture ring provided and enjoy easy, intuitive shooting.
This combination of an extended 28-300mm shooting range, Mega O.I.S., and an
aperture ring for intuitive control makes the new lens perfect for capturing
clear, beautiful, expressive images when shooting a wide variety of subjects
and in a host of conditions.
The LEICA D VARIO-ELMAR 14-150mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. lens will be available
in March for $999.95.
Panasonic just unveiled the new 20-megapixel Lumix DMC-ZS100 premium compact camera at CES 2016 in Las Vegas, NV. Panasonic squeezes quite a few features into this pocket-sized Lumix ZS100 including a 10x zoom, the Venus processor and a 1-inch MOS sensor. We had some hands-on time with the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 ahead of the launch and have included the image of the camera at the top of this story.
Panasonic just announced the 16-megapixel DMC-G85 (G85), a new rugged, mirrorless camera, which is the latest model in the Lumix G series. The Panasonic G85 is splash and dust-proof and includes 5-axis Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer) 2 for getting sharp shots in difficult shooting conditions.
Panasonic has announced the new Lumix G 42.5mm/F1.7 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) (equivalent: 85 mm) and the Lumix G Macro 30mm/ F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (equivalent: 60mm) lenses. Both lenses are designed for Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds camera systems.
Panasonic has announced a new firmware update for its interchangeable LEICA
D SUMMILUX 25mm/ F1.4 ASPH.(L-X025) lens, which is compatible with the Four
Thirds standard digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, including Panasonic's
LUMIX DMC-L10. With the firmware update, the LEICA D SUMMILUX 25mm/ F1.4 ASPH.(L-X025)
adds contrast auto focus (AF) to the single focal length lens, making it more
suitable for taking snapshots and portraits where the photo subject is able
to stand out due to an intentional out-of-focus background.
Panasonic invites all users of LEICA D SUMMILUX 25mm/ F1.4 ASPH.(L-X025) lenses
to download the updated firmware to enjoy this advanced technology that lets
users take high-quality photos with ease and accuracy. Notably, with the use
of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-L10 digital SLR, this update allows the LEICA D SUMMILUX
25mm/ F1.4 ASPH.(L-X025) lens to take professional-quality portraits as it combines
Panasonic's Face Detection feature with the contrast AF.
Users will be able to download the latest firmware that allows the LEICA D SUMMILUX
25mm/ F1.4 ASPH.(L-X025) lens to take advantage of contrast AF at 4:00 GMT on
March 12, 2008 at the following link: http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/.
Shutterbug and Panasonic are happy to announce the winner of our "Inspirations"
Photo Contest, conducted on the web site Galleries at www.shutterbug.com. Jim
Semonik, who resides in central New Jersey, submitted his image and won the
votes of judges and web commentators alike. Jim's shot was taken in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida. Said Jim, "I saw the boat and took about 60 pictures
of it over two mornings -- the first day was overcast the second was perfect.
I still have 59 other shots from every possible angle."
As
to his growing love of photography, Jim said, "I had an interest in photography
back in the `70s but marriage, daughters (who had a nasty habit of wanting
to eat!) put hobbies on hold. Digital rekindled my creative spirit and I have
been trying to improve. I started with an HP 2MP camera went to a Fuji 3MP,
then 6 MP and finally took the plunge on a Nikon D50. The kids are grown now
and I love to travel. I get to see some interesting places because of my job
but I fell in love with the Southwest and the Islands. It's probably that
mid-life Jimmy Buffett deal!"
Panasonic
has introduced two new Lumix digital still cameras with 12x optical zoom and
MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer). Models DMC-FZ5 and DMC-FZ4 offer 5.0-megapixel
and 4.0-megapixel resolution, respectively, and incorporate a newly developed
12x optical zoom equivalent to 36mm to 432mm (DMC-FZ5) / 35mm to 420mm (DMC-FZ4)
on a 35mm film camera lens. The 12x optical zoom combined with 4x digital zoom
magnifies images by as much as 48x, enabling users to capture images of subjects
at longer distances. Both cameras feature a high-performance LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
lens.
Panasonic first introduced the MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer with its DMC-FZ1
digital still camera in 2003; and, in 2004, was the first to market a digital
camera with 12x zoom and MEGA O.I.S. Panasonic's MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer
automatically detects and corrects for hand movement, providing precise compensation
with no image quality degradation. This technology is especially appreciated
when taking telephoto shots or when using slow shutter speeds to capture the
atmosphere in dimly lit scenes.
Panasonic's LSI Venus Engine II handles image processing, LCD functions, and
writing to the memory card simultaneously, making these cameras responsive with
an industry-leading release time lag of 0.008 seconds minimum for the DMC-FZ5
and 0.006 seconds minimum for the DMC-FZ4; and shutter interval of approx. 0.4
seconds minimum for the DMC-FZ5 and 0.3 seconds minimum for the DMC-FZ4. The
LSI also enables fast consecutive shooting capability, capturing sequential
shots at a rate of 3 frames (DMC-FZ5) or 4 frames (DMC-FZ4) per second at full
resolution. An unlimited consecutive shooting function allows the user to take
photos in succession until the memory card is full. The LSI also improves horizontal,
vertical and diagonal resolution.
Auto angle detection, a new feature, records whether an image was taken horizontally
or vertically and displays it accordingly, whether viewed on the camera's LCD
or on a connected TV.
Other features include fast AF; selectable manual functions (such as aperture-priority
AE, shutter-priority AE and manual exposure); a Simple Mode, in which most settings
are made automatically; real-time histogram; color viewfinder; built-in flash,
and more.
Panasonic just introduced a new superzoom camera: the Lumix DMC-FZ300, which features a 24x, F/2.8 optical zoom lens and a tough, splash/dust-proof camera build. In 35mm equivalent, the Panasonic FZ300 has a 25-600mm built-in superzoom lens. (The camera is the successor to the FZ200, which had a similar lens.)