Digital SLR Blog

The new Panasonic SDHC memory cards with Class 10 speed specification will be available in Europe by the end of May. Class 10 is a new speed specification standardized by SD Card Association and the Panasonic GOLD line series will adopt this new speed class. The new series will be available in the following four models: RP-SDW04G(4GB) / RP-SDW08G(8GB) / RP-SDW16G(16GB) / RP-SDW32G(32GB).

Panasonic Corporation has announced their plans to develop a professional 3D Full HD production system. This path-breaking system would include a twin-lens P2 professional camera recorder and a 3D-compatible High Definition Plasma display. Panasonic will exhibit concept models at NAB 2009 to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 20, 2009.

PhotoZone has reviewed the Panasonic DMC-G1 and you can check out their analysis here. The “Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera" impresses with its image quality, its fast contrast AF, its electronic viewfinder and its compact form factor. However the Panasonic DMC-G1 had its faults as it suffered from an average battery life, lacked a built-in image stabilizer and was found suitable for fast subject tracking.

Another new lens unveiled by Panasonic at the PMA was the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. The Micro Four Thirds lens has a focal range of 28-280mm and uses four aspherical lenses and two ED lenses to achieve dramatic downsizing despite its powerful 10x optical zoom.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH1 is a new Micro Four Thirds System camera that also supports high definition 1080/24p or s720/60p HD (High Definition) movies in AVCHD format. The GH1 promises fantastic image performance thanks to its 12.1-megapixel high-speed Live MOS sensor and the on board Venus Engine HD image processor. The camera supports both auto and manual exposure modes and comes with a 14-140mm zoom kit lens.

[Via DCI ]

Firmware update 1.2 for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 is available for download. The update enables file write back from PC to the camera for models shipped for Europe and enhances Auto White Balance and colour reproduction performance. Download it from here.

If you want to read the latest review of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1K then head over to Good Gear Guide. On reviewing the Micro Four Thirds system, the website found the camera to be one of the best advanced compact cameras. While the colors were found to be a tad subdued, however according to GGG, the camera is a winner even though it lacks a video mode.

Firmware Update 1.2 is now available for the Panasonic DMC-LX3 and it offers the following fixes:

1. Improved white balance flash mode setting when DMW-FL220 is connected.
2. Proper setting of shutter speed on iA mode and Scene mode when OIS is turned ON.
3. Proper Exif information in the JPEG picture file.

Download it from here.

Firmware update  version 1.1 is now available for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1. The latest upgrade improves the over all functionality of the camera and also enhances features like AE Lock and MF Assist features.

Photoxels reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 recently and feel it’s a good buy for the serious and advanced amateur. The micro FourThirds Digital Interchangeable Lens system comes highly recommended as the image quality is stellar, image noise is controlled and Live View works exceptionally well. The camera also won brownie points for its advance feature set like Dust Reduction; an large high resolution 3.0-in. LCD and a high resolution EV.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3 which is one of the most powerful compact cameras on the market recently received the a DIWA Gold award. The LX3 impresses with its image performance, its 24mm wide-angle zoom and f/2.0-2.8 lens speed.


According to Kai Thon: “The LX3 is by far the most powerful compact camera available, even when compared to much larger cameras. Despite its record-breaking 24mm wide-angle zoom and f/2.0-2.8 lens speed, lens performance is outstanding. Like most 10 MP compacts, image noise is evident at high sensitivities, but that’s about the only weakness disturbing high overall image quality. Although the LX3 is primarily targeted experienced users, no photographer should be surprised to find themselves beaten by the camera’s amazing “iA” shooting mode. It’s breathtaking, and you won’t believe it till you’ve seen it!”

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1 which is the first camera featuring the Micro Four Thirds System standard just got honored with a DIWA Gold Award. The camera won critical praise for its image quality, its use of interchangeable lenses and the fact that it has got two Live View options; a 1,440,000-dot equivalent high resolution electronic viewfinder, and a 3-inch vari-angle high resolution LCD monitor.

Firmware v1.1 for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Micro Four-Thirds camera is now available for download. Firmware version 1.1 offers the following improvements and can be downloaded from here.

   1. Makes it possible to check the exposure with Live View during the AE lock.
   2. Makes it possible to continuously display the enlarged screen of the MF assist.
   3. Added "color adjustment function" for the LCD monitor/View finder.
   4. Added "Red-eye reduction forced flash on" to the flash setting for the [PARTY].
   5. Improved the performance of AE (Auto Exposure) and AWB (Auto White Balance).
   6. Improved the accuracy of flash control.
   7. Improved the noise reduction during high sensitivity photo shooting.

Photography Blog has posted image samples taken from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, the World’s first Micro Four Thirds camera. To check out how the camera performed head over here. All images were shot  using the 12M Fine JPEG image size option.

Imaging-Resource reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1. According to the reviewer the camera works for its small size, its image quality, the high-resolution electronic viewfinder and LCD and its easy to use manual focus. However the camera was a little slow when compared to DSLRs and showed optical distortion when using the EVF.

Conclusion:
“If action is your thing, you'd do better with an SLR. But as a second camera or a small primary shooter that will let you shoot at odd angles and carry a smaller camera bag, the Panasonic Lumix G1 is impressive, and a certain Dave's Picks.”

SLR Gear reviewed the Panasonic 14-45mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 OIS lens that also ships with the G1 as its kit lens. On testing the lens, the reviewer found the images to be sharp especially in wide-angle settings. The lens did produce some negligible chromatic aberration and the reviewer also noticed a small amount of barrel distortion at all focal lengths.

Excerpt from conclusion:
“As the first lens to come out of the gate in the Micro Four Thirds system, the 14-45mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 doesn't disappoint, providing more than capable performance in a miniature package. It's not perfect, but its flaws are relatively minor and it complements the G1 camera very well.”