Micro Four Thirds
Panasonic 30 mm macro, 42.5 mm lenses
Word out of Japan that Panasonic has announced two new Micro Four Thirds lenses, a 30 mm macro lens and a 42.5 mm portrait lens, the equivalent of 60 mm and 85 mm respectively.
There are no details as yet, and no word on Canadian availability, although we understand they could hit retail here in May.
We will update this story when we get official news.
Olympus PL5, PM2
Two new PEN compact system cameras have been announced by Olympus, both Micro Four Thirds models. The E-PL5 and E-PM2 share many capabilities, but each does have unique features.
E-PL5: Boasts significant improvements in functionality and ease of use. It features an all-metal body in silver, black or white. Inherited from its predecessor, the E-PL5 has a swivelling monitor with a greatly expanded swivel range of approximately 170° up and about 65° down, and offers the ability to flip the monitor up for self-portrait shooting.
E-PM2: The ultra-compact camera is designed for people who want to try an interchangeable lens camera for the first time. Available in silver, black, white and red, it offers an intuitive vertical touch navigation menu displayed by pressing the Menu button to provide a fast and easy way to switch modes with fewer steps.
Both cameras share the same 16.1-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS sensor and new TruePic VI image processing engine as the OM-D E-M5. Maximum ISO is 25,600 and the dynamic range has also been increased, enabling finer expression of gradations between dark and bright areas with a wider range of intensity. An AF illuminator and accessory flash are included with both cameras. Photos and HD videos will be crisp and clear thanks to three modes of in-body image stabilization.
Tapping in on the chosen subject within the frame of the cameras’ LCD monitor instantly focuses the subject and automatically triggers the shutter for instantaneous in-focus image capture thanks to the Touch AF Shutter function. The combination of the speedy response of the touchscreen panel and the FAST (Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology) AF system – the same tech as in the OM-D – gives “instantaneous” focusing.
Maximum frame rates have also increased more than 2X with a maximum frame rate of 8 fps in Single AF mode.
Both new models have a 3-inch high-definition LCD screen and an anti-finger print coating to reduce smudges. The display offers a wide 176-degree angle of view and is bright enough to compose images even in harsh midday light, says Olympus.
The E-PL5’s swivel LCD rotates up 170 degrees for self-portrait shooting.
The touchscreen is said to make navigating the camera’s menus and graphical user interface effortless.
A detachable grip is included with the E-PL5, while it’s built in to the E-PM2.
A button on top of the E-PM2 calls up the Live Guide function instantly from any shooting mode for assistance whenever needed.
My Sets on the E-PL5 Mode Dial allow further customization to suit the user’s shooting preferences.
With both cameras, a new Water Color effect joins 11 available in-camera art filters (Diorama, Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Key Line and Dramatic Tone) and adds to other functions, including Variations and the new Monochrome effect.
In-camera RAW data editing selects various settings for RAW data editing and previews the images before applying changes.
The customizable Self Timer programs the shutter release to go off at select intervals.
A small single AF target can be selected for pinpoint focusing beyond the existing 35-point area selection.
Users can get creative while shooting in 1080i Full HD movie with fade effect, so you can transition from art filter to art filter without stopping the movie. While shooting a movie, the Movie Teleconverter function magnifies up to 4x without image deterioration, claims Olympus.
Using the Olympus Image Share application, which is compatible with both iPhone and Android smartphones and the Toshiba FlashAir SDHC memory card, facilitates the upload of pictures to your favorite social network. Both cameras can set up the FlashAir using the built-in smartphone connection capability for a Wi-Fi connection between camera and smartphone.
The Image Share application makes it easy to upload images to a smartphone by selecting them from thumbnails, apply art filters on the smartphone and share. Images can also be enjoyed by friends and family by issuing a one-time password to connect several smartphones simultaneously to the cameras.
Both cameras are scheduled for October availability.
Olympus lenses
Olympus adds to the Micro Four Thirds family of lenses with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 60 mm f/2.8 Macro lens, a single focal-length macro lens with a dust- and splash-proof body.
Also new is a limited edition black version of the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 mm f/2.0 snapshot lens
A 17 mm f/1.8 high-grade lens is currently under development.
The 60 mm lens (120 mm equivalent)features 1X magnification (2X equivalent) and a focusing distance of 19 cm. There are 13 lens elements incorporated in 10 groups of lenses with extensive use of special glass materials such as ED (Extra-low Dispersion), HR (High Refractive index) and E-HR (Extra-High Refractive index) elements to eliminate the chromatic aberrations often noticeable with telephoto macro lenses. This optical design ensures consistently clear, sharp, high-contrast imaging performance, says Olympus.
The lens employs an Olympus developed MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) autofocusing mechanism that features an inner focus system to drive quick and quiet focusing. A shooting distance and magnification indicator window enhance macro shooting control and precision.
A focus limit switch sets the focusing range to enable faster focusing. Three modes are available: close-up (focusing distance between 19 and 40 cm), normal (focusing distance from 19 cm to infinity) and far view (focusing distance from 40 cm to infinity).
The 1:1 mode shifts focusing to 1:1 with one-touch operation.
A limited edition black version of the 12 mm lens (24 mm equivalent) is said to offer outstanding imaging performance in an exceptionally compact design. A snap ring lets photographers pan focus with a distance indicator. Fast, quiet autofocusing in both movie and still modes is made possible by the MSC mechanism.
The new version will be sold in a kit that includes three lens accessories; the LH-48 Metallic Lens Hood (Black), the LC-48 Metallic Lens Cap (Black), and the PRF-D46PRO Protection Filter.
In development and expected to be released in the first half of next year, the 17 mm lens will be optimized for snapshots and street shooting. The lens will have a high-quality metallic outer finish, a snapshot focusing mechanism and a focal length equivalent to 34 mm.
The 60 mm and 12 mm lenses will be available in early October.
Panasonic 12-35 mm lens
Officially it’s called the Lumix G X Vario 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. The name is bigger than the lens.
This is the newest addition to the company’s premium lens brand “X,” which is compatible with the Panasonic Lumix G Series and complies with the Micro Four Thirds system standard.
It’s the equivalent of 24-70 mm.
Panasonic says the lens is suitable for professionals and enthusiasts, delivering crisp edge-to-edge contrast.
The lens incorporates Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology which minimizes reflections through the entire visual range (380-780 nm), resulting in a dramatic reduction of ghosts and flare, says the company.
The lens’s newly integrated optical image stabilizer effectively compensates for both small, fast movement and large, slow movement.
Lens length is approximately 73.8 mm, weight is 10.76 oz. With a rubber ring on the lens mount, the new lens is designed to stand up against splash and dust, and a highly reliable metal mount endures long time use.
The lens has 14 lenses in nine groups. The UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lens minimizes chromatic aberration while the UHR (Ultra High Refractive) lens realizes high descriptive performance from corner to corner. The result is high contrast and resolution from the centre to corner through the entire zoom range.
An inner focus system means there is no change in the overall length from full life-size magnification to infinity. Smooth and near silent focusing action is a boon for video recording.
The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35 mm f/2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. will be available in August.
Olympus OM-D E-M5
The Olympus E-M5 is the first of the new Olympus OM-D (OM Digital) series of Micro Four Thirds cameras, built upon the legacy of the OM SLR film cameras.
Evoking the classic design of the original OM series introduced 40 years ago (ohmygosh, I remember that!), the OM-D series is described by Olympus as “a new and entirely unique Micro Four Thirds camera system.”
It combines features found in the E-System DSLR line with those of the Pen Series.
The camera has:
• A built-in 120-fps (frames-per-second) refresh rate, high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with outstanding image quality, eye detect and intuitive functionality.
• A 16.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor and TruePic VI image-processing engine delivering what Olympus claims is “superior image quality and high sensitivity.”
• The world’s first 5-axis image stabilizer to compensate for multi-directional camera shake during both still photography and HD moviemaking.
• The world’s fastest autofocusing system (FAST AF) plus new 3D AF tracking for improved performance following moving subjects at up to 9 frames-per-second sequential shooting.
• A lightweight magnesium alloy body enhanced with the same dustproof and splashproof durability of the E-5 DSLR.
• A tilting 3.0-inch touch screen OLED.
• New Movie Effects: One Shot Echo, for a semi-transparent frame, and Multi Echo, for a multi-motion trail effect.
The E-M5 is the first Olympus interchangeable-lens camera to incorporate a 120-fps refresh rate, High-Definition electronic viewfinder with an eye sensor to seamlessly switch the display between the tilting, 3.0-inch touch screen OLED and the electronic viewfinder. It has a 100 percent field of view, maximum 1.15x magnification and an eye point of 18 mm for fatigue-free viewing.
Camera setting information, such as shutter speed, is displayed at the bottom of the viewfinder. It will display the effects of various exposure adjustments and Art Filter effects – all without having to take the eye away from the viewfinder.
There’s a new 16.1-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS sensor offering improved performance and exceptional clarity and speed in all aspects of image capture, says the company. The TruePic VI image-processing engine “dramatically improves image quality in low-light environments,” Olympus contends.
The camera’s sensor allows for a maximum ISO of 25,600, and the dynamic range has been expanded for more faithful colour reproduction.
Okay, what about this 5-axis image-stabilization mechanism? Olympus says it is capable of reducing the effects of camera motion and image blur from five directions on stills and video, even including motion blur caused by the photographer walking or running.
Previous IS mechanisms compensated for camera shake by addressing only two kinds of movement along the vertical and horizontal axis, notes the company. However, camera shake can actually be caused by five different kinds of movement: horizontal shift, vertical shift, rotary motion, as well as yaw and pitch. While some technology has attempted to correct for camera blur by building the image stabilization mechanism into the lens, the E-M5 IS mechanism is incorporated into the camera body itself. All lenses mounted on the body can take advantage of this technology, whether shooting stills or HD video.
The new camera employs the FAST (Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology) AF system, introduced in the Pen E-P3, but with even greater speed.
The Live MOS chip drives image data off the sensor at 240 fps, a 2X speed increase in Continuous Autofocus, with reduced image blackout, enabling photographers to track fast action, says Olympus.
Maximum frame rates in sequential shooting have also increased more than 2X with a max frame rate of 9 fps in Single AF.
A new 3D tracking AF system can follow the subject through the X-, Y- and Z-axes to dramatically improve focus on moving subjects.
A 3.0-inch tilting OLED touch-screen offers intuitive focus and release of the shutter and review and enlargement of images in playback with the touch of a finger.
The new Live Bulb feature updates the Live View image on the OLED screen at pre-set intervals during long exposures and enables the user to preview continually unfolding action such as fireworks or waterfalls and adjust the exposure time accordingly while capturing the image at the desired moment.
An innovative new interface, EVF Creative Control, produces a tone curve overlay on the viewfinder screen to enable separate adjustment of highlight and shadow brightness, while white balance, magnification and aspect ratio can also be manipulated via the EVF.
A new Key Line art filter joins 10 other available filters on the E-M5, enhancing the edge lines of the image to make it look more like an illustration.
New Cross Process II and Dramatic Tone II filters provide variations on the popular existing filters, and the two new Echo effect for movies leaves a momentary residual image of a subject’s movements when activated during movie recording.
The Full HD 1080i movie recording function adopts the MOV format (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264).
The camera’s magnesium alloy body is rugged enough to stand up to severe environmental conditions like heavy rain and blowing sand, the company says. The E-M5 employs internal seals extensively.
When the new M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens is attached, the combination delivers an integrated dustproof and splashproof camera system.
The electronic viewfinder section of the body is also made of magnesium alloy, and the FL-LM2 electronic flash that ships with the camera features the same dustproof and splashproof construction.
The HLD-6 power battery grip, in the same dust- and splashproof construction as the E-M5 body, is an adaptable, two-part grip that can be used either as a landscape grip for easier handling or as a portrait grip with an additional shutter release.
The portrait grip accommodates an extra lithium-ion battery to supplement the one in the E-M5, thus extending battery life.
The FL-600R electronic flash (GN 50 at ISO 200 or GN 36 at ISO 100) offers improved recharge time and enhanced flexibility and operability for movie recording, and with a wireless control option. Equipped with a built-in LED, the FL-600R can be used to light movies and as a brighter AF auxiliary light.
The MMF-3 Four Thirds mount adapter is designed for mounting a Four Thirds lens on a Micro Four Thirds camera body. The MMF-3 is also dust- and splashproof.
The Olympus E-M5 will be available in April. Estimated street price, body only, black or silver, $999.99. Body with black M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ lens, $1,299.99. Body with black M.Zuiko Digital 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 II R lens, $1,099.99.
Olympus 12-50 mm lens
There’s a new lens in the Micro Four Thirds firmament, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ. The name is longer than the lens.
Olympus says this is the first fully-compatible interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lens to incorporate an electronic motorized zoom.
It is the 35 mm equivalent of 24-100 mm.
The photographer can control the zooming speed by turning the barrel – slowly, quickly or at an intermediate rate. Manual zooming is also available.
In macro mode, which can be set by pushing the zoom ring forward while depressing the macro button on the side of the lens, focusing is possible between 8 and 20 inches for close-up shooting with a maximum image magnification of 0.72X (35 mm camera equivalent).
The L-Fn (Lens Function) button suspends the autofocusing operation temporarily to avoid unintended focusing on obstacles that appear suddenly between the camera and the subject.
Olympus says the lens is not only designed for stills, but also high-definition (HD) video capture, and has a linear motor for smooth and quiet autofocusing.
The company also notes the lens features new lens elements and glass, and offers the proven dust and splashproof mechanism originally featured in the Four Thirds SHG (Super High Grade) series lenses. Multiple sealing rings are fitted throughout the lens body, preventing water splashes and dust from penetrating.
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 EZ will be available mid-January at an estimated street price of $499.99.
Panasonic Lumix GX1
The Lumix DMC-GX1 joins Panasonic’s G series of digital interchangeable lens cameras and features a 16.01-megapixel Live MOS sensor, Venus Engine, built-in flash, hot shoe and maximum ISO 12800 sensitivity.
The GX1, like all the G series cameras, uses Contrast AF for its focus system, so focusing is controlled by the image sensor. Panasonic says when compared with the phase difference system AF, Contrast AF achieves higher accuracy especially when shooting with a bright lens with small f/ value. The company notes the accuracy of Contrast AF is approximately 90 per cent, while phase difference AF is approximately 60 per cent at f/1.4.
The GX1, says Panasonic, achieves high resolution through an optimal balance of resolution and noise reduction, thus producing life-like image rendering and precise auto exposure and white balance.
To further advance the Contrast AF, the GX1 incorporates full-area focusing, making it possible to set focus on any point in the field of view.
Touch screen? Indeed – 3.0-inch touch LCD screen.
The GX1 features an ultra-high-speed Light Speed AF1, which means it can auto focus in approximately 0.09 of a second. This is achieved by reducing the detection time for focusing by synchronizing the lens and sensor at 120 fps. Plus, the newly-added focus mode AFF (AF Flexible) locks on the focus when the shutter button is half-pressed; however, if the subject moves, the focusing is reset to get the best results.
The touch-control system lets users set the focus on the subject by simply touching it on the wide-viewing angle LCD. Users can even release the shutter by touching the screen. Once locked on the subject with a touch, the GX1 tracks the subject, even when it moves, using the AF tracking function. With a touch on the screen, users can select the part and the size of the AF area, choosing from 1-area AF, Multi-area AF with 23 AF areas and Pinpoint AF, which allows extremely precise focus setting.
Panasonic notes that, despite its compact size, the GX1 is extremely intuitive to operate, with an optimized layout of control buttons, a mode dial and dedicated function buttons. Users can customize the two external buttons and two menus tabs to settings they most frequently use so they are easily accessible. In addition, a total of four custom setting patterns can be stored to the camera’s model dial – one on ‘C1’ and three on ‘C2.’
For those who notice a camera’s “feel,” the GX1 has a grip for better hand-holding, a more tactile texture and the mode dial is easy to turn and features print that is easy to read and won’t easily wear.
The GX1 can record video at 1920 x 1080 at 60i, with sensor output of 30p. This is full-High Definition video in the AVCHD format.
In addition to full-time AF, the Touch AF in video recording also lets users enjoy professional-like rack focusing. Just by pointing at the subject, the focus is shifted so it stands out.
There’s a dedicated video record button on the camera top; users can instantly start recording videos while shooting photos without any having to make any extra setting adjustments.
There’s high-quality sound, recorded with Dolby Digital Stereo Creator. Videos can also be recorded in MP4 format for playback on a PC or other portable electronic devices without having to convert the files.
Other features:
• A new level gauge, which lets the camera detect the horizontal/vertical angle of view with its internal level working with the sensor. In addition, photos shot in portrait aspect will be automatically displayed vertically, regardless of which lens is used.
• One Push AE adjusts exposure with a single press of the “Fn” (Function) button when it is over/under exposed, which is especially useful when shooting outdoors with open aperture or indoors with fast shutter speed.
• Dust Reduction System.
• Zoom operation can be controlled with touch control when either of Panasonic’s new Lumix X Power Zoom lenses are attached. And the zoom speed can also be adjusted in two steps for more precise control.
• For beginners looking for automatic shooting in both still and video modes, there are iA and iA Plus modes.
• An approximately 11 per cent longer battery life when compared to the G3, which also uses the same battery pack.
This Micro Four Thirds camera will use any of the system lenses from Panasonic or other manufacturers – including a 3D lens – as well as a wide variety of accessories. Among those is the new optional tilt-shift Live View Finder (DMW-LVF2), with approximately 1.4x and 1,440,000-dot equivalent, 100 per cent field of view. This finder plugs into the camera’s hot shoe and connection just below the shoe.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1-KK with a 14-42 mm standard zoom lens will be available in black in mid-December for an MSRP of $849.99. Body only: MSRP of $749.99. The DMC-GX1-XK with the Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. / Power O.I.S lens will have an MSRP of $999.99 and will be available at a later date.
Olympus Pen E-PL3, E-PM1
At the same time Olympus announced the E-P3, it’s flagship Pen camera, the company also unveiled the E-PL3 and E-PM1. All three Micro Four Thirds cameras have the same underpinnings: a new 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor, TruePic VI Image Processor, high ISO of 12,800, a re-engineered autofocus system, full 1080i HD video with Dolby Digital sound recording, newly designed user interfaces and a variety of Art Filters and built-in creative features.
The E-PL3 adds a tilting, 3-inch LCD to shoot over the crowd or down at baby’s level.
The E-PM1 is said to be the smallest and lightest Olympus Pen and will be available in six colours – purple, pink, brown, white, silver. black. It sports a new and simplified user interface as well as a streamlined button structure for superior ease of use.
Pricing has not been announced for either the E-PM1 or E-PL3.
Fotodiox adapters
Fotodiox has a solution to a problem you may be facing.
If you’ve got some fine prime or zoom lenses, and you’ve also now got a Micro Four-Thirds camera such as the Olympus PEN, and you would love to be able to use your big lenses on the little camera, Fotodiox has engineered a wide assortment of lens adapters. PRO Lens Mount Adapters are all-metal, full-featured, rigid. You can get ’em with a built-in microchip, delivering focus-confirmation info to your camera’s viewfinder. Some adapters even feature glass elements guaranteeing infinity-focus. If you’re used to shooting in manual mode, you can go for the lower-priced, consumer-grade adapters.
So, got a Sony NEX, Olympus PEN or Panasonic GH camera? You’re in luck. If you’re shooting HD video with a new Canon DSLR, but want to use a Nikon lens with an adjustable aperture ring, no problem. Even those old Leica rangefinder lenses you’d thought you’d never use again can now be adapted to fit on most of today’s DSLRs. Even Hasselblad, Mamiya, Pentax and other medium-format lenses can be put to use.
Using the new Fotodiox Shift Adapter (shown here) your digital camera now acts like a medium-format hybrid – allowing you to move your DX or FX sized lens off-axis to position and set your point of sharp focus – as you control your aperture to set depth-of-field. It’s like having a whole new lens.
Mid-December’s when they become available in stores.
Panasonic Lumix G2 & G10
Panasonic took me aside while at PMA 2010 last month and showed me (okay, and a number of other journalists) two new cameras, under threat of gross bodily harm if I breathed a word about them to anyone. The embargo has been lifted, and here they are, the Lumix G2, successor to the G1 and is the world’s first digital interchangeable lens system camera with a touch-control, movable LCD, and the G10, the world’s lightest digital interchangeable lens camera with a viewfinder.
Joining them is a new lens for the G Micro System, the ultra-compact and lightweight Lumix G Vario 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens.
So, the G2 is the world’s first digital interchangeable lens system camera with a touch-control, movable LCD. This is a Micro Four Thirds digital camera, and it lets you adjust autofocus (AF) simply by touching the subject on the 3-inch LCD. The G2 also shoots 720p High Definition video using the AVCHD Lite format. Using the touch-screen operation, you can snap photos by simply touching the LCD screen. This touch-screen operation also works during playback, where you can touch one thumbnail to quickly and easily see the full size of the desired photo. Photos can also be dragged across the screen to browse one at a time, as though flipping the pages of a book.
The G2 also includes AF Tracking, a touch-screen operation which allows users to lock onto and follow a subject as it moves within the frame. The location and size of the AF Tracking area can be selected using the 1-area AF feature. While using the manual focus, you can enlarge a subject by 1x, 5x or 10x with a touch on the screen. With this touch operation, menu settings can be changed quickly, cutting the time it takes to navigate using standard cursors. However, all setting changes can still be done using the control pad, if preferred.
The G2 records 1280 x 720 HD videos in the AVCHD Lite format, which increases recording capacity. A dedicated video record button allows the user to easily start recording a video. Sound is recorded with Dolby Digital Creator and an optional accessory stereo microphone can be attached. A Wind Cut function further enhances sound, reducing noise caused from background wind.
The LCD rotates 180-degrees from side-to-side and tilts 270-degrees up and down. This makes it possible to both view and touch the screen from any angle.
The 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor helps the G2 deliver 60 fps Full-time Live View images, while faithfully reproducing high-resolution images with fine detail and rich gradation. The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II has also been re-engineered to further improve image quality. It supports the new image processing technology Intelligent Resolution, which enables the recording of beautiful photo and HD video with high quality signal processing. With Intelligent Resolution technology, three areas are automatically detected: outlines, detailed texture areas, and soft gradation. The outline areas are enhanced effectively to give edges increased clarity, while simultaneously giving a moderate accentuation to the textured areas so they look finely detailed. For the soft gradation areas, the improved noise reduction system of the processor is applied to achieve a smoother effect. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel-by-pixel in the most effective way, resulting in images that are naturally clear.
While shooting HD video, users can set the camera in “P” mode – to change the aperture for professional-like movie effects where the images blur into focus. For still photos, the G2 features the My Colour mode with a total of seven preset effects – Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette – while also keeping the Custom mode. These preset effects let consumers manually set the colour, brightness and saturation levels and save their favourite settings into memory.
For those not yet ready for manual modes, the G2 features iA (Intelligent Auto), a popular setting in the Lumix point-and-shoot line-up which automatically engages features and settings for optimal image quality by detecting the shooting environment. Panasonic iA is available in both still photo and video recording settings and a new dedicated iA button, which illuminates when engaged, makes it even easier to use this feature.
The Lumix G2 will come equipped with the new G Vario 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens, equivalent to 28-84 mm. The G2 is compatible with all Micro Four Thirds System lenses.
The G2 will be available in black, with pricing and availability to be announced.
Now on to the Lumix G10, which Panasonic says is the world’s lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera with a viewfinder, and it’s aimed at those new to the interchangeable lens concept.
The G10’s compact body and portable design uses a mirror-less structure as part the Micro Four Thirds System standard which eliminates a number of components found in conventional interchangeable lens cameras, including the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit. The camera will come equipped with the new lens as noted above, the same one that comes with the G2.
Panasonic designed the G10 to be easy-to-use. The iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, a shooting assist function that has been popular in Lumix compact cameras, offers automatic optimization according to the scene in both photo and video recording. This mode is helpful for beginner users unfamiliar with interchangeable lens system cameras. There’s a dedicated iA button which illuminates when engaged.
When shooting still photos, iA offers the following: MEGA O.I.S., which helps prevent blurring from hand-shake; Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves; Intelligent Exposure optimizes exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights, and helping ensure that gradation and details are reproduced properly; Intelligent Scene Selector detects the most common shooting situations – Portrait, Night Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery, Close-up and Sunset – and switches to the appropriate Scene mode automatically – no setting changes needed.
The G10 can record 1280 x 720 HD video in Motion JPEG, QVGA, VGA and WVGA formats. Panasonic’s iA for video offers the following: Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.); Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion; Intelligent Exposure; Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Close-up, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.
With Auto Focus (AF) Tracking, the G10 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves. The Face Recognition function remembers registered faces to give an appropriate AF/Automatic Exposure (AE) on those people. In playback, you can choose to display only photos that contain a specific registered face using Category Playback. The contrast AF system adopted by the G10 is not only accurate and easy to use, but also fast. Users can choose from a wide range of AF modes, including AF Tracking, 1-area AF, Face Detection AF/AE and 23-area AF.
The 60 fps Live View is powered by the Live MOS sensor, which takes signals directly from the image sensor and sends them continuously to the LCD, in real time. Both the Live View Finder and LCD provide approximately 100 percent field of view. The 3-inch Intelligent LCD with wide viewing angle automatically controls the brightness according to the situation.
The 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor and the new Venus Engine HD II help to separate chromatic noise from luminance noise and apply the optimal noise reduction to each, so users can capture clear images even when shooting at high ISO sensitivity levels. The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II, which has been re-engineered to incorporate the new image processing technology Intelligent Resolution, enables the recording of photo and HD video with high quality signal processing. Intelligent Resolution technology behaves the same as in the G2, above. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel-by-pixel, resulting in images that are naturally clear.
All Panasonic G Series digital cameras are equipped with an efficient Dust Reduction System.
My Colour mode has a total of seven preset effects – Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, Silhouette. Also includes Custom mode, which lets users manually set the colour, brightness and saturation levels. There are 26 scene modes including Peripheral Defocus mode, which lets users take a photo where the foreground is in focus and background is blurred – or vice versa. Exposure meter can be displayed in the P/A/S/M shooting modes.
As with the G2, the G10 will be available in black, with pricing and availability to be anounced.
Finally, we come to the new Lumix G Vario 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens. This is the equivalent of 28-84 mm. It incorporates Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), has a minimum focus distance of 30 cm even at full zoom, and uses multi-coated lens elements to reduce blur, helping deliver superior performance. This new lens system also features excellent contrast even at its highest zoom level. The inclusion of an aspherical lens improves optical performance by minimizing distortion, even at the wide end.
Grandpaparazzi 