Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 - Red

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 - Red:

The DMC-GH1 - Red is not just a high performance still picture camera. Amazingly it can record Full-HD movies at 1080/24p or smooth HD movies at 720/60p in AVCHD with a continuous AF function. It also features a stereo microphone, featuring Dolby Digital Stereo Creator to record high quality audio. Just press the 'one touch' Motion Picture button, and shooting begins. In the unique Creative Movie mode, the shutter speed and aperture can be adjusted. When the DMC-GH1 - Red is connected to a Panasonic VIERA via an optional mini HDMI cable, the TV's remote control unit can be used to enjoy playing back with a greater convenience.

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Also available in Black-Panasonic Lumix DMG-GH1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS85

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS85:

Just press the iA button, aim and shoot. The camera does all the rest, automatically adjusting to the shooting conditions and helping to correct blurring, focus, and brightness problems. iA Mode includes MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) to compensate for hand-shake, Intelligent ISO Control to detect subject movement, Face Detection AF/AE to focus on faces in the frame, and Intelligent Scene Selector to select the optimal scene mode automatically for you.
The 8.1-megapixel resolution DMC-LS85 packages a superb f/2.8 LUMIX DC VARIO lens with 4x optical zoom (35mm film camera equivalent: 33-132mm) into a compact body. The bright f/2.8 lens allows you to capture beautiful pictures in low conditions, and helps to prevent image blurring due to hand shakes. The 4x optical zoom lets you capture distant subjects without degrading image quality.

[Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS85]

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 First Impressions Summary

As the headliner for the new FS-series, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 makes a daring entrance into an already packed point-and-shoot market. Panasonic launched the Lumix FS20 to service a broad audience of novice beginners to advanced point-and-shooters. The Panasonic FS camera sits above Panasonic�s budget LS and LZ line and just under the higher-end TZ series. What does the FS20 have to offer in an already crowded shelf of competing cameras? The 10.1-megapixel Panasonic FS20 has a 4x optical zoom Leica lens and 3-inch LCD, along with optical image stabilization, face detection, and a sleek body. The FS debutante will retail for $299.95 when it ships in February 2008. Read on for our First Impressions review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 from the tradeshow floor of PMA 2008 in Las Vegas.

Overall Impressions

Value
At a near-$300 price point, the Panasonic Lumix FS20 is certainly not the least expensive camera around. Consumers can find digital cameras for as low as $150 new, including Panasonic�s LS-series and Fuji�s newly-launched budget J-series. At this value, the FS20 has some strong features, including wide shooting and optical image stabilization that is key for reducing blur. At the same price, though, consumers can find more attention-grabbing features such as more color options or the waterproof or shockproof abilities found on Olympus or Pentax cameras.

Who�s this Camera For?

• Point and Shooters � Chock-full of automatic modes in a portable body, the Panasonic Lumix FS20 certainly caters to this demographic.
• Budget Consumers � Not so much. The $299.95 price tag is on the higher end of pocket cameras. Thrifty shoppers can find cameras for about $150 with budget series cameras.
• Gadget Freaks � Technies prefer touch screen, waterproofing, or Wi-Fi capabilities that other, oftentimes more expensive cameras offer. None of those features are present in the Panasonic FS20.
• Manual Control Freaks � Not really. Users can�t control aperture or shutter speed, which are key components that advanced point-and-shooters might crave for absolute creative control.
• Pros / Serious Amateurs - No way. Professional photographers typically are attracted to SLRs and sometimes compact cameras with manual control to use as backup or vacation cameras.

Comparisons

The Panasonic Lumix FS20 will likely draw comparisons with other point-and-shoots announced at PMA 2008. New similarly-priced cameras include the Olympus Stylus 850 SW ($299.99), Nikon Coolpix S600 ($300), Sony Cyber-shot W170 ($299), and the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS ($249.99).

Conclusion

Likes

• Attractive design
• Optical image stabilization
• Large 3-inch LCD
• Easy to read menu system
• Fast, accurate autofocus
• Three aspect shooting ratios (16:9, 4;3, 3:2)
  

Dislikes

• Tiny buttons and lack of main mode dial
• Ineffective joystick control instead of a four-way controller
• Lack of comfortable grip / handling that previous Panasonic point-and-shoots possess
• Limited manual controls
• Near-$300 price tag

Our first impressions of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 are that it makes an unexciting entry into the pocket digital camera market. It does, though, earn some major points for looks and a generous 3-inch LCD, optical image stabilization, wide 16:9 shooting, and an impressively easy menu system.

The FS20, however, needs more attention-grabbing features to compete with other cameras at this price point, such as the Canon SD1100 IS and the Olympus stylus 1020. It lacks the comfortable handling associated with past Panasonic cameras. There are limited manual controls that most advanced point-and-shooters at this price point would desire. It might be worth it at a lower price, but at $299.95, it�s simply not enough to win over customers.

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Panasonic Unveils New FS Camera Series.

Panasonic has just announced the FS series, a new set of digital cameras aimed at users who are looking for sleek, stylish design. The first three cameras in the new Lumix series are the $200 DMC-FS3, the $300 DMC-FS20 and the $250 DMC-FS5.

The first camera in the new series is the $200 DMC-FS3, an 8.1 megapixel model that features a 3x zoom and Panasonic's new Intelligent Auto Mode. They claim that this new combination of technologies provides better automatic image adjustments, leading to better images. The five technologies in the new mode are Mega O.I.S. (the optical image stabilization system), Intelligent ISO (which adjusts ISO if it detects moving subjects), intelligent scene selection (where the camera selects the best scene mode automatically), Face Detection and Quick AF. Panasonic claim that the improved face detection on the new cameras can keep track of up to 15 faces, while the Quick AF system attempts to pre-focus the camera before you press the shutter.

The FS3 is built around the new Venus Engine IV image processing chip, which Panasonic claims is faster than previous models. The new camera also includes a 2.5-inch LCD with an ambient light sensor that adjusts the screen brightness. It's just 0.89 inches thick, and weighs in at a lightweight 4.9 ounces. The DMC-FS3 will be priced at $199.99 and will be available in February.

The next camera in the new range is the $250 DMC-FS5, which ups the resolution to 10.1 megapixels and includes a 4x zoom lens, with a 35mm equivalent range of 30mm to 120mm. It also includes the new Intelligent Auto Mode described above and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Finally, the DMC-FS20 increases the size of the LCD screen to 3 inches, However, the resolution of the screen remains the same at 320,000 pixels. Other features remain the same: the 4x zoom that starts at 30mm and the 2.5-inch LCD screen.

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Panasonic Expands LZ Series With Long & Wide Zooms

Jan. 29, 2008 - Panasonic has expanded the Lumix LZ series with two new models: the $250 DMC-LZ10 and the $180 DMC-LZ8. Both models include 5x zoom lenses, manual controls and Panasonic's new Intelligent Auto Mode. Both models will be available in February.

The DMC-LZ10 shoots 10.1-megapixel images, and the zoom lens starts at 30mm, a wider lens setting than most. The DMC-LZ8 shoots 8.1-megapixel images, and the zoom lens starts at a 32mm wide setting. As well as the new Intelligent Auto mode described below, it includes an extensive set of manual controls, including both shutter and aperture settings. Both Shutter and Aperture Priority modes are included, as well as a full Manual mode, not often seen on point-and-shoots.

Both cameras also include what Panasonic calls Advanced Scene mode, where the user can set the Scene mode (from a list that includes Portrait, Sports, Landscape, and others) and a sub-mode, such as indoor or outdoor portraits, or nature or architecture in Landscape mode. An additional Creative mode provides access to the aperture and shutter speed settings, while leaving the other settings on automatic.

Both models also include Panasonic's new Intelligent Auto mode. They claim that this new combination of features provides better automatic image adjustments. The five technologies in the new mode are Mega O.I.S. (the optical image stabilization system), Intelligent ISO (which adjusts ISO if it detects moving subjects), intelligent scene selection (where the camera selects the best scene mode automatically), Face Detection, and Quick AF. Panasonic claim the improved face detection on the cameras can keep track of up to 15 faces, while the Quick AF system attempts to pre-focus the camera before you press the shutter.

The DMC-LZ10 will cost $249.99, and the DMC-LZ8 will cost $179.99. Both models will be available in February.

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