DxO Labs has added the Canon S100 and Panasonics’ GF3, G2 and G1 to the list of cameras supported by its DxO Optics Pro software. The cameras are added to both the Standard and Elite versions of the Optics Pro v7.2, that the company says are more stable than before. Version 7.2 also gains the ability to import Optics Pro v6 databases containing the image processing settings for existing images.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
CES 2012: Panasonic is showing mockups of two large-aperture zoom lenses for Micro Four Thirds. The Panasonic stand plays host to mockups of a 12-35mm F2.8 and a 35-100mm F2.8 lens, prominently badged ‘Concept’ lenses. Next to the models is a lens roadmap confirming the company’s intentions to build a 12-35mm (24-70mm equiv) and 35-100 (70-200mm equiv) ‘X’ grade zooms, but with a note that the maximum apertures are ‘to be determined.’ The diagram appears to suggest both lenses will arrive later in 2012.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
A week after posting a firmware update for its G-system cameras, Panasonic has announced firmware updates for its DMC-G3 and GF3 Micro Four Thirds cameras. Version 1.2 improves compatibility of both cameras with Four Thirds lenses when mounted via the DMW-MA1 adapter. The updates are available for immediate download from Panasonic’s website.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Just posted: Updated Panasonic DMC-FZ150 studio comparison shots. We’ve just re-shot our standard studio test scene with the latest firmware (1.0), and these are now in the comparison tool. During the process, we were able to compare the improvements made between the pre-production image output from firmware v0.2 and the final, consumer-ready quality. As well as updating the samples, we’ve made a demonstration of the difference – click for more.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Panasonic has said it will develop a twin-lens 3D digital camera and has unveiled a prototype at the IFA consumer electronics trade show in Germany. The camera uses twin image-stabilized 4x folded-optics zoom lenses (much like the examples in the company’s FP series cameras, we suspect). As well as allowing 3D HD videos to be shot, you can also choose to use one lens for shooting 2D still images while the other lens simultaneously shoots video. Image stabilization will be available whether shooting stills or video and regardless of the number of dimensions being captured.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Panasonic has announced the HDC-Z10000 an integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder that can shoot in the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard. The camera features a parallax-barrier LCD that allows the 3D footage to be reviewed on-camera without the need for special glasses. Its adoption of the latest AVCHD standard allows it to shoot 1080p60 footage in 2D and up to 1080i60 in 3D, as well as offering 30p and 24p options. The camera essentially combines two of the company’s 3MOS camcorders in a single body, offering 30-369 equivalent F1.5-2.8 zooms (32-320mm in 3D mode), stabilized for both 2D and 3D shooting.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Panasonic has provided details of a firmware update for its recent G-system cameras to provide full compatibility with the newly-announced Lumix X power zoom lenses. The firmware, which will be available at ‘the beginning of October’ will work with the DMC-GH2, G3, GF3 and GF2, and will provide several additional options for how the powered zoom is controlled. By a process of elimination, it seems reasonable to assume these are the functions that won’t be available to older G-series users (G1, GF1, GH1, G2, G10), and possibly Olympus PEN users.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Panasonic has announced the DMC-FZ150 CMOS-powered 24X superzoom. The FZ150 is a replacement for the slightly unloved FZ100 and incorporates a lower-resolution 12MP sensor thatthe company says will outperform its predecessor’s 14MP chip. The camera retains a 25-600mm equivalent lens but now incorporating ‘Nano Surface Coating’ to mitigate the effects of internal reflections. And, just like its predecessor, the FX150 retains the ability to record Raw images. The FZ150 also shoots 1080p60 HD movies in the recently-created AVCHD Progressive standard.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
We’ve been using a Panasonic DMC-FZ150 superzoom for a couple of days and have put together a previews samples gallery from the camera. We’ve selected a 39-image samples gallery shot in a variety of situations and at variety of ISO settings, to give a taste of how this latest 12MP MOS sensor performs. We’ve also uploaded three videos shot in the camera’s 1080p60 Full HD mode. As always, as well as being able to view the images and videos, you can download the full-size originals.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Panasonic has announced the Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS collapsible power-zoom lens. The pancake zoom represents a series of firsts for Panasonic and the Micro Four Thirds system – it incorporates a lever-operated powered zoom and similarly controlled manual focus system. It is also the first lens to gain the company’s ‘Lumix X’ branding that it will use to denotes high-end performance. The power zoom design with quiet focus and zoom motors joins the stepless aperture design to help optimize the lens for HD video shooting. The company will be pairing the lens with its diminutive DMC-GF3 camera body, or selling it separately for around $ 399. We’ve been using one of the first pre-production examples of the lens and have prepared a preview that demonstrates its behavior.
News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)