Digital Cameras

A Video Camera for Anyone Exhibiting on YouTube

2008-07-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

By JOHN BIGGS

Published: May 29, 2008

Someday all movies will be on the Internet and, if current trends persist, will last only 10 minutes. Budding auteurs can prepare for this future with the JVC Everio GZ-MS100.

The GZ-MS100 records video to an SD card (not included) and has a special upload button that cuts off the video at the 10-minute mark to conform to YouTube’s rules, and then automatically uploads it to YouTube when the camera is connected to a PC. It has a 35x optical zoom lens and a 2.7-inch screen with a touch-sensitive scroll pad on the side for selecting options and scrolling through video.

The camera will be available in June at most major electronics stores for $350.

The camera’s battery lasts for about two hours on one charge, but that may be too long for most filmmakers of the future, when attention spans shrink to just a few minutes.

JOHN BIGGS

A Digital S.L.R. Engineered to Be Easy on Beginners

2008-07-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

By MARTY KATZ

Now that there is some sort of digital camera in almost every pocket, from phonecams to point-and-shoot models, Canon wants everyone to kick things up a notch.

Digital single-lens reflex cameras can do more than compacts, but they also cost more and are somewhat daunting for amateurs. Canon’s Rebel XS, unveiled this week and available next month, is a simple digital S.L.R. that is meant to take top-quality pictures painlessly.

The XS will cost $700 and comes with an 18-55 millimeter image-stabilized zoom lens. Competing DSLR’s for under $1,000 use older CCD sensor technology, but the XS, like other Canon models, uses higher-sensitivity CMOS light-gathering chips, which make better pictures but are especially good in dim conditions and at handling rapid action.

To keep costs down, the camera has a 2.5-inch screen and a 10-megapixel sensor instead of the slightly larger versions used in its upscale siblings. But unlike some DSLR’s it offers an on-screen live view of the subject, to comfort those who are used to composing shots on a compact camera’s back. MARTY KATZ

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

2008-07-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

Panasonic has today announced the Lumix DMC-FZ28. The new camera is the successor to the popular FZ18 and comes with a slightly increased resolution (10.1 vs 8.0 MP) and all the zoom range you could ever need (27-486mm, 35mm equivalent). However, if that's still not enough there is also an optional 1.7x tele converter available. The Lumix DMC-FZ28 will be available in the UK from August for £329.99.

Jump to:

Press release:

A Super-Versatile Digital Camera 10.1-Megapixel DMC-FZ28 with 27mm Wide-Angle and Powerful 18x Optical Zoom Lens* Featuring Easy Manual Operation

* 35mm film camera equivalent: 24-60mm

Panasonic introduces the Lumix DMC-FZ28 digital still camera, featuring a 27mm wide-angle Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with an 18x optical zoom*. Joining Panasonic’s popular FZ series of cameras that pack a high-powered zoom into a compact body, the FZ28 also boasts 10.1-megapixel resolution and adds a number of enhanced features that boost user fun and convenience, represented by an advanced iA (Intelligent Auto) mode.

The super-powerful 18x zoom lens makes it easy to pull in subjects from far away or to take dramatic close-ups. For an added boost, zoom power can be increased to 32.1x with the Extra Optical Zoom function**. The 27mm wide-angle feature is ideal for both broad landscapes and tight indoor shots, letting photographers capture a wider view. The 10.1-megapixel resolution allows photos to be greatly enlarged while still retaining outstanding detail, or edited by trimming and enlarging parts of the photo to print.

For image processing, the FZ28 features the high-speed, high-performance, Venus Engine IV. Thanks to the Venus IV, the FZ28 can snap off consecutive shots at a fast max.13 frames per second for subjects with fast motion in High Speed Burst Shooting mode***. In High Sensitivity mode, the FZ28 can capture stunning photos with sensitivity up to ISO 6400 in extremely low light situations****. The engine allows the FZ28 to shoot up to 460 photos (CIPA) on a single battery charge thanks to improvements in power efficiency.

Panasonic’s iA (intelligent auto) mode, which makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos, has been further enhanced . The newly added AF Tracking function automatically tracks the subject once the AF has been set even if the subject moves around, making it easier to capture sharp, well-focused photos of decisive moments. The FZ28 continually monitors the light source and automatically activates the backlight compensation function if it detects that the light source is behind the subject. Face detection accuracy has also been increased, allowing continuous AF/AE adjustment even if a face moves or turns sideways to the camera. The Intelligent Exposure function helps capture natural-looking, true-to-life images by suppressing blocked shadows and blown highlights.

The FZ28 inherits and enhances the manual operation that has proven so popular with other members of the FZ family. The FZ28 manual controls are more versatile than in previous models and the control layout has been improved, making use of the manual controls easier and more intuitive. Also, the Advanced Scene mode, unique to Lumix high-end compact cameras for users who want more creativity, now includes a Close-up mode that lets users enjoy sophisticated close-up photography according to the subject to shoot with remarkable ease.

In addition to capturing beautiful still images, the FZ28 makes it easy to shoot high-definition 1280 x 720p motion images at 30 fps with outstanding detail. Using the DMW-HDC2 HD Component Cable (available separately), these motion images can be output from the FZ28 directly to a HD ready TV for large-screen viewing.

The FZ28 features a large, 2.7-inch Intelligent LCD with 230,000-dot resolution. Clearly visible in virtually all conditions, this advanced LCD gives the user a clear, detailed look at the shot being composed and plays back crisp, clear images after shooting. The viewfinder resolution has also been increased to 201,600 dots for easier viewing.

The FZ28 offers a number of other functions that expand photographic possibilities, including a stronger flash for long-distance lighting and extended use, a colour temperature display that makes it easier to set the white balance more accurately, a colour bracket function, and new scene modes – Pin Hole and Film Grain -- that create film-camera-like effects. Image leveling and other new functions add convenience after shooting as well.

Available in black or silver*****, the DMC-FZ28 is a compact wide-angle, super-zoom camera that offers both uncommon convenience and exceptional creative freedom. Users from family members to serious amateur photographers will find the versatile FZ28 a perfect answer to their needs.

*35mm film camera equivalent: 27-486mm
**In 3-megapixel resolution mode.
***In speed priority mode, max. 13 fps in 2-megapixel (16:9) recording, 12 fps in 2.5-megapixel (3:2) recording and 11 fps in 3-megapixel (4:3) recording.
**** In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
*****Availability of models and colours may vary depending on the sales area.

**1. A 27mm Wide Angle, Powerful 18x Optical Zooming Leica DC Lens* with F2.8 Brightness**

The DMC-FZ28 packages a 27mm wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with F2.8-4.4 brightness and powerful 18x optical zoom (equivalent to 27-486mm on a 35mm film camera) together with a 10.1-megapixel CCD into a compact body. The lens unit comprises of 11 elements in 8 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses and 2 ED lenses. Notably 2 ED lenses minimize the chromatic aberration that is likely to occur in telephoto images. This set of lenses secure picture quality high enough to pass Leica's stringent standards and delivers exceptional optical performance. With the long zoom range from 27mm to 486mm, equivalent to 18x, the DMC-FZ28 is perfect to take expansive scenery with dynamic perspective and a close-up of a distant subject, having an appealing angle of view. This powerful zoom also works during the motion picture recording.

Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function uses the centre part of the CCD to provide additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 32.1x.

*35mm film camera equivalent: 27-486mm

2. Great Photography Is Not Only for Professional Photographers Anymore -- Intelligent Auto Mode

The FZ28 adds a new AF Tracking function to iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, which is a combination of functions that makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos. In iA mode the camera does all the work, activating Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection, and Intelligent Exposure. This leaves the user free to simply compose the shot and press the shutter button, with the assurance that the image will be clear, beautiful and properly exposed.

Featuring Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects whichever of 5 scene modes -- Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, and Night Scenery - best suits the shooting situation, the FZ28 is highly intuitive.

The Face Detection function can find up to 15 faces in the frame and adjusts the focus and exposure to capture them clearly and in sharp focus. Face detection accuracy has been increased in the FZ28 to now provide continuous adjustment of the focus and exposure even if the face is turned sideways to the camera. Combined with AF Tracking, Face Detection helps users capture special moments, including the fleeting expressions on the faces of active children. Plus, with the FZ28, the red-eye effect can be digitally corrected automatically when it occurs due to the use the flash.

Intelligent Exposure suppresses blocked shadows and blown highlights to capture images that look natural and true-to-life. It now features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects that the light source is behind the subject. This is useful when the effect of Intelligent Exposure is not enough due to the strong backlighting.

The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before without pressing a shutter button halfway, to get best result out of a shutter chance because the focus is always near the subject and the AF time is minimized.

In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include Mega O.I.S., which prevents blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which prevents motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. The Mega O.I.S. conventionally has mode 1 and 2, and now it has AUTO mode to switch to the most suitable mode between the modes according to the zoom ratio being used.

The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by simply selecting iA mode. This makes the FZ28 the ultimate, super-versatile automatic camera for capturing clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.

3. Easy, Intuitive Manual Operation and Advanced Scene Mode

Packing super-powerful zoom lenses in compact bodies, Lumix FZ series cameras give users everything they need to explore the creative side of photography. FZ cameras come with a joystick that has earned high acclaim from users for allowing quick, easy adjustment of manual focus, manual exposure, and other settings. When the camera is in manual focus mode, the focal length and depth of field are displayed in accordance with the zoom range. When the camera is mounted on a tripod and the angle of view is fixed, the MF Assist function allows pinpoint confirmation of the focus area, so users can focus with high precision even when the composing of image is fixed on a tripod. The AF/AE lock button prevents any accidental changes to the focus and exposure settings, so the user doesn’t have to repeat the same cumbersome trial-and-error process to recapture the previous settings. There is also a custom setting function that lets users store up to 4 sets of settings you often use in memory and instantly recall them later using the mode dial.

The Advanced Scene mode has been praised for giving users an extra degree of creative freedom when using ordinary scene modes. The FZ28 features 5 scene modes – Portrait, Sports, Scenery, Night Scenery and a new Close-up mode that provides optimal settings for shooting flowers or other small objects with fine detail. By selecting Aperture Priority in Close-up mode, the user can capture a close-up shot against a soft-focused background for an even more impressive result. With the new modes in the FZ28, the user can choose from five Portrait mode settings, four Scenery mode settings, four Sports mode settings, four Night Portrait settings, and four new Close-up mode settings. Together with the 16 ordinary scene modes, this makes a total of 37 modes the photographer can choose from to capture images exactly the way he or she sees them. Not only in normal Scene mode but also in Advanced Scene mode, the user can see the effects of the detailed settings in real-time on the LCD. This gives the user the opportunity, before taking the shot, to make whatever adjustments are necessary to capture the desired image. To help take full advantage of the wealth of settings available, the FZ28 also offers an Navigation Guide on the LCD that shows the effect of each mode or submode setting.

4. Quick and Smart AF and Easy Manual Focusing

Panasonic has dramatically revamped the focus system featured in the FZ28. The most significant improvement is the new Tracking AF. By keeping the focus locked on a moving subject such as a child or pet, this function makes it a lot easier for users to capture clear, perfectly focused shots at the perfect moment.

To match the shooting situation and subject's position, the user can select from six auto-focusing methods: AF tracking, face detection, multi, 1-point high-speed, 1-point normal-speed, and spot. With the 1-point AF or spot AF method, the auto-focusing area can be chosen freely from the entire field of view with the joystick or cursor button. Various group area patterns can also be selected in the Multi method.

The Face Detection system helps the camera to recognise a human face to capture it bright and clear. Up to 15 human faces can be detected simultaneously. The detection keeps working on the faces even if subjects are moving so that the time for AF is minimized before you click away the shutter.

Manual focusing, which is a valuable tool for professional-level photography, is also easy thanks to the previously described joystick. Instant switching between AF and MF is available with the independent AF/MF button. The DMC-FZ28 is also equipped with AF Macro button and it activates One-Shot AF function in MF mode with a single press of the button. In both AF/MF, the subject at just 1cm away can be finely captured sparing no detail of it. You can experience the dynamic close-up of macro shots.

5. High-Speed Burst Shooting

In the High-Speed Burst shooting mode, it fires off an incredible max. 13 shots per second*. Notably, the shutter mechanism of the FZ28 is mechanical, which allows users to take beautiful pictures in motion with minimal smearing and distortion effects that is often seen when using the electronic shutter mechanism. You also get unlimited consecutive shooting,** Newly added Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take continuous shooting with continuous emission of flash***. In burst shooting mode, the DMC-FZ28 can snap approx.2.5 shots per second at full resolution.****

*In speed priority mode; 13 fps in 2-megapixel (16:9) recording, 12 fps in 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 11 fps in 3-megapixel (4:3)
**The consecutive shooting speed varies with the memory card, image size, and image compression mode. The number of shots depends on the memory card size, battery life, image size and image compression mode.
***Max. 5 images. In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
****Max. 5 images in standard mode/ 3 images in fine mode.

6. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV

A new image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features more advanced signal processing technology for rendering even higher-quality images. The parallel noise reduction in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing systems, a technology established by the preceding Venus Engine III, gains a more sophisticated process. First, the luminance noise is two-dimensionally separated into high-frequency and low-frequency noises and only the low-frequency noise, which tends to be conspicuous, is eliminated without affecting the high-frequency noise that greatly influences resolution. Second, the information of the change point between colours is minutely stored for precise determination of edges, thus colour bleeding is dramatically suppressed. This not only produces a clearer image in high ISO sensitivity recording, but also faithfully reproduces details in low-lit areas of pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity. It supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FZ28 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.*

With its multi-task image-processing capability, the Venus Engine IV also boasts outstanding response time. Shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.006 second. This fast response makes it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment shots.

The Venus Engine IV also makes it possible to capture natural-looking, true-to-life images by suppressing blocked shadows and blown highlights with the Intelligent Exposure function. It now has high, standard and low settings of effect to match the shooting conditions and desired results.

Furthermore, the engine elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effect in both Mega O.I.S., which prevents hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which suppresses motion blur. This high performance engine is also superior in its energy efficiency to extend the battery life up to 460 shots(CIPA) per a single charge.

*In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.

7. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era

All Lumix cameras can take 1920x1080 pixel HD (high-definition) quality photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV for full-screen viewing. The new DMC-FZ28 even records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480)***.

With newly added HD component output capability, you can enjoy watching still and motion pictures in stunning HD quality taken by your DMC-FZ28 by simply connecting the camera to a HD ready TV via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).

The DMC-FZ28 provides slideshows complete with music. Just select the pictures you want to show and choose the mood that best matches your selection from natural, slow, urban or swing, and you'll get an emotion-filled slideshow with a variety of slide change effects and matching music without any annoying adjustments. If you make the slideshow with HD photos in 1920 x 1080 pixels, you can also enjoy watching an impressive HD slideshow with music on a large-screen HDTV by using the optional component cable.
*In Motion Picture mode, the length of recording time depends on the capacity of the SDHC/SD Memory Card. (Up to the equivalent of 2 GB per motion-image recording.) When you set the motion picture quality to HD, WVGA and VGA, we recommend using a high-speed memory card with "10MB/s" or greater on the package. Some lens movement sounds may be recorded.

**For Europe, motion images can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes.

8. Advanced 2.7-inch Intelligent LCD and Higher Resolution EVF

Clear, easy-to-see LCD is upgraded both in size and resolution to be 2.7-inch with 230,000-dot high resolution to offer even more comfortable view for both monitoring when shooting and for playing back the results. The Intelligent LCD function detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by max. 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and adjusts the frame rate when shooting in low-lit situations in addition to using the pixel mixed readout method to secure clarity in such situations. Detecting the lighting condition precisely and automatically controlling the brightness with a total of 11 fine steps, this function gives the display the most appropriate clarity in any situation without using extra energy.

The High Angle mode makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as when shooting over a crowd.

The in-line Electric Viewfinder increased its resolution from the predecessor up to 201,600-dot equivalent to provide easy, corner-to-corner focusing confirmation even in manual focus mode.

9. Other Features and Functions

The FZ28 is a versatile compact camera equipped with a wide-angle lens, powerful optical zoom, and a host of enhanced features that make shooting more fun.

SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0SE software application comes bundled with the DMC-FZ28 for editing and developing images in the RAW file format. Using this software, you can freely adjust RAW data settings such as exposure bias and white balance even after shooting for greater enjoyment of digital photography.

The flash is more powerful than before and reaches a distance of 8.5 meters at the wide setting and 5.4 meters at the telephoto setting (ISO AUTO). It also has 1st curtain and 2nd curtain synchro settings.

A new colour bracketing function records three types of images - colour, monochromatic and sepia - at a single press of a button. Using this function, the photographer can capture a colour photo and artistic monochrome photo at the same time while pressing the shutter button just once.

For setting the white balance, the FZ28 newly provides a setting by the colour temperature in addition to the Two-Axis white balance adjustment to offer more precise control over the WB.

The FZ28 offers a total of 16 normal scene modes and 5 advanced scene modes, including the new Pin Hole and Film Grain modes that add unique, film-camera-like effects and ambiences to images. This wide range of modes lets the FZ28 respond easily to any shooting situation. The actual effects of the scene modes can be viewed on the LCD before taking the shot.

The USB port supports the 2.0 HS standard and the internal memory has been increased to approx. 50 MB – two further enhancements that add to the convenience and fun of using the FZ28.

*Resolution decreases.

10. More Fun with Optional Accessories

The DMC-FZ28 offers a wide line of optional accessories to expand shooting possibilities. A tele-conversion lens with 1.7x power (equivalent to 826.2mm on a 35mm film camera) and a close-up lens can be mounted using a lens adaptor. An ND filter and new PL filter are also available to provide the FZ28 with true high-end camera capabilities.

DMW-LT55 Tele conversion lens*
DMW-LC55 Close-up lens*
DMW-LND46 ND filter
DMW-LMC46 MC protector
DMW-LPL46 PL Filter
DMW-LA3 Lens adaptor
DMW-AC7 AC adaptor
CGR-S006 Battery pack
DMW-CZS7 Soft case
DMW-CZ18 Camera Bag
DMW-HDC2 HD Component Cable

*Requires Lens Adaptor (DMW-LA3) for attachment

Drawing on its vast expertise in consumer electronics, Panasonic is committed to creating a new photographic culture by introducing innovative, high-performance cameras and other advanced digital imaging products.

Technology Digital Camera

2008-07-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

A Digital S.L.R. Engineered to Be Easy on Beginners

By MARTY KATZ

Canons Rebel XS, unveiled this week and available next month, is a simple digital S.L.R. that is meant to take top-quality pictures painlessly.

Camera Packs Features at a Less-Hefty Price

By MARTY KATZ

July 3, 2008

Nikon’s D700, priced at $2,995, packs the considerable abilities of the company’s hefty $5,000 flagship, the D3, into a more svelte 2.2-pound device.

STATE OF THE ART

When Your Camera Knows Where You Are

By DAVID POGUE

June 26, 2008

A new technology lets your digital camera detect thousands of silent wireless networking beacons, decide exactly where you are and then transmit a batch of photos wirelessly to your computer.

CIRCUITS

Out of a Pocket, a Video Camera Filled With Tricks in High Definition

By JOHN BIGGS

June 19, 2008

Sanyo’s Xacti HD1010 compact video camera has a 2.7-inch display and 10x optical zoom lens, and can record video directly to an SD or SDHC memory card.

Surrounded by Water, and Sights to Shoot

By MARTY KATZ

June 5, 2008

Pentax is taking its compact Optio W60, an update of its waterproof cameras, even deeper underwater to find customers.

Lights, Camera, Tax Credit: Massachusetts Lures Filmmakers With Generous Rebate

By GLENN RIFKIN

June 5, 2008

Filmmakers are being lured by a wave of new state tax credits as the battle to entice Hollywood to make films on location in those states heats up.

A Video Camera for Anyone Exhibiting on YouTube

By JOHN BIGGS

May 29, 2008

The JVC Everio GZ-MS100 video camera has a special upload button that automatically uploads your video to YouTube when the camera is connected to a PC.

Pixel Density: when Moore is less

2008-07-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

We feel that relating these two pieces of information gives a clearer understanding of how they interact. To achieve this, we've added the new field: "Pixel Density" to our database, to help when comparing cameras. We think you'll find it useful.

Up until now, the sensor sizes have been provided as slightly obscure imperial fractions that hark back to a set of standard sizes given to TV camera tubes in the 50's. This is industry standard practice but by no means intuitive. To get around this, we've researched the common sensor sizes and used them to calculate a value we're calling 'Pixel Density.'

Pixel Density is a calculation of the number of pixels on a sensor, divided by the imaging area of that sensor. It can be used to understand how closely packed a sensor is and helps when comparing two cameras with different sensor sizes or numbers of photosites (pixels). Because the light collecting area and efficiency of each photosite will vary between technologies and manufacturers, Pixel Density should not be used as an absolute metric for camera quality but instead to get an impression for how tightly packed the imaging chip is.

Pixel Density now appears in our database and will appear when you look up a specific camera or when you conduct a 'Side-by-side' comparison in our Buying Guide. We'll also add it as a search criterion in the Buying Guide's 'Features Search.'

In recent months we've made small changes to the database (such as adding viewfinder specifications for DSLRs and tweaking the value ranges that can be used for searching it). We have even bigger plans for the future so, if you have any ideas you'd like to see implemented or think you have more sensible search ranges that should be applied, please get in touch. Use the 'Feedback' link on the left of the page and select 'Camera database error' as the Subject.

Canon invests in XS capacity

2008-07-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

Canon USA has announced the EOS Rebel XS, launched in other markets as the EOS 1000D on June 10th. In the United States, the camera will be available in a choice of black or silver but will not be available as body-only, with all units coming bundled with the EF-S 18-55mm IS lens. Canon has also announced its plans to build its first new Japanese factory for over a quarter of a century, which will build digital cameras.

Canon USA is direct about its intentions for the Rebel XS: "As consumers have fully embraced digital photography, with many consumers purchasing their second or third digital camera models, we see the Rebel XS as the bridge to help photographers cross over from the world of point-and-shoot cameras to digital SLR technology," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

Canon's estimated retail price is $699 for the camera and lens. You can read our full preview here.

Click here to read the full press release.

Meanwhile, Canon has also announced its intention to build a new camera production plant in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The facility will have capacity to produce approximately 4 million units per year, will employ more than 1000 people and will see $160m investment by 2010. The plant, which represents Canon's first new Japanese camera factory in more than 25 years, will produce both digital DSLRs and compact digital cameras. Initial plans are for construction to commence in January 2009 and for production to begin in December the same year.

Hasselblad assembles megapixel monster

2008-07-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Engineers at Swedish medium format specialist Hasselblad have cooked-up the highest resolution 48 x 36 mm camera: the H3DII-50. The company has announced its intention to produce a 645 format sensor. Continuing the company's long history of collaboration with Kodak, the new camera is based around the US company's new 50MP sensor. The new body is also designed to accomodate the company's HTS 1.5 Tilt/Shift cradle that allows traditional lenses to be tilted and shifted.

More information about the HTS 1.5

Press release:

Hasselblad Announces New 50 Megapixel Camera and Upcoming 645 Sensor

High-End Digital Camera Manufacturer Announces The Launch Of Two New Products That Fully Utilize The Latest Developments In Sensor Technology.

Following the success of the Hasselblad H3DII-39, the market’s most advanced DSLR, Hasselblad is taking its H camera system even further and today announces the launch of the Hasselblad H3DII-50, featuring a new Kodak 50 megapixel sensor, which is twice the size of the largest 35mm DSLR sensors. A new 645 sensor will also be launched in 2009.

“We are very excited to announce these two ultra-high resolution sensors,” says Christian Poulsen, Hasselblad Chief Executive Officer, “but having huge amounts of megapixels does not help your photography much if you are not using a camera system that can reap the benefits of these resolutions. What we are most proud of is the fact that the unique resolution and optical quality of our H-system lens line, combined with our digital lens correction and UltraFocus accuracy, has made it possible for Hasselblad to take our system even further with regards to the accurate capture and recording of image detail.”

Full details on the 645 sensor will be part of Hasselblad’s Strategy and Technology seminar at Photokina 2008 (23rd to 28th September, Cologne, Germany). Poulsen continues: “We will discuss the new 645 sensor and other system additions, our overall view of the Medium Format market, its future development, and our role in driving that development, at this seminar.”

Poulsen adds, “Both the H3DII-50 and the new 645 sensor are designed to serve the photographers who require the highest possible image quality and resolution, and are part of Hasselblad’s ongoing commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of high-level photography."

The new Kodak KAF-50100 image sensor, which measures 36x48 millimeters, will be implemented in the same size housing as the H3DII-39 camera and will comprise the core of the new H3DII-50. The new sensor size is also optimized to work with Hasselblad’s new HTS 1.5 tilt/shift adapter (patent pending), which enlarges the image circle by 50% to bring the benefits of tilt/shift photography into medium format DSLR cameras. An impressive 83 line-pairs/millimeter are resolved over the full, large area of both today’s 36x48 millimeter sensor and of the upcoming larger 645 sensor.

Kodak has also added a set of entirely new features on the 50Mpix sensor, such as new dyes, which will result in even better, richer colors and take full advantage of Hasselblad’s R&D in the area of color rendering technology. The new sensor also includes a range of other new features, including quick flush technology to enable faster capture and lower power consumption, resulting in longer battery life.

Poulsen concludes, “The H3DII camera line has been specially designed to meet the challenging demands of high-end photographers, and these two new products will take the line even further, providing ultimate resolution for photographers who require the best in image quality, performance and creative freedom.”

For further details about the H3DII-50, the 645 sensor, or to sign-up for the Hasselblad Future Technology seminar at Photokina 2008, please contact AD Communications.

The H3DII-50 camera will be available from October 2008 at a price of $39,995.

Kodak fits 50MP into dynamic range

2008-07-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

Kodak has announced the creation of a new medium format 50MP chip, to be used in the newly-unveiled Hasselblad H3DII-50. The KAF-50100 Image Sensor offers a sensitivity range of ISO 50 - 400 and the highest resolution currently available in the 36 x 48mm format. The company spoke to us to explain the chip and the technologies behind it.

Jump to:

Editorial:

"We were being told two things by our customers," said Kodak: "The first was the need for more resolution, to give increased levels of detail. The cameras this chip will be used in can support this: they have headroom in terms of what their lenses can resolve. But, at the same time, we were being told: 'Don't take anything away that we already have,' particularly in terms of dynamic range."

Kodak says the new chip is the first of a new generation of sensors and is the first to utilize a new technology platform. There are three key technologies in the new chip to help improve responsiveness, color accuracy and to handle the output of such a large sensor. One of the most interesting is the chip's four-channel readout, which has been designed with dynamic range, rather than speed, in mind.

Four-channel readout

"Dynamic range is essentially signal-to-noise ratio, which is just signal divided by noise." the company said: "Going to a smaller pixel you get less signal so, to retain dynamic range, we need to drop noise."

"The 39MP chip was a two-channel readout design. This means each row was pulled down into the output register, then read out from either side of the chip to the amplifiers, before the next row could be pulled down. The 50MP is a four channel device - there are two registers, one for the odd pixels, the other for the even ones. Again, half go to the left and half go to the right.

"As you operate the amps faster and faster, you get more noise. This four-channel approach gave us more bandwidth, partly to deal with the extra information created by the extra pixels but also to allow us to run the amplifiers slower. On this chip there are four amplifiers running at 18Mhz, rather than two running at 24Mhz."

Pulse flush

Click-to-capture time is kept down by using a new pixel clearing technology Kodak has dubbed 'Pulse flush.' "Before you can read the output of a sensor, you have to make sure it's clear from any electrical noise that could be hanging around. Traditionally you had to read out all of the pixels, drop them down and through the output register. As you increase pixel count, this takes more and more time and also it takes power.

"What we've got in this design, in addition to the light sensitive area in each pixel, is a drain for anti-blooming draining. This is usually used to carry away excess voltage if the pixel is over-exposed, to stop that voltage over-flowing into neighboring pixels. We use that, in a process called 'Pulse flushing,' to drain all the pixels before each shot. This way the initial delay is measured in microseconds, rather than milliseconds."

Color accuracy

The other change in the new chip is the use of a new red pigment to increase color accuracy. "One of the things our customers liked about the last chip was the color accuracy but we thought we could do something to make it better. The new pigment shifts the absorption band 15 nm towards the blue, which increases the overlap between the red and green channels."

Increasing the overlap between channels helps the camera more accurately detect colors that fall between the two channels, meaning the new sensor should be better able to interpret yellow and orange tones.

Although Kodak refers to the chip as being the first product based on a new technology platform, it would not be drawn on whether this could include application on a DSLR scale. In addition to medium-format professional photography, the company said the sensor had been generating interest from aerial photography companies.

Press release:

World's First 50 Megapixel CCD Sensor Sets New Standard for Professional Photographers

ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 8, 2008 - Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) has achieved another breakthrough in its storied history of imaging technology innovation with the introduction of the world's first 50 million pixel CCD image sensor for professional photography.

At 50 million pixels, or megapixels, the sensor captures digital images with unprecedented resolution and detail. For instance, with a 50 megapixel camera, in an aerial photo of a field 1.5 miles across, you could detect an object about the size of a small notebook computer (1 foot by 1 foot).

What's more, the KODAK KAF-50100 Image Sensor features a newly designed pixel that is smaller in size than the pixel used in current products for this professional market. This new pixel also reduces "click-to-capture" time for improved camera response, lowers power consumption for improved battery life, and improves color fidelity without compromising on the benefits to be enjoyed from larger pixel sizes.

"Professional photographers need to capture ever-increasing image detail with higher camera performance, and that to drives us to develop new technologies and products to serve this important market," said Michael Miller, manager of Kodak's CCD Image Sensor Business, part of the company's Image Sensor Solutions group. "Kodak image sensors have been known as the professional imaging standard for years, and today's announcement reaffirms our dedication to provide industry-leading image sensors that give professional photographers a real competitive advantage."

The new Kodak sensor is the first to utilize the company's new KODAK TRUESENSE 6.0 micron Full Frame CCD Technology Platform, which increases both the resolution and camera performance available to photographers. Based on a newly designed 6.0 micron pixel, the platform provides increased data throughput for faster frame rate, a reduced "click to capture" time for improved camera response, lower power consumption for improved battery life, and improved color fidelity, while still retaining key performance parameters available from the larger, 6.8 micron pixel used in current products. With an 8176 x 6132 pixel array, the 50 million pixel sensor provides the highest resolution available in the popular 48 mm x 36 mm optical format used in medium format photography. The KAF-50100 is the latest addition to Kodak's family of full-frame CCD image sensors for the professional photography market. Engineering grade devices of the KAF-50100 are currently available, with volume production planned for Q4, 2008.

Samsung launches L201

2008-07-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Samsung has announced the L201 (SL201 in the US), a 10.2 megapixel compact camera. It has Samsung's Auto Contrast Balance feature to brighten dark areas in high-contrast and back-lit scenes. It also has the potentially handy ability to charge batteries, in-camera. Photography purists will be able to buy the camera in black or silver, while more adventurous purchasers can splash out on the pink, turquoise or lime green versions.

Press release:

Samsung Cameras reinforces the Next Generation of L-series cameras

16 July 2008 - Samsung is building on the fantastic success of the L Series range with the launch of the ultra-compact and stylish L201, a premium quality 10.2 megapixel camera. Coupled with a 3x Optical Zoom lens and Intelligent 2.7” LCD screen, the L201 combines all the features demanding photographers require with intuitive ease-of-use, in an affordable package.

The L201 includes Samsung’s Face Detection technology which detects the subject’s face, automatically adjusts auto focus and auto exposure to ensure better composition and image quality for portraits. The camera also features the Auto Contrast Balance (ACB) which will correct shadows in back-lit conditions making it perfect for taking pictures in a variety of conditions.

The elegant L201 has a slim, metal body design featuring a chic white detailing to ensure it really stands out from the crowd. The camera comes in classic black and silver as well as three eye-catching new colours – pink, turquoise and lime green. The camera also boasts features such as Digital Image Stabilisation, which helps compensate unwanted camera movement and subject blur - so pictures are always in sharp focus.

The L201 also features a suite of advanced video and editing features including:

MJPEG VGA 30 fps Movie recording mode, which lets users pause and zoom during recording
An ISO equivalent of 1600 for better pictures in low light
Auto Red Eye Fix
In-camera rechargeable battery system
Various scene modes, continuous shooting and exposure bracketing to help photographers of all levels of ability get the best shots

The L201 is priced at £129 and will be available from leading high street and online retailers from August 2008. All Samsung Cameras include a two year warranty. Customers requiring further information should call 0845 726 7864 or visit samsungcamera.co.uk

Samsung announces S1070

2008-07-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

As part of Samsung's new model onslaught, it has released the S1070. The S1070 is a compact camera with a 3x optical zoom and what the company describes as a "premium quality" 10.2 megapixel sensor. A large 2.7" LCD screen, face-detection mode and 10 scene modes are provided to help capture and review the best possible images.

Press release:

Samsung’s 10.2 Mega-Pixel S1070 further strengthens Samsung's range

16 July 2008 - Samsung Cameras, is building on the success of its S Series range of cameras with the launch of the S1070, a highly featured compact camera with a premium quality 10.2 megapixel image sensor. Incorporating a 3x optical zoom lens and Intelligent 2.7” LCD screen, the S1070 combines all the hardware today’s picture takers require with intuitive ease-of-use, at an affordable price.

The S1070 boasts Samsung’s Face Detection technology which detects the subject’s face, automatically adjusts auto focus and auto exposure to ensure better composition and image quality for portraits.

An extremely stylish 10.2 megapixel compact camera the S1070 is packed with Samsung’s imaging technology and features such as Digital Image Stabilisation, which helps compensate unwanted camera movement and subject blur - so pictures are always in sharp focus.

Other features include:

An ISO equivalent of 1600
10 scene modes including Night, Portrait, Children, Landscape, Close-up, Sunset, Backlight, Fireworks and Beach & Snow
Movie mode, which lets users pause and zoom in while recording movies

The S1070 is priced at £99 and will be available from leading high street and online retailers from September 2008. All Samsung Cameras include a two year warranty. Customers requiring further information should call 0845 726 7864 or visit samsungcamera.co.uk

Samsung L310W widens range's appeal

2008-07-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Samsung has announced the L310W (Known as the SL310W in the US), a 13.6 megapixel camera with a 28mm equivalent wide angle lens. The camera includes all sorts of features to help take photographs of friends and family, and an Auto Contrast Balance feature to boost dark area of back-lit scenes.

Press release:

Samsung Widens its successful L series range

16 July 2008 - Samsung, leaders in innovation and digital imaging, today launches the L310W. Following the success of Samsung’s L series cameras, the stylish L310W features a 13.6 megapixel image sensor, 28mm 3.6x wide optical zoom lens and intelligent 2.7” LCD screen to give clear detailed information. The L310W is a fully featured digital compact camera that delivers the image quality and optical performance demanded by camera users today.

For portrait and group shots, the L310W includes Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System which contains a range of features; “Face Detection”, locates the subject’s face within the frame and automatically adjusts auto focus and auto exposure to ensure better composition and image quality for portraits; in “Blink Detection Mode” the camera will take a series of shots when closed eyes are detected, to ensure subjects are captured with their eyes open; in “Smile Mode” a picture is automatically taken when smiles are detected in "Beauty Shot" mode facial skin is retouched for a brighter and smoother skin tone.

The L310W is a stylish, 13.6 megapixel compact camera which boasts Samsung’s improved processing technology and features such as Digital Image Stabilisation, which helps compensate for unwanted camera movement and subject blur - so pictures are always in sharp focus. The camera also features the Auto Contrast Balance (ACB) which will correct shadows under back-lit conditions, ensuring a perfect picture in challenging lighting.

Also included in the comprehensive range of features:

MPEG-4 Movie recording mode with SVGA resolution at 20fps, users can also edit and zoom during filming
A highly sensitive ISO 3200 (3M) for better pictures in low light
In camera rechargeable battery system
Various scene modes, continuous shooting and exposure bracketing to help photographers of all levels of ability get the best shots

The L310W is priced at £199 and will be available from leading high street and online retailers from September 2008. All Samsung Cameras include a two year warranty. Customers requiring further information should call 0845 726 7864 or visit samsungcamera.co.uk

Samsung tops-up NV range with new NV9

2008-07-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Samsung extends NV Series with 5x Optical Zoom and ultra-compact metal body

16 July 2008 - Samsung, leaders in digital imaging, is building on the success of the groundbreaking NV Series with the launch of a new premium compact camera. Continuing the winning combination of innovative technology and user-friendly features, the NV9 boasts a 5x Optical Zoom lens, an Intelligent 2.7" LCD screen and a highly sensitive ISO 3200 to deliver optimum image quality in a slim, stylish package.

The NV9 is a 10.2 megapixel digital compact camera and includes Samsung’s improved processing technology. It features Dual Image Stabilisation – by integrating Optical Image and Digital Image Stabilisation the user obtains vastly improved image quality and outstanding pictures without the blur. The camera also features Auto Contrast Balance (ACB) which will correct shadows making it perfect for daytime or evening shots.

One great new feature on the Samsung NV9 is the easy to read Mini-Dashboard status gauges. The Mini-Dashboard gives the user important easy to read information about the camera's battery and memory status. The NV9 has MJPEG Movie recording at 30fps which allows users to edit and zoom during filming.

Samsung’s new slim NV camera features an inbuilt MP3 player and a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP) to watch downloaded movies. Other features include Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System which contains a range of features; “Face Detection”, which locates the subject’s face within the frame and automatically adjusts auto focus and auto exposure to ensure better composition and image quality for portraits; in “Blink Detection Mode” the camera will take a series of shots when closed eyes are detected, to ensure subjects are captured with their eyes open; in “Smile Mode” a picture is automatically taken when smiles are detected in "Beauty Shot" mode facial skin is retouched for a brighter and smoother skin tone.

“Samsung is delighted to strengthen the range with the launch of the NV9 which provides improved image quality and innovative features to photographers of all levels" said Robert King, Director, Samsung Cameras UK.

The NV9 is priced at £179 and includes a highly efficient rechargeable battery system enhancing convenience for the user. It will be available on the high street nationwide and online retailers from August 2008. All Samsung Cameras include a two year warranty. Customers requiring further information should call 0845 726 7864 or visit samsungcamera.co.uk

Samsung NV100HD offers high density specification

2008-07-22T07:57:00.001-07:00

Samsung Announces World's Highest 14.7 Mega-Pixel 28mm Wide Digital Camera

16 July 2008 - Samsung is breaking new ground with the launch of the world's highest 14.7 megapixel 28mm Wide angle lens digital camera. The Samsung NV100HD continues the style and smart functionality of the NV range and boasts impressive high definition technology.

The new flagship of the NV range – the NV100HD has a world class 28mm Schneider Kreuznach Wide Angle Lens incorporated into its sleek body design and features Samsung’s intuitive Smart Touch 2.0 User Interface, Smart Touch makes it easier to navigate the cameras comprehensive set of features and with the ‘Matrix Menu’ users can now change functions even faster. Incorporating Smart Touch within a touch screen gives the user fast access to creative settings as well as intuitive control of images, for example, a simple X on the screen signifies delete.

The 14.7 megapixel NV100HD enables users to record high definition videos and super sharp movie-quality recordings. The camera’s High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) delivers crystal-clear images and movies via a single cable for ease of use. Users can now watch their movies and pictures on a big-screen LCD or plasma - with superior HD quality. Samsung’s Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) means that it is possible to control the NV100HD and compatible Samsung TVs with just one remote control.

720p resolution video can be recorded at up to 30 frames per second and is easy to view on the 3.0” hVGA LCD screen. This screen has been specifically designed with 460K pixels to provide more detail and sharper images to view. The NV100HD also includes Dual Image Stabilisation – by integrating Optical and Digital Image Stabilisation the user obtains vastly improved image quality and outstanding shots without the blur, even in low light conditions.

The NV100HD ultra-compact digital camera also features a highly sensitive ISO 3200 and Samsung’s Perfect Portrait System which contains a range of features; “Face Detection”, locates the subject’s face within the frame and automatically adjusts auto focus and auto exposure to ensure better composition and image quality for portraits; in “Blink Detection Mode” the camera will take a series of shots when closed eyes are detected, to ensure subjects are captured with their eyes open; in “Smile Mode” a picture is automatically taken when smiles are detected in "Beauty Shot" mode facial skin is retouched for a brighter and smoother skin tone.

“Thanks to the success of our award-winning NV range Samsung has achieved a number one position in the compact market. The NV100HD which has advanced features and a ground breaking Touch Screen Interface takes the success of NV into another phase” said Robert King, Director, Samsung Cameras UK.

The NV100HD is priced at £229 and comes complete with a rechargeable battery system. It will be available from leading high street and online retailers from August 2008. All Samsung Cameras include a two year warranty. Customers requiring further information should call 0845 726 7864 or visit

Just Posted! Sony DSLR-A200 review

2008-07-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Review,
Lars Rehm, July 2008

Review based on a production Alpha DSLR-A200 with firmware version 1.0

Sony's start into the world of Digital SLRs was quite a slow paced one. The first Sony branded model, the A100, appeared on the scene in June 2006 and it took over a year for it to be joined by a companion, the A700 prosumer model which was launched in September 2007. More recently though Sony has stepped up a gear and launched not one, but three cameras to replace the A100 - the DSLR A200, A300 and A350.

There is now something for everybody in the Sony line-up. The A350 for the feature-loving photographer on a budget, the A200 for those whose number one buying criterion is value-for-money and the A300 for bargain hunters who want a balance of the two. The A200 is, in terms of specification, not a million miles away from the veteran A100. It's got a larger screen, comes with an ISO3200 mode and user controlled High ISO noise reduction but in turn lacks the A100's depth of field preview (it's unsurprisingly much cheaper though).

Sony is not the only manufacturer which is diversifying its offerings in the entry-level sector and the A200 will have to face fierce competition in the bottom bracket of the market. Let's see how it shapes up on the following pages.

What's inside?


10.2 megapixel APS-C CCD The A200's 'central organ' is a APS-C sized CCD chip with 10.2 million photosites.	Bionz Image Processor Like the A700 and A350, the A200 is powered by the Bionz imaging processor (although presumably it's not exactly the same one that was optimized for the A700's CMOS sensor).

The Super SteadyShot system moves the sensor to compensate for user shake. The appearance of the mechanism suggests it may be the unit from the A700 (and A350).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37

2008-07-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

25mm Ultra-Wide-Angle* 5x Optical Zoom LEICA DC Lens in Sleek, Super-Slim Profile 10.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-FX37 Featuring Advanced Intelligent Auto Mode

* 35mm film camera equivalent: 24-60mm

Panasonic is pleased to introduce the new Lumix 10.1-megapixel DMC-FX37 with astonishing 25mm equivalent ultra-wide-angle* LEICA DC lens and a powerful 5x optical zoom (equivalent to 25mm to 125 mm on a 35mm film camera), which captures almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance compared to ordinary 35mm cameras, resulting in remarkable images with unprecedented width and depth. The world-acclaimed FX series pursues high picture quality and unique features in an urbane, sophisticated profile to which the DMC-FX37 proudly joins.

Panasonic’s iA (intelligent auto) mode, which makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos, has been further enhanced. The newly added AF Tracking function automatically tracks the subject once the AF has been set even if the subject moves around, making it easier to capture sharp, well-focused photos of decisive moments. The FX37 continually monitors the light source and automatically activates the backlight compensation function if it detects that the light source is behind the subject. Face detection accuracy has also been increased, allowing continuous AF/AE adjustment even if a face moves or turns sideways to the camera. The Intelligent Exposure function helps capture natural-looking, true-to-life images by suppressing blocked shadows and blown highlights.

For image processing, the FX37 features the high-speed, high-performance, next-generation Venus Engine IV. The engine allows the FX37 to shoot up to approx. 310 photos (CIPA) on a single battery charge thanks to improvements in power efficiency.

In addition to capturing beautiful still images, the FX37 makes it easy to shoot high-definition 1280 x 720p motion images at 30 fps with outstanding detail. Using the DMW-HDC2 HD Component Cable (available separately), these motion images can be output from the FX37 directly to a HD ready TV for large-screen viewing.

The FX37 features a new panel, which boasts a wide viewing angle, for its Intelligent LCD to ensure clear, easy viewing in all lighting situations.

The FX37 offers a number of other functions that expand photographic possibilities including new Scene mode. Pin Hole and Film Grain mode create film-camera-like effects, and Flash Burst mode allows continuous emission of flash on burst shooting**. Another new mode is the Transform mode which adds more fun especially on portrait pictures, to give the subject special transformation effect to look funny. Additional convenient functions that help post shooting include Image Leveling and batch resizing,

Dressed in a metal-finished panel, the sleek and slim DMC-FX37, a sophisticated camera full of desirable functions, offers the enjoyment of taking snapshots with a fantastic view and fun never before experienced. The DMC-FX37 will be available in silver, black and brown - each with a distinctive finish or texture according to its color.***

*35mm film camera equivalent: 25-125mm
** Max. 5 images. In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
***Availability of models and colours may vary depending on the sales area

1. 25mm Ultra-Wide-Angle 5x Optical Zoom (25-125mm) F2.8 High-Quality Leica DC Lens and 10.1-Megapixel CCD

The 10.1-megapixel DMC-FX37 packages a 25mm Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT high-quality lens with 5x optical zoom, offering F2.8 brightness*. Comprising 7 elements in 6 groups, including 4 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit passes Leica's stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance. Notably, a newly developed unevenly thick concave meniscus EA(extra high refractive index aspherical) lens makes it possible to achieve the 25mm ultra-wide-angle high optical performance while keeping the lens unit thin and the body slim. The 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens records almost double the viewing space at the same shooting distance compared to ordinary 35mm cameras. Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 8.9x by using the center part of the CCD.
*35mm film camera equivalent: 25-125mm

2. Great Photography Is Not Only Created By Professional Photographers Anymore -- Intelligent Auto Mode

The DMC-FX37 adds a new AF Tracking function to iA (intelligent auto) mode, which is a combination of functions that makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos. In iA mode the camera does all the work, activating Mega O.I.S. (optical image stabilizer), Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection, and Intelligent Exposure. This leaves the user free to simply compose the shot and press the shutter button, with the assurance that the image will be clear, beautiful and properly exposed.

With the new AF Tracking function, the user can “lock” the focus onto a moving subject. The camera then automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the user having to hold the shutter button halfway down. This makes it easier to capture the perfect moment clearly and in sharp focus when shooting images of a child, pet, sports or any scene with moving subjects and spur-of-the-moment action. Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects whichever of 5 scene modes -- Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, and Night Scenery – that best suits the shooting situation.

The Face Detection function can find up to 15 faces in the frame and adjusts the focus and exposure to capture them clearly and in sharp focus. Face detection accuracy has been increased in the FX37 to now provide continuous adjustment of the focus and exposure even if the face is turned sideways to the camera. Combined with AF Tracking, Face Detection helps users capture special moments, including the fleeting expressions on the faces of active children. Plus, with the FX37, the red-eye effect can be digitally corrected automatically when it occurs due to the use the flash.

The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focus on the subject while the camera is in recording mode even before pressing a shutter button halfway, to get the best result out of a shutter chance because the focus is always near the subject and the AF time is minimized.

In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include Mega O.I.S., which prevents blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which prevents motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. The Mega O.I.S. conventionally has mode 1 and 2, and now it has AUTO mode to select the most suitable mode according to the zoom ratio being used.

The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by simply selecting iA mode. This makes the FX37 the ultimate, super-versatile automatic camera for capturing clear, beautiful, mistake-free photos with ease.

3. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era

All Lumix cameras can take 1920x1080 pixel HD (high-definition) quality photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV for full-screen viewing. The new DMC-FX37 even records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480).

With HD component output capability, you can enjoy watching still and motion pictures in stunning HD quality taken by your DMC-FX37 by simply connecting the camera to a HD ready TV via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).

The DMC-FX37 provides slideshows complete with music. Just select the pictures you want to show and choose the mood that best matches your selection from natural, slow, urban or swing, and you'll get an emotion-filled slideshow with a variety of slide change effects and matching music without any annoying adjustments. If you make the slideshow with HD photos in 1920 x 1080 pixels, you can also enjoy watching an impressive HD slideshow with music on a large-screen HDTV by using the optional component cable.
*In Motion Picture mode, the length of recording time depends on the capacity of the SDHC/SD Memory Card. (Up to the equivalent of 2 GB per motion-image recording.) When you set the motion picture quality to HD, WVGA and VGA, we recommend using a high-speed memory card with "10MB/s" or greater on the package. Some lens movement sounds may be recorded.

**For Europe, motion images can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes.

4. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI the Venus Engine IV

An image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features more advanced signal processing technology for rendering even higher-quality images. Notably, parallel noise reduction in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing systems gains a more sophisticated process. First, the luminance noise is two-dimensionally separated into high-frequency and low-frequency noises and only the low-frequency noise, which tends to be conspicuous, is eliminated without affecting the high-frequency noise that greatly influences resolution. Second, the information of the change point between colours is minutely stored for precise determination of edges, thus colour bleeding is dramatically suppressed. This not only produces a clearer image in high ISO sensitivity recording, but also faithfully reproduces details in low-lit areas of pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity. The Venus Engine IV also elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effect in both Mega O.I.S., which prevents hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which suppresses motion blur.

Featured in the DMC-FX37, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine IV supports a super-fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approx.0.005 second minimum and the shutter interval is as shot as approx. 0.9 second*. This camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In Burst Shooting mode, the DMC-FX37 can snap 2.5 shots per second at full resolution**. And in High-Speed Burst shooting mode***, it fires off an incredible 6 shots per second. You also get unlimited consecutive shooting,**** which lets you keep shooting until the memory card is full. Newly added Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take consecutive shots with continuous emission of flash*****.

The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode*** that lets the DMC-FX37 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.This high performance engine is also superior in its energy efficiency to extend the battery life up to 310 shots(CIPA) per a single charge.

*Not including the time for AF
**Max. 5 images in standard mode/ 3 images in fine mode.
*** In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
****The consecutive shooting speed varies with the memory card, image size, and image compression mode. The number of shots depends on the memory card size, battery life, image size and image compression mode.
*****Max. 5 images. In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.

5. Wide Viewing Angle 2.5-inch Large Intelligent LCD with 230,000-dot High Resolution for Easy Shooting and Playback

The DMC-FX37 incorporates an easy-to-see, large, 2.5-inch 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD. The Intelligent LCD function equipped in the FX37 detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by max. 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine. This function also adjusts the frame rate when shooting in low-lit situations in addition to using the pixel mixed readout method to secure clarity in such situations. Detecting the lighting condition precisely and automatically controlling the brightness with a total of 11 fine steps, this function gives the display the most appropriate clarity in any situation without using extra energy. Together with the newly adopted panel which boasts a wide viewing angle, it secures comfortable viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back the results in any circumstances.

6. Other Enhanced Features

The new DMC-FX37 features a variety of functionalities to expand the convenience and fun for users to enjoy taking beautiful pictures.

The FX37 offers a total of 25 scene modes to respond easily to any shooting situation. The new Pin Hole and Film Grain modes add unique, film-camera-like effects and ambiences to images. One more new scene mode is the Transform mode, that trims and stretches the image to virtually transform the subject slimmer or stretched wider. It also has a shining effect to make the large transformation look more extreme and funny. The actual effects of the scene modes can be viewed on the LCD before taking the shot.

Image Leveling is another function that improves post-shooting convenience. When a recorded image “leans” to the right or left because the camera was held at a slight angle, the Image Leveling function rotates the image to straighten it and crops the unnecessary edges*. The FX37 can also resize multiple images at the same time.

The 2.0 HS-compatible USB port and approx. 50 MB of internal memory also enhance the convenience of using the FX37.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

2008-07-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

Breaking New Boundaries - Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-LX3 With F2.0 24mm Ultra Wide Angle* LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON Lens

* 35mm film camera equivalent: 24-60mm

Panasonic is pleased to introduce the DMC-LX3, the long-awaited addition to the popular Lumix LX series of high-end, compact digital still cameras.

Designed for easy, creative shooting, the new LX3 comes two years after its predecessor, the LX2, which earned an enthusiastic following among both professional photographers and serious amateurs for its exquisite image rendering, superior operating ease, and unique triple-wide system comprising wide-angle lens, 16:9 CCD and LCD. Panasonic has gone a big step further in the new LX3, upgrading every component to achieve a camera whose performance surpasses that of any compact camera that has come before. Simply put, the LX3 smashes all previous perceptions about the limitations of a digital compact camera, setting a lofty new standard in performance, quality and creative capabilities.

At the core of the LX3 is a large, ultra-sensitive 1/1.63-inch CCD developed specially for the new model. The old formula equating pixel count with image quality does not always hold true. In general, if two CCDs have exactly the same physical size but different pixel counts, the one with more pixels is not necessarily better – in fact, it's likely to generate more picture noise, especially in low-light parts of the image. This poor low-light image quality has been a source of great dissatisfaction for compact camera users. In the LX3, Panasonic responds to this problem by boldly reversing the industry trend of pushing toward ever-higher pixel counts. Rather than cramming in the maximum number of pixels possible, it has limited the LX3's 1/1.63-inch CCD to 10.1 megapixels. The result is a CCD that provides a generous amount of space for each pixel while offering superb sensitivity and a wide dynamic range made possible by maximizing the size of the photodiode. Panasonic also redesigned the peripheral circuits and other components to further minimize noise generation. These enhancements greatly improve imaging performance, boosting both sensitivity and saturation by around 40% compared with ordinary 10-mexapixel compact cameras.* The CCD in DMC-LX3 can reproduce images shot with the lens set from 24mm to 60mm in any of three aspect ratios; 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9, so you can always capture dynamic, richly expressive shots with a wide perspective. The newly added Multi-aspect bracketing mode allows the camera to take a image in all 3 aspect ratios simultaneously, allowing the photographer to choose the one that best takes the advantage of the scene after shooting.

The LX3's F2.0 24mm ultra-wide-angle* LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens also represents a major step up from the LX2. The F2.0 lens is about twice as bright as the previous F2.8 lens, itself generally considered a bright lens. With the new F2.0 lens, the LX3 can shoot at higher shutter speeds and capture stunningly clear, sharp, blur-free images even in lower lighting conditions. This advanced lens also makes it easy to produce beautiful photos with a pleasing soft-focused background. Also, the 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens – rare on a compact camera – gives photographers a wider range of composition possibilities. The super-high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens minimises distortion even at the wide end, so users can get stunning, true-to-life images with outstanding resolution and detail.

The LX3 is equipped with Panasonic's advanced image processing LSI, the Venus Engine IV. This high-speed high-performance imaging engine makes it possible to capture clean, beautiful, low-noise photos even when shooting at high sensitivity settings. Separating chromatic noise from luminance noise and low-frequency noise from high-frequency noise, and applying the optimal noise-reduction processing to each, the Venus Engine IV provides superior noise control and minimization of colour bleeding.

The LX3 is packed with features that enhance photo-shooting fun, ease of use and creativity. An easy-to-use Manual mode gives the user greater shot-making flexibility and control – ideal for those who want to explore the creative side of photography. The auto focus function lets the user select the number of auto focus points in the frame by pressing a button on the camera top. Pressing the same button after taking the shot enlarges the area surrounding the point of focus, giving the user a convenient way to check the focusing accuracy. The LX3's customized setting function lets the user assign functions to an independent button on the camera back. In addition, up to 4 settings can be stored in memory and instantly retrieved using the Mode dial. The colour temperature can be set when adjusting the white balance, which works with the conventional 2-axis compensation to allow even finer adjustment.

The LX3 offers a Film mode with 6 colour types and 3 types of monochrome to choose from. Much like selecting different film types with a film camera, this function gives the user the flexibility to produce more interesting and expressive images. A newly added multiple-exposure function also lets the user create artistic photo productions, overlaying up to three consecutive images while viewing the most recent image in the monitor.

The LX3 boasts a large 3.0-inch LCD with a 3:2 aspect ratio and high 460,000-dot resolution. Performance is outstanding for both shooting and viewing. A new LCD panel provides bright, easy-to-see images over a wider viewing angle. The Intelligent LCD function, standard on all Lumix models, assures comfortable viewing in virtually all conditions by automatically adjusting the backlighting of LCD as the ambient light level changes.

One key advancement over previous models is the LX3's superb expandability. Mounting the optional Wide Conversion Lens** brings the maximum wide angle all the way to an incredible 18mm. Other optional equipment such as the ND Filter** and new PL Filter** also broaden image-creating possibilities. The high-end aluminum External Optical Viewfinder provides bright, clear viewing without wearing down the battery. And the optional GN22 Compact Flash mounts to the hot shoe newly added to the LX3. These and other accessories let users build around the LX3 to create a powerful, versatile camera system that can take them as far into photography as they want to go.

This full set of functions draws a distinct line between the LX3 and ordinary compact cameras. The LX3 stands alone as a compact camera whose image-creating capabilities rival even digital SLRs. It's a camera that gives users the ability to capture beautiful, richly expressive images every time they shoot.

Available in black or silver*** the DMC-LX3 is an excellent choice as a compact partner camera for users who own an SLR. It is also an outstanding long-term camera solution for high-level users who want the best in image quality, operating ease, flexibility and creative freedom.

*Compared with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 with 1/2.33” CCD.
**Requires an lens adapter DMW-LA4.
***Availability of models and colours may vary depending on the sales area.

1. Large 1/1.63-inch 10.1-megapixel CCD for Dramatically Higher Picture Quality

At the heart of the LX3 is a key component that distinguishes it from all other compact cameras: a 1/1.63-inch 10.1-megapixel CCD. Boldly defying the trend to cram in the most pixels possible, Panasonic limited the LX3's large 1/1.63-inch CCD to 10.1 megapixels. This made it possible to make each pixel around 45% larger than those in ordinary 10-megapixel cameras. As a result, both sensitivity and saturation is around 40% higher than in ordinary models, giving the LX3 exquisite image quality with both excellent sensitivity and a wide dynamic range.*

While the LX2 also featured a large CCD – its 1/1.65" CCD was just slightly smaller than the LX3's 1/1.63" unit – in the LX3 Panasonic maximised the size of the photodiode size to boost sensitivity by around 19% and saturation performance by around 15%. Panasonic also minimized noise generation in the LX3 by using newly designed circuits around the CCD that improve the power supply process and provide a layered structure. The CCD was also given a large output buffer to further stabilise the signal and cut noise generation to a minimum. These enhancements combine to improve the S/N ratio by 3 dB. The LX3 also provides dramatically improved colour reproduction in low lighting, where noise is typically a problem.

Normally, to produce an image of 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratio, a 4:3picture will be cropped, so the picture does not retain the best resolution . However, the CCD in DMC-LX3 can reproduce images shot with the lens set from 24mm to 60mm in any of three aspect ratios; 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9, so you can always capture dynamic, richly expressive shots with a wide perspective. The newly added Multi Aspect mode allows the camera to take an image in all three aspect ratios simultaneously for the photographer to choose the one that best takes the advantage of the scene after shooting.
*Compared with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 with 1/2.33” CCD.

**2. F2.0 Extraordinary Bright 24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle* High Quality LEICA DC**

VARIO-SUMMICRON Lens with Minimum Distortion
A fantastic step up is represented by the newly developed F2.0 24mm equivalent ultra-wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens in the LX3. The F2.0 lens is about twice as bright as the F2.8 lens, itself generally considered a bright lens. With the new F2.0 lens, the LX3 can shoot at higher shutter speeds and capture stunningly clear, sharp, blur-free images in lower lighting situation. This advanced lens also makes it easy to produce beautiful photos with pleasing soft background focusing thanks to the shallow depth of field provided by the extra light.

Also, the 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens – rare on a compact camera – gives photographers a wider range of composition possibilities. The super-high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens minimizes distortion at the wide end, so users can get stunning, true-to-life images with outstanding resolution and detail. The LX3 captures approx.213% larger viewing space compared to that of a normal 35mm camera, and even approx.136% larger compared to what a 28mm wide-angle lens can do.

The lens unit consists of 8 elements in 6 groups with 4 aspherical lenses with 4 aspherical surfaces. Minimal distortion, high resolution, minimum artifacts such as chromatic aberrations, ghosting and flaring are the proof of uncompromising imaging made possible by F2.0 24mm ultra wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens.
In addition, newly adopted iris diaphragm allows the users to adjust aperture at fine steps manually.

*35mm film camera equivalent: 24-60mm

3. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV

A new image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features more advanced signal processing technology for rendering even higher-quality images. Notably, parallel noise reduction in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing systems, a technology established by the preceding Venus Engine III, gains a more sophisticated process. First, the luminance noise is two-dimensionally separated into high-frequency and low-frequency noises and only the low-frequency noise, which tends to be conspicuous, is eliminated without affecting the high-frequency noise that greatly influences resolution. Second, the information of the change point between colours is minutely stored for precise determination of edges, thus colour bleeding is dramatically suppressed. This not only produces a clearer image in high ISO sensitivity recording, but also faithfully reproduces details in low-lit areas of pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity.

The Venus Engine IV also supports a superior high sensitivity recording that lets the DMC-LX3 record at a setting of up to ISO 3200 at full resolution and even up to ISO 6400 when using the high sensitivity mode, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.*

With its multi-task image-processing capability, the Venus Engine IV also boasts outstanding response time. Shutter release time lag is as short as approx. 0.005 second. This fast response makes it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment shots. In burst shooting mode, the DMC- LX3 can snap approx. 2.5 shots per second at 10.1-megapixel large full resolution.** And in High-Speed Burst shooting mode,* it fires off an incredible approx. 6 shots per second. You also get unlimited consecutive shooting, which lets you keep shooting until the memory card is full. *** Newly added Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take continuous shooting with continuous emission of flash****.

Furthermore, the engine elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effect in both Mega O.I.S., which prevents hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which suppresses motion blur. The engine allows the LX3 to shoot up to approx. 380 photos (CIPA) on a single battery charge thanks to improvements in power efficiency.

* In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.
**Max. 8 images in standard mode/ 4 images in fine mode.
***The consecutive shooting speed varies with the memory card, image size, and image compression mode. The number of shots depends on the memory card size, battery life, image size and image compression mode.
****Max. 5 images. In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.

4. Intuitive Full Manual Operation by Multi-functional Joystick and Enhanced Creative Options

The easy-to-use joystick operation and good design, which were part of the highly acclaimed trademarks of its predecessor, are inherited by the DMC-LX3. The joystick was incorporated to facilitate operational ease and thereby get the best technical advantage of the multitude of functions offered by the camera. With the joystick it is possible to set focus, aperture and shutter speed, it also allows exposure compensation. And also a quick shortcut to frequently used variables by just pressing and holding the Quick Menu button even while monitoring a subject on the LCD. A switch on the side of the lens barrel lets you quickly change the focus mode between MF, AF or Macro AF. When you focus in the Manual Focus mode, not only the focus distance but also the DOF (depth of field) according to the zoom range and aperture is displayed. The focus button on the top lets you directly choose auto-focusing point freely from the entire field of view with the 1-point AF or spot AF method. The same button works for a direct enlargement on the focused point when playing back the images.

In both AF/MF, a subject just 1cm away can be finely captured sparing no detail of it. You can experience the dynamic close-up of macro shots. Notably in the AF mode, the newly added AF Tracking function automatically tracks the subject once the AF has been set even if the subject moves around, making it easier to capture sharp, well-focused photos of decisive moments.For setting the white balance, the LX3 provides a new colour temperature display function in addition to the Two-Axis White Balance Adjustment offered in previous models. There is also a custom setting function that lets users store up to four sets of settings you often use in memory and instantly recall them later using the mode dial.

Furthermore, the LX3 offers a Film mode with six colour types and three types of monochrome to choose from. Much like selecting different film types with a film camera, this function gives the user the flexibility to produce more interesting and expressive images. When you use the Multi-film mode is, the camera produces max. three images from a RAW file for you to enjoy different textures of a film on one same picture. Another new feature is the multiple-exposure function which lets the user create artistic photo productions, overlaying up to three consecutive images while viewing the most recent image in the monitor.

5. Outstanding Clarity and Vision on 3-inch Large 3:2 LCD with 460,000-dot High Resolution

Clear, easy-to-see LCD is upgraded both in size and resolution to be 3.0-inch with 460,000-dot high resolution to offer even more comfortable view for both monitoring when shooting and for playing back the results. The new 3:2 aspect of the LCD on LX3 is familiar to those who are used to analog film cameras. The Intelligent LCD function detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by max. 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and adjusts the frame rate when shooting in low-lit situations in addition to using the pixel mixed readout method to secure clarity in such situations. Detecting the lighting condition precisely and automatically controlling the brightness with a total of 11 fine steps, this function gives the display the most appropriate clarity in any situation without using extra energy. Together with the newly adopted panel which boasts a wide viewing angle, it secures comfortable viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back the results in any circumstances.

6. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era

All Lumix cameras can take 1920x1080 pixel HD (high-definition) quality photos that perfectly fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV for full-screen viewing. The new DMC-LX3 even records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 24 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480)* **.

With newly added HD component output capability, you can enjoy watching still and motion pictures in stunning HD quality taken by your DMC-LX3 by simply connecting the camera to a TV via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).

For your enjoyement, the DMC-LX3 newly provides slideshows complete with music. Just select the pictures you want to show and choose the mood that best matches your selection from natural, slow, urban or swing, and you'll get an emotion-filled slideshow with a variety of slide change effects and matching music without any annoying adjustments. If you make the slideshow with HD photos in 1920 x 1080 pixels, you can also enjoy watching an impressive HD slideshow with music on a large-screen HDTV by using the optional component cable.

*In Motion Picture mode, the length of recording time depends on the capacity of the SDHC/SD Memory Card. (Up to the equivalent of 2 GB per motion-image recording.) When you set the motion picture quality to HD, WVGA, VGA, we recommend using a high-speed memory card with "10MB/s" or greater on the package. Some lens movement sounds may be recorded.
**For Europe, motion images can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes.

7. Expandability as a System Camera

Last but not least, superb expandability is the key for LX3 to be literally a “system camera”. Mounting the optional Wide Conversion Lens (DMW-LW46)* brings the maximum wide angle all the way to an incredible 18mm. Optional equipment such as the ND Filter (DMW-LND46)* and new PL Filter (DMW-LPL46)* also broaden image-creating possibilities. The high-end aluminium External Optical Viewfinder (DMW-VF1) provides bright, clear viewing without wearing down the battery. And the optional GN22 Compact Flash mounts to the hot shoe which is newly added to the camera unit.** These and other accessories let users build around the LX3 to create a powerful, versatile camera system that can take them as far into photography as they want to go.

DMW-LW46 Wide Conversion Lens*
DMW-LND46 ND Filter*
DMW-LPL46 PL Filter*
DMW-LMC46 MC Protector*
DMW-LA4 Conversion Lens Adaptor
DMW-VF1 External Optical Viewfinder (24mm* *35mm Equiv.)
DMW-CLX3 Leather Casing
DMW-CZ18 Camera Bag
DMW-HDC2 HD Component Cable
CGA-S005 Battery

*Requires an lens adaptor DMW-LA4.
**Flash unit (GN22) will be introduced soon.

8. Other Features

While the DMC-LX3 allows full manual control for more advanced photography, the camera also allows user to take perfect shots with outstanding ease. This is made possible by Panasonic Lumix’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode. In iA mode the camera does all the work, activating Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection, and Intelligent Exposure. This leaves the user free to simply compose the shot and press the shutter button, with the assurance that the image will be clear, beautiful and properly exposed.

The LX3 offers a total of 23 scene modes, including the new Pin Hole and Film Grain modes that adds unique, film-camera-like effects and ambiences to images. This wide range of modes lets the LX3 respond easily to any shooting situation. The actual effects of the scene modes can be viewed on the LCD before taking the shot. Now the flash has 1st curtain and 2nd curtain synchro settings to add effective nuance according to the scene.

Image Leveling is another function that improves post-shooting convenience. When a recorded image “leans” to the right or left because the camera was held at a slight angle, the Image Leveling function rotates the image to straighten it and crops the unnecessary edges*. The USB port supports the 2.0 HS standard and the internal memory has been increased to approx. 50 MB – two further enhancements that add to the convenience and fun of using the LX3.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150

2008-07-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

A Premium Stylish14.7-Megapixel High Resolution Digital Camera with 28mm Wide-Angle* F2.8 LEICA DC Lens Featuring Simple Manual Operation

* 35mm film camera equivalent: 24-60mm

Panasonic is introducing a 14.7-megapixel model to its Lumix FX Premium range of digital cameras, both stylish and compact this camera also boasts high-end specifications. The astonishing 14.7-megapixel resolution means that the DMC-FX150 meets the needs of a wide range of consumers looking for an attractive compact camera that makes it easy to take clear, sharp photos with outstanding detail.

Equipped with a 28mm wide-angle lens, the* FX150 lets users capture images of expansive scenery just as they appear to the naked eye. The wide-angle lens allows the user to capture a much wider scene into one shot – something not possible with most ordinary cameras. And when shooting in tight or crowded indoor spaces, the wide-angle lens fits more people in the photo. The 14.7 megapixels – the most offered in a compact camera – ensure that photos are crisp, clear and sharply detailed even when enlarged. This high resolution also means you can crop unwanted parts of an image and enlarge the rest, creating a beautifully composed photo that retains outstanding detail.

One key aspect of the FX150 is Panasonic's high-speed, high-performance, next-generation image processing system. The Venus Engine IV not only helps render exquisitely beautiful images in burst mode or when shooting in low light, it's also more energy-efficient than any predecessor models, allowing 330 pictures (CIPA) per battery charge.

The FX150 offers easy manual control, letting users adjust the shutter speed as desired. The bracketing function includes the exposure bracketing available on previous models plus a new colour bracketing function that can record colour, monochromatic and sepia shots of an image at the same time with a single press of the shutter button. The FX150 also introduces a new multi-exposure function that creates an interesting artistic effect by superimposing up to three consecutively shot images, while the user views the previous image on the monitor. Also in the FX150, the white balance function has been improved from conventional one-axis compensation to two-axis compensation with a colour temperature setting that allows more precise adjustment. For the AF, FX150 allows user to set focus freely among 11 focus points.

Panasonic’s iA (intelligent auto) mode, which makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos, has been further enhanced on the new Lumix range. The newly added AF tracking function automatically tracks the subject once the AF has been set, even if the subject moves around. This makes it easier to capture sharp, well-focused images of decisive moments. The FX150 continually monitors the light source and automatically activates the backlight compensation function if it detects that the light source is behind the subject. Face detection accuracy has also been increased, allowing continuous AF/AE adjustment even if a face moves or turns sideways to the camera. The Intelligent Exposure function helps capture natural-looking, true-to-life images by suppressing blocked shadows and blown highlights.

The FX150 features a new panel, which boasts a wide viewing angle, for its 2.7-inch large Intelligent LCD to ensure clear, easy viewing in all lighting situations.

The FX150 records original picture data in RAW file format enabling the user to develop the image with the intended effects on it. With this extensive package of features and functions, the FX150 goes beyond the bounds of conventional compact cameras, giving users the power and freedom to both capture extremely life like photos and to create artistically expressive images.

The FX150 is recommended for people who want a well-built, stylish, compact digital camera that's more advanced in performance and operability than ordinary models. Available in silver or black **, the FX150 has a refined, understated sophistication that will appeal to adults.

*35mm film camera equivalent: 28-100mm
**Availability of models and colous may vary depending on the sales area.

**1. 28mm Wide-Angle Leica DC Lens* with F2.8 Brightness and 14.7-Megapixel High Resolution CCD in a Small, Sleek Body**

The DMC-FX150 packages a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens featuring F2.8 brightness and a 3.6x optical zoom* plus a 14.7-megapixel CCD into a slim, stylish and compact camera. The lens unit, which comprises seven elements in six groups, including an EA (extra-high refractive index aspherical) lens and 4 aspherical lenses with 5 aspherical surfaces, is designed and manufactured to Leica's stringent standards. Its optical performance is exceptional. In addition to the 3.6x optical zoom, the FX150 offers an extra optical zoom function. Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the extra optical zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 7.7x by using the center part of the CCD.

The FX150 also has an easy zoom feature that, at the touch of a button, shifts the lens instantly to full 3.6x zoom power. A second touch of the button activates the extra optical zoom function and extends zoom all the way to 7.7x.**

*35mm film camera equivalent: 28-100mm
**When the picture size is set to 3 megapixels or larger, the photo is automatically resized to 3 megapixels. When the lens is shifted back to the wide-end, the picture size is set to the original size automatically. The original size is maintained for photos smaller than 3 megapixels.

2. Simple Manual Controls and Versatile Functions for Creative Shooting

The Lumix FX range packs a high-quality wide-angle lens and high-resolution performance in a compact, stylish body. The new DMC-FX150 provides easy-to-use manual controls and a wealth of features that lets users explore the creative side of photography. The FX150 is designed not only for people who want to take great photos, ,but also for those who want to express themselves artistically through the images they create. The FX150's easy-to-use Manual Exposure mode lets users choose a particular shutter speed, giving them the freedom to render artistic images of ordinary scenes. For example flowing streams, moving cars and people walking past, by capturing the “traces” left by moving objects. Simply set the desired shutter speed, and the camera will automatically determine the aperture setting that provides the best exposure, alternatively you can set it manually. When the FX150 is mounted on a tripod and the angle of view is fixed, the user can select a point to focus on among 11 areas. They also make it possible to achieve precise focusing no matter where the main subject is positioned within the frame, giving the user greater flexibility when composing the shot. The FX150's bracketing function includes the ordinary exposure bracketing. As well as introducing a new colour bracketing function that captures colour, monochromatic and sepia shots of an image at the same time with a single press of the shutter button. With colour bracketing, users no longer have to use a PC and editing software should they later want to change a colour image to black and white. The FX150 also introduces a multi-exposure function that superimposes up to three consecutively shot images together, while the user views the previous image on the monitor. This creates an unusual, surrealistic effect that cannot be achieved with a single image alone. The white balance function has been improved from conventional one-axis compensation to two-axis compensation, with the addition of a colour temperature setting that allows finer adjustment.

The FX150 records original picture data in RAW file format. The SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0SE software application comes bundled with the DMC-FX150 for editing and developing images in the RAW file format. Using this software, you can freely adjust RAW data settings such as exposure bias and white balance even after shooting for greater enjoyment of digital photography.

The Lumix DMC-FX150 goes beyond ordinary compact cameras, giving users the ability not only to capture true-to-life images, but also to create expressive images that satisfy on an artistic level.

3. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV

A new image-processing LSI, Venus Engine IV, features more advanced signal processing technology for rendering even higher-quality images.

Parallel noise reduction in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing systems, a technology established by the preceding Venus Engine III, gains a more sophisticated process on the DMC-FX150. First, the luminance noise is two-dimensionally separated into high-frequency and low-frequency noises. Only the low-frequency noise, which tends to be conspicuous, is eliminated without affecting the high-frequency noise that greatly influences resolution. Secondly, the information of the change point between colours is minutely stored for precise determination of edges, thus colour bleeding is dramatically suppressed. This not only produces a clearer image in high ISO sensitivity recording, but also reproduces details in low-lit areas of pictures taken at low ISO sensitivity.

The Venus Engine IV also elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effect in both Mega O.I.S., which prevents hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which suppresses motion blur.

Featured in the DMC-FX150, the multi-task image-processing engine Venus Engine IV supports an extremely fast response time. The shutter release time lag is as short as approximately 0.005 second and the camera's quick response makes it easier to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment photo opportunities. In burst shooting mode, the DMC-FX150 can take approximately 2 shots per second at 14.7-megapixel large full resolution.* In High-Speed Burst shooting mode,** it can shoot an incredible 7 shots per second (approximately)**. This also enables unlimited consecutive shooting, which lets you continue shooting until the memory card is full***. Newly added Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take continuous shooting with continuous emission of flash****.

The Venus Engine IV also supports a High Sensitivity mode that lets the DMC-FX150 record at a setting of up to ISO 6400, sensitive enough to capture subjects in near-total darkness without using a flash.**

This high performance engine is also superior in its energy efficiency to extend the battery life of up to 330 shots(CIPA) per single charge.

*Max.8 images in standard mode/ 4 images in fine mode.
** In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording. 7 images in Speed Priority mode / 5 images in Picture Priority mode.
***The consecutive shooting speed varies with the memory card, image size, and image compression mode. The number of shots depends on the memory card size, battery life, image size and image compression mode.
****Max. 5 images. In 3-megapixel (4:3), 2.5-megapixel (3:2), 2-megapixel (16:9) recording.

4. Great Photography Is Not Only for Professional Photographers Anymore -- Intelligent Auto Mode

While offering a creative fun angle to photography with its manual functions, the DMC-FX150 also has an option to enjoy taking beautiful pictures without any special technique, that is the iA(intelligent auto) mode. Adding a new AF Tracking function, the iA mode serves as a combination of functions that makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos. In iA mode the camera does all the work, activating Mega O.I.S. (optical image stabilizer), Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Detection, and Intelligent Exposure. This leaves the user free to simply compose the shot and press the shutter button, with the assurance that the image will be clear, beautiful and properly exposed.

Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects from five Scene modes -- Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, and Night Scenery – that best suits the shooting situation are available in the DMC-FX150

The Face Detection function can find up to 15 faces in the frame and adjusts the focus and exposure to capture them clearly and in sharp focus. Face detection accuracy has been increased in the FX150 to now provide continuous adjustment of the focus and exposure even if the face is turned sideways to the camera. Combined with AF Tracking, Face Detection helps users capture special moments,. Plus, with the FX150, the red-eye effect,due to use of the flash, can be digitally corrected automatically when it occurs.

The Quick AF system allows the camera to keep focus on the subject whilst the camera is in recording mode. even before without pressing a shutter button halfway, to get best result out of a shutter chance because the focus is always near the subject and the AF time is minimized.

In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode boasts importantl functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include Mega O.I.S., which prevents blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which prevents motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. The Mega O.I.S. conventionally has mode 1 and 2, and now it has AUTO mode enabling the user to select the suitable mode according to the zoom ratio being used.

The user can activate all of these convenient shooting-assist functions by simply selecting iA mode. This makes the FX150 the ultimate, super-versatile digital camera for capturing clear, beautiful photos with ease.

5. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era

All Lumix cameras can take 1920x1080 pixel HD (high-definition) quality photos that fit a wide-screen (16:9) HDTV for full-screen viewing. The new DMC-FX150 even records dynamic HD motion pictures in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 24 fps, in addition to WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480)* **.

With newly added HD component output capability, you can enjoy watching still and motion pictures in stunning HD quality taken by your DMC-FX150, by simply connecting the camera to a HD ready TV via an optional component cable (DMW-HDC2).

The DMC-FX150 provides slideshows complete with music. Just select the pictures you want to show and choose the mood that best matches your selection from natural, slow, urban or swing. You will get a variety of slide change effects, which match your mood. If you make the slideshow with HD photos in 1920 x 1080 pixels, you can also enjoy watching an impressive HD slideshow with music on a large-screen HDTV by using the optional component cable.

*In Motion Picture mode, the length of recording time depends on the capacity of the SDHC/SD Memory Card. (Up to the equivalent of 2 GB per motion-image recording.) When you set the motion picture quality to HD, WVGA and VGA, we recommend using a high-speed memory card with "10MB/s" or greater on the package. Some lens movement sounds may be recorded.
**For Europe, motion images can be recorded continuously for up to 15 minutes.

6. Wide Viewing Angle 2.7-inch Large Intelligent LCD to Offer Clear View Anytime

A Clear, easy-to-see LCD screen is upgraded both in size and resolution to be 2.7-inch with 230,000-dot high resolution. The Intelligent LCD function detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by a maximum of 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine. Aswell as this it adjusts the frame rate when shooting in low-lit situations in addition to using the pixel mixed readout method to secure clarity in such situations. Detecting the lighting condition precisely and automatically by controlling the brightness with a total of 11 steps. This function gives the display the most appropriate clarity in any situation without using extra energy. Together with the newly adopted panel which boasts a wide viewing angle, it secures comfortable viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back the results in any circumstances.

7. Other Enhanced Features

The new DMC-FX150 features a variety of functionalities to expand the convenience and fun for users to enjoy taking beautiful pictures.

The FX150 offers a total of 24 scene modes to respond easily to any shooting situation. The new Pin Hole and Film Grain modes add unique, film-camera-like effects and ambiences to images. A new scene mode is the transform mode, which trims and stretches the image to virtually transform the subject slimmer or more stretched wider. It also has a shining effect to make the large transformation look more extreme and humorous. The actual effects of the scene modes can be viewed on the LCD before taking the shot.

The FX150 also allows users to set an upper limit for the ISO setting, to suit certain shooting conditions.
The 2.0 HS-compatible USB port and approx. 50 MB of internal memory also enhance the convenience of using the FX150.

Digital Photography Review

2008-07-22T01:41:00.000-07:00

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150

Panasonic has today announced the Lumix DMC-FX 150. The new camera offers a whopping 14.7 megapixels effective resolution which makes it (together with the Samsung NV100HD/TL34HD) the currently highest resolving compact camera on the market. Other features include Panasonic's new Venus IV imaging processor, a 28-100mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens and not one but two baby modes! The Lumix DMC-FX150 will be available in the UK from August for £299.99. (16:20 GMT)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Panasonic has today announced the Lumix DMC-LX3. The camera is aimed at DSLR users who are looking for a compact camera to complement their existing SLR gear. Consequently the LX3 comes with comprehensive manual controls and a fast F2.0-F2.8 24-60mm (35mm equivalent) Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens. Images are captured on a 1/1.63-inch CCD sensor sporting 10.1 million effective pixels. The Lumix DMC-LX3 will be available in the UK from August for £399.99. (15:05 GMT)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37

Panasonic has today announced the successor to the FX35 digital compact camera - the FX37. The new model comes with Panasonic's Venus IV imaging processor and an enhanced Intelligent Auto mode which is now capable of tracking an object once the AF has locked onto it. All this fancy new technology has been built around a 10.1 MP sensor and a 25mm (35mm equivalent), 5x zoom lens. The Lumix DMC-FX37 will be available in the UK from August for £249.99. (15:00 GMT)

Thursday, 17 July 2008

Just Posted! Sony DSLR-A200 review

Just Posted! Our review of the Sony Alpha 200. The simplified version of the ambitious A350, the A200 does without Sony's clever live view system but comes instead with a very competitive price tag. The result is a more conventional DSLR that boasts a feature set almost the equal of the older A100 at a fraction of the cost. So is this enough to make it the ideal DSLR for users looking to upgrade from their compact digital cameras? Read our full review to find out. (21:05 GMT)

Just posted! Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 lens review

Just posted! Our new lens review of Sigma's latest iteration of its popular fast telezoom, the snappily-entitled 70-200mm 1:2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II. Offering fast and silent autofocus to users of all brands of DSLR via its HyperSonic Motor (HSM) autofocus, and with a closest focus distance of just 1m, this certainly looks like a strong contender on paper, but with a parent design dating back to 1999, how does it match up to the current state of the art? (15:35 GMT)

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

Samsung NV100HD offers high density specification

Samsung has announced the NV100HD (Known as the TL34HD in the US), which it describes as "The World's highest 14.7 megapixel 28mm Wide angle lens digital camera." And even without the qualifiers, that's an awful lot of pixels. More impressively, it can record 720p HD video and incorporates a high-resolution, 460K dot, touch screen. It also features optical image stabilization alongside Samsung's digital stabilization system and many of the company's other image processing features. (11:20 GMT)

Samsung tops-up NV range with new NV9

Samsung's distinctive NV range gets another member with the announcement of the NV9 (TL9 in North America). It's got a 5x optical zoom, 10.2 megapixel sensor and the ability to play MP3 music files. It also contains all sorts of metering and image processing cleverness to help optimise photographs of social situations, with tricks and tweaks to help ensure well-exposed, smiley faces with smooth skin and open eyes. There are even fuel-gauge-style indicators for battery life and memory card space on the top of the camera that we think will polarize opinion into either 'cool' or 'entertaining'. (11:20 GMT)

Samsung L310W widens range's appeal

Samsung announces S1070

Samsung launches L201

Wednesday, 9 July 2008

Kodak fits 50MP into dynamic range

Hasselblad assembles megapixel monster

Tuesday, 8 July 2008

Canon invests in XS capacity

Canon USA has announced the EOS Rebel XS, launched in other markets as the EOS 1000D on June 10th. In the United States, the camera will be available in a choice of black or silver but will not be available as body-only, with all units coming bundled with the EF-S 18-55mm IS lens. Canon has also announced its plans to build its first new Japanese camera factory for over a quarter of a century. (14:45 GMT)

Thursday, 3 July 2008

Pixel Density: when Moore is less

We've added some new information to our product database to make it easier to understand the characteristics of camera sensors. The idea of megapixels is generally well understood but, mainly because of the way they've historically been presented, sensor sizes aren't. We feel that relating these two pieces of information gives a clearer understanding of how they interact. To achieve this, we've added the new field: "Pixel Density" to our database, to help when comparing cameras. We think you'll find it useful. (13:55 GMT)

How to Save Photos From Your Digital Camera

2008-06-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Once you’ve taken photos with your digital camera, you need to store them somewhere. You could always leave them on the memory card, but that would get rather expensive, so let’s explore a few other options.

1. Transfer your images onto your computer. Most cameras come with a wire to connect your camera to your computer, a CD with a downloading program and an instruction booklet. Transferring the images is fast and simple. Once they are on the computer, you can delete the images from your memory card and start taking more photos.

Burn your images onto a CD. If you have a CD burner on your computer, you can make photo discs to store or share with others. When it comes to pictures, it is often best to use a CD that can’t be written over. This will save the heartache of losing precious photos. Label the CD and store it where it can be gotten easily when you need to see your pictures.

Store your images on a public web site. There are many photo-hosting sites on the internet. Some charge for the service, but many are completely free. You have the choice to password-protect your images or share them with the world. This option helps if your computer should crash. Your pictures are safe.

Print your images and place them in a photo album. Many people still like turning the pages of a photo album and reviewing the memories. This also makes it possible for those without a computer to view your pictures.

Create a photo gift. There are places out there that will take your digital image and place in on shirts, mouse pads, cups, calendars and numerous other items. These make wonderful gifts and provide a way to keep a cherished picture near at all times.

These are just a few suggestions. Using your creativity, you will come up with many more ideas.

Red Eye and Your Digital Camera

2008-06-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

You’ve seen the dreaded demon-eye effect that occurs when the camera flash bounces off the eye of a person or pet. An otherwise wonderful picture can be ruined by this. Technically, this is called red-eye and is caused when the pupil of your subject’s eye is wide open and the light from the camera’s flash reflects off the subjects retina. In people, the color ends up red; in pets, the color is often green.

Many photo editing programs include a red-eye correction filter, but this may not allow your photograph subject to appear “normal. These filters also do not work on the green effect produced in a pet’s eyes. Photo stores sell pens that are used to clear up red-eye, but again they are not always natural-looking and do not work on the green. The best thing is to prevent the demon-eye effect from the start.

It is rare to find a digital camera that does not come with a red-eye reduction feature. This feature can be turned off or on. It is best left on in all circumstances other than direct sunlight. The red-eye reduction feature works by flashing a short burst of light at your subject before you snap the picture. This burst of light causes the subject’s pupil to close and makes it less likely for the camera’s flash to reflect off the retina. This in turn reduces the chance of red-eye.

It also helps to direct the flash of your camera so it does not directly hit your subject’s eyes. Bouncing the flash off a nearby wall or other object will soften its effect and reduce the chances of this unwanted malady. Between bouncing the flash and using your digital camera’s red-eye reduction feature, your little angel, whether human or animal, will have eyes that don’t glow.

Five Ways to Make Money Using Your Digital Camera

2008-06-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to find a way to bring extra money into your household--yet don’t have a lot of time to spend on a full-time endeavor? The solution is as close as the digital camera sitting there in a drawer. The following suggestions are only a few of the many ways you can make money in your spare time with your camera.

Pet photos - Most owners won't struggle to take a photograph with their pet all by themselves. You can be the one who makes it easy on them. Not only can you charge for the service and your time, but you can offer the photograph in it's digital form or as a print that you can mail to them later - either created by your own photo printer or by a photo processing service.

Graduations - preschool, high school, or college graduations offer dozens, if not hundreds of opportunities to capture a significant moment in someone's life. If the family members of the graduate aren't located in as good a location or don't have as good a camera as yourself - you'll have even greater opportunity at getting the shots they couldn't.

Holiday Family Postcards - offer your services to families that want their picture taken and put on a postcard that they can send to their extended family and friends.

Photo Novelty Items - take photographs of people that want the pictures of themselves of their loved ones imprinted on coffee mugs, mouse pads, key chains, tee-shirts, and other items.

Newborn photo service - parents of newborns are some of the busiest people in the world. Advertise your services on an on-call basis so that you can take informal snapshots for the growing family either before they leave the hospital, or after they get home. This way both parents and the child can be in more of the pictures all together, and the parents have one less thing to try and figure out

How Many Mega Pixels Do I Need?

2008-06-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

One of the confusing things in choosing a digital camera is deciding how many mega-pixels you should look for. The answer depends on what you plan on doing with the finished pictures.

First, you need to understand what a pixel is. In terms of digital prints, a pixel simply means a dot of color that makes up the image. A mega-pixel is equal to one million pixels. The more mega-pixels a camera has, the greater the amount of information it records.

The easiest way to decide what to look for is to know what size prints you are likely to print from your camera. A one mega-pixel camera is fine for those who don’t plan on printing photos but rather just post them on the internet. A small print, say 4 x 6, will print acceptably from this camera.

A 2 mega-pixel camera will enable you to produce good quality 5 x 7 prints and fair quality 8 x 10 prints. When you reach 4 mega-pixels you can print out excellent quality 8 x 10 prints and acceptable 11 x 17 prints and a 5 mega pixel camera will allow you to print out high quality 11 x 17 prints.

Most families find a camera in the 3.2 Mega-pixel range to be the best choice. The quality of both 5 x & and 8 X 10 prints is very good yet the files on your computer are not so large you need worry about not having enough space.

Any camera over 5 mega-pixels is unnecessary for all but professionals in photography; even then, only those who have need for poster-size prints find that many mega-pixels worth the money. Most freelance photographers find 4 or 5 mega-pixels to be sufficient for excellent-quality prints.

The choice is yours. Look to what you plan on doing with your photos and then decide. In most cases spending the money for increased optical zoom and lower mega-pixels is the best choice.

Digital Zoom Versus Optical Zoom

2008-06-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

Many digital cameras offer both digital and optical zoom. These two often confuse the average camera buyer, until you know what you’re looking at.

Optical zoom works much like the zoom lens on a 35 mm film camera. It changes the length of your camera’s lens and draws the subject closer to you. The optical zoom keeps the quality of the picture. Digital zoom works differently. It simply takes the picture and crops it then enlarges the part that is left. It causes the quality of the photo to be reduced, sometimes greatly.

What this means in terms of output is you may have a larger view of an object with the digital zoom, but chances are your image will become unfocused. Details will become lost. It is actually best to turn off the digital zoom feature of your camera if possible. This will prevent you automatically zooming in too close as the digital zoom is often an extension of the optical.

There are a couple of things you can do if you want a closer view of a subject but want the quality of your picture to still be good. Try moving in closer when you take the picture. Often only a foot or two will do the trick. If this isn’t possible, you can set your camera to take a picture at its highest file size. This will result in a photo that can be cropped to include only your desired subject, yet allow for an image that is still clear.

Digital zoom has its place. It can be used if the only destiny of your photo is the internet. Photos online can be a much lower quality in the camera and still appear acceptable when sent through e-mail or posted on a web gallery. If your goal is printing, however, seek a camera that has a greater optical zoom and turn off the digital zoom. Your pictures will be better in the end, even if they are not as close up.

Your Digital Camera Owner’s Manual

2008-06-20T08:04:00.001-07:00

All cameras come with an owners manual, but so few people take the time to read it. Once they get past the basic operations, they get anxious to go out and try the camera. Maybe all the new terms are confusing or there seems like too much information to digest. This is understandable, but by not reading the entire manual, you limit yourself and many cool features of your camera are never used. Hopefully you will find the following suggestions helpful in getting the most from your digital camera.

After your first overview of the features your camera possesses, decide what you would like to explore the most. Pick only one special feature. Read the instructions on what this feature can do and how to use it. Don’t worry if it isn’t completely clear, that will come in time.

Now the fun part. Take your camera and start using this special feature. Try all the different settings within this one feature. See how your pictures change. Explore what this feature does. Don’t stop until you know this feature inside and out and don’t go onto the next feature until you have fully explored this one.

When you are satisfied you know the ins and outs of one special feature, return to the owner’s manual and pick another special feature you would like to learn. Repeat the above process with this feature, only returning to the manual when you are satisfied you have mastered the new skill.

By working through the owner’s manual in this way, you will find it isn’t so overwhelming. The hands-on practice of each skill will help you learn it thoroughly. When you have covered all the cool things your camera will do, go out and enjoy them all. You will be glad you took the time to become friends with this wonderful creation.

What Is the White Balance Setting on my Digital Camera?

2008-06-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

Have you ever taken a picture of a beautiful winter scene and been disappointed to discover the crisp, white snow came out with a bluish tint? This is the kind of situation your digital camera’s white balance is meant to prevent.

The white balance is a sensor that analyzes the lighting conditions and colors of a scene and adjusts so the white in the picture appears white. This helps insure the other colors appear as natural as possible. This is one advantage digital photography has over tradition film. With film, you buy with a certain lighting condition in mind. If that changes, you need to either change your film or hope you can fix any errors in post-production.

Most digital cameras allow you to use either automatic white balance or choose between several preset conditions such as full sun, cloudy day and so forth. Automatic white balance will work in most conditions. There may be times, however when you want to “warm” up a picture to enhance the color, such as for portraits or sunsets. The best way to do this is set your camera’s white balance to “cloudy”. This will deepen the colors and add a glowing quality to portraits. It will take a beautiful sunset and enhance it to the point of incredible.

Practice taking the same photo with different white balance settings to get a feel for the changes each setting evokes. Keep notes until you have a good idea of what each setting does. In time, you will come to automatically sense which setting is best for your particular situation.

White balance is a small setting that can make big changes in your finished photos. Make it your friend and you will no longer have to worry about faded sunsets or blue snow.

Three Steps to Buying Your First Digital Camera

2008-06-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

You’ve decided it’s time to buy a digital camera, but which one? The aisles are full of different brands with different features and a wide variety of prices to match. The task can be overwhelming. Following are the three most important things you can do to make the decision easier.:

Do your research. Talk to people who have digital cameras and ask them how they like theirs. What features do they use often and which ones are “just there”? Go online and visit sites that review different cameras and read what they have to say.

Next, decide how much money you are willing to spend on a camera. There is no sense going into debt over a camera unless it will be used as your major income source. Decide how often you will use the camera, what places you will be using it and who else will be using this particular camera. How much money can you reasonably spare? All these things will help you narrow your choices.
Evaluate your needs and experience level. Do you have experience or is this your very first camera? Do you have time to learn a lot of features or are you happy with a camera you can just point and click? Do you plan on growing in photography? If so, a digital SLR may be your choice so it can be added onto to grow with you.

Buying a digital camera doesn’t have to be a purchase full of stress. Do your homework and know what you are looking for, then stick with the decision. You are the best judge of what you need, trust yourself. Each of the above steps will narrow your choices considerably and make that final decision easier to make and you can enjoy discovering the wonders of photography with your new purchase.

Making Your Digital Camera Battery Last Longer

2008-06-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

With all the features digital cameras have these days, you may find keeping batteries a problem. This could well be your biggest expense, but there are some things you can do to increase the length of time your batteries stay charged. Let’s start with the three biggest sources of power drain.

The LCD screen takes up the most power. It is possible to turn this feature off unless you really feel the need for it. Using the camera’s viewfinder will conserve power. Another big power drain is the flash. Whenever you can, use natural lighting to take your photos and turn off the flash. This will help save your battery for times when you absolutely need the flash. A third drain on your battery is constantly using your zoom. It takes more power zooming in and out than it does keeping your zoom at a steady place. Try to find a setting you like and sticking with it as much as possible..

Some other things you can do to make your battery last longer are:

Make sure Power Saving mode is on, or simply switch off your camera when you're not using it.
In cold weather, keep your camera and batteries warm in your jacket until you are ready to use them. The cold drains batteries very quickly.
Store batteries in a cool, dry location away from sunlight and other heat sources.
Avoid unnecessary playback of your already taken images. Try to decide when you take the picture if it is a “keeper” or needs deleted and then refrain from reviewing until the pictures are downloaded to your computer.
Use the AC adapter. Most digital cameras have an adapter that allows you to plug directly into a power point. If you don’t plan on moving around a lot and are near an outlet, the AC adapter will increase the life of your batteries.

Needing to buy more or recharge your battery is something you won’t be able to avoid completely, but with a few precautions this won’t be needed as often.

Digital Camera Memory Cards

2008-06-20T07:09:00.001-07:00

Does it really make a difference what size memory card you use? To your camera, no; to you, however, it could mean the difference between getting the picture you want or running out of space on your memory card.

When choosing the most logical size, take into account how many pictures you usually take at a time. Your needs if you are a world traveler will be different from those of a person who only uses a camera for holiday get-togethers. You also need to decide how big the files are of the pictures you take. Smaller files such as pictures for online will take less space and enable you to fit more on a card. Larger files for printing will need more room.

If you have a 2 mega-pixel camera, 128MB is usually enough. For a 3 or 4-megapixel camera, a 128MB or 256MB memory card is usually plenty. For a 5-megapixel camera, start with a 256MB memory card.

Here's a rough guideline of how many pictures a flash memory card can hold:

A 128MB flash memory card can store about 21-41 large, uncompressed images or up to 100 small, compressed images. This is good enough for most photographic needs.

A 256MB card will store about twice that, 42-82 large pictures and nearly 200 smaller ones. Important events like weddings and once in a lifetime events might warrant this size just to make sure you don’t miss that one special moment.

A 1GB card has room for nearly 4 times as much as a 256MB card, If you are planning a long vacation with a lot of picture taking, this might be best with the capacity to hold 168-328 large images and a total of close to 800 smaller images.

Whatever you decide, remember you can always use several smaller cards and just change them when they are full. It only takes a few seconds to switch memory cards, so don’t panic if you don’t have a large memory card.

Capturing the Little Things With a Digital Camera

2008-06-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered how a photographer gets such clear, detailed photos of things like flowers or insects? Capturing such close-up pictures is most often done with a setting that comes as an option on many digital cameras--the macro setting.

What the macro setting on your camera essentially does is focus on a very small area. The background often appears unfocused to further bring out your intended subject. Getting in close to capture all the detail of a small object is nearly impossible with the regular setting on a camera. Anything closer than about three feet becomes blurred. The macro setting changes the distance your camera will be able to focus and often allows you to take clear pictures from as close as two or three inches.

This camera mode allows for a lot of experimenting. Try taking a picture of a bee sitting on a flower petal or a close-up of frost on the window. You will be amazed at the details brought out. You will be able to almost feel the furriness of the bee and the ice crystals are beautiful.

If you are planning to sell at online auctions, a macro setting on your camera will help with taking better pictures--and better pictures help with sales. You can take close-up photos of such objects as stamps and coins, show the engraving on an object or allow a viewer to see that a piece of jewelry is flawless.

Don’t save your photo taking for big events exclusively. Take a walk and notice the little things like the pattern on a tree trunk or an ant carrying a bread crumb twice his size. There are interesting photos everywhere once you start to look, and the macro mode on your digital camera is the perfect tool for capturing them.

Focus Modes in Digital Cameras

2008-06-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

While some of the least expensive digital cameras have only automatic focus, meaning the camera does all the work on bringing your subject into the best possible focus, most SLR digitals offer three different focus modes: manual, single auto focus and continuous auto focus. All three of these will be addressed here.

With manual focus, the camera stays out of the focus equation and you, the photographer, make all the decisions regarding this. This is done by setting different buttons or actually using an attached focusing ring that rotates on the camera lens. For those who like to have complete creative control of the finished product, this is the best focus mode.

In single auto focus mode, the camera automatically focuses when you press the shutter button either all the way down to shoot a photo or half way down to lock the focus. This mode is useful when shooting static objects.

In continuous auto focus the camera continuously focuses on the objects in the photo. In this mode the camera continuously corrects the focus as the objects distance from the camera changes. This mode is useful when you shoot photos of moving objects such as a race car during a race or airplanes during an air show. You can hold the shutter button half way down and continuously move the camera to follow the object. The camera will continuously keep the object in focus.

Like any other feature automatic and manual focus modes have their pros and cons. The first step to using them to your advantage is to understand how they work and what they were designed for. The next step is to experiment shoot photos using different focus modes and different types of objects and see how the camera behaves. Once you have done that you will be ready to instinctively use the best focus mode for each photo situation.

Digital Camera Terms To Know

2008-06-20T06:37:00.000-07:00

It helps when learning to use your new digital camera to also know what some of the more common terms mean. Below you will find many of these common terms defined..

Automatic Mode — A setting that sets the focus, exposure and white-balance automatically.
Burst Mode or Continuous Capture Mode — a series of pictures taken one after another at quickly timed intervals with one press of the shutter button.

Compression — The process of compacting digital data, images and text by deleting selected information.
Digital Zoom — Cropping and magnifying the center part of an image.

JPEG — The predominant format used for image compression in digital cameras

Lag Time — The pause between the time the shutter button is pressed and when the camera actually captures the image

LCD — (Liquid-Crystal Display) is a small screen on a digital camera for viewing images.
Lens — A circular and transparent glass or plastic piece that has the function of collecting light and focusing it on the sensor to capture the image.

Megabyte — (MB) Measures 1024 Kilobytes, and refers to the amount of information in a file, or how much information can be contained on a Memory Card, Hard Drive or Disk.

Pixels — Tiny units of color that make up digital pictures. Pixels also measure digital resolution. One million pixels

adds up to one mega-pixel.
RGB — Refers to Red, Green, Blue colors used on computers to create all other colors.

Resolution — Camera resolution describes the number of pixels used to create the image, which determines the amount of detail a camera can capture. The more pixels a camera has, the more detail it can register and the larger the picture can be printed.

Storage Card — The removable storage device which holds images taken with the camera, comparable to film, but much smaller. Also called a digital camera memory card...

Viewfinder — The optical "window" to look through to compose the scene.

White Balance — White balancing adjusts the camera to compensate for the type of light (daylight, fluorescent, incandescent, etc.,) or lighting conditions in the scene so it will look normal to the human eye.

Digital Cameras

A Video Camera for Anyone Exhibiting on YouTube

A Digital S.L.R. Engineered to Be Easy on Beginners

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

A Super-Versatile Digital Camera 10.1-Megapixel DMC-FZ28 with 27mm Wide-Angle and Powerful 18x Optical Zoom Lens* Featuring Easy Manual Operation

1. A 27mm Wide Angle, Powerful 18x Optical Zooming Leica DC Lens* with F2.8 Brightness

2. Great Photography Is Not Only for Professional Photographers Anymore -- Intelligent Auto Mode

3. Easy, Intuitive Manual Operation and Advanced Scene Mode

4. Quick and Smart AF and Easy Manual Focusing

5. High-Speed Burst Shooting

6. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV

7. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era

8. Advanced 2.7-inch Intelligent LCD and Higher Resolution EVF

9. Other Features and Functions

10. More Fun with Optional Accessories

Technology Digital Camera

A Digital S.L.R. Engineered to Be Easy on Beginners

Camera Packs Features at a Less-Hefty Price

When Your Camera Knows Where You Are

Out of a Pocket, a Video Camera Filled With Tricks in High Definition

Surrounded by Water, and Sights to Shoot

Lights, Camera, Tax Credit: Massachusetts Lures Filmmakers With Generous Rebate

A Video Camera for Anyone Exhibiting on YouTube

Pixel Density: when Moore is less

Canon invests in XS capacity

Hasselblad assembles megapixel monster

Hasselblad Announces New 50 Megapixel Camera and Upcoming 645 Sensor

Kodak fits 50MP into dynamic range

Four-channel readout

Pulse flush

Color accuracy

World's First 50 Megapixel CCD Sensor Sets New Standard for Professional Photographers

Samsung launches L201

Samsung Cameras reinforces the Next Generation of L-series cameras

Samsung announces S1070

Samsung’s 10.2 Mega-Pixel S1070 further strengthens Samsung's range

Samsung L310W widens range's appeal

Samsung Widens its successful L series range

Samsung tops-up NV range with new NV9

Samsung extends NV Series with 5x Optical Zoom and ultra-compact metal body

Samsung NV100HD offers high density specification

Samsung Announces World's Highest 14.7 Mega-Pixel 28mm Wide Digital Camera

Just Posted! Sony DSLR-A200 review

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Review, Lars Rehm, July 2008

What's inside?

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37

25mm Ultra-Wide-Angle* 5x Optical Zoom LEICA DC Lens in Sleek, Super-Slim Profile 10.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-FX37 Featuring Advanced Intelligent Auto Mode

1. 25mm Ultra-Wide-Angle 5x Optical Zoom (25-125mm) F2.8 High-Quality Leica DC Lens and 10.1-Megapixel CCD

2. Great Photography Is Not Only Created By Professional Photographers Anymore -- Intelligent Auto Mode

3. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era

4. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI the Venus Engine IV

5. Wide Viewing Angle 2.5-inch Large Intelligent LCD with 230,000-dot High Resolution for Easy Shooting and Playback

6. Other Enhanced Features

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Breaking New Boundaries - Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-LX3 With F2.0 24mm Ultra Wide Angle* LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON Lens

1. Large 1/1.63-inch 10.1-megapixel CCD for Dramatically Higher Picture Quality

2. F2.0 Extraordinary Bright 24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle* High Quality LEICA DC

3. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV

4. Intuitive Full Manual Operation by Multi-functional Joystick and Enhanced Creative Options

5. Outstanding Clarity and Vision on 3-inch Large 3:2 LCD with 460,000-dot High Resolution

6. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era

7. Expandability as a System Camera

8. Other Features

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150

A Premium Stylish14.7-Megapixel High Resolution Digital Camera with 28mm Wide-Angle* F2.8 LEICA DC Lens Featuring Simple Manual Operation

1. 28mm Wide-Angle Leica DC Lens* with F2.8 Brightness and 14.7-Megapixel High Resolution CCD in a Small, Sleek Body

2. Simple Manual Controls and Versatile Functions for Creative Shooting

3. High-Speed, High-Quality Image-Processing LSI Further Evolves into the Venus Engine IV

4. Great Photography Is Not Only for Professional Photographers Anymore -- Intelligent Auto Mode

5. Exciting Options to Expand the Fun of Photography in the High-Definition Era

6. Wide Viewing Angle 2.7-inch Large Intelligent LCD to Offer Clear View Anytime

7. Other Enhanced Features

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**1. A 27mm Wide Angle, Powerful 18x Optical Zooming Leica DC Lens* with F2.8 Brightness**

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**2. F2.0 Extraordinary Bright 24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle* High Quality LEICA DC**

**1. 28mm Wide-Angle Leica DC Lens* with F2.8 Brightness and 14.7-Megapixel High Resolution CCD in a Small, Sleek Body**