Hasta La Gadget!

We’re here in Berlin, covering IFA 2011, and Panasonic’s getting things started by showing off a concept camera, its first with a twin-lens capable of shooting 3D stills and video. Alas, the company’s press release is light on technical info, though it does reveal the system’s built on dual 4x lenses with “thin, folded” optics. Hopefully, we’ll see this thing in person while we’re in town and learn a bit more. In similar news, the company also announced the HDC-Z10000 (pictured), its first 2D / 3D camcorder with an integrated twin-lens. The camcorder records 1080p / 1080i AVCHD 3D video, has dual CMOS sensors with a combined resolution of 13.1MP and a glasses-less 3.5-inch LCD. It’s also capable of 3D macros as close as 17.8 inches — a record for twin-lens 3D camcorders, according to Panasonic. As the company’s been known to do, though, it’s holding off on revealing any details about pricing or availability, so it looks like we’ll have to save that for a rainy day. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic shows off twin-lens 3D camera prototype, announces HDC-Z10000 3D camcorder

Panasonic shows off twin-lens 3D camera prototype, announces HDC-Z10000 3D camcorder originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anyone who’s used Panasonic’s 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds zoom lens has probably noticed its relatively bulky design, especially when compared to Olympus’s counterpart. Today, the company announced a new lens that offers the same zoom and f/3.5-5.6 aperture range in a housing less than half the size when closed, and still noticeably smaller when extended. The first of two optics in Panasonic’s premium X-series — the second is a 45-170mm f/4-5.6 zoom — it’s been billed as the world’s smallest digital interchangeable power zoom lens, thanks to its internal zoom motor which lets you adjust the focal length using a side-mounted rocker — the design is similar to the zoom toggle included with the company’s new FX150 superzoom. Priced at $399, it also includes a metal lens mount, instead of the plastic mount used with the existing $199 14-42mm lens.

That second 45-170mm zoom ($449) can replace Panasonic’s 45-200mm lens ($349), and while the size difference isn’t as dramatic is its smaller X-series sibling, it’s still noticeably smaller and lighter. Both lenses include optical image stabilization and feature nano surface coatings, designed to reduce ghosting and lens flare. The 14-42mm lens will ship in October in black and white (for use with silver bodies), and the 45-170mm zoom will ship in September. They’ll only be compatible with the GF-2, GF-3, and G3 at launch after downloading a firmware update — Panasonic is leaving it up to Olympus to release supporting firmware for its own cameras be compatible with all G-series cameras at launch, without the need for a firmware update. Jump past the break for more details from Panasonic, and check out the gallery below — complete with side-by-side shots for both lens classes.

Update: Panasonic issued a correction saying that both lens will be compatible with all G-series cameras without the need for a firmware update.

Continue reading Panasonic shrinks its Micro Four Thirds lenses, launches X-series with wide-angle, telephoto zooms

Panasonic shrinks its Micro Four Thirds lenses, launches X-series with wide-angle, telephoto zooms originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last month, Panasonic’s Lumix FZ47 made some (rather subtle) waves with its full manual video mode, lettering you control aperture and shutter speed while capturing in 1080i. Now, the company just announced its higher-end FZ150, which replaces last year’s FZ100, adding 1080p AVCHD capture, a stereo mic with noise cancellation, and a 12 fps burst mode. Image-related improvements include a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 25-600mm (24x) f/2.8-5.2 Leica lens with nano surface coating, faster autofocus, a new Venus Engine FHD Pro processor, and sensitivity up to ISO 3200. The FZ150 retains its predecessor’s 3-inch LCD and 0.2-inch EVF — both also present on the FZ47. There’s also a new side-lever control, letting you adjust zoom and focus with secondary levers positioned just to the left of the lens. Panasonic’s latest superzoom cam will ship in late September with a $500 sticker price. PR after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic Lumix FZ150 builds on FZ47 superzoom, adds CMOS sensor, 1080p video

Panasonic Lumix FZ150 builds on FZ47 superzoom, adds CMOS sensor, 1080p video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When the Lumix GF1 was released less than a year after Micro Four Thirds first made its debut, it made a huge splash for its size, image quality, and versatility. Problem is, Panasonic set the bar very high for future GF-series models, and has sadly come up short with its latest update, positioning the GF3 ($600 with 14-42mm kit lens) as an upgrade for compact camera owners while leaving enthusiasts longing for much more. DPReview took the GF3 to task, publishing a very comprehensive review while finding that while Panasonic’s latest ILC is a good fit for some photographers, more advanced users will likely be disappointed — especially if they’re expecting a rangefinder-like successor to the GF1. We spent a few hours with a pre-production GF3 earlier this summer, and weren’t blown away by its performance. When testing against the class-leading Sony NEX-C3, we found the Sony camera to offer faster focusing, better high-ISO performance, more accurate white balance, and better image quality overall. So unless you’re really gunning to save 50 bucks on an ILC with a kit zoom (or you already have a collection of Micro Four Thirds lenses), the $650 C3 is definitely the better bet.

Panasonic GF3 reviewed: aging 12 MP sensor, good upgrade for current compact users originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic’s new little black plastic box is a pocket media server which will stream video and music direct to your iPhone or iPad, or other compatible device via Wi-Fi. But given its high price and limited functionality, it’s hard to see who will buy it.

The DY-PS10 is little more than box with a li-ion battery (ten hours life), an 802.11b/g router and an SD card slot. You pop in a card loaded up with media (Panasonic’s DIGA DVD players will rip copies direct to the right format and copy them to the card) and you can then stream to your iDevice. And that’s it. The box — launching first in Japan — will cost ¥11,800, or $154.

Why would you buy this? You have to convert movies anyway, so you may as well convert them and just copy them straight to your iPad. Not enough space? Then you should have taken that $150 and put it towards a larger capacity iDevice.

Perhaps it’s useful for viewing a movie you just shot with your Panasonic camera? You could just pop the memory card into this box and stream the movie to your big-screen tablet. Except that you could pop the card directly into the iPad using the $30 camera connection kit.

Or you could buy a MiFi personal hotspot, which has all of the above features (including a card slot) plus a 3G modem. This little box really seems to be a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

The DY-PS10 launches in Japan on September 15th.

DY-PS10 product page [Panasonic via Slashgear]

See Also:

• Western Digital's TV Live Hub Is the Anti-Apple TV
• iPad Buzz Player Streams and Converts Movies From Network Storage …