Panasonic
April 5th, 2010 by D-Photo
Sean Aiken gets to grips with Panasonic’s new Micro Four Thirds offering
Those up to speed with Micro Four Thirds’ swift revolution will know that the Lumix GF1 is Panasonic’s response to the Olympus E-P1 (see D-Photo issue 32). It seems that waiting a few short months has made all the difference, with the new kid on the block offering more options than just retro chic.
Size matters
The review GF1 was a final production model equipped with the ‘pancake’ 20mm f1.7 (equivalent to 40mm on a full frame system), exceeding the pancake from Olympus (17mm). I would rather a narrower angle of view with shallow depth of field, and with the Panasonic coming in with a maximum aperture of f1.7, you get real portraits with great out-of-focus backgrounds.
Although a larger zoom lens is available the real fun starts when using this slimline (25.5mm!) fast lens. With its total size not much larger than the Panasonic Lumix LX3 or Canon Powershot G10, this is the ideal everyday camera for the discerning photographer wanting shallower depth of field and the greater image quality made possible by the larger sensor.
Size is as important as fun
I picked up the GF1 just before heading to Australia for a wedding, so it seemed the perfect little camera to take. The first thing to notice was how much fun the GF1 was to use. The excellent screen allowed me to shoot with it very close to my face, pseudo viewfinder stance, and with its snappy autofocus and intelligent auto (of which more later) it was ideal for using on the streets of downtown Brisbane.
Read the rest of this entry »
December 1st, 2009 by D-Photo
Phil Hanson samples Panasonic’s second Four Thirds camera, now upgraded with the SIGNIFICANT NEW ADDITION OF HD video capture
Panasonic’s Lumix G1 received an enthusiastic review in D-Photo 28, and for good reason. The first Micro Four Thirds camera to reach our shores, it delivered important new features and showed huge promise. Hot on its heels comes the GH1, largely the same camera with the notable addition of HD video.
SPOILT FOR CHOICE
Why two choices? Alluring as glorious 1080 HD may
be, it eats space on the memory cards and will be
more than needed for some users’ requirements,
such as posting to the internet or viewing on small screens.
It’s almost like Panasonic is trying to make up for not offering video on the G1, such is the effort that’s gone into making the GH1 video friendly. For example, although the user can make various settings via menus, the easiest way is just to hit the red button on the camera back near the shutter release, and you’re away under the camera’s automatic control.
Prominent on top of the body is a pair of stereo microphones and a 2.5mm jack for external microphones. Sound is encoded using Dolby Digital Stereo Creator.
DIM THE LIGHTS
It’s the result that counts and the GH1 delivers the goods in both 720 and 1080. The results are among the best I have seen from camera-based video. And thanks to those microphones, sound quality is top class. Video recording is possible in either the AVCHD or Motion JPEG formats, although the full 1920 x 1080 requires the AVCHD setting.
NEW PIECE OF KIT
The test GH1 came bundled with the new G Vario 14-140mm f4-5.8 ASPH image-stabilised lens that was apparently designed with HD video recording in mind, offering continuous, silent auto-focusing and seamless aperture adjustment. Whether for video or still, it’s a classy lens that balances beautifully with the body.
The long zoom range, a 28 to 280mm full-frame equivalent, will be a boon to many, and its only real drawback is the relatively modest maximum aperture. However, image quality is already good wide open. There’s minor vignetting and distortion at the wide end of the zoom — a small price for its overall performance.
THAT VIEWFINDER
Because of its similarity to the G1, this review has been about the GH1’s video abilities. But I can’t resist revisiting the most controversial aspect of Micro Four Thirds — its electronic viewfinder (EVF). Apart from displaying camera setting information, the roles of a viewfinder have been to focus and frame the picture. 
Today’s autofocus takes care of the first requirement. And an EVF frames the shot as well as ever; the only difference is the way it presents the image to the eye.
Plus, the G1 and GH1 both have a wonderful 3-inch TFT LCD panel that hinges out from the back and adjusts to almost any angle. If only all dSLRs had this feature.
CONCLUSION
The convergence of still and video technology into a single piece of equipment is one of the Next Big Things, and the GH1 is a milestone because of the results it achieves and because it’s such a small, light and compact package.
PANASONIC
LUMIX DMC-GH1 – SPECS
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Model: Lumix DMC-GH1
Viewfinder: Colour LCD,
1,440,000 dots
Monitor: Free-angle 3-inch TFT
LCD, 460,600 dots
Shutter: 1/4000 to 60 seconds, bulb
Aperture: f4-f5.8
ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800,
1600, 3200
Shooting Modes: Auto, Scene (Sunset/Party/Baby/Pet), Portrait, Scenery, Sport, Night Portrait
Exposure Metering: Intelligent multiple, centre-weighted, spot
Focus Modes: AF tracking, 23-area, 1-area (selectable), face detection
Media: SD, SDHC
File Format: JPEG, RAW, AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Flash: TTL built-in pop-up
Interface: USB 2.0, composite video out, HDMI video out
Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
Dimensions: 124 x 84 x 45mm
Weight: 903g with lens,
battery and card
Contact
www.panasonic.co.nz
PROS
- Good image quality
- Ditto for videos
- A light, compact outfit
CONS
- Limited ‘native’ lenses, accessories
- Maybe the EVF
Design 18
Performance 18
Features 18
Image Quality 17
Value for money 16
TOTAL 87/100
This article if from D-Photo issue 31.
October 22nd, 2009 by D-Photo
Harley Ogier dives in to test out a cool-looking waterproof camera.
Panasonic is famous for its Toughbook line of notebook computers designed to military standards. That experience is put to good use in the company’s latest compact digital camera, the rugged DMC-FT1.
Built for action
Cased in an attractive metal shell reminiscent of the Toughbook computer, the DMC-FT1 is water-, shock- and dustproof to recognised industry standards. Sealed hatches protect the battery, memory card and connectors, while folded optics keep the lens assembly entirely within the body and behind a protective outer shell. Altogether this makes for an extremely hardy camera capable of shooting in harsh environments without an additional protective housing.
I gave the DMC-FT1 a test run underwater and it performed admirably. The controls were easy to operate and the screen was clearly visible. Image quality was equal to that of pictures taken on dry land. The camera works in salt water, though a rinse in fresh water is necessary afterwards. If you follow the instructions, you’re unlikely to have any problems shooting at the beach or in the pool.
Shoot fast
Most digital compact cameras have a pronounced start-up delay while they mechanically extend the lens from within the body. Since the DMC-FT1’s lens remains internal, its start-up time is noticeably shorter than average. This is great for spontaneously capturing images, just the thing a ruggedized compact camera is made for.
In keeping with that shoot-from-the-hip mentality, the DMC-FT1 features a dedicated video record button that works in any shooting mode. It means you can switch rapidly between photo and video recording without having to fumble for the mode dial — a potentially difficult task while underwater or hanging from the side of a cliff.
Results
Images taken with the DMC-FT1 are of reasonable quality; colour depth is good and the 28mm (equivalent) wide-angle lens is great for those long New Zealand beaches. However, there’s some noticeable blurring around the edges at that widest zoom level.
The camera’s dynamic range seems quite limited, especially in highly contrasted outdoor shots. An Intelligent Auto shooting mode provides some improvement there, adjusting the camera’s settings to best suit your current environment. While manual options are available in the Normal shooting mode, Intelligent Auto is another convenience feature for the quick-shooting action star who doesn’t have time to worry about exposure compensation or white balance.
Regardless of settings, images do appear a little noisier and slightly blurrier than one would expect of a 12 megapixel camera. That’s not to say resolution has anything to do with image quality, but there’s little point in a 12 megapixel sensor if you end up resizing all of your images down to cut out the noise.
Conclusion
Panasonic’s DMC-FT1 doesn’t take the best pictures in its class. However, many will find this a reasonable trade-off for the camera’s extremely durable and waterproof construction. Underwater housings for existing cameras are available but they are not cheap, so with one built in, you may be getting a better deal that you might think.
If you’re looking for a compact camera to match your active lifestyle, the DMC-FT1 is an excellent option.
Panasonic DMC-FT1 – Specifications
- Effective Pixels: 12.1 million
- Lens: 4.9-22.8mm (35mm equivalent 28-128mm)
- Monitor: 2.7-inch TFT
LCD, 230,000 dots, 100%
frame coverage
- Shutter: 1/1300 to 8 seconds,
15, 30, 60 seconds
- ISO: 80-1600 auto,
1600-6400 selectable
- Shooting Modes: Intelligent
Auto, Normal Picture,
Scene, Beach & Surf, Snow, Sports, Clipboard
- Exposure Metering: Intelligent multiple
- Focus Modes: Face, AF tracking, multiple (11-point), 1-point, spot
- Media: SD, SDHC, MMC (Still images only)
- File Format: JPEG, AVCHD Lite, QuickTime Motion JPEG
- Interface: USB 2.0, composite video out, miniHDMI
- Batteries: Rechargeable Lithium-ion, approx 340 images
- Durability: Waterproof (3.0m), dustproof, shockproof (1.5m)
- Dimensions: 98.3 x 63.1 x 23.0mm
- Weight: 184g with battery
and SD card
Contact
www.panasoniclumix.co.nz
PROS
- Convenient video recording
CONS
Design 17
Performance 18
Features 18
Image Quality 16
Value for money 16
TOTAL 85/100
This article if from D-Photo issue 30.
August 25th, 2009 by D-Photo
The latest Panasonic Lumix DMC LZ8 may only be an entry-level compact, but it comes with a big 8.1 million-pixel sensor as well as a 5x optical zoom that covers from 32mm wide-angle to 160mm telephoto. Mix this up with an intelligent auto setting that knows what you are shooting, as well as face detection, and you have a wonderful start to your image making.
Fizzy from the start
It’s not often I open a box and get overwhelmed with the contents, but this little Lumix is wonderful to hold and use. As a first camera this wee minx will do all the work in the intelligent auto setting, and when your confidence and curiosity grow it has aperture and shutter priority as well as full manual control so you can take over.
Intelligence beyond its years
Scene modes are cool. They let you look at what you are shooting and choose the right scene from a list that will suit the situation. There are 19 separate modes to choose from, but for someone who doesn’t know a portrait from a close-up then the intelligent auto will be a godsend, as it selects from Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Night Portrait and Night Scenery, and does it perfectly. It almost makes the need for other scene modes redundant, but this compact will breed inquisitiveness and you’ll want to delve into the array of scenes that include Sport and the long exposure Starry Sky. The Kids and Pets modes let you set the name and date of birth of your babies and pets, then informs you of their age and name each time you take a picture.
Simplified Menus
The LZ8 has a wonderful menu system with a shortcut button that gives you quick access to file size, ISO, white balance, AF mode, burst shooting, image stabilisation and LCD brightness. The default settings are good, but at some stage of using this camera you will want to make adjustments. There is also a zoom shortcut that instantly zooms out to maximum optical zoom with one touch of the button, then maximum digital zoom with a second press, while a third touch will bring the lens back full circle to the wide-angle setting. The zoom control on the shutter release allows you to zoom to where you want in smaller steps.
Inbuilt versus Cards
Having eight million pixels at your disposal will quickly gobble the 20MB of on-board memory, so it makes sense to get a memory card to go with this camera. Even here you have a choice, either SD or SDHC, and with the capability to make decent movies the SDHC card will be the better choice.
Conclusion
The Panasonic Lumix DMC LZ8 sports a beautiful Leica 5x optical zoom complete with Mega Optical Image Stabiliser, and an 8.1-million-pixel sensor. The intelligent features include intelligent ISO, which automatically detects motion and selects a higher ISO to lessen the chance of camera shake. This entry-level camera can be used as simply as you’d like in the intelligent auto setting, or you can take over completely with full manual exposure. What more could you ask for in a camera?
Specs
- Effective pixels: 8.1 million
- Lens: 5x optical 5.2-26mm
(35mm equiv, 32-160mm)
- Monitor: 2.5-inch TFT LCD
(230,000 pixels)
- Shutter: 60 to 1/2000 sec
- ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800,
1600, High Sensitivity Mode: Auto
(1600 – 6400)
- Shooting Modes: Program AE,
Aperture Priority AE, Shutter
Priority AE, Manual, Portrait,
Scenery, Sports, Panning, Night
Portrait, Self-Portrait, Food,
Party, Candle Light, Fireworks,
Starry Sky, Beach, Aerial Photo,
Snow, High Sensitivity, Baby 1&2,
Sunset, Pet, High-Speed Burst
- Exposure Metering: Intelligent
Auto, Centre Weighted, Spot
- Focus modes: Face, one-point,
one-point high speed, three-point
high speed, nine-point, Spot
- Media: 20MB onboard memory, SD, SDHC, MultiMediaCard
- File format: JPEG,
Motion JPEG AVI
- Interface: USB, A/V output
- Dimensions: 97.5 x 62 x 33.3mm
contact
www.panasonic.co.nz
Pros
- Leica 5x optical zoom starting
at 32mm
- Big 64mm screen with
brightness control
- Clever scene modes as well as
manual control
Cons
Design 18
Performance 18
Features 19
Image Quality 18
Value for money 19
TOTAL 92/100
This review is from D-Photo issue #024.
August 6th, 2009 by D-Photo
Harley Ogier takes the Four Thirds G1 for a test spin and is impressed by its quality pictures
The Lumix G1 from Panasonic is a world first, offering interchangeable lenses in a camera with a purely electronic viewfinder: no mirror, no prism, just Live View taken to the extreme.
The camera uses the relatively new Micro Four Thirds standard for digital compact cameras that was revealed by Panasonic and Olympus last year.
The standard provides equivalent quality to a crop-sensor dSLR, only without the mirror and pentaprism — the arrangement of reflectors that allows a single lens reflex camera to direct light from the lens to either the sensor or viewfinder as required. Removing these elements allows for much smaller designs but prohibits the optical viewfinder central to dSLR cameras.
The Lumix G1 is the first camera to use this standard and boasts a beautiful 1,440,000-dot electronic viewfinder so sharp that it’s hard to see a disadvantage over the optical viewfinder of a more traditional dSLR setup. The contrast and colours aren’t quite perfect, but they do show what the image sensor sees.
Pretty pictures
Image quality is in line with similar dSLR cameras, and far above anything I’ve seen from the digital compact class. Colours appear rich and lifelike in both indoor and outdoor shots. The G1 also displays excellent dynamic range, revealing detail in both dark and light areas of highly contrasted images.
I tested the camera with the optional Lumix 45-200mm OIS telephoto zoom lens (90-400mm in 35mm film terms). Picture quality was brilliant throughout the range and I was able to take some quite decent night shots way out at 200mm. This and the standard Lumix 14-45mm OIS zoom (28-90mm in 35mm terms) are the only lenses currently available but three more will be offered for sale this year.
Control
The G1 is as quick to autofocus as anything else on the market — in fact, I think it’s much faster than your average high-end dSLR can manage in Live View. The lenses can also be manually focused. By default this turns on ‘Focus Assist’, which zooms-in the viewfinder so you can check the focus.
The viewfinder returns automatically to full frame once you’ve stopped turning the focus ring. This isn’t nearly as disorientating as it might sound and allows far tighter control over focus than a traditional dSLR.
Shooting
The only disadvantage I found is the G1’s low frame rate of two to three frames per second (memory card willing). On the other hand, the frame rate is constant: no long pauses after several shots.
Conclusion
Panasonic has created something revolutionary with the Lumix G1. Given the stunning quality of its pilot camera, I expect the Micro Four Thirds standard will easily make headway into the market.
SPECS – PANASONIC LUMIX G1
- Manufacturer: Panasonic
- Model: Lumix G1
- RRP: $1499 (G1 body with Lumix G-VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 OIS zoom lens. Also available as a two-lens kit including the Lumix G-VARIO 45-200mm F4-5.6 OIS zoom lens at $1999)
- Effective Pixels: 12.1 million
- Image Sensor:
- 17.3 x 13.0mm MOS
- Lens: 14-45mm (35mm equivalent 28-90mm)
- Viewfinder: Colour LCD, 1,440,000 dots, 100% frame coverage
- Monitor: Free-angle 3-inch TFT LCD, 460,600 dots, 100% frame coverage
- Shutter: 1/4000 to 60 seconds, bulb
- Aperture: f3.5-f5.6
- ISO: 100-3200
- Shooting Modes: Auto, Scene (Sunset/Party/Baby/Pet), Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait
- Exposure Metering: Intelligent multiple, centre-weighted, spot
- Focus Modes: AF Tracking, 23-area, 1-area (selectable), face detection
- Media: SD, SDHC, MMC
- File Format: JPEG, RAW
- Flash: TTL built-in pop-up
- Interface: USB 2.0, composite video out, HDMI video out
- Batteries: Rechargeable Lithium-ion, up to 350 images
- Dimensions: 124 x 83.6 x 45.2mm
- Weight: 635g with standard lens, battery and card
Contact
www.panasonic.com
PROS
- High-resolution viewfinder
CONS
| Design |
19 |
| Performance |
18 |
| Features |
19 |
| Image Quality |
18 |
| Value for money |
18 |
|
|
| Total |
92/100 |
This review is from D-Photo issue #028.
June 26th, 2009 by D-Photo
Panasonic has surpassed itself with its latest FZ offering, a camera that has a range of ‘intelligent’ auto options to make taking great pictures even easier. Fraser Kitt says it ticks all the boxes.
Ticking boxes seems to be a daily task, whether it be getting the right milk at the supermarket or finding the most fuel-efficient car. Panasonic has ticked off so many features on my list with its latest super-zoom that I may just have to rethink what I really need in a camera.
Moving experience
The Panasonic FZ28 is not just a flash Harry with its 18x Leica optical zoom, it also has functionality that seasoned digital photographers will lust after.
Call me greedy but I want it all, not just the universal JPEG format but RAW as well and this mega-zoom delivers both.
If you also like to shoot movies then the five different file sizes to choose from will make you happy. For the high-definition enthusiasts the FZ28 offers an HD setting of 1280 x 720 at either 30 or 15fps — you’ll need an SDHC card in the camera to take advantage of this.
Tracking
Focus tracking is a trick you’ll learn to use to make sure your subject is the main focus of the camera. Combine this with continuous shooting and you’ll be rattling off a series of three images at 2.5fps in the largest file size or 5fps when the file size is reduced. This makes shooting children who are playing games so much easier.
Face detection is also fantastic to use and will happily target your subjects and follow them within the frame. It will recognise up to 15 faces, too.
Clever Clogs
Auto Intelligent would have to be one of the best features to ever be included on a camera. Sure, scene modes are a great way of getting the perfect exposure for a certain scene, but having to find them can be a chore.
Put this Lumix into Auto Intelligent setting and it will automatically select from one of five common scenes: Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Portrait and Night Scenery. If it detects a person in the shot it chooses face detection to focus perfectly on your subject and give the correct skin tones.
Panasonic has also included intelligent ISO that picks the correct ISO speed to use for the lighting conditions, but the FZ28 also allows you to limit the maximum ISO so that your images aren’t ruined by the enthusiasm of your camera.
The FZ28’s intellect isn’t limited to these few tricks. It also has intelligent exposure with three levels of compensation, which targets highlight and shadow detail and corrects for over or under exposure by altering the ISO in the affected area. Now that is clever.
Superb Lens
The FZ28’s Leica lens is superb. It covers a phenomenal range from 27mm to 486mm that makes it damned near perfect and happily lets you shoot anything from screamingly beautiful vistas to heart-stopping action. My only disappointment was macro photography in low light where it just wouldn’t focus, no matter how hard the low light illuminator worked.
Conclusion
The latest super-zoom from Panasonic is simply wonderful to use thanks to all the auto intelligence. These settings make using this camera extremely simple and the images are reasonable, too.
If you want you can take the moral high ground and use RAW file so you can tinker with exposures after you’ve shot them, and the HD video setting will boost your movie production up a notch or two.
The big 2.7-inch screen is an asset, as is the electronic viewfinder, which is handy to fall back on in bright light. There is so much going for this camera — don’t forget the image stabilizer — that the people at Panasonic really should give themselves a pat on the back.
SPECS:
- Effective Pixels: 10 million
- Lens: 18x optical 4.8-86.4mm Leica DC Vario-Elmarit (27-486mm in 35mm terms)
- Viewfinder: Colour LCD (201,000 pixels)
- Monitor: 2.7-inch TFT LCD (230,000 pixels)
- Shutter: 60 sec to 1/2000 sec
- Aperture: f2.8-f4.4
- ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, High Sens mode 1600-6400
- Shooting Modes: Intelligent Auto, program, aperture priority, shutter priority, Manual,
- Scene modes: Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Flash Burst, Panning, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo, Pin Hole, Film Grain, Motion Picture
- Exposure Metering: Multiple, centre, spot
- Focus Modes: Normal, AF macro, manual, face detection, multi-area focusing, 1 area focus (high speed), 1 area focusing, spot, AF tracking
- Media: 50MB built-in memory, SD, SDHC, MMC (still pictures only)
- File Format: JPEG, RAW, WAV, Quicktime motion JPEG
- Flash: Built-in pop-up flash
- Interface: USB 2.0
- Batteries: Lithium-ion rechargeable
- Dimensions: 117.6 x 75.3 x 88.9mm
- Weight: 417g
Contact:
www.panasonic.co.nz
Pros:
- Intelligent everything
- Sharp lens
- Great ISO range with limiter
- Brilliant battery life
Cons:
Low light macro struggled
| Design |
17 |
| Performance |
18 |
| Features |
18 |
| Image Quality |
18 |
| Value for money |
17 |
|
|
| Total |
88/100 |
This review is from D-Photo issue #027.
June 20th, 2009 by D-Photo
Panasonic has produced a camera capable of being the perfect travel companion. The LX3 has a 24mm zoom lens and the ability to shoot RAW files
There are some compelling reasons to own a Lumix LX3. The first would be the divine Leica wide-angle zoom lens. This DC Vario-Summicron may only cover the equivalent of 24-60mm (2.5x) and be built under license by Panasonic, but it has all the hallmarks of a lens fresh out of Germany.
The picture quality is magnificent largely due to the limited zoom range of the lens. The 16:9 aspect ratio is perfect for expressing just how wide 24mm actually is. It will comfortably let you shoot groups and interiors like you would with a dSLR.
RAW attitude
If ever there was an ultimate file format it would have to be RAW. This lets you capture the most image data and then allows for post-production alterations of the picture, letting you adjust white balance, exposure, contrast and sharpness like you were still at the scene.
It will even let you shoot RAW and JPEG at the same time — a handy feature if you need to quickly upload an image to the internet but also need to be able to make subtle adjustments back at the computer.
Easy peasy
The LX-3 may be a weapon in the hands of a professional but all the controls could be a little daunting. For the novice it has IA — intelligent auto — which instinctively knows what type of scene you are shooting.
It then select from five scene modes (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Night Portrait and Night Scenery) to give you the best settings for what you are shooting. This function rocks, even using face detect when it recognises you are shooting people.
Double trouble
There are some clever tricks in this compact and the most interesting of these is double exposure. It enables you to take up to three images on the one frame, allowing you to retake an image as you go through the process.
Take the time to skim through the scene modes to find not only the usual portrait and landscapes but also Pinhole and Film Grain settings. Pinhole gives you a vignette around the edge of the image, while Film Grain makes a black and white image with extra grain to give an aged look. It also has a very good auto-tracking feature that locks on to your subjects and follows them until you finally hit the shutter release.
Conclusion
The ability to slide a bigger flash onto the hot shoe is yet another bonus. The body is beautifully built and the Leica lens is incredibly sharp. Layout is simple and the thumb-controlled jogstick makes navigation a breeze. It has a few foibles that are annoying, such as a nagging desire to up the ISO when you would get a better image using the manually activated flash. Ultimately, I love the 24mm wide-angle lens and the 16:9 picture ratio that emphasises this width. Video fans will love the HD video.
SPECS:
- Manufacturer: Panasonic
- Model: Lumix DMC-LX3
- Price: $899
- Effective Pixels: 10.1 million
- Lens: Leica DG Vario-Summicron 5.1-12.8mm (35mm equivalent 24-60mm)
- Viewfinder: None
- Monitor: 3-inch TFT LCD (460,000 pixels)
- Shutter: 60sec-1/2000sec
- Aperture: f2-f8
- ISO: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (In Hi Sensitivity mode 1600-6400)
- Shooting Modes: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Intelligent Auto
- Exposure Metering: Intelligent multiple, spot, centre-weighted
- Focus Modes: Normal/macro, continuous AF, AF/MF switchable, manual, quick AF/MF switchable, continuous AF/MF switchable, one shot AF, AF area select, AF tracking
- Media: 50MB onboard, SD, SDHC
- File Format: JPEG, RAW, Motion JPEG movie
- Flash: Auto, auto redeye reduction, slow sync, forced on/off, flash output adjustment
- Interface: USB
- Batteries: Lithium-ion rechargeable
- Dimensions: 59.5 x 108.7 x 27.1mm
- Weight: 265g
Contact
www.panasonic.co.nz
Pros:
- Wide 24mm zoom lens
- Fantastic build quality
- RAW file + JPEG + HD movie
- 16:9 aspect ratio
Cons:
- Annoyingly ups ISO
- Manual flash
- Limited zoom range
| Design |
18 |
| Performance |
19 |
| Features |
19 |
| Image Quality |
18 |
| Value for money |
16 |
|
|
| Total |
90/100 |
This review is from D-Photo issue #026.
