After its launch on February 2006, Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 is poised to mark its place on the world of digital cameras. Although it is not "pocketable" compared to other cameras, TZ1 has its own charms to entice many customers. First, it is considerably less bulky than its 'SLR-like' siblings and their competitors, and although it offers little in the way of truly manual control, it is packed with features like its superb 5.0 million effective pixels, 10x (35-350mm equiv.) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit optical zoom, 2.5-inch(270,000) High Resolution LCD, MEGA OIS image stabilization, Venus III Engine processor,  Fast Linear autofocus system and 18 scene modes which ranges from Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports;to Self-Portrait, Fireworks, Beach, Aerial Photo, Snow, High Sensitivity and Night Portrait.

It also available in two color options - silver or black - though this may not be the case for every country and/or every retailer. Its built-in flash has options like Auto with red-eye reduction, Slow synch with red-eye reduction, Forced on/off, and has a range of 0.3 - 3.7m (Auto ISO, wide) to a whopping 1.0 - 2.4m (Auto ISO, wide).

You can store data on its massive 13.4MB internal memory and it is SD / MMC compatible. It runs on a Li-on battery pack that is included in the package and has free optional AC adapter. It has dimensions pf 112 x 58.1 x 40.2 mm (4.41 x 2.29 x 1.58 in) and only weighs 234 g (7.3 oz).

Watch out for Panasonic's release of the very first 3CCD DVD movie camera, VDR-D400. The 3CCD feature of the camera enables it to capture image data by assigning one color to each chip, resulting in more accurate color information as compared to one CCD cams currently available.

The new Panasonic VDR-D400 boasts of 800,000 pixel with its 20x Leica optical zoom. It also has 2.7 inches LCD, which displays crisp and clear pictures, a joystick control for easier navigation and a 16:9 widescreen recording capability. Other features of this new hot gadget is the SD/Sdhc card slot, O.I.S, built-in LED color enhancement light, a video editing software, Hi-speed USB 2, and MPEG-2 recording in XP/SP/LP modes.

The slick design and the eye-catching silver color of the new Panasonic VDR D400 makes it the perfect gadget to show off to your friends on your next vacation or reunion. It weighs 720g (including the batteries) and measures 70x149x90mm. It is poised to take over the market on 1st of September for a hefty price of ¥120,000 (about $1050). But hey, you wouldn't mind spending that much after you see the envious looks from your friends.

News about Panasonic's Lumix DMC-L1 (not the DMX-L1 as our source site says), touted as their 'first real dSLR', has been around for a little while now, but only now has the company decided to formally launch the unit. (We presume that's because they wanted the hype to reach some sort of crescendo before they did so; we're not sure at this point whether or not that's the case.)

We also have some detailed info about the camera that we didn't have earlier. The 145x86.9x80 L1 is a 7.5-megapixel dSLR that's got ISO values between 100 and 1600. It features a Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm lens with an OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer), a Dust Free Sensor that Panasonic says makes the camera a snap to keep clean (interesting - wonder how that works?), a nice bright 2.5-inch control screen, RAW/JPEG support and compatibility with SD/SDHC cards of up to 4GB capacity.

Not bad, eh? We sure think so, too. All that goodness isn't going to come cheap, though. It's to retail for a little less than 1800 EUR in Japan and 1500 EUR in the States (no clue why), which we hear is an eye-popping 700 EUR more than Canon's renowned 350D. Wonder if it'll be worth it? We'll keep you all posted.

Have a look at some more nice pictures of the Lumix DMC-L1, courtesy of the good folks from Akihabara News.

 

A quick refresher:
Oxyride battery is a long-lasting battery developed by Panasonic and introduced in 2004 as Digital Xtreme Power. Oxyride batteries rely on updated alkaline chemistry and denser material fill while its oxy nickel hydroxide cathode (-) maintains higher voltage. Oxyride batteries are manufactured using vacuum-pouring technology where more electrolytes can be packed into each battery for increased durability. It is 1.5 times more powerful than regular alkaline. In practical terms, you can take twice as many photos with your digital cameras using oxyrides. In fact, any gadget that runs on batteries get extra mileage on oxyrides

Fast forward to right now:
Panasonic claims it has increased the efficiency and longevity of its oxyride battereies by 120%. Personally, we believe them. For doubting Thomases, the company and the Tokyo Institute of Technology plan to conduct a manned plane flight with 100 AA Oxyride batteries supplying the energy needed to take off and fly. Like we said, we believe them. But we’re not signing up for the first commercial flight powered by AA batteries.

Here are some close-ups of Panasonic's DMC-TZ1.


Prices of ultra-zoom cameras are not only dropping, relative to digital SLRs, but they are getting physically smaller and more functional. Take Panasonic’s 5-megapixel compact DMC-TZ1 - the world’s smallest (4.41 x 2.29 x 1.58 in) optical zoom digital still camera.The TZ1 sports the Mega O.I.S. technology and the third generation of Panasonic's Venus Engine processor. It is also the first model to incorporate a Linear autofocus system which, when combined with the high speed AF function, improves AF response time.


According to Panasonic, the compact size was achieved not through a machine that can shrink kids, but through a new lens design which combines retractable with folded-path and aspherical optical elements. At $349, this compact ultra-zoom camera proves small can be satisfying too.

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX01 is the fourth reincarnation of the ultra compact range that started in 2004 with the FX7 model. Although it's a minor facelift, it does offer a uniqueness in its class. It has a true wide angle zoom, covering a useful 28-102mm (3.6x) zoom range. It is the world's smallest camera with a 28mm lens, a true compact camera. Other changes include a high sensitivity mode (offering at least up to 1600) and a new 16.9 widescreen movie mode.

Panasonic is introducing its latest super zoom digital camera, the six-megapixel DMC-FZ7. This model is Panasonic's most anti-blur camera yet, which address the two big problems of hand and subject movement. Part of the new technology of the camera helps shift internal elements to prevent hand movements. Also, the model features a new high sensitivity feature to combat blurriness, especially for indoor shooting. Users will have the option to choose different settings to enhance the new features. The new camera also includes a larger battery to extend the amount of pictures taken.

Prices of ultra-zoom cameras are not only dropping, relative to digital SLRs, but they are getting physically smaller and more functional. Take Panasonic’s 5-megapixel compact DMC-TZ1 - the world’s smallest (4.41 x 2.29 x 1.58 in) optical zoom digital still camera. The TZ1 sports the Mega O.I.S. technology and the third generation of Panasonic's Venus Engine processor. It is also the first model to incorporate a Linear autofocus system which, when combined with the high speed AF function, improves AF response time.

According to Panasonic, the compact size was achieved not through a machine that can shrink kids, but through a new lens design which combines retractable with folded-path and aspherical optical elements. At $349, this compact ultra-zoom camera proves small can be satisfying too.

Panasonic's digital cameras come standard with image stabilization, which is a great feature for any digital camera.  This, along with a 6x zoom make the Lumix DMC-LZ5 a nice mid-level digital camera of the point & shoot variety.  The LZ5 has 6 effective mega-pixels and a 2.5" LCD for reviewing your snapshots.  As with the Cyber Shot S600, it also uses AA batteries, and Recharge-ables are highly recommended.

The Lumix LZ5 seems like a decent camera with some nice features and capabilities.  But read the full review to decide if the $279 price tag is worth it.

It started as a purely social event over saki and bratwurst. It ended with the world's first Leica interchangeable lens with Optical Image Stabilization System designed exclusively for Digital SLR.

Jointly developed by Panasonic and Leica Camera AG, the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT lens has 16 elements in 12 groups, including two aspherical lenses. It provides high definition image rendering for even the finest details and nuances. It also minimizes distortion and peripheral vignetting at the wide end.  With the LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT, digital photographers can now experience the unique performance of Leica optical technology.

Was it the saki or the bratwurst?  Other companies really want to know.