In the News from LUMIX...

Panasonic's LUMIX tagline is "Changing Photography". Well last week there were several announcements that prove the point. LUMIX technology just keeps raising the bar and giving photographers more creative tools. In fact, today you have more creative tools than at any time in the 175+ year history of photography.

I pulled a couple of paragraphs on the DMC-GX8 press release and the "coming soon" Leica 400mm lens. To read more about the GX8 just click on the image.

What a kick!

Click on LUMIX GX8 image above for more detail.

The new 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor excels both in response, sensitivity and dynamic range. The image processor Venus Engine dramatically boosts its performance with quad-core CPU that lets high speed signal processing. Integrating superior noise reduction systems, DMC-GX8 enables shooting at max.ISO25600. Sensitivity, gradation performance, resolution and color reproduction are dramatically improved to achieve even higher picture quality. It is also capable of high speed burst shooting at 8 fps(AFS) / 6 fps(AFC) not to miss the fleeting photo opportunities.

The 4K is the advanced definition of video imagery that boasts stunning detail. The DMC-GX8 is capable of recording smooth, high-resolution QFHD 4K video in 3840x2160 at 30p(60Hz) / 25p(50Hz) or 24p in MP4. Taking advantage of 4K video recording performance, users can capture the fleeting photo opportunities at 30 fps in 8-megapixel equivalent resolution to save it as a 4K Photo. It is easy to get 4K photos with three 4K Photo modes; 4K Burst Shooting, 4K Burst S/S (Start/Stop) and 4K Pre-burst.

The DMC-GX8 boasts large, tiltable LVF that boasts highest ever magnification ratio of approx.1.54x / 0.77x (35mm camera equiv.) in the history of LUMIX G digital cameras. It also features 2,360K-dot high resolution and 100% field of view. High-precision, high-speed dual OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays are adopted for both LVF and rear monitor, achieving high speed response with minimum time lag of less than 0.01 sec as well as 10,000:1 high contrast. The free-angle 3-inch 1,040K-dot rear monitor supports comfortable shooting even in vertical angle. For quick, intuitive operation, a range of functions are allocated to the dials and buttons in the best suitable way. 

Panasonic Corporation announces that the company is developing the first LEICA DG 100-400mm / F4.0-6.3 telephoto zoom lens (35mm camera equivalent: 200-800mm) for Micro Four Thirds system standard to expand the lineup of DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) digital interchangeable lens.

The LEICA DG lenses are designed and developed clearing the stringent quality standard certified by Leica to boast excellent optical performance. Four single focal length LEICA DG lenses have already introduced to the market and have highly acclaimed by users worldwide*2.

The new telephoto zoom achieves exceptional imaging performance over the entire zoom range. It also features high speed digital signal exchange at 240 fps to comply with the high-speed, high-precision AF (Auto Focus) with DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology on the LUMIX G camera. Together with the POWER O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer), it lets users to focus on the target quickly to capture crisp, clear image. On the other hand, the new lens features high mobility supported by its splash/dust-proof rugged design to withstand heavy field use.