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Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 3D Still and Video Camera
Price: $499.99 (pre-order)
Panasonic has announced the DMC-3D1, its first 3D compact digital camera. Panasonic has plenty of experience with 3D, from its professional video cameras to its Viera TVs and the 3D lenses for its camcorders and Lumix G cameras, but the 3D1 marks the first time Panasonic has put 3D technology into a point-and-shoot stills camera.
It closely resembles the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3, with twin lenses and sensors behind a sliding door, although the Panasonic’s lenses are positioned closer together. Sadly, it doesn’t share the W3′s lenticular screen that allows photos and videos to be viewed in 3D on the camera itself without the need for glasses. In use, it’s only the twin lenses, 3D logo and a small switch on the back labelled 2D/3D that suggest that this is no normal camera.
There are a few other tricks up the 3D1′s sleeves, though. As well as capturing 9-megapixel photos and 960×1080 videos in 3D, it can use its twin lenses and sensors to capture a wide-angle and telephoto photo at the same time, or capture a photo without interrupting video recording. Control is almost entirely via the 3.5in touchscreen. The lenses aren’t hugely bright, with a f/3.9 maximum aperture, but otherwise this appears to be a reasonably competent general-purpose camera.
We had a brief chance to try out the camera, and the 3D photos we took popped out of the screen extremely convincingly – once we got them home at least. As with other 3D stills cameras, 3D photos are saved as a conventional JPEG plus an accompanying MPO file, which stores the extra information to turn the JPEG into a stereoscopic image. These give a full-colour 3D image, but we’ve converted them into a red/cyan anaglyph for the example shots below so you can see the 3D effect on any screen using red/cyan glasses.
You’ll need the old-fashioned red/blue glasses to see these images in 3D, but at least it will work on any display – click to enlarge
Videos are recorded in AVCHD format as a single 1080p video stream, with the left- and right-eye images encoded onto the left and right halves of the picture. This halves the horizontal resolution to give an effective 960×1080 picture. The couple of test videos we shot were less successful than the photos when we reviewed them in 3D-aware video-editing software – it seems that the left- and right-eye images weren’t quite vertically aligned. This was a pre-production model, though, so we’ll need to do more extensive tests with a full production unit before we can tell whether it handles parallax any better than the Fujifilm W3′s slightly clumsy approach.
click here to pre-order from amazon.com
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1X 16 MP
Price: $949.99 (pre-order )
Joining Panasonic’s award-winning LUMIX G Series of digital cameras is the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX1, which are acclaimed for their high image quality with small and compact body and lenses. The new LUMIX GX1 features a 16.01-megapixel Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine, helping to ensure real-to-life images through excellent resolution, image rendering and color reproduction. Even in low-light situations and at maximum 12800 high ISO sensitivity, the LUMIX GX1 can produce stunning photos and videos, and because of its compact size it can be easily carried for daily use.
The LUMIX GX1, like all the models in Panasonic’s LUMIX G Series of CSC, adopts Contrast AF for its focus system, so focusing is controlled by the image sensor. When compared with the Phase difference system AF, Contrast AF achieves higher accuracy especially when shooting with a bright lens with small F value. For instance, the accuracy of Contrast AF is approximately 90% while Phase difference AF is approximately 60% at F1.4. Additionally, with the precise Contrast AF system, the LUMIX GX1 achieves high resolution through an optimal balance of resolution and noise reduction, thus producing lifelike image rendering and highly precise Auto Exposure and white balance. To further advance the Contrast AF, the LUMIX GX1 incorporates full-area focusing, making it possible to set focus on any point in the field of view. With the LUMIX GX1’s 3.0-inch touch LCD screen, frame composition is intuitive and easy.
The LUMIX GX1 features an ultra high-speed Light Speed AF*, which means it can Auto Focus in approximately 0.09 second. This is achieved by reducing the detection time for focusing by the synchronizing the lens and sensor at 120 fps. Plus, the newly-added focus mode AFF (AF Flexible) locks on the focus when the shutter button is half-pressed, however, if the subject moves, the focusing is reset to get the best results. Combined with the Touch AF control, setting and focusing on the subject is incredibly easy and quick.
The touch-control system of the LUMIX GX1 lets users set the focus on the subject by simply touching it on the large, 460,000-dot wide-viewing angle LCD. Users can even release the shutter by touching the screen. Once locked on the subject with a touch, the LUMIX GX1 tracks the subject, even when it moves, using the AF tracking function. With a touch on the screen, users can select the part and the size of the AF area, choosing from 1-area AF, Multi-area AF with 23 AF areas and Pinpoint AF, which allows extremely precise focus setting.
Despite its compact size, the LUMIX GX1 is extremely intuitive to operate, with an optimized layout of control buttons, a mode dial and dedicated function buttons. Users can customize the two external buttons and two menus tabs to settings they most frequently use so they are easily accessible. In addition, a total of four custom setting patterns can be stored to the camera’s model dial – one on ‘C1’ and three on ‘C2.’ Furthermore, the LUMIX GX1 was designed to enhance its ergonomics, with a grip that fits naturally and comfortably in the hand, despite its flat profile and compact design. Plus, the LUMIX GX1 has a more tactile texture and the mode dial is easy to turn and features print that is easy to read and won’t easily wear.
The LUMIX GX1 can record 1920 x 1080 at 60i, with sensor output of 30p, full-High Definition videos in the AVCHD format which excels in both compression efficiency and compatibility with AV equipment for playback. In addition to the practical full-time AF, the Touch AF in video recording also lets users enjoy professional-like rack focusing. Just by pointing at the subject, the focus is shifted so it stands out. With a dedicated video record button on the top, users can instantly start recording videos while shooting photos without any having to make any extra setting adjustments. Along with the full-HD video capabilities, the LUMIX GX1 also features high-quality sound, recorded with Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator. Videos can also be recorded in MP4 format for playback on a PC or other portable electronic devices without having to convert the files.
click here to pre-order from amazon.com
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 16.05 MP
Price: $1499.00 $1,199.00
For photo and video enthusiasts who want the flexibility and performance of a digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera without the heft, experts say the compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is a viable choice. (The GH2 is not a DSLR but can swap out lenses.) At 13.8 ounces without a lens, it’s lighter than a full-size digital SLR, yet it packs nearly as many advanced features, including full manual control, RAW shooting modes and an interchangeable lens system. But superb high-def video is the GH2′s marquee feature, thanks to its 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor that delivers both speed and the “highest resolution currently offered by a Micro Four Thirds camera,” says Gavin Stoker at TrustedReviews.com.
The GH2′s continuous autofocus lets you lock in and hold your subjects while filming full high-definition 1080p (24 fps) and 1080i (60 fps) video. Critics say the autofocus is notably faster than the earlier 12-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. Additionally, the GH2′s touch-screen controls allow easy transition between focus points without the need for a focus ring, though an array of manual options is available. Although experts are impressed by the GH2′s “superior” video performance in bright and low light conditions, still image quality — though very good — drops a “notch below that of a true DSLR” because of muted colors, says PC World’s Tim Moynihan. Others find that despite the GH2′s ability to shoot up to ISO 12,800, noise surfaces at more than ISO 800.
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