Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX38 Review

July 11th, 2009 No Comments   Posted in Digital Compact Cameras

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX38 Review

  • Better Zoom Lens – FX37 get a 5X zoom lens (25mm – 125mm), meanwhile FX35 came with 25mm – 105mm. 25mm Ultra-Wide-Angle and MEGA O.I.S. image stablizer is still the same, and the photos produced by FX37 is as sharp as FX35. It is very good and not easy to get 1X longer zoom, while producing the same sharp picture!
  • New processor – you can find Venus Engine IV on DMC-FX37, which is also used on DMC-LX3. The result is quite pleasing, faster startup time, faster auto-focus, fast image recording … everything a little bit faster
  • New iA (intelligent auto) mode – a new AF Tracking function automatically tracks and lock the subject once the AF has been set even, after that, if the subject moves around, the camera will keep lock on and tracking the subject; easier to capture sharp photos.
  • Better battery efficiency – you can take 310 photos on a single battery charge with FX37, compare to only 290 photos with FX35
  • Photo Quality – FX37 equiped with the same CCD as FX35, as you can expect, photos from them are almost the same in quality. However, thanks to the new Venus Engine IV image processor, FX37 shows a little bit improvement on noise control and color reproduction.
  • HD movie – same as FX35, FX37 can take 30fps high-definition 1280 x 720p motion images. You may connect FX37 to a HDTV with a Component Cable (available separately), and watch the HD moives took by FX37 directly on HDTV.
  • Highlights:

    • 10.1 megapixels CCD
    • 25mm Ultra-wide-angle Lens and 5x optical zoom
    • iA (Intelligent Auto)Mode Advanced with AF Tracking
    • 2.5-inch LCD screen with Wide-viewing Angle
    • HD Movie Recording
    • Advanced MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilisation)

    Description

    The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX38 sees more and captures more with a brilliant 25mm ultra-wide-angle Lens empowered with a 5x optical zoom. Beauty is promised to be preserved with all the fine details exposed in a 10.1 megapixels resolution, satisfying the need for large prints or trimming photos in the ways you desire. Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode offers you the best shooting results by choosing all the optimal settings for you in any shooting situation.

    Packaged inside this camera includes Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S. to eliminate blurring caused by hand-shake, Intelligent ISO Control to capture high-speed movements, Face Detection to auto-adjust focus and exposure on faces and much more. In the iA mode, AF tracking is featured to continually track a moving subject and keep it in focus, so that a beautiful photo is produced whether subjects are standing still or moving about.

    The 2.5-inch LCD screen with a wide-viewing angle makes it a pleasure and fun to take photos, letting you frame your shot in a variety of new and creative ways. The intelligent LCD functionality also automatically adjusts the brightness in 11 steps according to shooting conditions. The Panasonic DMC-FX38 can also record high-definition still images (1920 x 1080 pixels) and HD movies (1280 x 720 pixels, 30fps), which can later be viewed in the 16:9 aspect ratio on large-screen HDTV.

Buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX38 Online

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT1 Review

June 13th, 2009 No Comments   Posted in Digital Compact Cameras

DPInterface reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (DMC-FT1) and writes;
“Performance was excellent with a good full-resolution burst mode and the Panasonic Lumix TS1 aka FT1 was overall quick on its feet. As for image quality, things were generally very good with low noise and distortion levels, decent levels of detail…. The Panasonic Lumix TS1 aka Lumix FT1 earns my recommendation for being a very capable rugged camera.”
Rating: N/A

CNET.asia reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (DMC-FT1) and writes;
” The FT1 is a neat rugged camera from Panasonic, considering this shooter is the company’s first attempt. Design is nothing to shout about but the optics’ specifications are noteworthy, with the image quality being average compared to normal point-and-shoots. “

Rating: ★★★½☆

InfoSync compares Olympus Tough 8000 vs. Panasonic TS1 vs. Fujifilm Z33WPand writes;
“.. the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 looks to be the best so far. The camera mopped the floor with its competition in almost every category. It had the best image quality, feature set and most impressive hardware out of the three…”
Rating: N/A

PCWorld reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (DMC-FT1) and writes;
“There’s plenty to like about the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FT1 apart from its rugged build — it takes great still images and good videos, making it a true hybrid. We think Panasonic should ditch the zoom slider and replace it with buttons, and also make the rotational dial a little tougher. But apart from that, we had tons of fun using this camera and you probably will, too. “
Rating: ★★★★½

ImagingResource reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (DMC-FT1) and writes;
“Panasonic has produced a real winner with the Lumix TS1: a digital camera that you can take anywhere, rain or shine, underwater, and you can even mistreat it and it’ll still turn in better photos than many other digital cameras on the market.”
Rating: N/A

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (DMC-FT1) preview by TrustedReviews;
“Image quality in both stills and video is commendable. The Intelligent Auto manages to live up to its name for the most part.”

PhotoReview.au reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (DMC-FT1) and writes;
“We believe the FT1 is worth buying for these features alone since it also represents great value for money. Clips captured both underwater and on land had plenty of detail and looked impressive on a flat-panel HDTV screen. “
Rating: ★★★★½

Buy the Panasonic DMC-FT1 Online

Panasonic DMC-TZ7 Review

June 10th, 2009 No Comments   Posted in Digital Compact Cameras

Like the previous models in the TZ range the TZ7 is large and solidly made. It measures 103.3 x 59.6 x 32.8mm and weighs 229g including battery and card. This is actually slightly slimmer and about 10g lighter than the TZ5, but it’s still a big chunky camera. The body is all aluminium, finished in a semi-matt texture, and it is available in black, dark brown or the plain silver finish shown here.
The TZ series has always been sold as travel cameras, and the TZ7 is designed to survive a bit of rough treatment. The overall build quality is extremely good, and almost all the controls are robust and solidly mounted. However there is one exception, and it represents one of my few real complaints about the TZ7. The main mode dial on the top plate is very loose and has a very weak ratchet, and as a result it is easily turned accidentally and can end up between settings. Since the camera won’t shoot unless the mode dial is correctly positioned this can cause annoying delays if you’re trying to shoot quickly on the spur of the moment.

Buy the Panasonic DMC-TZ7 Online

Panasonic AG-DVX102BEN Review

June 10th, 2009 No Comments   Posted in Digital Video Cameras

Panasonic AG-DVX102BEN Mini-DV Camera-Recorder

  • High-Quality, Native Progressive 25p Mode
  • High Image Quality with 12-Bit A/D Conversion
  • RGB Gamma Processor Provides Rich, Cine-Like Tones
  • 25p Shooting – 50i Recording
  • Superior Image Rendering with Leica Dicomar Lens, Plus OIS

Already used for film and TV program production as well as news gathering, Panasonic’s DVX series has now evolved further with the AG-DVX102BEN. The AG-DVX102BEN debuts as the undustry’s first DV camera-recorder to allow camera-to-camera time code synchro and user-settable file transfer. This allows the AG-DVX102BEN to be used for simultaneous multi-camera recording techniques often used in video production.

Additionally the new model offers remote focus and iris control for easier operation when mounted on a jib arm or tripod. The Black Sapphire AG-DVX102BEN offers the acclaimed performance and mulitple functions of previous high-end DV camera-recorders models. In addition to superior image quality, high sensitivity, 25P Cinema mode and manual operation, it has the specifications needed for full-fledged professional video production.

PROS

  • Comfortable to operate (3)
  • Great picture (3)
  • Great features (2)
  • Simple controls (2)
  • Versatile (2)
  • Durable (1)
  • Nice sound (1)

CONS

  • Poor sound (1)

BEST USES

  • Family (2)
  • Travel (2)
  • Documentaries (1)
  • Home movies (1)
  • Movies/short

Buy the Panasonic AG-DVX102BEN

Panasonic Lumix DMC LX3

Panasonic LX3 for the serious photographer
Two years after the LX2, Panasonic are once again making themselves heard. The Panasonic LX series aims at the serious photographer with high demands concerning image quality and performance. When the LX1 was succeeded, Panasonic had raised the resolution to 10 Megapixels. A decision that was not supported by the demands of the serious photographer, however, it came from marketing strategy. This resulted in enhanced specifications on paper for the LX2, yet did not offer a better or even slightly improved performance from a technical point of view

Increased sensor format on the Panasonic Lumix LX3
It was kind of surprising to see that Panasonic took an active role upon them by actually listening to experiences from practice, whereupon they decided to go directly against the grain of the marketing strategy. Focus went to improving the pixel quality and the general image quality at the same time. With the introduction of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3, the resolution has remained the same, 10 Megapixels; however, the sensor’s format has increased which results in an enlargement of the photo diode. And that has resulted in an increase of the sensor sensitivity of 19% compared to the LX2, while the color saturation has increased by 15%.

Panasonic Lumix DMC LX3