Compact and 10x zoom makes the TZ1 a good choice for travellers.Claimed as the smallest 10x zoom digital camera on the market, Panasonic’s 5-megapixel DMC-TZ1 recently received the T.I.P.A. Award for the best ‘Superzoom’ digital camera in Europe. Among the reasons cited for the win are the camera’s Optical Image Stabiliser (which is found in all Panasonic digicams) and the new Venus Engine III processor. The ‘unlimited’ burst mode, which lets users fire off a burst of shots at half-second intervals until the memory is full, also got a Guernsey, as did the integrated retractable lens system with its folded optics technology.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX-1
https://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/advanced-compact-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx-1/Panasonic’s new Lumix DMC-LX1 camera is unique in having a CCD sensor that delivers its full 8.4-megapixel resolution for shots taken with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Designed to produce shots for display on the latest ‘widescreen’ TV sets and monitors, the LX1 has a slider on the lens barrel that lets users set the capture aspect ratio to 3:2 or conventional 4:3.
Panasonic Lumix FZ20
https://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/advanced-compact-cameras/panasonic-lumix-fz20/Test shots showed excellent edge-to-edge image sharpness, clearly defined areas of colour and no detectable chromatic aberration, although some blooming was detected in contrasty shots and night shots at ISO 400 had visible image noise.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7
https://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/advanced-compact-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz7/An easy-to-use, long-zoom digicam with an excellent menu system and effective image stabilisation. Available in silver or black, Panasonic’s new DMC-FZ7 Lumix camera replaces the popular FZ5 and offers a higher-resolution sensor, larger LCD screen and a redesigned body that is slightly larger and heavier. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) has been relocated directly over the lens barrel, where it’s more comfortable to use and your nose is less likely to touch the LCD – an important feature with the enlarged monitor. A new omni-directional joystick makes manual focus and exposure easier to operate and a higher capacity battery allows up to 320 images to be recorded per charge.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
https://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/advanced-compact-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz50/High resolution and extended zoom range plus a wide variety of user-operated controls in an SLR-sized camera body.As the ninth model in Panasonic’s ‘FZ’ series of 12x zoom cameras, the DMC-FZ50 is a sizeable step-up from its predecessor, with higher sensor resolution. It also sports a new Venus Engine III image processor chip. The higher-resolution sensor has extended the ‘extra optical zoom’ function to 21.4x at 3.2-megapixel resolution, compared with 19.1x for FZ30, while the new processor has improved overall performance. But otherwise, little has changed.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5
https://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/advanced-compact-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz5/Available in black or silver, Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-FZ5 sports the same Leica 12x optical zoom lens as its successful predecessor, the DMC-FZ20 but, unlike the FZ20, it cannot maintain the f2.8 maximum aperture throughout its full zoom range. With a plastic body that is almost identical to that of the 3-megapixel FZ3, the FZ5 is smaller and roughly 40% lighter and 20% cheaper than the FZ20. The FZ5’s body is well made and feels comfortable in the hands.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
https://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/advanced-compact-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz30/Panasonic’s ‘FZ’ series of 12x zoom cameras divides into ‘single digital’ models that are simpler, lighter and more automated and ‘double digit’ models for enthusiasts. The 8-megapixel DMC-FZ30 is the eighth since the release of the DMC-FZ1 in late 2002, making the company something of a long-zoom camera specialist. The new model has plenty to attract enthusiast photographers.
Capture One 4 PRO Released
https://www.photoreview.com.au/news/capture-one-4-pro-released/Phase One has announced the release of its Capture One 4 PRO raw file conversion software for professional photographers.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7
https://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/other-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-tz7/A 12x optical zoom in a slimline digicam body with ‘intelligent’ auto controls and the ability to shoot HD-quality video.Panasonic has long been a leader in the ultra-zoom category, largely because it has produced cameras that are genuinely pocketable but are also easy to use, feature-rich and offer good performance. Unfortunately, it’s taken almost six months since we first experienced the Lumix DMC-TZ7 at Panasonic’s Asian Region launch in Singapore for a review camera to become available. That’s a pity because this camera has a lot to interest potential buyers.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3
https://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/advanced-compact-cameras/fixed-lens/panasonic-lumix-dmc-ft3/Panasonic’s latest waterproof camera adds a GPS antenna, Full HD video and a LED light to improve video quality when shooting in low-light and under water. Panasonic’s DMC-FT3 represents the third generation of a line that began in with the FT1, which set the benchmark for rugged, waterproof cameras. The lens hasn’t changed since the first model; nor has the LCD monitor. After a brief flirtation with 14.1 megapixels on the FT2, Panasonic has returned to 12.1 megapixels for the FT3 but added some worthwhile improvements.