Photo Review Reviews section

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

9 Rating

A compact, rangefinder-styled Micro Four Thirds System camera that accepts interchangeable lenses.In the GF1, Panasonic has challenged Olympus with a similar, rangefinder-like model that tackles some of the deficiencies of the E-P1 and exploits the not insignificant potential of the Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) sensor format. In addition, by providing HD video recording – using the AVCHD Lite format offered in the company’s digicams, the GF1 also confronts the main criticism levelled at the G1: the lack of video capture.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

9 Rating

Most of the features of the DMC-G2 in a lighter, more affordable camera body.Attach the LCD monitor to the back panel, remove the touch screen overlay, reduce the viewfinder resolution to 202,000 dots and disable the stereo sound recording capability and you’ve converted the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 into the DMC-G10. You’ve also saved $300 in the process. In this review, we’ll focus on the differences between the two cameras, as shown in the table below.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

8.5 Rating

An update to the popular G1 Lumix camera with a new touch-screen interface plus easier video recording.On its release this month, Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-G2 will be the world’s first system camera with touch-control shooting and playback. Offered in black, blue and red, the new model retains many of the features of its predecessor, including the 12.1-megapixel (effective) Live MOS sensor and 1,440,000-dot Live View Finder. However, it’s quite a bit cheaper and, unlike the G1, it can be used for video capture, where it offers a top resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

8.5 Rating

An advanced digicam with a fast, 18x zoom lens plus support for raw file capture and AVCHD Lite HD video recording capability.Panasonic’s DMC-FZ35 Lumix camera replaces the popular FZ28 at the top of the super-zoom line-up and offers P, A, S and M shooting modes to please photo enthusiasts, along with AVCHD Lite HD video recording. It carries on the SLR-like styling of its predecessor, along with the same Leica DC Vario-Elmarit zoom lens. Other familiar features include the joystick controller, which was first seen in the FZ7 model plus much of the control layout and most menu functions.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150

8.8 Rating

A welcome update to the FZ100 with a 12.1-megapixel sensor, improved optics and ISO performance plus new Full HD video recording capabilities.The Lumix DMC-FZ150 replaces the FZ100 at the top of Panasonic’s super-zoom digicam line-up. Announced on 26 August, it features a new, 12.1-megapixel MOS sensor (down from 14MP in the FZ100) but retains the same 24x zoom lens but adds a new ‘Nano Surface Coating’ to minimise flare and ghosting caused by internal reflections. The lens also carries a new zoom control on the side of its barrel, providing an alternative to the lever zoom surrounding the shutter button.

Olympus SP-570 UZ

8 Rating

A compact, digicam with advanced shooting functions and a stabilised wide-angle, 20x optical zoom lens.In its Ultra Zoom (UZ) models, Olympus appears to be trying to bridge the gap between digicams and DSLRs. But, until larger sensors are used in these cameras, a large gulf will remain. With the new 10-megapixel SP-570 UZ, it has taken a big step forward by providing the longest zoom currently available on a compact digicam. Extending from the equivalent of 26mm (in 35mm format) to 520mm, it covers a magnification range of 20x and both optical and digital image stabilisation are provided.

Olympus XZ-1

8.8 Rating

A new flagship digicam with a fast zoom lens, a wide range of exposure controls and support for raw file capture and 720p HD video recording.The XZ-1 was one of two feature-rich cameras announced by Olympus on 6 January, as the C.E.S Show opened in Las Vegas. Introduced as the flagship of the company’s digicam line-up, the XZ-1 combines a relatively large ‘1/1.63 inch’ type (~ 8 x 6 mm) CCD sensor with an effective resolution of 10 megapixels with a smarter body design and many features from PEN series models.

Olympus SP-565 UZ

8.3 Rating

A compact digicam with a 20x optical zoom lens and advanced shooting modes.Olympus’s SP-565 UZ incorporates many of the features of the flagship model of the long-zoom range, the SP-570 UZ, in a cheaper, more compact body. It has the same 10-megapixel sensor and 20x optical zoom lens plus the same TruePic III image processor. Yet it weighs 72 grams less and is $100 cheaper than the SP-570 UZ. Its LCD monitor is also slightly smaller but has the same resolution as the flagship model.

Olympus SP-560 UZ

8 Rating

A smart-looking ultra-zoom digicam with a wide choice of shooting controls and image formats and sizes.A strong competitor in the 18x zoom category, the Olympus SP-560 UZ has the same 18x optical zoom lens and lens shift plus ISO boosting image stabiliser as its predecessor, the SP-550 UZ. However its sensor is larger and has 8 megapixels instead of 7.1. The new model also sports the latest TruePic Turbo III image processor, which supports Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment technologies.

Olympus SP-560UZ

8 Rating

A smart-looking ultra-zoom digicam with a wide choice of shooting controls and image formats and sizes.A strong competitor in the 18x zoom category, the Olympus SP-560 UZ has the same 18x optical zoom lens and lens shift plus ISO boosting image stabiliser as its predecessor, the SP-550 UZ. However its sensor is larger and has 8 megapixels instead of 7.1. The new model also sports the latest TruePic Turbo III image processor, which supports Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment technologies.