More from Panasonic yesterday, when they announced the unveiling of its new all-in-one 3D-capable point-and-shoot camera – the Lumix DMC-3D1.

With a twin-lens design, the 3D1 features 25mm ultra-wide angle lenses with 4x optical zoom that offer the outstanding capability to record high resolution 8-megapixel 3D photo and 1920×1080 60i high quality 3D HD video using side-by-side method.  The LUMIX 3D1’s optics give users a wider range of composition possibilities with approximately 169% larger viewing space compared to that of 35mm cameras.

Key Features:

• 12.1 mp High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
• 3D Video and Photo Capture
• LUMIX DC Vario Lenses
• 25mm Ultra Wide Angle
• 4x optical Zoom
• 5x Intelligent Zoom
• Sonic Speed AF
• 3.5″ Touch Screen
• iA mode
• MEGA OIS
• Full HD video capture
• Venus Engine

Available: December 2011; MSRP: $499.99

>> Read the full press release.

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Panasonic announced, yesterday, the newest in the G-series lineup of micro four-thirds compact cameras – the Lumix DMC-GX1.

It features a 16.01-megapixel Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine, to ensure real-to-life images through excellent resolution, image rendering and colour reproduction.  Even in low-light situations and at maximum 12800 high ISO sensitivity, the GX1 can produce stunning photos and videos, and, because of its compact size, it can be easily carried for daily use.

Key Features

• 16.01-megapixel Live MOS Sensor with Advanced Noise Reduction System
• High-speed, High-performance Venus Engine
• Mirrorless Structure and LUMIX G / LEICA DG Lenses
• Level Gauge and GN7.6 Equivalent Built-in Flash
• Free Customization and Smart Touch-screen for Intuitive Operation
• 0.09 sec Light Speed AF with Precise Contrast AF
• Full-area Focusing and Pinpoint AF for Flexible Framing
• 4.2 fps (16.0-megapixel) / 20 fps (4-megapixel) Consecutive Shooting
• 1920 x 1080 AVCHD Full HD Videos with High-quality Sound
• Creative Options with Touch AF and Creative Control
• iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode for Beautiful Videos with Ease
• Creative Control and Adjustable Parameters
• 1,440,000-dot Equivalent Optional LVF (Live View Finder)
• Photo Style and Detailed Setting Functions for Fine Control

Available (in black and silver): mid-December 2011; MSRP: $699.99 (body only); $799.99 (body w/ 14-42 standard zoom); $949.99 (body w/LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S (H-PS14042) lens)

>> Read the full press release.

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It’s that time of year again: the NAB Show™ – the National Association of Broadcaster’s annual conference (April 9 – 14), where the newest and most exciting technologies are announced and showcased in front of the global media and entertainment professionals, alike.

And, when it comes to new imaging gear, Vistek is no stranger to that feeling of excitement that comes with all the new announcements. In fact, there are a couple that bear mentioning right away!

Panasonic’s AG-HPX250 handheld P2 Camcorder with AVC-Intra

Key Features:

• 10-bit, 4:2:2 1920 x 1080 AVC-Intra 100
• Variable Frame Rates in 1080p & 720p
• Wide 288 to 588mm 21x HD lens
• High-sensitivity  1/3′ 2.2 megapixel 3MOS Imager
• Multi camera operation with genlock/time code in

Read the full Press Release here.

Panasonic’s AG-AC160 AVCCAM Camcorder

Key Features:

• High-sensitivity  1/3′ 2.2 megapixel 3MOS Imager
• 21x zoom lens (wide 28mm to 588 mm) with 3 adjustable rings
• 12-hour HD recording on two 63GB SDXC in PH mode
• Professional XLR audio input
• PH, HA, HE, DV and a PM mode
• 720p low bit rate recording mode (less than 10Mbps)

Read the full Press Release here.

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The news from Photokina doesn’t seem to be disappointing this year… just check out the excitement from Panasonic!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2: this 16.05MP hybrid mirror-free touch control DSL Micro Camera features full HD 1920×1080/60i movie recording and the worlds fastest level (it reportedly requires only 0.1 second to focus and capture the shot) of Light Speed AF… sounds pretty amazing, right? Well what if we told you it could also shoot in 3D? Seriously. With the new LUMIX G 12.5mm / F12 (H-FT012) – a 3D-capable interchangeable lens – you can easily & instantly shoot in 3D. It produces 3D images without distortion or time lag between left and right images, even for moving objects. The 3D images, even close-up shots, taken with this lens are easy on the eyes when viewed on 3D VIERA televisions (mpo side by side format).

Have a 360-degree gander at this amazing new camera & check out the full press release for detailed camera specs. Due: early November

In addition to this new member to the Lumix G family, have a look at the new lenses to join in on the fun:

Lumix G Vario 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS100300)

• Long Zoom Range of 100-300mm (35mm camera equivalent: 200-600mm)
• MEGA O.I.S. – Panasonic’s Advanced Hand-shake Correction Technology
• Contrast AF System Support
• Based on the Micro Four Thirds System Standard
• Circular Aperture Diaphragm
• Multi-coated Lens Elements Minimize Ghosts and Flare

Due: early November

Lumix G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH (H-H014)

• 28mm wide angle (35mm camera equivalent) and F2.5 brightness
• 3 aspherical lenses for a superb optical performance in compact size
• High-speed, silent Contrast AF for both photos and movies with inner focus drive system
• Circular aperture diaphragm
• Multi-coated lens elements minimize ghosts and flare

Due: mid-October

And, as mentioned, above, the Lumix  G 12.5mm / F12 (H-FT012)

• The world’s first interchangeable 3D lens
• Features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses, to be processed with a 3D image processing system
• Extremely Compact Size and Light Weight Body
• Produces 3D images without distortion or time lag between left and right images
• 4 elements in 3 groups
• Maximum magnification of approx. 0.02x / 0.1x (35mm camera equivalent)

Due: late November

And, last, but most certainly not least: Ladies & Gentlemen, the Panasonic HDC-SDT750… the world’s first consumer-targeted 3D camcorder!

This bold step forward in videography allows 3D images to be recorded at home. Incorporating Panasonic broadcast technology, this new 3MOS camcorder lets users easily create their own 3D movies, something that only professional image producers were previously able to do. Combined with a VIERA 3DTV and Blu-ray Disc player/recorder, the Panasonic SDT750 3D camera makes it possible to save precious memories of friends and family in vivid, lifelike images, to further expand the world of 3D enjoyment at home.

With the addition of Panasonic’s new 3D conversion lens to the 700 series highly touted 3MOS system you can shoot 3D video using the same principle as human vision. Left-and right-eye images are simultaneously shot with two lenses. The 3D conversion lens (included with the camera) is detachable, and the dual-lens 3D attachment mounts onto the HDC-SDT750′s F1.5, 12x optical zoom Leica lens.

And to help edit those perfect moments, the Panasonic SDT750 comes with HD Writer AE 2.6T PC editing software (for Windows OS). This software allows users to easily edit recorded 3D images, and save them onto PCs or BD/DVD discs.

You can read the official press release for more in-depth details or check out full camera specs here. Due: mid-October

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Okay… this is HUGE! The folks at Panasonic have announced that they’re developing a twin-optic 3D digital lens for its Lumix G-series Micro Four Thirds interchangeable-lens cameras – that will be available here, in Canada, by the end of this year.

The compact lens simply bolts onto your existing camera, letting you instantly shoot in 3D without any distortion or time lag between the left and right images, even when capturing moving objects. The lens features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses. These images form a 3D image when processed with a 3D image processing system.

Doug Borbath, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Canada Inc. said:  “While 3D movie and sports content is expanding, many customers want to enjoy their own 3D shooting. This new lens will respond to such demand, allowing users to shoot landscapes, people, and a variety of subjects in high-quality 3D, to be enjoyed later with their 3D Viera televisions at home.”

How images will be played has yet to be announced, but speculation is that it will be via an SD card in the Panasonic Viera 3D TV, or by connecting a compatible camera to the TV via HDMI.

Stay tuned… Panasonic will be announcing more details SOON.

source

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Marketnews was there — were you? Check out what Gordon Brockhouse had to say about our inaugural event:

The weather in the Greater Toronto Area on the last weekend of spring was gorgeous, but that didn’t keep local videographers from heading indoors to take in the ProFusion 2010 Pro Video Expo. The two-day event was held at the Toronto Congress Centre on June 18 and 19, and produced by Toronto-based Vistek Ltd. After the show, Vistek President Ron Silverstein told Marketnews that over 2,000 people attended the event.

Sliverstein said the idea for a pro video show had been germinating at Vistek over the past couple of years, after VP Kevin Parker and other members of the management team attended NAB conventions in the U.S. “We thought it would be good for these manufacturers to talk to our customers,” Sliverstein said, “but there is no venue for this.” Six months ago, Vistek began early preparatory work on the project, and intensive work began about four months ago.

Read the rest of the story…

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Most people are lucky enough to find one passion in life. Being able to find two… and combine them? Well that’s just magic. But it happens. Just check out this article by Freelance Web Developer, Len Dobrucki.

Dobrucki has taken his love of bicycle touring – something he’s been doing for years – and combined it with an affinity for photography that makes for a unique perspective as well as a lasting photojournal of his travels.

Whether it’s a single day ride or a multi-day tour, he’s got the gear to take advantage of his opportunities. With a special handlebar mounting camera bag, Dobrucki is able to cart along a multitude of gear, including his Pentax *istDS with Sigma 18-135 mm lens, Canon G7, and his newest aquisition – his Panasonic DMC-LX3.

Have a look at his recent blog posting The Joy of Photography – On a Bicycle? and see what for yourself what’s entailed in making a creative combo of these two hobbies… and just how easy it can be!

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Panasonic announced, today, the newest in their LUMIX G Series – the DMC-GF1. They’re calling this latest addition to the lineup “the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lense digital camera with built-in flash.” And, in fairness, the body does only weigh 285 grams.

It packs powerful DSLR-like and HD video capabilities into a sleek and easy-to-use compact body. And its 12.1-megapixel live MOS sensor can capture images up to 4000 x 3000 pixels.

Features include:  Full-time Live View, high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF, Built-In Flash, an on-screen Exposure Meter and an iAuto Mode with “Peripheral Defocus” to prevent shooting errors. There are also more than 20 available Leica M/R lenses or 30 Four Thirds lenses that can be used with the standard GF1, simply by mounting a separately purchased lens adaptor.

The GF1 can record 1280 x 720 High Definition video in AVCHD Lite, a format that enables longer recording times and has a unique Movie Program Mode that lets you adjust the depth-of-field while you’re shooting in HD. Very cool.

Available now for pre-order (and in stores Oct. 15), the GF1 will also be available in two kit versions — one with the LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. Lens and one with the LUMIX® G 20mm / F1.7 ASPH. Lens.

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Pansonic’s newest Four Thirds DSLR – commercially aimed at both amateur & advanced photographers – was recently announced and it features a few bells & whistles not found in the previous G1 model.

New for this incarnation, the GH1 incorporates FullHD video-recording capability which allows you to record high-resolution FullHD (1,920 by 1080p) video at 24 fps or smooth HD video (1,280 by 720p) at 60 fps using the AVCHD format (MPEG-4/H.264). This effectively doubles recording time in HD mode compared to Motion JPEG. And a dedicated video-record button allows you to keep shooting video even while you’re capturing still photos.

Another feature unique to this model is the Lumix G Vario 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH/MEGA OIS lens (that’s included as part of the kit) featuring silent motor and continuous AF capability in a design specifically for HD movie recording. This, combined with the stereo mic featuring Dolby Digital Stereo Creator, allows you to record seriously high quality audio.

The 12.1-megapixel DSLR features all of the manual functionality & creative control desired by more advanced users, while one of Pansonic’s popular point-and-shoot features – iA (Intelligent Auto) mode enables fully automatic control of the camera settings – allows great photo capturing capability for those nearer the amateur end of the photography spectrum.

Get more info or pre-order yours today .

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