fz100
Latest
Panasonic Lumix FZ150 builds on FZ47 superzoom, adds CMOS sensor, 1080p video
Last month, Panasonic's Lumix FZ47 made some (rather subtle) waves with its full manual video mode, lettering you control aperture and shutter speed while capturing in 1080i. Now, the company just announced its higher-end FZ150, which replaces last year's FZ100, adding 1080p AVCHD capture, a stereo mic with noise cancellation, and a 12 fps burst mode. Image-related improvements include a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 25-600mm (24x) f/2.8-5.2 Leica lens with nano surface coating, faster autofocus, a new Venus Engine FHD Pro processor, and sensitivity up to ISO 3200. The FZ150 retains its predecessor's 3-inch LCD and 0.2-inch EVF -- both also present on the FZ47. There's also a new side-lever control, letting you adjust zoom and focus with secondary levers positioned just to the left of the lens. Panasonic's latest superzoom cam will ship in late September with a $500 sticker price. PR after the break.%Gallery-131061%
Leica V-Lux 2 looks like an FZ100, shoots like an FZ100, costs a lot more than an FZ100
Continuing today's series of rebadged Panasonic shooters, let us welcome the Leica V-Lux 2. As we noted yesterday when we spotted and photographed what was still unannounced hardware, this camera is pretty much a standard issue FZ100, only outfitted with a red dot logo and more highfalutin marketing language. Let's not let that detract from what's an appealing shooter, however: a 14 megapixel CMOS sensor can be brought 24 times closer to the action thanks to a superzoom lens, while an 11fps burst mode and 1080i video recording will cause a few of your DSLR-sporting buddies to look on in envy. Moreover, given the FZ100's sterling reputation, there should be little doubt the V-Lux 2 will be a similarly pleasing piece of kit -- although after seeing the £675 ($1,053) price tag for this October, we find ourselves asking a familiar question, why the massive markup, Leica? Update: Like its brethren the D-Lux 5, Leica's already priced this V-Lux 2 for stateside release -- it'll run you the tidy sum of $849 when it ships this October. Yes, we know, not much of an improvement. %Gallery-102821%
Leica quietly showcases D-Lux 5, redesigned X1 and rebranded DMC-FZ100
We're tucked away in Leica's high-brow design preview event here in Köln, and while it appears that the vast majority of those in attendance showed just to boast about their suit, we're strictly here for the gear. That being said, let us be the first to formally introduce you to the now-official D-Lux 5 rangefinder. Or, sort of official D-Lux 5. Unlike the M9 'Titanium' -- which the company spent a solid two hours boasting about -- the D-Lux 5 (a rebranded / tweaked LX5?) has been given nothing but a passing glance of affirmation, though we're anticipating a more formal release with specifications and the like tomorrow. Leica aficionados have likely been hearing whispers of this beaut for the past dozen months, but at long last, the unicorn has apparently transformed into a Gypsy Vanner. Though, still a mysterious one. In case that's not exactly your cup of million-dollar tea, it appears that Panasonic's DMC-FZ100 -- deemed the world's best megazoom by critics back in August -- has been reborn as a Leica, though the shell doesn't appear to have changed at all. Of course, we've seen Leica pull this rebranding trick before, but we're sure the so-called V-Lux 2M is far superior in some way that we've yet to be informed about. Rounding out the round of mystique is the gently refashioned X1, which was seen sporting a far more luxurious casing compared to the original. Feel free to drown yourself in the images below, and keep it locked right here for more as we hear it. %Gallery-102818% %Gallery-102820% %Gallery-102821%
Panasonic's new Lumix lineup: LX5, FZ40, FZ100, FX700, and TS10 all official
You ready to get Lumix'd to the max? Panasonic has five new point-and-shooters prepped for this fall, headlined by the well-leaked LX5. That camera aims to keep what was good about the stylish, high-end LX3 while pushing image quality up a notch, with better image processing and a better lens in front of the same 10.1 megapixel CCD resulting in better low light performance. There's also HD recording in AVCHD Lite at 720p. The FZ40 and FZ100 super zoomers are very similar in their 24x zoom lenses and 14.1 megapixels, but the latter can record 1080p and pull off some high speed burst shooting, while the former is constrained to 720p. The FX700 fulfills the stereotypical role of a "safe" 5x zoom point and shoot, though it scores 1080p recording in addition to the needlessly high-res, looks-good-on-a-Costco-placard 14.1 megapixel stills. Finally, the TS10 brings up the low-end, with a rugged design and that good old 14.1 megapixel resolution. Its 4x zoom and 720p motion JPEG recording make it the oddball of the bunch, but it's waterproof down to 10 feet, shock and dust proof, and a good bit cheaper to boot. The TS10 will be out in September for $249, while the LX5, FZ40, FZ100, and FX700 will be out in August for $499, $399, $499, and $399, respectively. Press releases are after the break. %Gallery-97886% %Gallery-97888%
