Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

"The Panasonic Lumix FX150 is one of Panasonic's top of the range ultra compact digital cameras, and features an impressive 14.7 megapixel sensor, a 28mm wide angle lens with a 3.6x optical zoom, a 2.7" screen that works in the sun, 720p HD (high-definition) video recording, optical image stabilisation and a pocketable metal body."

Even though this impressive camera is tiny, it still has 14.7 megapixels, image stabilization and 720p high definition video capability. It also boasts a 28mm wide angle lens for wider shots (most small cameras only go to 38mm). The camera's automatic controls get rave reviews plus you have manual controls which most small cameras skimp on. The only complaint I have is that the pictures are noisy - even at the lowest ISO setting (100). Over 400 ISO, noise becomes a real problem. For prints up to 8x10 and web pictures, you won't notice it. But Panasonic would have been better served cutting down the pixels thereby decreasing the noise. All in all, a very solid camera.

"Olympus and Panasonic have announced a new, mirrorless format / lens mount based on (and compatible with) Four Thirds. The Micro Four Thirds system uses the same sensor size (18 x 13.5 mm) but allows slimmer cameras by removing the mirror box and optical viewfinder. The new format has three key technical differences: (1) roughly half the flange back distance (distance from mount to the sensor), (2) a smaller diameter lens mount (6 mm smaller) and (3) two additional contact points for lens-to-body communication (now 11 points). Removing the mirror mechanism allows this shorter flange back distance, meaning lenses for the new mount can be considerably smaller than current Four Thirds designs. The format will require framing to be carried out using Live View on either the LCD monitor or an EVF. Existing Four Thirds lenses can be used on Micro Four Thirds cameras using an adapter."

If I understand this all correctly, what this means is that we're going to see cameras from Olympus and Panasonic that will be real DSLRs insofar as they have removable lenses, but they'll be potentially quite a bit thinner. So take something like the Sigma DP1 and improve it by making it lens-swappable. Sounds pretty tempting doesn't it? A camera that's almost as small as a point and shoot, but with the high-quality sensor of a much bigger camera is quite appealing. I've found in my tests with the Nikon D60 that the camera can rapidly become awkward to use when you take a small-body camera and put a big lens on it, but a small prime of even a pancake lens would fit nicely and allow for a small overall package.

The biggest disadvantage seems to be the fact that you lose the optical viewfinder. I've gotten used to not having an optical viewfinder on my small P&S cameras, but on a DSLR? That would be much harder to adapt to, especially when you combine the physical zoom of a big lens with having to stare at the screen - that just screams awkward to me. We'll see how the designs of these micro four-thirds cameras turn out...

"Panasonic announced four new additions to its Lumix point-and-shoot line of digital cameras. The top-end model is the Lumix DMX-LX3 that will debut in August for $499.95. The LX3 offers all of the convenience of a point-and-shoot camera along with a wide-range of manual controls for creative shots. The LX3 has a 10.1-megapixel CCD and uses a F2.0 ultra wide-angle LECIA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens. ISO settings can go as high as ISO 6400 in high sensitivity mode and the camera can shoot full resolutions bursts at 2.5 shots per second and at lower resolutions in High-Speed burst mode at six shots per second. The camera also features a 3-inch LCD and has the ability to shoot video. Other features include image stabilization, red-eye correction, intelligent scene selector, face detection and quick AF. Those looking for a higher megapixel count will like the Lumix FX150 with a 14.7-megapixel CCD and a 28, wide-angle LECIA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens."

Very nice line-up from Panasonic, we'll have to wait for the reviews to see how they actually perform. I am especially curious about the Lumix FX37 digital camera which features 10.1-megapixels and can shoot video in HD resolution. The camera’s lens is a 25mm ultra wide-angle LECIA DC unit and features a 5x digital zoom which effectively means it has a 25mm-125mm range. That seems pretty nice considering the price tag of just under $350.

"Many might find the attractions of the 9-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 irresistible: it's compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket, yet packs a 10x zoom lens, complete with 28mm-equivalent wide-angle view and optical image stabilizer. It also has a 3-inch LCD and some very interesting shooting features. Extremely similar to its less-expensive sibling, the DMC-TZ4, the TZ5 offers higher 9-megapixel resolution (compared with 8 megapixels for the TZ4), a 1,270x720-pixel resolution movie-capture mode and a larger LCD (2.5 inches for the TZ4). Because of the higher resolution, the TZ5's performance is also rated a bit slower, with fewer photos fitting in its memory buffer, than the TZ4. Finally, it's about 0.01 inch fatter and at 8.4 ounces, 2 ounces heavier."

The lack of manual control, or even semi-manual controls, and the image quality do this camera in for me. Otherwise I can see this camera being one of the better options in the mid-range point and shoot category. Although for a around $275, I don't know what other camera offers the features that the Lumix TZ5 does.

There's a scene in The Last Samurai where Tom Cruise's character is learning the art of Japanese sword-fighting, and after getting soundly smacked around by his opponent for several minutes, one of the samurai says to him "Too many minds". The idea is that he's focusing on his opponent, his own stance, his sword, and the people watching - and that many "minds" is making him a less effective warrior. When I look at the digital camera industry and the proliferation of same-brand point and shoot cameras, it's hard not to see the similarities. Rapid release cycles - usually unwarranted in terms of actual improvement in features - coupled with out-of-control model proliferation and confusing model names leads to a "too many minds" scenario - and it's usually the consumer the ends up losing out. Read more...

"Panasonic's SV-SD870N isn't the longest lasting DAP we've ever laid eyes upon, but few would find the courage to kvetch over 100 hours on a full charge. The latest in Panasonic's D-snap lineup, this unit promises to cut out "83-percent" of surrounding noise (and a good chunk of battery life) at the press of a button and supports SD / SDHC cards along with direct recording if plugged into a D-dock device. Furthermore, this one is set to arrive in red, black, silver, blue and white motifs, come stocked with a 2GB SD card, boast USB 2.0 connectivity and play nice with AAC, WMA and MP3 file formats. Quite frankly, we're still a little turned off by that interface, but those unconcerned with such matters can slip one in their pocket next month."



No word on pricing, but since it appears to only work off of SD cards, it better be cheap. Although it has great battery life, it seems a little big for something with no internal memory.

"While it may look like just another digicam, albeit a small and attractive one, there's more to this 10MP compact than meets the eye. The FS range (also including the new FS20 which features a larger 3" LCD) is similar in most respects to Panasonic's FZ range, with the notable addition of a wider lens, offering the equivalent of 30mm in 35mm terms. This makes it ideal for those looking to shoot landscapes or large groups, or if you need to pictures in more cramped areas than usual. The wider angled lens is also ideal for adding drama to images, especially useful to the more creative photographer. Panasonic hasn't reduced the telephoto end though, offering an equivalent of 120mm, ideal for portraits and close ups. The added advantage of the Panasonic lens is that the Image Stabilisation is there to reduce camera shake, caused by using slow shutter speeds when the light is poor or from simply holding the camera at arms length to take pictures."

Definitely a cute camera though I am a little concerned that with the almost $400 price tag, it may scare a number of consumers away. Having said that, I have been looking for a powerful camera that combines the power of the Canon G9 into a thin body like this Lumix here. I am not sure this camera does that, especially with the lack of manual control that the G9 provides, but there are some significant advantages - the 10MP, the high zoom, the high quality lens, multiple shooting modes, great ISO range, and the list goes on. Hmm, perhaps it is time to go to the nearest camera retailer and try this camera out.