Panasonic: Ten megapixel compact digicam
By
Mike Tomkins
(Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 11:40 EDT)
In its final digital camera announcement of the day, Panasonic has unveiled the ten megapixel Lumix DMC-LX2 digital camera.
A successor to the existing DMC-LX1 model, the DMC-LX2 couples a ten megapixel imager with the same Leica-branded 4x optical zoom lens with MEGA O.I.S. image stabilisation used in the original camera. The lens yields effective focal lengths from 28 - 112mm - a useful wide angle to a moderate telephoto. ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 1600, with the option to extend this to ISO 3200 in high sensitivity mode - surprisingly higher than the LX1's ISO 400 sensitivity with a maximum push to 1600, given that the pixel size has come down to fit 25% more pixels into the same sensor dimensions. Images can be previewed or reviewed on a 2.8" wide LCD display with a better than average resolution of 207,000 pixels, but there's unfortunately no optical viewfinder - something which is sadly becoming rather rare on a lotofdigicams these days. Focusing is catered for with a 1, 3, or 9-point autofocus function with AF assist lamp. Exposure modes include eighteen scene modes, such as Panasonic's unusual "Baby" modes that allow you to program a date of birth in each, and then have your images tagged with your children's current ages at the time a photo is taken. Exposure variables are determined using an intelligent multiple, center-weighted or spot metering system, and users can tweak the exposure with +/-2.0EV of exposure compensation, in 1/3EV steps. Shutter speeds range from 1/2000 to 60 seconds - quite a bit longer than is common on many digicams - and the DMC-LX2 offers automatic or manual white balance control with five presets - two more than in the LX1 - plus two custom white balance modes that let you save white balance measurements for common situations for later recall. The LX2 also includes a built-in five mode flash, with a range of up to 4.9 meters at wide angle or 2.2 meters at telephoto. The LX2 offers a higher than average movie resolution of 848 x 480 pixels as seen on some of Panasonic's other recent cameras, as well as lower-resolution 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 pixel options - all of which use the QuickTime MotionJPEG format common on most digicams. The Panasonic DMX-LX2 draws power from a proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery pack, and records images on Secure Digital or MultiMedia cards, while a not-so-generous 13MB of built-in memory will only be good for a couple of photos fresh out of the package (and is at least somewhat more useful than including a flash card of similar capacity). In addition, the LX2 supports the new SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) standard, which extends the maximum capacity to a theoretical 32GB (4GB cards being the largest at the time of this writing), with sustained transfer rates of up to six megabytes per second. There's also both USB computer connectivity, and an NTSC / PAL switcheable video output to show your images on a TV, with the necessary cables included. An Arcsoft software collection and SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE raw file utility rounds out the product bundle. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 will ship in September, priced at $500. | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 |  | | General | | Camera Type | Compact | | Manufacturer | Panasonic | | Model Number | DMC-LX2 | | Dimensions | 4.2 x 2.2 x 1.0"
105.7 x 55.8 x 26.3mm | | Weight | 217.0 g
7.6 oz | | Planned Price | $499.95 | | Planned Availability | Sep 2006 | | Image Capture | | Sensor Type | 1/1.65" CCD
10.40 megapixels (total)
10.20 megapixels (effective) | | Filter Type | RGBG | | Aspect Ratio | 4:3, 16:9 | | Image Dimensions | 4224 x 2376 (10.0 megapixels)
3568 x 2376 (8.5 megapixels)
3840 x 2160 (8.3 megapixels)
3168 x 2376 (7.5 megapixels)
2880 x 2160 (6.2 megapixels)
3072 x 1728 (5.3 megapixels)
2560 x 1712 (4.4 megapixels)
2304 x 1728 (4.0 megapixels) | | Capture Speed | Continuous: 2.0 frames per second for 3 frames | | Image Quality | 3 levels | | Image Preview / Review | | Viewfinder | No | | LCD | 2.8", 207,000 pixels
100% field of view | | Playback Zoom | 16.0x max | | Lens | | Lens Type | LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
4x optical zoom | | Image Stabilization | Yes | | Focal Length | 6.3 - 25.2mm (actual)
28 - 112mm (35mm equivalent) | | Aperture Range | Wide: F2.8 - F8.0; Tele:F4.9 - F8.0 | | Focusing System | 1-point, 1-point high speed, 3-point high speed, 9-point, Spot with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (0) steps | | Focusing Range | Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - infinity (5.0 cm - infinity) | | Exposure | | ISO Sensitivity | Auto, Intelligent ISO, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (high sensitivity mode) | | Shutter Speed | 60 - 1/2000 second | | Exposure Modes | Aperture, Shutter, Manual | | Metering Modes | Intelligent Multiple, Center Weighted, Spot | | Exposure Compensation | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments | | White Balance | Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set 1, White Set 2, Manual | | Internal Flash | Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
Range: Wide: 0.6 - 4.9m; Tele: 0.3 - 2.2m | | Flash Exposure Compensation | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments | | Creative | | Scene Modes | Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self-Portrait, Food, Party, Candle, Fireworks, Starry Sky, Beach, Aerial photo, Snow, High Sensitivity, Baby1, Baby2 | | Digital Zoom | 4x | | Self Timer | Yes, 2 or 10 seconds | | Movie Format | QuickTime Motion JPEG with audio
848x480 and 640x480
Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second | | Storage | | Recording Medium | SD/MMC, Built-in, SDHC | | File System | Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) | | File Format | CCD-RAW, Raw, JPEG (EXIF 2.2) | | Connectivity | | Video | Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable | | Computer | USB 1.1 | | Other | DC In | | Power | | Battery Type | Lithium Ion rechargeable | | Battery Form Factor | Proprietary | | Product Bundle | | Software | LUMIX Simple Viewer, PhotofunStudio viewer, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE, ArcSoft Camera Suite (ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft PanoramaMaker), Adobe Reader, Quick Time, USB Driver | | Battery / Charger | 1 x Proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger | | Flash Memory | 13.0MB built-in memory | | Other | | Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant | Yes | | PictBridge Compliant | Yes | | Internal Microphone | Yes | | Internal Speaker | Yes | | |
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Original Source Press Release:
| PANASONIC DEBUTS WIDESCREEN LUMIX DMC-LX2 Camera Broadens Idea of Picture Taking With True Wide Aspect Ratio CCD, Wide Angle Lens, and Wide Screen LCD SECAUCUS, NJ (July 19, 2006) – Panasonic today introduced the 10.2 megapixel Lumix DMC-LX2, successor to the popular DMC-LX1, which received worldwide acclaim for its unique 16:9 wide aspect ratio CCD, full-featured functions, and smart design. The DMC-LX2 will have an MSRP of $499.95. New features included on the DMC-LX2 include the world’s first Intelligent ISO Control to compensate for blurriness caused by subject movement. It also offers triple-“wide” features such as a 28 mm wide angle LEICA DC lens, 16:9 wide aspect ratio CCD, and a 16:9 wide aspect ratio LCD screen. The DMC-LX2 is further distinguished from other cameras by its full manual controllability including manual focus via a joystick allowing users to easily enjoy creative shooting. Its Venus Engine III high performance image processing LSI dramatically reduces noise, realizing image recording at a maximum ISO 1600 high sensitivity setting at full resolution. “Our LUMIX DMC-LX2 has the best features for the new digital lifestyle that puts a premium on capturing and sharing the images of our lives in a widescreen format,” said Rich Campbell, Director, Digital Imaging, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “The 10.2 megapixel, true 16:9 CCD is perfect for capturing images to be displayed on a widescreen plasma TV. The new digital lifestyle is about capturing expansive, beautiful pictures and sharing them in the most dramatic way possible on a widescreen TV.” The DMC-LX2 inherits from the LX1 a wide range of features including the 4x optical zoom (equivalent to 28mm to 112mm on a 35mm film camera), MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) system that reduces blurriness caused by user hand movements, an enhanced CCD capable of 10.2-megapixels and a larger 2.8” 16:9 wide LCD screen. Panasonic’s revolutionary MEGA O.I.S. is incorporated into the entire line of LUMIX cameras. The worldwide debut of the revolutionary new Intelligent ISO Control (IIC) feature on Panasonic’s LUMIX cameras signals the arrival of a new level of photographic excellence. IIC allows high sensitivity recording at full resolution (1250 ISO maximum) made possible by the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III. When set to the IIC, the Venus Engine III detects the subject’s movement and adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to best suit subject movement and light conditions automatically. Panasonic’s unparalleled image stabilizing system allows users to take clear, crisp images in any situation, leaving everything to the camera. The DMC-LX2 also incorporates 13 MB of built-in memory while the battery life is extended up to 300 pictures* on one charge, to help avoid missing those spur-of-the-moment shots. A print mode has also been added to the mode dial so that you can print the images quickly. Bundled software allows users to edit and develop RAW files. The DMC-LX2 will ship in September. About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom. *Based on the CIPA standard. ### *Some accessories are not available in some countries.
*The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.
*Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
*The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.
*All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
*QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are used under license. QuickTime is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries.
*This unit is compatible with both SD Memory cards and SDHC Memory cards. You can only use SDHC Memory cards on devices that are compatible with them. You cannot use SDHC Memory cards on devices that are only compatible with SD Memory cards. (When using a SDHC Memory card on another device, be sure to read the operating instructions for that device.) |
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