By utilizing the same groundwork of this DMC-GH1 hack , a group of crafty coders have devised a way to allow for all sorts of funky tweaks to the beloved Lumix GF1 — most notably, 1080p video recording. Besides the full HD recording, using a reworked version of the camera’s firmware, the micro four thirds shooter has had its video recording bit rates upped, added 4.2.2 color sampling, and looks like it could be getting full manual control and 24p/25p shooting options down the road. Some users are already maximizing their camera’s abilities with the hacks, though based on reading we’ve done in the DVXuser forums, the firmware changes don’t seem completely ready for primetime. Regardless, it’s pretty encouraging news for those us who are already having a torrid love affair with the GF1.
Software Update Apple has released Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.1 via Software Update. The update can also be downloaded here . The 6.77 MB (web) or 7.2 MB (Software Update) update requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.2, and extends RAW image compatibility for Aperture 3 and iPhoto ‘09 for the following cameras: o. Hasselblad H3DII-50 o. Leica M9 o.
Panasonic ’s recently unleashed Lumix DMC-FX550 has just been pretty extensively reviewed over at Trusted Reviews . Up first, the Lumix DMC-FX550 — a 12.1 megapixel affair with a 5x zoom lens. The reviewer found the touchscreen to be mostly useful and functional in conjunction with the hardware controls. The 1280 x 720 pixel resolution video recording is found to be nice quality, though the cam loses points for its mono audio, which is deemed “not too good,” while the startup time for the camera — about 3 seconds — is also a bit slow. Ultimately, however the DMC-FX550 is not very much of an upgrade over the previous DMC-500 model, though the reviewer gives it points for build quality.
Panasonic is nothing like shy about pushing out a plethora of compacts , but while it was talking up specs for the new Lumix F-series of compact cameras back at CES, we’ve just now got some prices and a release date to chew on. The FH1 (12 megapixel, 720p video) goes for $160, FH3 (14.1 megapixel, 720p) is $180, and the FH20 (14.1 megapixel, 720p) is $200. In slim land, the FP1 (12 megapixel) hits at $150 and the FP3 (14.1 megapixel, 720p) is $230. Finally, some killer value can be found in the bulkier F3, which does 12.1 megapixels and 720p video for a mere $130, and the barebones 10.1 megapixel F2. All of the cameras should be out in mid-February.
Panasonic has announced the launch of its new rugged 14.1MP digital camera, named as Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TS2, which features HD video recording capability in AVCHD Lite format and enhanced toughness (compared with LUMIX TS1) – waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters), shockproof to 10 feet (2 meters) and dustproof, as well as freezeproof to 14° Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 Reviews Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS85 Packed with Auto Features Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 With Incredible 18X Optical Zoom Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 Reviews New Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 12 Megapixel Compact Camera
It’s hard to imagine complaining about a stylish compact camera that packs a stabilized 28-128mm zoom range and does 720p video capture at 30fps, but Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-FP8 didn’t garner any raves from the crew at PhotographyBLOG either. Image quality was found to be decent in well-lit conditions and no more than ISO 800 — typical limitations on cameras with such tiny lens and body. Little is said about the video quality but we were adequately pleased with the sample videos linked from YouTube. The only major flaw indicated was the “permanently exposed” lens, but we can’t imagine it being a deal breaker for most of you nice folks out there, right? Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 reviewed: as good as ‘a loaf of plain white bread’ originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:57:00 EST.
