Panasonic’s Lumix G85 with 12-60mm F3.4-5.6 Power OIS lens ($999.95 suggested retail kit price).
Panansonic introduced Photokina in Cologne, Germany this week three Lumix cameras designed to take lightning fast still images and up to 4K Ultra HD videos with ease and accuracy. The cameras also include advanced post-shooting features like focus stacking to make corrections to images after they are shot.
The new camera introductions include the Lumix G85 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, which will be available starting in October as a body only for an $897.99 suggested retail or in a kit including an H-FS12060 Lumix G Vario 12-60mm/ F3.4-5.6 ASPH/Power O.I.S. lens for $999.99; the compact point-and-shoot Lumix FZ2500 (hitting retail in December at $1,197.99) and the latest pocket-sized Lumix LX series point-and-shoot in the LX10 (shipping in November at $699.99).
Read more about Panasonic’s trio of advanced 4K Ultra HD cameras after the jump:
The Lumix G85 4K Ultra HD compact system camera offers a new level of still image stabilization, and in-camera focus stepping for 4K video enthusiast and still-image shooters alike.
The Lumix G85 features a 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor without low pass filter enabling capture of high-resolution images with sharp details.
One of the primary benefits of the camera over earlier models is the added dual image stabilization system. Dual IS v.2 offers five-stop compensation and shutter-shock reduction using a new electromagnetic shutter unit and mag front frame.
For five-stop compensation effects, a high-precision gyrosensor that detects shaking angular velocity and uses a new algorithm to calculate shaking angel and signal processing. This increases the compensation power from 4 stops in the GX80 and GX85 to five stops.
The new electromagnetic shutter unit and electronic first curtain shutter are said to reduce shutter shock by up to 10 percent.
Dual IS v.2 also corrects hand-shake for all lenses, including classic lenses not equipped with O.I.S.
Panasonic has also advanced outdoor shooting capability of the camera by offering a weather-sealed, dust-proof magnesium alloy body that can be taken almost anywhere.
For 4K Ultra HD video recording, the camera, which records to the MP4 container format at 100 Mbps, adds in-camera focus stepping to the suite of 4K features Panasonic offers. The camera will do 4K 4:2:2 8-bit HDMI monitor-throughput while simultaneously recording internally to SD card at 4:2:0. This offers a boost over previous camera models with up to 4:2:0 8-bit-out for external HDMI recording.
4K Photo and contrast AF with DFD technology freezes action with 4K-resolution stills captured with ultra-fast autofocus. DFD technology calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating different sharpness levels in the image. This enables instant focusing with two detection cycles for faster operation.
The camera is also said to make more practical use of 4K Photo still-frame capture and 4K Photo bulk saving.
The Lumix G85 also includes 4K Live Cropping to allow zooming in on a subject in frame while reducing the resolution of image to Full HD. This way, only the frame zooms to the subject wile the camera maintains a fixed position. This enables zooming to a subject this is not in the center position of the frame. Similarly, the camera supports in-frame panning, where only the frame moves while the camera maintains a fixe position, enabling smooth, stable pans even when shooting at night.
For stills, the camera also provides 9 fps burst shooting with more than 200 JPEG shots and 40 shots in RAW format with AFS and 8 fps with AFC.
A new large 0.75x magnification 2.360k-dot equivalent OLED Live Viewfinder with Eye Point 20mm is said to have evolved for optimal outdoor shooting. It also provides a more power efficient, Power Save LVF model, that enables shooting between 800-900 shots compared to about 320 shots under normal settings with a battery charge. The technology is designed to auto detect when the eye has been pulled away and puts the camera into sleep mode within 3 to 5 seconds. The camera is instantly put back into shooting mode when the shutter button is depressed half way.
Other features include: a 3-inch 1,040K-dot free-angle monitor, UHS-II compatibility, and an optional battery grip.
Best Selling Soundbars and 5.1 Surround Systems
The Lumix G85 also supports focus stacking and post focus. This Lumix exclusive feature uses DFD technology that calculates the focus areas from a maximum of 49 areas and 4K Photos shot at 30 fps while shifting the focus area combined to enable adjusting still image focus after the pictures are taken.
The camera also supports versatile bracket options to select the best settings after taking a shot. A new bracket menu is included for exposure, aperture bracket, focus bracket and white balance bracket. Users select the bracket mode to match the situation and conditions and choose the best one after shooting.
Other features include: wireless connectivity with remote camera operation and an assortment of creative filters effects.
The Lumix DMC-FZ2500 is a compact digital camera carrying a 20x optical zoom LEICA DC Vario-Elmarit lens designed to enhance lens and image stability while providing camcorder-like smooth zooming functionality.
The camera combines built-in ND filters with 4 setting modes of, direct switch operation: -2EV(1/4), -4EV(1/16), -6EV(1/64) and AUTO. Users can record videos while keeping the exposure level the same with a fixed shutter speed or with a fully open aperture even in high brightness, Panasonic said.
Other features include: seamless iris control with a nine-blade aperture diaphragm and new galvanometer-type actuator; unlimited 4K video capture at Cinema 4K 4096×2160/24p resolution and QFHD 4K: 3840×2160 at up to 30 fps in MOV/MP4.
The Lumix FZ2500 is also capable of recording Full-HD videos with an ultra-high bit rate of 200 Mbps (ALL-Intra) or 100 Mbps (IPB) without any recording duration limit.
Users can select from between MOV, MP4, AVCHD Progressive and AVCHD compression formats at a variety of frame rates.
System frequency can be flexibly selected from 59.94 Hz (23.98 Hz)/50.00 Hz/24.00 Hz.
The Lumix FZ2500 is also capable of live image output to the external monitor via an optional micro HDMI cable simultaneously while recording video. Also included are: Variable Frame Rate (VFR), slow and quick motion, and dolly zoom functions for more professional-looking videos.
The camera incorporates a 1-inch 20.1-megapixel high sensitivity MOS sensor and Venus Engine that provide clear, sharp images even in low-light shooting situations.
The camera includes a Contrast AF System with Depth From Defocus (DFD) technology and that exchanges digital signals between the camera and the lens at up to 240 fps, for auto focusing at approx. 0.09 sec. Burst shooting performance is us provided at up 12 fps (AFS)/7 fps (AFC), for up to 100 (JPEG)/30 (RAW) images at a clip. In addition, fleeting photo opportunities can be recorded in 4K Ultra HD at 30 fps and saved as stills in 4K PHOTO mode.
The camera also includes integrated Focus Stacking to adjust the depth of field after shooting by selecting the focusing area.
An OLED Live View Finder (LVF) with 2360K-dot equivalent resolution is included as is a free-angle 3.0-inch 1040K-dot touch-control monitor.
Wi-Fi connectivity is also added to connect to a smartphone or tablet to send and receive images and control camera operation remotely.
The Lumix LX10 compact camera features a newly developed F1.4 high-speed Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24-72mm equivalent (F.1.4-2.8 aperture) lens with macro capability from 3cm, and a 1-inch high-sensitivity MOS sensor with 20.1-megapixel resolution.
The sensor and Venus Engine combine to achieve a maximum ISO of 12,800 high sensitivity recording with high picture quality. The Lumix LX10 includes a high-speed, high-precision AF with Depth From Defocus (DFD) technology that reduces focus time. The camera calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness levels at up to a 240 fps signal exchange speed. Ultra-high-speed focus is achieved in up to 0.12 sec.
The LX10 will record up to 4K Ultra HD and offers a variety of derivative functions, including new focus stacking, post focus, light composition, and 4K live cropping. Creative control, creative panorama and photo style options are also provided for additional creative options. The Lumix LX10 records smooth, high-resolution QFHD 4K videos in 3840×2160 at 30p (60Hz) or 24p in MP4.
Burst shooting is accommodated at a rate of up to 10 fps (AFS)/6 fps (AFC). The camera’s touch-control 180-degree tiltable 1,040K-dot rear monitor enables rapidly focusing on the subject and even activiating the shutter.
Equipped with a built-in lens cover, the seamless metallic profile features a stylish ring and dial of curved aluminum.
Other features include: 5-Axis hybrid O.I.S.+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) in both photo and video recording; Wi-Fi connectivity; and F1.4 high-speed lens and 1-inch MOS sensor; pocket-sized body.
By Greg Tarr
Have a question for the HD Guru? HD GURU|Email
Copyright ©2016 HD Guru Inc. All rights reserved. HD GURU is a registered trademark.
Stay connected