Panasonic

You've been using point-and-shoot digital cameras for years, perhaps with mixed results, and now you're starting to wonder if it's time to invest in a digital single lens reflex camera. The type of camera that's right for you depends on how serious you are about capturing high-quality images.

Your compact point-and-shoot is probably all you need if you're taking mostly family shots: your mom blowing out candles on her 60th birthday, your daughter pulling to her feet for the first time, your son hitting a home run on the Little League field. But if you're the kind of photographer -- amateur or professional -- who is literally sprawled on the floor of the basketball court, determined to get the perfect action shot, you are probably ready to make the switch to a digital SLR camera.

Digital SLR cameras typically cost much more than regular digital cameras -- in some cases several hundred dollars more -- but many photographers feel that the high-quality images they produce are worth the extra expense. DSLRs, which use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera, have multiple image sensors and excellent light sensitivity. Plus they have a wide variety of settings and can be souped up with add-on lenses and flash units -- all of which allows you greater flexibility and control in getting just the right shot. Read more

March 12, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic, a major developer and contributor to the success of the Blu-ray format, recently introduced the successors to last year's award winning DMP-BD35 and DMP-BD55 players, as well as presenting the world's first Blu-ray-VHS dual player. All three of the new Blu-ray players -- DMP-BD60, DMP-BD80, DMP-BD70V -- combine high quality images with enhanced networking functions, including VIERA Cast's improved internet functionality that provides access to Amazon VOD's huge selection of titles. Continuing its commitment to producing products that stress ease of use, the 2009 line of Blu-ray Disc players continue to incorporate VIERA Link, allowing the consumer to operate their audio/video components, via HDMI, with one remote. And, in keeping with Panasonic's pledge to reduce the planet's carbon footprint, the new Blu-ray players have been designed to reduce power consumption. The 2009 Panasonic Blu-ray line will be available in April. The DMP-BD60 will have a SRP of $299.95; the DMP-BD60 $399.95; the DMP-BD70V $399.95. Read more

March 2009 – Panasonic just introduced the DMC-GH1, the newest member of the company’s revolutionary LUMIX G Micro System – a new digital interchangeable lens camera system that delivers professional-level features and performance in a compact and easy-to-use camera body.

Compatible with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the new LUMIX GH1 features advanced video photography functions, such as the ability to record High Definition (HD) AVCHD 1080p/24p video.* In addition, the new LUMIX GH1 comes with a newly developed long-zoom interchangeable lens – the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. This lens was specifically designed to support HD movie recording and features a silent motor and continuous auto focusing (AF) capability; two features which distinguish the LUMIX GH1 from DSLRs that offer HD video recording capabilities. Read more

January 27, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic today announced the DMC-FS25 as its newest addition to the LUMIX FS-Series of digital cameras. The 12.1 megapixel DMC-FS25 features a 5x optical zoom and a 29mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, a 3.0-inch intelligent LCD and is the top-of-the-line FS-Series model. The LUMIX FS models, a stylish sister-line of the highly-acclaimed LUMIX FX-Series, combine easy operation with a sleek look, enabling both beginner and advanced users to take beautiful digital photos with a camera that slips in a pocket.

Panasonic has enhanced the Intelligent Auto Mode (iA) on the DMC-FS25 from the previous FS models to now include AF tracking and Intelligent Exposure functions in addition to the standard Mega O.I.S., Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Face Detection. AF Tracking enables the user to "lock" the focus onto a moving subject. Read more

January 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic today introduced the LUMIX DMC-TS1, the world's first(*1) waterproof, shockproof and dustproof digital camera(*2) to also feature AVCHD Lite High Definition (HD) video recording capabilities(*3). The TS1's tough and rugged design makes it the ideal choice for active users needing the ultimate hybrid for capturing both still and motion images during outdoor activities. The LUMIX TS1, with a 12.1 megapixel resolution, features a 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, a 4.6x optical zoom and Panasonic's proprietary iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, making this an easy-to-use, yet powerful camera that packs advanced imaging features.

"Many consumers are hesitant to take their digital cameras on outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, boating or even a day at the beach, for fear it will be damaged. With the introduction of the LUMIX TS1, we offer a digital camera with a rugged design that consumers can feel confident using in these tough environments," said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "Even more, with the ability to take both beautiful high-quality still images and High Definition video, with AVCHD Lite, the TS1 offers a powerful one-two punch to capture memories that can later be shared with friends and family." Read more

January 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic today introduced the LUMIX DMC-ZS3 and DMC-ZS1, both members of the new ZS-Series, the successor to the acclaimed LUMIX TZ-Series and Panasonic's newest ultimate compact and powerful digital cameras. The LUMIX ZS3 features 10.1-megapixels, a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens and 12x optical zoom, meaning it has added 2x optical zoom to the award-winning TZ-Series camera, yet reduced its size. The ZS3 also features a LEICA DC VARIO-The ZS3 also features a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens.

"The LUMIX ZS3 is a powerhouse performer with enormous versatility. Compared with the TZ-Series, it extends the power of the optical zoom from 10x to 12x and expands the wide-angle lens from 28mm to an ultra-wide 25mm, giving it the range for virtually any shooting situations," said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "Despite its superior lens specifications and functionality, the ZS3 is remarkably smaller and lighter than its predecessors, making it easier to carry on travels and everyday shooting opportunities." Read more

January 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Panasonic today announces its newest touch-screen LUMIX digital camera, the slim and stylish DMC-FX580, a successor to last year's DMC-FX500. The new DMC-FX580 features a 25mm ultra-wide-angle LEICA DC lens with F2.8 brightness, a 5x optical zoom and an increased recording image size from 10.1-megapixel to 12.1-megapixel. Using the popular touch-screen operation is easy with the DMC-FX580's large 3.0-inch LCD, so both shooting and image playback is intuitive and smooth.

"With the new LUMIX FX580, Panasonic provides for our digital camera consumers, by offering a touch-screen model, for those users who are accustomed to touch-screen technology," said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "With the FX580, we remain true to Panasonic's commitment to providing high-quality photos, by advancing our Intelligent Auto mode and using a bright LEICA DC lens, we want to help consumers capture beautiful photos, regardless of their interface preference." Read more