Panasonic Shows Smallest HD Camcorder

Panasonic's tiny HDC-SD7 camcorder weighs only 12 ounces, records high-def video on a Secure Digital card.
Martyn Williams, IDG News Service

Two days after unveiling in the U.S. what it said was the smallest high-definition video camera in the world, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (Panasonic) took the wraps off an even smaller camcorder on Wednesday.

The HDC-SD7 measures 52 millimeters by 110mm by 87mm, giving it a volume of 330 cubic centimeters -- that's smaller than the 375cc of the HDC-SD5 that got its international launch on Monday. It weighs 350 grams with the battery and memory card against 400 grams for the SD5.

Design-wise, the two cameras look very different: the SD7 is taller than it is wide or long so has the appearance of being held vertically while the SD5 is longer than it is tall or deep so is held horizontally.

They have almost identical technical specifications. Both pack 3CCD (charge coupled device) sensors behind a 10X zoom lens and have a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor.

One of the secrets to their small size is the use of an SD memory card as a recording medium. The electronics and socket needed for a flash card takes up much less space than a DVD or hard-disk drive and thus contribute to the size and weight savings over other high-def models.

Both record full HD (1,920 pixel by 1,080 pixel) MPEG4 AVC/H.264 video at a range of quality levels. At the average 9M bps (bit per second) rate, a 4G-byte SD card can hold up to 60 minutes of video, said Panasonic.

The cameras will both cost around %140,000 (US$1,175) when they go on sale in Japan. The SD5 will launch on Aug. 25 and the SD7, which will only be available in Japan, will hit the shelves on Sept. 8.


source:pcworld.com
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Panasonic Shows Smallest HD Camcorder

Panasonic's tiny HDC-SD7 camcorder weighs only 12 ounces, records high-def video on a Secure Digital card.
Martyn Williams, IDG News Service

Two days after unveiling in the U.S. what it said was the smallest high-definition video camera in the world, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (Panasonic) took the wraps off an even smaller camcorder on Wednesday.

The HDC-SD7 measures 52 millimeters by 110mm by 87mm, giving it a volume of 330 cubic centimeters -- that's smaller than the 375cc of the HDC-SD5 that got its international launch on Monday. It weighs 350 grams with the battery and memory card against 400 grams for the SD5.

Design-wise, the two cameras look very different: the SD7 is taller than it is wide or long so has the appearance of being held vertically while the SD5 is longer than it is tall or deep so is held horizontally.

They have almost identical technical specifications. Both pack 3CCD (charge coupled device) sensors behind a 10X zoom lens and have a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor.

One of the secrets to their small size is the use of an SD memory card as a recording medium. The electronics and socket needed for a flash card takes up much less space than a DVD or hard-disk drive and thus contribute to the size and weight savings over other high-def models.

Both record full HD (1,920 pixel by 1,080 pixel) MPEG4 AVC/H.264 video at a range of quality levels. At the average 9M bps (bit per second) rate, a 4G-byte SD card can hold up to 60 minutes of video, said Panasonic.

The cameras will both cost around %140,000 (US$1,175) when they go on sale in Japan. The SD5 will launch on Aug. 25 and the SD7, which will only be available in Japan, will hit the shelves on Sept. 8.


source:pcworld.com
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Panasonic 8GB SDHC Memory Card with High Capacity and Data Transfer Speed unveiled

Panasonic has announced that it plans to launch an 8GB Pro High Speed SD Memory Card that not only features high capacity but also high speed recording as well.

The 8GB Panasonic SD Memory Card carries a model number of RP-SDV08GU1K. With this announcement, Panasonic now offers four Pro High Speed models- 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and now 8GB card sizes.

All of these Panasonic Pro High Speed cards have a Class 6 Speed specification. In fact, Panasonic launched this 8GB SD memory card in order to meet the demands for larger capacity and higher data transfer speeds.

Now, this latest Panasonic 8Gb Pro High Speed SD memory card meets such demands with its SDHC specification that is compatible with the SD Memory Card Ver.2.0 standard as well as Class 6 Speed specification that guarantees a minimum data transfer speed of 6MB per second.

Since the Panasonic RP-SDV08GU1K SD card has 8GB of massive data storage capacity, it is able to record a High-Definition movie of around 2 hours in AVCHD normal mode. It is also able to store around 3080 high-resolution still images.

The Panasonic 8GB Pro High Speed SD Memory Card works well with Panasonic’s new High Definition SD video camera, the HDC-SD5 that was also launched yesterday. This card is able to record detailed High Definition video in real-time.

Specifications of the Panasonic 8GB Pro High Speed Memory Card:

*Product Name: 8GB SDHC Memory Card
*Model No: RP-SDV08GU1K
*Memory Capacity: 8 GB
*Usable Capacity: 7676 MB
*High Definition movie recording time(Mpeg-4 AVC/H.264):
Fine mode (13Mbps/CBR) Approx. 80 min.
Normal mode (9Mbps/VBR) Approx. 120 min.
Economy mode (6Mbps/VBR) Approx. 180 min.
*Still images recordable: Approx. 3080
(10 Megapixels, 3648×2736, Fine mode)
*Music data recording time: Approx. 136 hr. 27 min.
(AAC,MP3 HQ mode, 128kbps)
*Physical Specification: Version 2.0
*Data Transfer Rate: Up to 20MB/s
*Speed Class: Class 6
You can expect the Panasonic 8GB SDHC card to be in stores this September. Also, the company plans to launch a 16Gb version of this card sometime later this year.


source:techshout.com
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Panasonic Adds 2 Cameras to Lumix Line-up

Panasonic today introduced the new Lumix 8.1MP DMC-FX55 and DMC-FX33 cameras of 28mm wide angle LEICA DC lens with 3.6x optical zoom (equivalent to 28mm to 100 mm on a 35mm film camera) featuring f/2.8 brightness. The DMC-FX55 incorporates a 3-inch large LCD whereas the DMC-FX33 pursues further compactness with a 2.5-inch LCD.

These cameras feature Panasonic’s Intelligent Image Stabilization system that comprehends MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) to suppress hand-shake and Intelligent ISO Control to prevent motion blur.

The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically sets the appropriate scene mode according to the scene. It is selected from most frequently used scene modes such as portrait, scenery, macro, night scenery and night portrait.

The Face Detection system helps the camera to recognize a human face and focus and set AE. The Quick AF system allows the camera to start focusing on the subject even without pressing a shutter button halfway, to get best results out of a shutter chance by minimizing the AF time. All these happen on the smart auto mode incorporated in these cameras.

These cameras work on Venus Engine III, which renders the newly added High-Speed Burst shooting mode that lets you snap off a lightning-fast seven shots per second, as well as a new High Sensitivity mode that provides a maximum ISO setting of 6400. In addition, when using the High Sensitivity mode, the built-in flash reaches as far as 16 meters.

The DMC-FX55 will be available in silver, black and pink, while the FX33 in silver, black, blue, brown, pink and white. These cameras will be available in the market from September 2007.


source:tech2.com
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Panasonic Launches Lumix DMC-FZ18 Digicam

Panasonic today expanded its Lumix family of digicams with the introduction of the Lumix DMC-FZ18, an 8.1 megapixel compact camera with 18x optical zoom.

In addition to a premium 28mm wide-angle Leica DC lens, the DMC-FX18 joins the LUMIX DMC-FX33 and DMC-FX55 as the first Panasonic digital cameras to offer the Intelligent Auto Mode, which include face detection, intelligent scene selector and continuous auto-focus functions.

When this camera is put into Intelligent Auto Mode, the multi-faceted functions engage automatically, so there is no need to adjust settings every time conditions change. The DMC-FZ18’s Intelligent Auto Mode is comprised of -

Intelligent Scene Selector, which automatically selects the appropriate scene mode from the most frequently used modes such as portrait, scenery, macro, night scenery and night portrait.

Face detection system, which helps the camera to focus, set auto exposure and detects up to 15 human faces.

Continuous auto-focus, which allows the camera to keep focus on the subject without having to press the shutter button halfway.

"The Intelligent Auto Mode in the DMC-FZ18 does all the work for you, making photo-taking trouble-free," noted Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "When taking into account the camera’s 18x optical zoom, which is among the industry’s longest zooms, and then adding 8.1 Megapixels, a 28mm wide-angle lens, MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, and Intelligent Auto Mode, the DMC-FZ18 delivers professional-level photo quality, in a powerful camera packed with advanced features that is still easy to use."

The LUMIX DMC-FZ18 also is equipped with a 2.5-inch LCD with 207,000 pixels, a 0.44-inch Electric Viewfinder with 188,000 pixels, f/2.8 brightness and is powered by the Venus Engine III, which boasts shooting at ISO 1600 in normal recording mode.

The LUMIX DMC-FZ18 will be available in the US in silver and black by September 2007 at an MSRP of $399.95. No details on the Indian launch yet.


source:tech2.com
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Panasonic Unveils New Intelligent Cameras, 18X Superzoom

By Molly K. McLaughlin
Panasonic announced today four additions to its Lumix line: notably an 8-megapixel superzoom with 18X optical zoom and a 12.2MP compact camera, both of which have a 28mm wide-angle LEICA lens. The other two cameras unveiled are compact models available in a variety of colors.

The 12MP Lumix DMC FX100 is the first camera at this resolution to feature a wide-angle lens, according to Panasonic. This wide angle allows for great landscapes and group shots. The camera also features 3.6X optical zoom and a powerful flash with reach up to 16 meters and a burst mode rated at 8 shots per second. As part of the company's "Living in High Definition" program, it can capture 1920-by-1080 high-definition stills and 1280-by-720 video at 15 frames per second, ideal for viewing on Panasonic's 16:9 HDTVs. The FX100 will be available in silver and black.

Also with a 28mm wide angle lens, the 8MP Lumix DMC FZ18, available in silver and black, boasts 18X optical zoom for close-up shots, and excellent panoramas. In addition, the DMC-FZ18 has a 2.5-inch LCD and an electronic viewfinder for composing shots. A new feature included on this model is Intelligent Auto Mode, which combines face detection, intelligent scene selector, and continuous auto-focus functions.

"The Intelligent Auto Mode in the DMC FZ18 does all the work for you, making photo-taking trouble-free," noted Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.

Finally, the 8.1MP DMC FX55 and FX33 compact models also include the Intelligent Auto Mode and the 28mm wide-angle LEICA DC lens. Both feature 3.6 optical zoom. Each differs in LCD size with the FX55 at 3 inches and the FX33 at 2.5 inches. The DMC-FX33 has an optional marine case for underwater photography and will be available in silver, black, blue, brown, and pink. The FX55 will come in silver, black, and pink.

All four cameras announced today, including the entire 2007 Lumix line, support high capacity SDHC cards and feature a combination of MEGA Optical Image Stabilization and Intelligent ISO mode, which detect "hand shake" and subject movement to avoid blurry photos. The DMC FZ18 will be available in Sept 2007 for $399.95, as well as the FX55 and FX33 for $349.95 and $329.95 respectively. The DMC FX100 is available this month; price has yet to be announced.


source:pcmag.com
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