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Panasonic Unveils 3D P&S, GX1 Cameras

Secaucus, N.J. – Panasonic has unveiled its first all-in-one
3D-capable point-and-shoot camera and an upgrade for the popular G series compact
system camera (mirrorless interchangeable lens) segment.

The Lumix DMC-GX1 is Panasonic’s latest Micro-Four-Thirds images
sensor based compact system camera, featuring a 16.01-megapixel Live MOS sensor
and Venus Engine, designed to deliver high-resolution stills and video with image
rendering and high quality color reproduction.

It will record strong images in low-light settings, using the camera’s
maximum 12,800 high ISO sensitivity.   

The GX1 is positioned as an upgrade to the Lumix DMC-GF. In
includes an new ultra-fast auto focusing system and includes a built-in flash
and a hot shoe allowing for such accessories as external electronics viewfinder.

The GX1 uses a contrast AF system controlled by the image sensor.

This is said to be a more accurate system than Phase Dect
approaches, even when using lenses of smaller F value.

The camera also uses full-area
focusing to set focus on any point in the field of view.

The ultra high-speed Light Speed AF system, can achieves focus in
approximately 0.09 seconds by reducing the detection time for focusing by
synchronizing the lens and sensor at 120 fps. 

A new focus mode, AFF (AF Flexible), locks on the focus when the
shutter button is half pressed and follows the subject as it moves. It can also
be combined with the camera’s Touch AF control. 

The GX1 includes a 3-inch touchscreen LCD.

For video, the LUMIX GX1 records in 1,920 by 1,080/60i resolution,
with 30p sensor output in the AVCHD format. The full-time AF and Touch AF
systems work in both still and video modes.

Sound is recorded with Dolby Digital Stereo Creator and videos
can also be recorded in MP4 format for playback on a PC or other portable
electronic devices without the need for further conversion.

Other features include a new level gauge to keep images square in
frame; one push auto exposure (AE), a dust reduction system that uses a
supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor to repel dust and other
particles, touch-control zoom operation when either of Panasonic’s new X power zoom
lenses are attached.

Zoom speed can be adjusted in two steps. Also included is
Panasonic’s iA and iA Plus automatic camera setting systems and increased energy
consumption for an 11 percent longer battery life.

 The Lumix DMC-GX1 will be
available in black and silver bodies starting in mid-December in three kit
options: the DMC-GX1-X ($950 suggested retail) with a G X Vario PZ
14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./Power OIS lens; the DMC-GX1-K ($800) with a 14-42mm
standard zoom lens and the DMC-GX1 ($700) body only.

Meanwhile, the Lumix DMC-3D1 (shipping in December at a $500
suggested retail price) is a new all-in-one point-and-shoot 3D-capable camera,
adding another dimension to the 3D attachment lens Panasonic has marketed in
the past.

The camera uses two newly-developed twin lens units using folded
optics for a compact body design.

In addition to shooting 3D stills and videos, it will also
capture 2D photos and videos. It employs two 25mm ultra-wide angle lenses with
4x optical zoom extensions.

The 3D1 is equipped with a 12-megapixel MOS sensor and newly
updated Venus Engine image processing system.

For 3D, the camera records 8-megapixel stills and
1920-by-1080/60i videos using the side-by-side method. 

A dedicated switch enables shifting from 2D to 3D recording.

The Lumix 3D1’s optics offer an approximately 169 percent larger
viewing space compared to 35mm cameras. 

A new feature in the camera takes advantage of the camera’s two
separate lenses to simultaneously record both stills and videos in 2D. The 2D
stills can be captured in up to 12-megapixel resolution while 2D videos are recorded
tin 1920-by-1080i.

The two-lens design also allows users to record photo or video in
different angles of view.  For example,
users can record an entire party scene with one lens while zooming in on and
capturing the photo of a specific person with another lens.

A multi-process noise reduction system reduces image noise according
to the brightness of different areas of an image, improving sharper stills and
videos.

Both high frequency noise that occurs in dark areas, and low
frequency noise found in the light area of an image are suppressed
simultaneously in a photo, making for dramatically better low-light shots, even
when recorded at a high ISO settings.

The 3D1 also allows fast burst shooting of up to 8 fps (without
auto focusing) and 4 fps (with auto focusing) in full resolution. 

Images are processed at high speed using quad-CPUs in a new Venus
Engine image processing system capable of handling large amounts of
1920-by-1080i Full-HD data in either AVCHD or MP4 formats.

Using two sets of lens units and sensors, the energy consumption
of the Venus Engine stays minimized to maintain battery life.

“Panasonic continues to lead the industry in 3D entertainment,
giving consumers the opportunity to create their own content and then view it
within their homes, and the new Lumix 3D1 is an innovative digital camera that
excels with its 3D imaging technologies, but also offers outstanding 2D photo
capture options,” said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic
Consumer Electronics Company. “With its twin-lens design, the Lumix 3D can even
shoot HD video through one lens and 2D photos from the other – thus getting
still and moving content simultaneously, a unique shooting feature which
Panasonic provides so users can stretch their creativity.”

Other features include an iA (Intelligent Auto) mode that
combines a suite of functions to simplify image shooting, a Mega optical image
stabilization system, AF tracking, intelligent scene selector, face recognition
and intelligent ISO control.

An Intelligent exposure and intelligent handheld nightshot mode
generates high quality night images without a tripod by layering multiple
images shot consecutively.

The camera includes a 3.5-inch 2D Smart Touch screen display.   

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