Let your imagination run wild with the new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX5
Latest model in popular LUMIX LX Series

Panasonic Australia, a leader in digital photography technology, has today announced the launch of the long-awaited LUMIX DMC-LX5. This latest model in the LX Series is the successor to the popular DMC-LX3, which has enjoyed worldwide acclaim from photography enthusiasts as one of the best ‘creative compacts’ on the market.

The DMC-LX5 is the ideal camera for any imaginative photographer looking to create amazing images and high definition movies, with greater creative control. This new model has a redesigned lens, CCD and image processing engine, now offers AVCHD Lite HD video recording, and has full manual controls as well as a redesigned body based on user feedback.

“The new LX5 is the ultimate creative compact and we are so excited that it has finally hit Australian shores. The LX3 really earned a cult following and we are confident that the LX5 will be received with equal enthusiasm,” said Alistair Robins, Group Marketing Manager LUMIX, Panasonic Australia.

The newly developed super bright F2.0 ultra wide angle 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens minimises distortion for stunning, true-to-life images with outstanding resolution and detail. The 24mm wide angle lens offers amazing versatility, with the optical zoom extended to 3.8x (24-90mm 35mm equivalent).

The DMC-LX5’s renowned 1/1.63-inch high-sensitivity CCD has been redesigned with an expanded dynamic range for outstanding image quality, with sensitivity increased by around 31% and saturation by 38%1. The camera excels with high resolution, outstanding results in high sensitivity recording, and rich gradation; as well as enhanced low-light performance made possible by the combination of the CCD and the superior signal processing of the new Venus Engine Full HD.

“We have listened to our LUMIX users and have developed further creative controls that allow them to really let their imaginations run wild with the new DMC-LX5. The new Creative modes allow users to have further control over the way they shoot in both still and movie recording. These new features give users more freedom to explore unique ways to capture their subjects,” continued Mr Robins.

The DMC-LX5 now offers AVCHD Lite HD Video recording, in addition to the conventional motion JPEG format. A host of creative functions including Creative Movie mode, My Colour mode and Film mode are available for even greater creative expression not only in photography but also in videography.

The 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high resolution Intelligent LCD has also been redesigned by adopting a High CRI (Colour Rendering Index) backlight LED to greatly increase colour reproduction, offering remarkable visibility in any lighting conditions, night or day.

The body of the DMC-LX5 has been designed with the discerning photographer in mind, featuring a thickened grip for an easier hold and a newly incorporated turn-and-push jog dial allowing users to flick through various modes and settings quickly so they don’t miss that perfect shot. The hot shoe also allows the attachment of advanced accessories, such as an optional tilt-shift Live View Finder – seen in the DMC-GF1 Micro Four Thirds camera - to assist shooting with high visibility in bright daylight.

As a pocket camera perfect for professionals and high-level amateurs, or as an advanced camera for step-up users, the DMC-LX5 offers stunning picture quality and creativity made possible by Panasonic’s state-of-the-art optical and digital technologies.

Pricing and Availability

LUMIX DMC-LX5 (Black)                 $799 RRP       Available September 2010

Key Features

24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle2 High Quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON Lens

The DMC-LX5 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON F2.0 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens with a 3.8x optical zoom (24-90mm 35mm equivalent).

The bright F2.0 lens shoots at high shutter speeds to capture stunningly clear, blur-free images in low light. The camera’s aperture allows the user to capture stunning portraits with soft background defocus.

The 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens - rare on a compact camera - gives photographers a wider range of composition possibilities. The super-high-quality LEICA DC VARIO- SUMMICRON lens minimises distortion at the wide end, so users can get stunning, true-to-life images with outstanding resolution and detail. The DMC-LX5 captures approximately 213% larger viewing space compared to that of a standard 35mm lens, and approximately 136% larger compared to that of a 28mm wide-angle lens.

The advanced lens design – comprising of 10 elements in 9 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses with 5 aspherical surfaces – ensures minimal distortion, high resolution, and minimum artifacts such as chromatic aberrations, ghosting and flaring.

New generation AVCHD Lite for HD video

In addition to Motion JPEG images, the DMC-LX5 can record high-definition video in AVCHD Lite. The format offers almost twice the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. With the Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio, you can match crystal clear images with outstanding sound quality. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.

The DMC-LX5 also features ‘Creative Movie’ mode, which lets the user set the shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive movies. My Colour mode is also available in movie recording.

The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in AVCHD Lite video recording. Power Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion so the shot turns out as close to perfect as possible. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows, while Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimise recording quality.

Creative photography and ease of use

The DMC-LX5 is the creative photographer’s dream, featuring My Colour mode that gives free rein to the user's creativity. Users can select from 12 effects including Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, Silhouette, Pin Hole, Film Grain, High Dynamic and Dynamic B&W. Custom mode lets users manually set the colour, saturation and brightness levels. This makes it easier and more enjoyable to create interesting, unique images.  The camera can capture images in the RAW format.

The aspect switch on the lens barrel allows selection of the new 1:1 ratio as well as 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9.

The ISO value can be set in 1/3 EV increments for finer control. With the new Step Zoom feature, the zoom range can be set to 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 70mm or 90mm via the easy menu.

Intelligent Auto (iA) features available for still shooting include  POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser), Face Recognition, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Once you enter the iA mode, these functions will engage automatically, so the user can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change.

Rich options for expandability

The DMC-LX5 offers a wide variety of options to choose from to match every shooting situation and shooting style.

Live View Finder: DMW-LVF1E - RRP $399

External Optical View Finder: DMW-VF1E – RRP $359

Wide Conversion Lens: DMW-LWA52E – NEW (Sep 2010) RRP $399

Conversion Lens Adaptor: DMW-LA6E - NEW (Sep 2010) RRP $69

MC Protector: DMW-LMC52E - RRP $49

ND Filter: DMW-LND52E – RRP $44

PL Filter: DMW-LPL52 – RRP $229

External Flash: DMW-FL220 / DMW-FL360E / DMW-FL500E - Respective RRP $399, $549, $1099

Genuine Leather Case: DMW-CLX5E - NEW (Sep 2010) RRP $149

Battery Pack: DMW-BCJ13E - NEW (Sep 2010) RRP $99

Mini HDMI Cable 1.5M RP-CDHM15 – RRP $89

Technologies for outstanding image capture – High sensitivity CCD and Venus Engine FHD

Enhanced low-light performance is made possible by the combination of the CCD and the superior signal processing of the new Venus Engine Full HD.  The minimum illumination of the DMC-LX5 is as low as 3 lux in movie recording, and the maximum ISO setting is ISO 128003, enabling shooting in extremely dark places.

The high-speed, high performance Venus Engine FHD supports the recording of beautiful still images and high-definition video. The triple CPUs in this imaging engine dramatically speed up processing while achieving exceptional noise reduction performance.

The camera offers fast response when shooting to capture spontaneous opportunities, with a quick startup and shutter release time lag as short as approximately 0.007 seconds. Sonic Speed AF (Auto Focus) offers approximately 40% faster focusing compared to the DMC-LX34.

With Intelligent Resolution Technology, three areas – outlines, detailed texture and soft gradation areas – are automatically detected.  Each area is enhanced effectively for greater definition, fine detail and superior noise reduction.  As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and movie recording.

Other features

Still images or video recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV or Blu-ray Disc Player/Recorder – simply insert the card into the device’s SD Memory Card slot.

The DMC-LX5 is bundled with the latest PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition software, which makes it easy and enjoyable to view, edit and archive your photo library.  The software also features an independent Face Recognition function that recognises the faces in the pictures stored in your PC, so you can sort pictures by person.  You can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music.  Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader.  It also lets you create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in MOV, which is especially easy when combined with Panorama Assist mode in the camera.

Battery life allows shooting of up to 400 images (CIPA) per single charge.

Included accessories: Li-ion battery, battery charger, USB connection cable, AV cable, AC cable, software CD PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, strap and battery case.

The new DMC-LX5 will be available from consumer electronics retailers and photographic specialists.  For more information call Panasonic on 132 600 or visit www.panasonic.com.au/lumix