Panasonic enhances performance of DMC-LX5 ‘creative compact’ with firmware upgrade

Panasonic has announced the release of new Firmware Version 2.0 for the LUMIX DMC-LX5 creative compact, offering enhanced performance and usability, and upgraded features. The new firmware will be available to download worldwide from 1500hrs EST September 13.

For increased performance, the firmware offers a new algorithm to speed up the DMC-LX5’s Autofocus (AF) time by reducing it by 23% at the wide end, the fastest level in its class. A High ISO NR (Noise Reduction) mode has been added for images shot at high ISO 1600/3200 sensitivity and Auto white balance adjustment performance has been improved when shooting in low light.

Alistair Robins, Group Marketing Manager, LUMIX, Panasonic Australia, said: “The DMC-LX5 has been very popular since its introduction.  With this firmware release, we are pleased to offer photography enthusiasts even greater scope and control to create amazing images and high-definition video.”

Active Mode is now available with Power Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), to reduce the effects of hand-shake, so users can shoot stable video even while walking.  ‘Miniature Effect’ has been added to My Colour mode for both photo and video capture. When shooting in Fireworks, Night Scenery or Astrograph modes, the standard 60 seconds shutter speed can be increased to 250 seconds for an even better result.

Additional enhancements include improved shutter operation to incorporate continuous focusing with half shutter and full shutter shooting. Using both autofocus and manual focus will be made even easier in situations where focus precision is desired.  For instance, once a focus area has been set it can easily be retrieved, making this a convenient function for tripod shooting.  Finally, the brightness, contrast/saturation and red/blue tint of the LCD monitor and external viewfinder will be adjusted to reproduce colour settings which are more true to the subject.

The new LUMIX DMC-LX5 firmware will be available worldwide at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/ from 1500hrs EST on September 13, 2011.

For more information call Panasonic on 132 600 or visit www.panasonic.com.au