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 Panasonic sets new benchmark with industry-first touchscreen LUMIX DMC-G2
Panasonic is leading the evolution of the Micro Four Thirds platform with the introduction of two new LUMIX G Series models. The DMC-G2 offers intuitive touch control for shooting and playback; while the DMC-G10 is designed to be easy to operate for users new to system cameras.
Alistair Robins, Group Marketing Manager, LUMIX, Panasonic Australia, said “Touch operation has become familiar to today’s users, and most importantly, it makes it easier and quicker for users to capture their creativity in images and video using the DMC-G2.
“The G10 will be attractive to point and shoot users who want to step up to the benefits of a system camera while retaining compact size and usability. Intelligent Auto (iA) is easily selectable via a dedicated button, and users can also enjoy recording HD video.”
The cameras’ Live View Finder with Full Time Live View allows the user to easily check framing when composing a shot, as well as seeing how settings will affect the image before they shoot.
The DMC-G2’s intuitive touch-control shooting elevates the camera’s operability, letting the user adjust auto focus (AF) simply by touching the subject on the large 3.0-inch 460,000-dot high resolution LCD. The camera also shoots High Definition video using the AVCHD Lite format.
Both the DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 also boast a new illuminated Intelligent Auto (iA) button which gives photographers the ability to quickly switch into iA mode to ensure that their memories are captured perfectly.
Pricing
DMC-G2 – (Colours Black, Blue and Red)
Twin lens kit RRP: $1,599.00
Single lens kit RRP: $1,299.00
Body only RRP: $1099.00
Available – June 2010
DMC-G10 - Black
Twin lens kit RRP: $1,299.00
Single lens kit RRP: $999.00
Available – June 2010
Twin lens kit: LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm /F3.5-5.6 ASPH / MEGA O.I.S
LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S
Single lens kit: LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm /F3.5-5.6 ASPH / MEGA O.I.S
LUMIX G VARIO lens
LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. lens RRP: $599.00
Available – June 2010
Key Features
Intuitive touch-control shooting – DMC-G2
The DMC-G2 is the world’s first system camerai with touch-control shooting. Just touch the LCD to indicate the subject, and the DMC-G2 focuses on it instantly.
Choose from four AF modes to match the conditions. You can also operate the auto focus and shutter release at the same time with just a touch, for a completely new way to shoot.
Touch screen operation excels not only for shooting, but also during playback. Touch one thumbnail among many to quickly and easy view an image, or to view images one by one, drag photos across the screen to browse as though flipping the pages of a book.
Touch AF functions
AF Tracking
Touch the screen, and the DMC-G2 locks on and automatically "tracks" the subject as it moves, adjusting the focus and exposure settings for the best results.
1-area AF
This mode lets you focus on the subject in any part of the LCD – just touch the screen to direct the focus point. You also can freely change the size of the AF frame.
1-area AF in Face Detection
This mode lets you focus on the subject in any part of the LCD while still detecting faces in the image – just touch the screen to direct the focus point. It lets you capture creative shots, for example, focusing on a flower in front of a person, or directing the focus to a person's eyes.
Multi-area AF
The camera divides the 23 AF areas into nine groups. Just touch one of the groups and the camera automatically selects the optimal area from within that group. The cursor lets you display only the part that is within the selected range.
Touch Operation in iA Mode
In iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, simply touch the subject on the LCD and the G2 automatically selects the optimal scene mode.
Touch Manual Controls
The DMC-G2 lets you adjust the aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation easily and intuitively by simply sliding your finger over the screen. Fine white balance adjustments and detailed settings such as checking the vertical and horizontal alignment are also easy.
Moveable MF Assist
When you're in manual focus mode, touch a section of an image on the LCD and the G2 shows you a zoomed view of that area – 1x, 5x or 10x - instantly. This makes it easier to check that focus is sharp.
Adjust the Exposure Meter with a Touch
You can adjust the exposure compensation by sliding your finger on the aperture and shutter speed settings in the exposure meter shown on the LCD. The range in which appropriate exposure is not possible is shown in red, so you can intuitively grasp the corresponding aperture and shutter speed combinations.
Quick Menu for Instant Settings
A touch is all it takes to make a variety of settings, including photo size, ISO sensitivity and white balance. You spend less time fiddling with the camera and more time getting great shots.
White Balance Setting
Complex settings such as white balance 2-axis adjustment and colour temperature adjustment are also done with an easy, intuitive touch.
Moveable Guide Line/Moveable Histogram
To improve framing accuracy, move the vertical and horizontal guidelines with a touch. If the histogram is blocking your view, simply drag it to another part of the screen.
Touch-Operated Playback
A variety of touch-control operations make playback quick, easy and more fun. For example, with Touch-Scroll Playback you simply slide your finger across the LCD to scroll through images. And with Touch-Zoom Playback, you can simply touch a part of the image to enlarge it to as much as 16x.
Video Footage Recording
AVCHD Lite – DMC-G2/Motion JPEG – DMC-G10
The DMC-G2 offers high-definition video recording with AVCHD Lite, while the DMC-G10 can record 1280 x 720 HD video in Motion JPEG, QVGA, VGA and WVGA formats.
Even a beginner can record excellent video using key iA features – including MEGA Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S.), AF Tracking, Face Detection, Intelligent Exposure and Intelligent Scene Selector. To further improve the quality of recordings, the Wind Cut function blocks out most of the noise from background wind.
The DMC-G2 also provides My Colour mode, Film mode and carries over a number of still scene modes to video recording. Motion picture P mode lets you change the aperture for more creative HD video recording. An optional accessory microphone can be attached to the DMC-G2.
The DMC-G2 can take still images while recording footage by simply pressing the shutter button. Other useful editing features on this model include Video Divide, which allows a single video to be divided into two parts, and Cut Animation, which allows frames to be copied from a movie during playback to produce images.
Key features –LUMIX DMC-G2 and DMC-G10
Outstanding image quality
With breakthroughs such as advanced functions and compact design, Panasonic also refines its comprehensive digital imaging technologies for every camera in the LUMIX G Micro System range to achieve outstanding image quality.
The Micro Four Thirds 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor featured in both the DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 offers the best of both worlds -- the superior image quality of a CCD sensor, with the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. Advanced technology makes it possible to read 4 channels of data simultaneously which allows the DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 to deliver 60 frames-per-second of Full-time Live View images, while faithfully reproducing high-resolution images with fine detail and rich gradation.
The new Venus Engine HD II features exceptionally advanced signal processing capabilities. This sophisticated LSI separates chromatic noise from luminance noise and applies the optimal noise reduction to each, so users capture clear and sharp images even when shooting at high ISO sensitivity levels.
The Venus Engine HD II incorporates an image processing technology called Intelligent Resolution that offers higher quality signal processing for superb results.
With the 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.
The double Live View function offered by the cameras’ Live View Finder and Intelligent LCD allows the user to check the image before shooting and see information about camera settings without taking their eye from the subject. The DMC-G2 has been designed with a large and bright 1,440,000-dot equivalent Live View Finder which retains the outstanding quality of an optical viewfinder; while the DMC-G10 offers a 202,000-dot equivalent, 1.04x (0.52xii) Live View Finder.
The 60-frames-per-second Live View is made possible by the Live MOS sensor, which takes signals directly from the image sensor and sends them continuously to the LCD, in real time. Both the Live View Finder and LCD provide approximately 100 per cent field of view. This allows the user to check the framing accurately from corner to corner, when composing a shot.
Both cameras have a 3.0-inch 3:2 460,000-dot LCD with a wide viewing angle. The DMC-G2 has a free-angle LCD that rotates 180º from side to side and tilts 270º up and down – ideal for both high and low angle shots and when shooting with a tripod.
The Dust Reduction System that came as standard on previous and current G Series models is also featured in the DMC-G2 and DMC-G10. If dust or other foreign matter gets inside the camera when you are changing lenses, it could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in your photos. The Dust Reduction System in the DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 helps eliminate this possibility by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles effectively.
The contrast AF systemiii adopted by the DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 is not only accurate and easy to use, but also very fast. Users can choose from a wide range of AF modes, including AF Tracking, 1-area AF, Face Detection AF/AE and 23-area AF.
A range of features to suit the creative photographer
The DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 provide an array of features that let users either capture precisely true-to-life images or create their own beautifully expressive images. The cameras feature My Colour mode with a total of seven preset effects -- Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette while inheriting the previous Custom mode, which lets users manually set the colour, brightness and saturation levels.
With the Full-time Live View function, users can see how these settings will affect the images before they shoot, making it easier to capture the exact mood or atmosphere desired. For even more elaborate effects, users can choose from a total of nine Film modes, and set the contrast, sharpness and saturation levels for each. A custom function lets users store their favourite settings in the memory. The DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 also feature a total of 26 different Scene modes.
The LUMIX DMC-G2’s touch screen operation makes using the Peripheral Defocus mode even easier. Simply touch the subject on the screen. The camera automatically focuses on the selected AF areas while gently defocusing the foreground and background to emphasise the subject. You don’t have to change the aperture yourself to take photos with the highly attractive soft focus effect of an SLR camera.
Intelligent Auto
The correct settings are automatically and intuitively selected by Panasonic’s popular iA mode, ensuring great results in both still and video recording every timeiv. This feature is now quicker to access thanks to the dedicated illuminated iA button.
In iA mode the camera does all the hard work, leaving the user free to capture key moments. Just point and shoot.
With AF Tracking, the camera can lock on to any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves – making it easy to get beautiful, clear shots when a great photo opportunity suddenly arises. Simply aim, lock and shoot. Face Detection AF/AE with Face Recognition remembers and captures your favourite people with the best possible focus and exposure settingsv.
The iA mode also includes MEGA O.I.S., which helps prevent blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken.
Intelligent Exposure ensures that exposure is well balanced across an image and detail maintained. It continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. It also features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects the subject is in backlight.
Intelligent Scene Selector automatically detects the most common shooting situations -- Portrait, Night Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery, Macro and Sunset -- and switches to the appropriate Scene mode.
Other Features
The LUMIX DMC-G2 has a compact built-in flash with a light intensity equivalent to GN11, which can be adjusted within a range of ± EV 2 in 1/3 EV steps. It also lets you use 1st curtain sync. flash and 2nd curtain sync. flash to capture nightscapes with a natural flow of light.
The energy-saving Venus Engine HD II and the rechargeable lithium-ion battery work together to extend the shooting time of the new cameras. The DMC-G2 can take up to 360 shots on a single battery charge when using the LCDvi and up to 390 shots when using the LVFvii. The DMC-G10 can take up to 380 shots on a single battery chargeix when using the LCD and up to 410x shots when using the LVF.
Connectivity
Both still images and AVCHD video recorded on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV with HD resolution. The user simply inserts the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on a VIERA TV or Blu-ray Disc Player to play the content. Alternatively, an optional mini HDMI cable can be used to output still and video images recorded with the DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 directly to the TV for easy VIERA Link operation. This makes it possible to take maximum advantage of the camera's playback functions, including slideshows in which both still and video images are played sequentially, or calendar displays. All control is possible using the TV's remote control.
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, it is easy to view and edit recorded content. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc in MPEG2 for archiving.
Both cameras can record images in the RAW file format, taking original image data directly from the Live MOS sensor without any image processing. The SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE software utility lets you develop RAW data files to create images with the effect you were trying to capture when you took the shot. The DMC-G2 also allows consecutive shots to be taken at up to 3.2 frames per second for a maximum of seven images in RAW.
Rich options for expandability
In addition to the seven LUMIX G lenses, the DMC-G2, DMC-G10 and LUMIX G Micro System can use any interchangeable lens that complies with the Four Thirds standard via an optional mount adaptor DMW-MA1 and with the prestigious Leica M/R Lenses via DMW-MA2M or MA3R.
With the LUMIX G Micro System and the growing number of lenses becoming available, the possibilities are unlimited. The LUMIX DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 system cameras offer a wide variety of options to choose from to match every shooting situation and shooting style.
Optional Accessories
Mount Adaptor: DMW-MA1, DMW-MA2M, DMW-MA3R
External Flash: DMW-FL220 (GN22) / DMW-FL360 (GN36) / DMW-FL500 (GN50)
Stereo Microphone: DMW-MS1(G2 only)
Battery Pack: DMW-BLB13
DC Cable: DMW-DCC3
Remote Shutter: DMW-RSL1
Mini HDMI Cable:RP-CDHM15/RP-CDHM30
The LUMIX DMC-G2 and LUMIX DMC-G10 will be available from consumer electronics and photographic retailers in June. For more information call Panasonic on 132 600 or visit www.panasonic.com.au.
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