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Press Release - 2 September 2009
Panasonic Introduces New LUMIX DMC-GF1
World’s smallest and lightest system camera with built-in flash for creative
photography and HD movie recording
Berlin, Germany (September 2, 2009) – Panasonic today
announced the newest addition to its LUMIX G Micro System line-up of
advanced digital interchangeable lens system cameras based on the Micro Four
Thirds system standard. The new LUMIX
DMC-GF1 debuts as the world’s smallest and lightest system camera with
built-in flash*. The DMC-GF1 features an elegant, compact flat body and
combines great performance with ultimate operating and shooting ease.
Furthermore, it effectively optimizes the advantages of a system camera to
assure outstanding image quality. The new camera is capable of recording
vivid still shots, as well as smooth, beautiful motion pictures. It also
features the advanced AVCHD Lite movie for recording extended HD movies,
networking with other AV devices and recording in the Motion JPEG format for
greater compatibility with PCs.
The DMC-GF1 comes with unique functions that include
exposure meter and shutter speed preview through the live view. A number of
accessories, including the Live View Finder that provides full-time live
view, makes photography a lot more fun, while expanding the user's artistic
capabilities. The camera comes in three attractive body colors: true black,
active red, and sleek silver. Experienced photographers will find the GF1 an
ideal everyday camera, while those new to system cameras will see that it
gives them the potential to explore realms of photography far beyond the
limits of compact cameras.
The DMC-GF1 does not contain the pentaprism found on
other standard interchangeable lens cameras. This mirror-less structure
allows for an extremely thin neo-classic body design and significantly
reduces the size of the G1 by 35% and its weight by 26%. Despite its size,
the GF1 comes equipped with a built-in flash and boasts a large, 3.0-inch
Intelligent LCD with a wide viewing angle and full 460,000-dot resolution.
The Intelligent LCD
offers
extremely fine, automatic backlight control in combination with high
resolution for outstanding viewing in sunny outdoor or dim indoor
situations.
Panasonic has succeeded in raising the level of image
quality for all LUMIX G Micro System cameras to rival or even surpass that
of D-SLR cameras. The 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor in the GF1
offers the best of both worlds - the superior image quality of a CCD sensor,
and the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. It can deliver up to 60
frames-per-second Full-time Live View images, while reproducing images with
fine detail and rich gradation. The sophisticated LSI (Venus Engine HD)
separates chromatic noise from luminance noise and applies noise reduction
to each, so users can capture beautiful images, even when shooting at high
ISO sensitivity levels.
The DMC-GF1 also features 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 that
lets users manually set the colour, brightness and saturation levels. With
the Live View function, users can see how these settings will affect the
photo even before they shoot.
The DMC-GF1 can record 1280 x 720 high-definition
motion picture in AVCHD Lite that features long recording time and high
compatibility with audio-visual equipment. The action starts at a press of a
button while most of the settings for photo recording are managed. Movie
recording formats include HD Motion JPEG in 1280 x 720, QVGA, VGA and WVGA.
Beginners can record excellent movies, because the popular iA (Intelligent
Auto) is also available for motion image recording. Optical Image Stabilizer
(O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom, while Face
Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus,
exposure, contrast, and skin complexion so it always turns out beautifully.
Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts
the exposure setting as conditions change. Finally, Intelligent Scene
Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery,
and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.
The contrast AF system in the DMC-GF1 features the
industry’s high-speed (approx. 0.3 sec with a Lumix G standard zoom lens
H-FS014045.) Users can choose from multiple-area AF with up to 23 focus
areas, 1-area AF with a selectable focus area, Face Detection, and AF
Tracking. The DMC-GF1 also has a Quick AF function that begins focusing as
soon as the user aims the camera to enable quicker focusing. Continuous AF
keeps the subject in focus at all times.
The DMC-GF1 has advanced functions that will satisfy
experienced photographers and yet is easy for beginners to use, thanks to
its improved iA mode. With Face Recognition*, up to six faces can be
registered, and up to three can be simultaneously recognized to show their
names once registered. When the familiar face appears in the frame again,
the camera displays the name of that person and prioritizes focus and
exposure so that the face is bright and in sharp focus. In addition to these
advanced functions, the iA mode includes fundamental functions users need in
a good digital still camera, including 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 optimizes the exposure for each part of an image
to prevent blocked shadows and blown highlights and ensure that gradation
and details are reproduced beautifully. It now features an automatic
backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects
that the subject is in backlight. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically
detects the four most common shooting situations - Portrait, Scenery,
Close-up and Low-light - and switches to the appropriate Scene mode. The
user can activate all of these functions simply by selecting iA mode.




Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 lens
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Travel Photography
Profile of a Digital-SLR
Profile of a Digital Compact
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