****½ (4.5/5)

Key Features

• 14 megapixel CCD sensor
• 16x optical zoom lens, equivalent to 24-384mm in 35mm equiv., f/3.3 – f5.9
• Intelligent zoom extends the zoom to 20x at 14Mp
• 3inch screen, with 230k pixels
• 720p video at 30fps with mono sound
• P/S/A/M modes
• POWER O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer)
• Automatic screen brightness adjustment
• ISO100 – ISO1600
• 3cm Macro mode
• Facebook and Youtube sharing

The 14.1-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ18 features a 24mm ultra wide-angle 16x optical zoom LEICA DC lens, including Nano Surface Coating technology which dramatically reduces ghost and flare. The 16x optical zoom can be used both in photo and movie recording. The 24mm wide-angle lens captures approx. 213% larger viewing space compared to a normal 35mm lens.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ18 is its latest travel-zoom camera, featuring a 16x 24-384mm lens, 14.1 megapixel CCD sensor, 720p HD movies, and fast continuous shooting at either 10fps or 5.5ps with continuous auto-focus turned on. Panasonic has an enviable track record for its TZ-series cameras, which squeeze big zooms into compact bodies, and it continues to set the pace with this sixth-generation model.  The Panasonic DMC-TZ18 replaces the TZ8 with a boost to all the key specs: the zoom is up from 12x to 16x, the screen from 2.7in to 3in and the image size from 12 to 14 megapixels.

The biggest news is the optically stabilized lens, which has ‘grown’ at both ends and now sports a whopping 18x (28-504mm equiv.) zoom, putting it into direct competition with Olympus’ SP-550UZ (now updated to the SP-560UZ) and Fujifilm’s recently announced FinePix S8000fd

This camera is very similar to its big brother, the DMC-TZ20, in terms of its design, with the most notable difference being the lack of a one-touch Movie Record button and the removal of the hump for the TZ20′s GPS unit.

At first glance the Panasonic Lumix strikes you as being a little large, elongated and bulky, but it’s virtually the same size and weight as the previous TZ8 model. You then have to remind yourself that it has somehow now fitted in a 16x zoom lens, equivalent to 24-384mm on a 35mm camera, which provides a very versatile focal range that will cover every subject from ultra-wide angle landscapes to close-up action shots. Even when set to 384mm, the lens doesn’t extend too far from the front of the TZ18, making it look to all intents and purposes like a “normal” compact camera. This helps to make it a great for candid moments, as people assume that you’re using just a standard point and shoot with a much more limited range.

This camera is a well-built camera with a high quality metal body. The design is dominated by the 16x lens on the front and the large 3 inch LCD screen on the rear. There is no optical viewfinder, which does make the camera a little harder to keep steady at the telephoto end of the zoom than holding it up to your eye. There is only a shiny, smooth handgrip on the front of the TZ18 and a small textured area on the rear, although it does have a slight curve to aid grip. The TZ18 actually has a 14.5 megapixel sensor, but only uses 14.1 megapixels so that it can offer four different aspect ratios – 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 or 1:1 – without having to change the angle of view. The Multi Aspect mode takes an image in all four aspect ratios simultaneously and lets you choose the best one. This camera is well-made overall, although we don’t like cover for the battery compartment and SD card slot, which feels a little insubstantial and is locked using a cheap plastic switch.

The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine VI is incorporated in this camera to enable the recording of beautiful images with higher quality signal processing including the Intelligent Resolution technology.
An advanced noise reduction system in the Venus Engine VI applies noise reduction (NR) to luminance noise and chromatic noise separately. As a result, beautiful images with minimal noise can be reproduced all the way up to ISO1600 high sensitivity at full resolution for beautiful night shots or dimly lit indoor shots.

 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ18 REVIEWS

expertreviews.co.uk writes:

“Builds on its excellent predecessor with more of everything, but the competition has caught up.”

trustedreviews.com writes:

“The Lumix TZ18 is a very nearly the ultimate super-zoom camera, with good performance and handling, an excellent range of features and a simply astonishing lens, made usable by an equally superb image stabilisation system. However it falls just short of greatness due to the inexplicably small sensor, which in turn leads to image noise and dynamic range issues. It’s still the best 18x super-zoom out there though, at least until September.”

cameralabs.com reviews writes:

“Ultimately the Lumix TZ18 / ZS8 does exactly what it’s supposed to do: it delivers the same core features as the higher-end TZ20 / ZS10 at a cheaper price, and should therefore appeal to no-frills or budget-conscious super-zoom buyers. The CCD sensor also delivers slightly better photo quality than the TZ20 / ZS10. As such, the Lumix TZ18 / ZS8 earns our Recommended rating as a new camera, but we suspect many potential buyers will either be unable to resist the expansive feature-set of the TZ20 / ZS10 or looking for the older TZ10 / ZS7 at a discounted price.”

photographyblog.com reviews writes:

“This all leaves the TZ18 caught a little stranded between the older TZ10, which additionally offers GPS and a better screen, and the more expensive but much better-specced TZ20. Panasonic have commendably dropped the price of the TZ18, which at £80 / $100 less than the TZ20 is something of a bargain, but we’d still opt for the discounted TZ10 or save up for the TZ20.”

Panasonic DMC-TZ18 VIDEOS

Specifications

Its adoption of the latest AVCHD standard allows it to shoot 1080p60 footage in 2D and up to 1080i60 in 3D, as well as offering 30p and 24p options. The Panasonic HDC-Z10000 essentially combines two of the company’s 3MOS camcorders in a single body, offering 30-369 equivalent F1.5-2.8 zooms (32-320mm in 3D mode), stabilized for both 2D and 3D shooting.

Press Release:

SECAUCUS, NJ (August 31, 2011) – Panasonic today announces the HDC-Z10000, its first*1 integrated twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder that is fully compatible with the AVCHD 3D/Progressive standard, which was also recently announced. The HDC-Z10000 builds on Panasonic’s 3D innovations, having the closest 3D video macro setting with a twin-lens 3D camcorder at approximately 17.8 inches. With this industry-best macro setting, the Panasonic HDC-Z10000, helps capture 3D video that is typically difficult to do, such as flowers, animals and jewelry.

New to Panasonic’s 3D-capable camcorders, the HDC-Z10000 features a 1,152,000-dot, 3.5-inch LCD that appears 3D to the naked eye – no 3D eyewear needed. By using a parallax barrier to control the direction of the light from the LCD, images with slightly different perceptions are viewed by the right and left eyes, thus creating a 3D effect. The user can check 3D images while shooting, without having to connect a monitor. Naturally, the display can also be switched between 2D and 3D.

Furthering its technical excellence, the HDC-Z10000 features Panasonic’s unique Double 3MOS System, which produces superb color and detail reproduction. Featuring two high-sensitivity 3MOS sensors (with an effective pixel count of 6.57 megapixels each) that are independently mounted left and right, the Double 3MOS system creates outstanding full HD 3D video content. Using Full-HD image quality backed by the accurate colors, meticulous detail, and high dynamic range that distinguish the 3MOS sensor, separate images are recorded simultaneously for the left and right eyes. The advanced image sensor separates the light received through the lens into the three primary colors – red, green and blue – and processes each color independently. As a result, the Full HD 3D image quality is outstanding. Naturally, the 3MOS System provides the same effects for 2D, achieving precise and sharp Full HD 2D image quality in combination with progressive recording. The HDC-Z10000, with a newly-developed and ultra-high speed Crystal Engine Pro II engine powers the high-speed processing needed to create superb image quality both in 2D and 3D images.

“Adding to Panasonic’s top-of-the-line 3MOS full-HD camcorders, the HDC-Z10000 naturally excels in the recording of high-quality 2D images. It also meets the constantly increasing need for full HD 3D videos, as both professionals and consumers desire more flexibility and power when shooting 3D,” said Chris Rice, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “The HDC-Z10000 is a unique camcorder in that it has high-end features to suit advanced users, but is easy enough to use for those looking for excellent 2D video and who may want to explore 3D video shooting as well.”

The HDC-Z10000 features new F1.5 lenses that excel when shooting in low light conditions, and allow the user to record bright images with reduced noise. For the first time on a Panasonic camcorder, the lenses feature Nano Surface Coating, which is microstructure film with an ultra-low refractive index on the lens surface, greatly reducing the light reflection and thus reducing ghosting in order to produce crisp, clear image rendering. With a 32mm wide-angle lens, the HDC-Z10000 is extremely versatile and also has a 10x optical zoom while shooting in 3D or 12x optical zoom while shooting in 2D. When shooting in 2D, HYBRID O.I.S. helps to correct handshake that occurs when shooting while zooming or walking, in addition to horizontal, vertical, yawing, and pitching four-axis correction. When shooting in 3D, the system activates POWER O.I.S., which helps to suppress handshake, especially helpful while zooming.

The HDC-Z10000 excels both in performance and ease-of-use – thanks to extremely flexible operating options. For more advanced users seeking professional-level control, there are enhanced functions, such as three independent rings for adjusting the zoom, focus, and iris control. There are built-in microphones for recording Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound/2-channel stereo, the HDC-Z10000 features two XLR audio inputs with a 48-V phantom power supply for external microphone use. Clear audio is recorded with minimal noise. Uncompressed Linear PCM (2-channel only) is also supported for recording original sounds with extremely high fidelity. Plus, a dedicated dial lets the user finely adjust 3D convergence (parallax). Frequently-needed features, such as O.I.S. ON/OFF, Color Bar ON/OFF, Zebra Pattern Display, 3D Guide Display, Auto/Manual Iris, Auto/Manual Auto Focus, and Auto/Manual White Balance are available on the side of the body as separate buttons for quick, intuitive access.

Based on the AVCHD format, which offers high compression and excellent compatibility, this new standard has been upgraded to AVCHD 3D, which uses MVC (Multiview Video Coding) to record and playback 3D images via the Frame Sequential Method, and AVCHD Progressive for progressive formats. The HDC-Z10000 also employs the 1080/60 progressive method to record twice as much image data as the 1080/60 interlace method. Fast-moving subjects, such as in sports scenes, are smoothly recorded. The progressive recording of the HDC-Z10000 fully complies with the new AVCHD Progressive standard. For those looking for control over which recording modes are available, the user can select the preferred recording mode from AVCHD 3D (1080/60i, 1080/24p, and 1080/30p*2), AVCHD Progressive (1080/60p), and AVCHD (1080/24p, 1080/30p*2 and 1080/60i PH/HA/HE mode). Other features of the Panasonic HDC-Z10000 twin-lens 2D/3D camcorder include:

* A bright 0.45-inch Live View Finder (LVF) with high-speed responses and a 1,227,000-dot high-resolution. The superb LVF makes it easier to optimize the focus, or for use in a situation that requires no excess light from an LCD screen.
* A dual SD Memory Card slot with the option of extended recording or back-up. When two SD Memory Cards are inserted and the first card reaches full capacity, the system automatically and seamlessly switches*3 to the second card. This allows extended recording without having to worry about interruptions due to a lack of card capacity. Or, during backup recording, the same data is recorded onto both cards for immediate duplicating or archiving purposes in the case of a faulty SD card
* The bundled HD Writer XE 1.0 Software lets users cut out full HD 3D and progressive images and save to a computer.
* 2D/3D Still Image Recording Any Time. The user simply presses the shutter button to record a 2D or 3D (MPO compliant) still image*4 at any time. It is also possible to cut out images in all modes while shooting or playing videos. 3D and 2D still images are recorded simultaneously with 2.1-megapixel resolution.

The Panasonic HDC-Z10000 will be available in black and the pricing and availability will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping. For more information about Panasonic camcorders, please visit www.panasonic.com.

*1 As of August 31, 2011
*2 Images shot in the 1080/30p mode are recorded as 1080/60i
*3 The SD card is switched only once for continuous recording
*4 3-megapixel resolution for 2D, 2.1-megapixel resolution for 3D

Despite its slim dimensions, the Samsung WB750 offers a 24-432mm equivalent zoom range with its F3.2-5.8 image stabilized lens. As well as being able to shoot 10 full-resolution frames per second, the WB750 can also capture 1080p30 HD video.

Press Release:

IFA – BERLIN, Germany – September 1, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the launch of the WB750 camera – featuring a proprietary BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor that ensures consistent professional images and video. Featuring a newly-redesigned image sensor, lens and image processor, the WB750 brings to bear a range of new technologies to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and ease-of-use. The WB750 also features an 18x optical zoom with 24x Smart Zoom technology, making it the longest ever zoom in Samsung’s compact camera portfolio.

Thanks to its 12.5 Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, with the WB750 it’s easier than ever to produce consistently high-quality images and video. Introduced to Samsung’s compact camera range for the first time, this pioneering BSI CMOS technology works to significantly reduce image noise and distortion, delivering clear, precise photos and video even in low light conditions. The WB750 is the perfect compact digital camera to have on hand when there is a need for speed, as it can capture stills at up to 10 frames per second in high-speed continuous mode.

“We recognize that consumers want a point and shoot that allows them to get up close to the action and capture images with stunning detail and clarity.  We believe that the WB750’s increased zoom and ultra wide angle certainly meet these demands,” said Mr Myoung Sup Han, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “Its portable design makes it the ideal travel companion, putting even more of the world at the consumers’ fingertips and ensuring it can do justice to the most memorable journeys. The unique features of the WB750 offer a rare combination of quality, fun and creativity, particularly for those on the move.”

The WB750 offers users the best of both worlds: high-quality digital photos as well as Full HD video for incredible depth of color and detail. Samsung’s sophisticated Dual Capture function seamlessly unites the two, allowing users to take 10 Megapixel photos while simultaneously recording video in full 1080p HD quality.

The camera’s, Creative Movie Maker feature allows users to create movie clips in Full HD quality, complete with a range of creative special effects, right on the camera itself. Rather than needing to upload content to a PC, this feature allows users to get creative by collating photos and videos into one themed file on the device itself, adding impressive effects and music instantly.

Breathe life into images
With its range of Panorama features, the WB750 helps convey a sense of dynamism to images. Action Panorama, for example, tracks a moving person or object with a static background to record movement within a single, still photo, whereas the Live Panorama function allows users to easily capture large groups of people simply by holding down the shutter button and sweeping the camera across the scene. The 3D Panorama, works to bring photos to life even further, using one lens and one sensor to create a 3D image, to give family and friends a more realistic appreciation of the photographer’s trip when they return home.

Consistent quality at the user’s fingertips
The camera’s innovative HDR (High Dynamic Range) provides an abundance of colors which give an outstanding richness to the WB750’s images, opening up the color spectrum for the most vibrant results. Providing the opportunity to take hyper-realistic images without the use of photo editing software, HDR brings an added level of clarity to images, whether the user is capturing a lake at sunset or a tree-lined street in the morning sun. The WB750 merges multiple exposures of shots to ensure images have an artistic finish, while creating a greater range of luminance results in perfect exposure across all areas. The camera’s HDR feature ensures that WB750 users capture their creative visions through the latest cutting-edge technology.

With Smart Auto 2.0, the camera can recognize and automatically select the most appropriate setting from a choice of 16 still-image modes and four movie-clip settings, helping users achieve stand-out results. So, even when users are caught-up in the moment, the WB750 will capture every special moment of the user’s journey.

Customize the world
Creating stand-out images is even more effortless with the WB750, thanks to its Smart Filter 3.0 feature. The extensive variety of effects and color options lets users customize shots easily. New special effects include: Oil paint, Cartoon, Ink Painting Color and Cross Filter. Users can enjoy the effects of these features both in preview mode and after taking a picture. In addition, Zooming Shot, which can be used in scene mode, makes creating unique shots even easier. By experimenting with the focus of images, users can highlight the center of a shot while blurring the rest, thereby selecting the part of the image the photographer wants to stand out.

Staying in creative control
For more advanced, or more adventurous photographers, the WB750 offers a full range of options designed to place more control in the user’s hands, including full manual mode. Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority settings let users experiment with shutter speeds and depth of field, so shooting fast-moving images in low light has never been easier.

Keeping it fun
Magic Frame further builds on the WB750’s creative suite, allowing users to express themselves through adapting photos to reflect one’s mood and personality. Frame templates include Wall Art, Old Film, Ripple, Full Moon, Old Record, Magazine, Holiday, Classic TV and more, and are incredibly simple to achieve. Just point the camera at the desired subject, fit it within the on-screen template, capture and – like magic – the frame appears.

Intelligent Face tracking
When the subject starts moving, it can be hard to keep the camera focused. This ceases to be a problem with Intelligent Face tracking, which automatically recognizes, follows and focuses upon a person’s face when they start to move. So, even if the photographer is trying to capture special images of friends dancing at a party, or a child taking his first unsteady steps, they’ll never miss a perfect shot.

Samsung WB750 specifications

Press Release:

IFA – BERLIN, Germany – September 1, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the launch of the NX200 compact system camera. The Samsung NX200 delivers professional image quality with ease of use that lets users unleash their creativity. The NX200 includes a 20.3 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and other premium features such as high-speed continuous shooting (7fps (max) with 100ms Advanced Auto Focus), wide range ISO (100-12,800), Full HD movie recording, and Samsung’s unique i-Function lens. With exceptional performance and functionality built into a compact metallic form factor in the NX200, users no longer have to trade off camera style for image quality.

The NX200 is the perfect combination of design and professional performance, delivering DSLR image quality in a camera that is compact and easy to use. The camera incorporates a 20.3 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor developed in-house by Samsung, ensuring image quality that highlights even the smallest detail and puts performance at the fingertips of all photographers. To allow for high-speed continuous shooting, the NX200 features 100ms Advanced AF. Thanks to the fast start-up time and seven fps continuous shooting, it’s the perfect way to capture that split-second action in an instant. Additionally, users will never miss a moment, with the ability to move from shot to shot in only 400ms.

The camera’s wide range ISO (100-12800, covering seven stops) gives life-like color and sharp details, even in dark environments or when capturing still images of moving objects.

To capture movement on video, the NX200 also features 1920×1080/30p (H.264) HD movie recording for exciting and vivid video with Stereo Sound. All this is incorporated into a compact and sleek body with a premium metal design, light enough to be carried in a jacket pocket and stylish enough that anyone will be proud to be seen with this camera.

The NX200 also enables state-of-the-art usability through Samsung’s i-Function 2.0 lenses, which allow users to control a range of parameters from the lens without having to take their eye off the shot. The NX200 is fully compatible with the wide range of nine different i-Function lenses which enable toggling between shutter speed, aperture, exposure value (EV), white balance (WB), and ISO quickly and easily through the button and ring on the lens. With the upgraded i-Function 2.0 on the NX200, users can also control six different Smart Filters and the intelli-Zoom function from the lens while in Lens Priority Mode. New lenses for the i-Function system include 18-200mm, 16mm, 60mm and 85mm focal lengths.

“With the NX line, we have pioneered the compact system camera to allow any user to get the results that they’ve always wanted from their pictures without complicated controls or the need to carry heavy, clunky equipment,” said Mr. Myoung Sup Han, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “The NX200 is the next step in providing the ambitious photographer with first-class picture quality through the combination of professional-standard features such as a 20.3 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, high speed capture, wide-range ISO and HD movie capabilities. With technology like this built into a stylish and compact body, the NX200 is the ultimate tool for achieving professional quality in a compact camera. The NX200 represents Samsung’s continued commitment to lead the way in producing cutting-edge technology that fits the needs and knowledge of the consumer, proving photography does not need to be complicated in order to deliver great results every time.”

Effortless creativity
One of the key ways in which Samsung’s NX200 stands out is by making it easy for users to realize their own creativity through a range of fun and easy-to-use features and settings. The camera features ten different Smart Filter effects, six of which can be easily accessed through the i-Function lens, allowing the user to capture a uniquely creative image of their subject without having to take their eye off it to change the filter. The new NX200 also includes Magic Frame technology, which enables the user to encapsulate their pictures with thirteen different stylized frames, from magazine covers to holiday themes for fun photos to share with family and friends.

Professional standards made simple
With its Smart Panel user interface, the NX200 makes taking pictures simple and fuss-free, even for first-time users. The high-quality images captured can be viewed in brilliant quality on the 3.0” VGA AMOLED display. The camera’s Smart Panel also offers intuitive control thanks to hot keys that enable users to switch to key functions without the need to scroll through confusing menus to get to the desired shot.

Expanding horizons
The NX200 enables users to capture even more from their experiences by using exciting new features and cutting-edge Samsung technology. The new Panorama function means that users can take lengthened shots of large objects or turn the image into a 3D scene, bringing the object to life. To capture even more of the moment for posterity, Samsung has also added the Sound Picture function to the NX200, so that a snippet of sound can be recorded to accompany a still image to add even more memories to a photograph.

Press Release:

IFA – BERLIN, Germany – September, 1, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today unveiled the Samsung MV800 camera , an ultra-compact point & shoot with a 3.0” touch-screen Flip-out LCD display. In combining the Flip-out LCD with an impressive suite of creative features, the MV800 enables users to capture life’s moments from any angle and create images that reflect their unique perspective on the world.

The MV800 camera offers enhanced picture quality, capacitive touch screen technology, as well as many innovative and user-friendly features to ensure that all users can relax and enjoy their shooting experience. Consumers can be confident they will be able to capture even the most challenging shot whether they are behind or in front of the lens.

The MV800 camera builds on the success of Samsung’s DualView technology and is the first premium compact model to feature a 3.0” Wide Flip-out touch-screen LCD Display. Samsung has designed the device in response to evolving consumer demands for maximum flexibility, ease-of-use, creativity and style.

The 3.0” Wide Flip-out display opens up a world of artistic possibilities. Whether it is capturing the perfect self portrait to polish an online profile or snapping photos from very high or very low angles —the MV800 allows users to capture images they’ve never even considered before. The unique screen tilts up and down so users can frame every shot, and easily view the images from any perspective. For fashion-forward consumers who place a premium on style, the device’s ultra-slender design and contemporary metallic finish promise to make a lasting visual impact.

The Samsung MV800 camera offers an impressive 16.1 megapixels for premium picture quality, along with a 5x optical zoom and a 26mm wide-angle lens. By packing this technology into a sleek and slim device, the Samsung MV800 is the ideal camera for premium-quality image capture on the move.

While the flip-out display enables users to take shots from all angles, the unique Smart Touch 3.0 user interface ensures highly intuitive operation. Users can drag and scroll through menu options to launch the required feature with only one touch. Smart Touch 3.0 also keeps it fun by letting users customize their background image or wallpaper.

The innovative Live Panorama function, meanwhile, enables easy photography of large groups by simply holding down the shutter button, then previewing the whole scene that’s being captured, via the LCD. Moreover, by simply connecting the Samsung MV800 to a 3D HDTV, images and panoramic shots can be viewed in outstanding 3D in-depth quality instantly.

“Our aim is to continually be at the forefront of digital compact camera innovation and the Samsung MV800 is the embodiment of that goal,” said Mr. Myoung Sup Han, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “The Samsung MV800’s unique ability to capture images from any angle, combined with its stylish and ultra-slim design demonstrates unparalleled Samsung innovation which we believe will appeal to every photographer, and establish a new benchmark for the industry.”

Get Creative with Magic Frame and Picture-in-Picture Shot
The Samsung MV800 has been designed as more than just a camera – it is a creative tool for users to extract maximum enjoyment from every photographic opportunity. The Magic Frame feature includes 12 fun background templates, as well as the ability for users to customize their own. The camera’s Picture-in-Picture function, meanwhile, lets users insert one image into another. The Flip-out display even allows consumers to snap a self-portrait and put themselves in the picture!

Maximize enjoyment with Smart Filter and Funny Face Features
Smart Filter allows users to express their own creativity, through a menu of 14 artistic effects, including the newly added Water Paint for a stylish watercolor finish or the Cartoon capability, transforming any photo into a fun animated film format. The fun doesn’t stop there – Funny Face allows users to bend, stretch and manipulate portraits of loved ones by tapping and dragging to radically distort facial characteristics, ready to share and enjoy.

Capture the Perfect Portrait with Ease
The built in Pose Guide function advises users how to best get into position with line drawings on the LCD screen, so consumers can capture the optimum image from any angle. The device also provides the perfect picture in real time, with the easy-to-navigate Photo Editor function, allowing users to edit and rotate the image on the move. Loved ones and friends will also appreciate the Beauty Shot feature which edits out any imperfections, resulting in a flawless photo one can treasure and share forever.

Create a Story
The Samsung MV800 essentially allows the user to become the creative director of their own life, with innovative Storyboard Maker. Users can prepare a storyboard from the images they’ve shot by simply selecting the layout, and then placing the photos in order. Whether the MV800 is being used to create a movie of a night out with friends or fantastic family holiday, the photos can be laid out on the display as clearly as one imagines them.

Creative Intelligence at the User’s Fingertips
To ensure users capture the best image possible to enjoy, share and impress, by simply snapping a wide-angle shot of a friend, the Samsung MV800 automatically searches out and captures two other strong images at different zoom ratios, giving users three great photos with one simple click! The photographer can choose which of the three to select – or simply keep them all.

HD Movie Capability in the Palm of the User’s Hands
The Samsung MV800 also boasts HD recording capabilities, within a compact body that will fit into the palm of the user’s hand. Enjoy consistently clear and crisp video with technology that allows consumers to capture special memories with a recording time of up to twice as long as standard MPEG4. The innovative zoom noise reduction technology, meanwhile, ensures that the only sound recorded will be the laughter and conversation of loved ones, not the whirring of the zoom.

The Samsung MV800’s combination of industry-leading innovation, sophisticated design and the ultimate in user-friendly features, ensure total mobility, premium picture quality and maximum enjoyment. The Samsung MV800 is the perfect tool to not just capture an image but to tell a fun and creative story on the move.

Specifications

Price (with 18-55mm zoom lens)	• US: $ TBA • UK: £ TBA • EU: € TBA
Body material	• Metal front plate • Plastic back
Sensor	• 1/2.3″ CCD • 16.2 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 16M: 4608 x 3456 • 14MP: 4608 x 3072 • 12M: 4608 x 2592 • 10M: 3648 x 2736 • 5M: 2592 x 1944 • 2M 1920 x 1080 • 1M 1024 x 768
File qualities / formats	• JPEG Standard • JPEG Fine • JPEG Super Fine • EXIF 2.21
Movie	MPEG-4 (H.264) • 1280 x 720 (30fps / 15fps) • 640 x 480 (30fps / 15fps) • 320 x 240 (30fps / 15fps)
Lens	• Schneider-KREUZNACH • Optical 5x • 35mm Equiv: 26 ~130mm (4.7 ~ 2.3mm) • F3.3(W)-F5.9(T)
Image Stabilization	• Dual (OIS + DIS)
Auto Focus	• Contrast AF • Multi • Centre-weighted • Face Detection • Object Tracking • Smart Face Recognition • One Touch Shooting • Minimum Focus Distance (Wide) Normal: 80cm ~ infinity Macro: 5cm ~ 80cm Minimum Focus Distance (Tele) Normal: 150 ~ infinity Macro: 100cm ~ 150cm
Shooting modes	• Smart Auto • Program • Movie • 3D • Live Panorama (2D,3D) • Scene • Smart Movie • Self Shot • Picture in Picture
Scene modes	• Magic Frame • Beauty-Shot • Object Highlight • Night • Landscape • Text • Sunset • Dawn • Backlight • Beach & Snow • Pose Guide • Funny Face • Intelligent portrait
Image Adjust	• Sharpness • Contrast • Saturation (5 steps)
Sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200
Metering modes	• Multi • Center • Spot • Face Detect AE
Exposure compen.	• -2.0 to +2.0 EV • 0.3 EV steps
Shutter Speed	• 8 to 1/2000 sec
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent_H • Flourescent_L • Custom
Creative Styles	• Standard • Vivid • Portrait • Landscape • Sunset • B&W
Smart Filters	• Miniature • Vignetting • Soft Focus • Old Film • Half Tone Dot • Sketch • Fish Eye • Classic • Retro • Oil-paint • Water-paint • Cartoon • Cross-filter • Zooming Shot
LCD monitor	• 3.0″ touch-sensitive WQVGA • Articulated screen with 180 degrees of rotation
Flash	• Internal (0.2m~3.2m effective range) • Recycle time (approx. 4 sec)
Flash modes	• Auto • Auto & Red-eye reduction • Fill-in flash • Slow Sync • Flash Off • Red-eye fix
Drive modes	• Single • Continuous • AEB • Motion Capture
Self-timer	• 10 or 2 seconds • Double 10 then 2 seconds
Connectivity	• HDMI out • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Storage	• Micro SD (2GB max) / SDHC (32GB Max)
Power	• BP70 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (supplied) • 700mAh • USB Charging • Included Charger
Dimensions	92 x 56.2 x 10.3mm (3.6 x 2.21 x 0.4 in.)
Weight (with batt and card)	121g (4.3 oz.) without battery and memory card

Press Release:

SECAUCUS, NJ (August 26, 2011) –Panasonic today announces a newly designed and innovative LUMIX G “X” lens that retracts to help minimize its size, without compromising its focal length or image quality. Panasonic’s new premium LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./ POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042) lens, will be available with the company’s smallest and lightest compact system camera as a lens kit option in the DMC-GF3X model. With electric-powered zoom operation, the retractable Power Zoom H-PS14042 lens is extremely compact, approximately 26.8mm in length, and weighs approximately 3.35oz, offering ultra-high portability.

The Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ , offers a versatile zoom range of 14-42mm (35mm camera equivalent: 28-84mm) suitable for a wide range of scenes, such as dynamic landscape to portrait. Also announced today is another lens, the 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S lens. Crystallizing Panasonic’s optical technologies, its lenses feature superb image rendering for lifelike textures, crisp edge-to-edge contrast, a unique Nano Surface Coating to help minimize ghosts and flaring in natural settings with remarkable transparency.

“Panasonic continues to innovate in digital photography by offering advanced features in small and compact bodies, thus addressing the consumer’s need for camera equipment to be lightweight and easy to carry,” said Darin Pepple, of Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With the new Series of premium lenses, we do not sacrifice size for quality and it still offers top-of-the-line photo quality for our this Series, but in a smaller design that makes it extremely mobile.”

With the LUMIX GF3X, the camera and lens combination can achieve Light Speed AF of approximately 0.1 second – making it an extremely quick and high-performing digital camera. The LUMIX GF3X with the new 14-42 PZ lens also features POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), to make it easier to shoot clear photos even in low-lit situations.

The convenient zoom lever on the lens barrel gives users a stable way to zoom.  Manual focusing is also available with a manual focus lever for even more precise control.

The LUMIX GF3, like all the LUMIX G Series of Compact System Cameras, captures high-quality photo images with real-to-life details through excellent resolution, image rendering and color reproduction. With its stunningly small compact profile, the LUMIX GF3 boasts high-speed, precise Contrast AF system and quick response times. The LUMIX GF3 is also capable of 1920 x 1080 Full High Definition video in the AVCHD format.

The LUMIX GF3X will be available in a black body and black lens or a silver body and silver lens kits options in October 2011 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $749.99. The new LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./ POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042) lens will also be available separately for an SRP of $399.99 and will be compatible the Panasonic LUMIX G Series.  For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

Reviews:

panasonic.com.au reviews writes:

“With features that make stunning photography effortless, the Lumix digital camera range is the choice for people wanting to capture a moment in perfect clarity. To help you capture incredible photographs, a Lumix digital camera is endowed with features such as our iA Mode (intellligent Auto), helping you adapt your photography to whatever surroundings you’re in.”

dpreview.com reviews writes:

“Of course this is a Micro Four Thirds lens, and can therefore be used on Olympus PEN models as well as Panasonic’s own Lumix G series. Olympus owners need have no fear about whether it will work – according to Panasonic it will be fully compatible with their cameras (and we’ve found no problems with it in early use).”

Specifications:

****½ (4.5/5)

Press Release:

SECAUCUS, NJ (August 26, 2011) – Panasonic today introduces the newest addition to its super-zoom LUMIX FZ-Series digital cameras. The new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ150 is fully equipped with a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens and a powerful 24x Optical Zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm) available for shooting both stills and videos. Additionally, the FZ150 has two of its newest features – newly advanced Nano Surface Coating technology which helps minimize light reflection that causes ghost and flare – and the new 3D Photo Mode.

As the top-end model of LUMIX’s popular FZ series, the FZ150 combines a new 12.1-megapixel MOS sensor and the renowned Venus Engine giving the camera high-performance image recording capability in both higher light sensitivity and speed. And as a step-up from the recently announced LUMIX FZ47’s 1920 x 1080 60i video feature, the FZ150 realizes 1920 x 1080 60p Full-HD AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format. It is also possible to take still images while recording video simultaneously (3.5-megapixel) and the powerful 24x optical zoom is available in video recording. The FZ150 incorporates a stereo zoom microphone with a Wind Cut function, so that videos come with high-quality stereo sound through Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator.

“With the 24x Optical Zoom and 3D shooting capabilities the Panasonic dmc-FZ150 is a versatile, powerful camera that gives users endless options to take creative and high-quality images and videos.” The Light Speed AF of approx. 0.1 sec never misses fleeting photo opportunities. To encourage step-up users to enjoy shooting even more, full manual control is available with the FZ150. Users can enjoy image shooting while expressing their intention not only in photos but also in video, utilizing a host of options including the new Creative Control and Photo Style with a wide variety of preset options. The effective hand-shake correction system POWER O.I.S. now gains Active mode, which helps to record stable video even if shot while walking.

The Panasonic dmc-fz150′s popular iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode powerfully assists in any shooting situations to get the best results. Thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology, Intelligent Zoom is available with the FZ150 extending the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x, maintaining the picture quality while combining a digital zoom. This means the 24x optical zoom can virtually extend to a 32x equivalent. Not only drawing near the subject that is far away with its powerful optical zoom, the 25mm ultra wide angle lens captures approx.196% wider angle of view compared with a standard 35mm camera. This is helpful for shooting dynamic landscape or indoor group portrait.

The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode is also available in video recording. The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent D-range Control also support shooting beautiful videos with ease. The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation, to optimize visual quality. The Intelligent D-range Control makes images look more natural by preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights to optimize the exposure for each part of an image. It also ensures a beautiful reproduction of gradation and details. A new 12-Megapixel High Sensibility MOS sensor pursuing Resolution, Sensitivity and Speed has been incorporated along with the renowned Venus Engine enabling the Lumix dmc-FZ150 to excel in image processing power.

The Venus Engine has a quad-circuit system for processing large amount of progressive Full HD data at high speed. Not only 1920 x 1080 60p smooth Full-HD video recording, but also super fast consecutive shots at 12 fps (without auto focusing) and 5.5 fps (with auto focusing) in full resolution. It is also compatible with recording high-speed video at 220fps in QVGA. At the same time, the multi-task image-processing engine, the Venus Engine, realizes a super-fast response time. The auto focus gains approx. 50% faster speed compared with the FZ100, achieving Light Speed AF of approx. 0.1 second. The speed in AF Tracking also becomes faster, thanks to the improved tracking performance which doubles its sampling frequency.

The Panasonic Lumix dmc-FZ150 provides the new Creative Control mode with a selection of artistic effect modes; Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia, High Dynamic, Miniature Effect, Film Grain and Pin Hole. In addition, Photo Style is newly added to the FZ150 for the expression of finer nuance. It has Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait presets, while enabling finer adjustment of contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction by each. As a further step-up from the FZ47, the FZ150 is equipped with a hot shoe allowing attachment of various accessories including an optional stereo microphone (DMW-MS1) or an optional external flash (DMW-FL220 / FL360 / FL500).

The DMC-FZ150 is also compatible with an optional remote shutter (DMW-RSL1) for advanced expression in photography. The newly-added 3D Photo mode takes 20 panning shots and then the camera automatically selects the two most suitable images – one for the right eye and one for the left eye – to synthesize a 3D composite. The 3D image can then be viewed on any VIERA 3D HDTV. The format of 3D images is compatible with MPO which can be played back on other MPO-compatible equipment.

REVIEWS

imaging-resource.com reviews writes:

“Panasonic more than makes up for the low image quality of the FZ100 with the Lumix FZ150, whose step back in resolution pays off in better image quality, worthy of the Panasonic long-zoom legacy and Dave’s Pick, too.”

pcmag.com reviews writes:

“If a superzoom with video and fast continuous shooting is what you’re after, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 may be the perfect camera for you—as long as you’re not hung up on pocketability. With its long 25-600mm zoom range, this camera is able to handle almost any shooting situation, assuming that the lighting is decent. And it can rattle off shots faster than some D-SLRs, but that performance comes at a price.”

cameralabs.com reviews writes:

“The Panasonic Lumix FZ150 is one of the most powerful and satisfying super-zoom cameras around. I’ll cut to the chase right now and say Panasonic has resolved most of the image quality issues of its predecessor, allowing the FZ150 to finally do justice to its compelling feature-set. So while the FZ150 may not actually sport many upgrades over its predecessor, Panasonic has sensibly concentrated on the aspects which really needed fixing.”

photographyblog.com reviews writes:

“The Panasonic FZ150 is undoubtedly expensive for what is essentially a seriously beefed-up compact camera, but with its stand-out new sensor it could well be the only still and video camera that most people actually require. Having the ability to shoot everything from wide-angle landscapes to close-up action shots and capture some of the best quality video on the market, all from one light and relatively compact device, is a real attraction of this camera, coupled with the FZ series’ proven handling and ease-of-use. Watch out Sony, Panasonic have seriously upped their game with the new Lumix DMC-FZ150.”

buy-n-shoot.com reviews writes:

“The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 digital camera with a RRP of $799 is a worthwhile investment for those looking to upgrade their quality compact camera but are not quite ready for the jump to a full on DSLR camera. With virtually nothing to whinge about other than the video record button not sticking out enough, this camera comes loaded with features on both the physical and in-camera software side.”

SPECIFICATIONS:

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 also features a 24-120mm equiv, F2.5-5.9 stabilized lens. The FX90 can connect to Apple and Android smartphones running a ‘Lumix Link’ app and use their ‘phone to upload images, via Panasonic’s ‘Lumix Club’ internet portal, to sites such as Facebook and Flickr.

Press Release:

SECAUCUS, NJ (August 26, 2011) – Panasonic today announces a new stylish compact digital camera, the LUMIX DMC-FX90, which adds Wi-Fi® connectivity (802.11 b/g/n) to a high-performing and feature-rich model that boasts a 24mm ultra-wide LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens with F2.5 brightness. With the addition of the Wi-Fi connectivity, the LUMIX FX90 addresses the growing communities of people who take photos and videos and want to share them instantly via online social networks.

Panasonic also introduces today LUMIX CLUB, a cloud-based service that is accessible via a smartphone and a computer browser that allows consumers to upload photos taken with the LUMIX FX90 to the following social networks: Facebook™, Flickr™, Picasa™ or YouTube™.  Photos can even be shared with these sites simultaneously, making it easy and quick.  Additionally, once a LUMIX CLUB account is acquired, Panasonic will also provide a free, dedicated application called “LUMIX LINK”, which will be compatible with iPhone® and Android™OS smartphones, thus consumers can instantly share photos by connecting the LUMIX FX90 just once to their compatible smartphone and then using the carrier network to share photos online. After the initial set-up, sharing photos will be as simple as using the LUMIX LINK application on the smartphone.

“The FX90 is a digital camera packed with high-end imaging features, enabling consumers to take photos and videos that they are proud to share with friends and family, as well as archive to preserve their memories,” said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With the FX90’s Wi-Fi connectivity capabilities, users can now share these photos instantly on popular social networks via an iPhone or Android OS-based smartphones. Sharing photos online is one of the biggest trends now and Panasonic believes image quality does not have to be comprised. With the FX90’s incredible F2.5 lens, photos will be crisp and clear, even when taken indoors with poor lighting. And with its sleek body and extremely fast Auto Focusing, the FX90 is the ideal digital camera to capture all of life’s moments – big and small.”

Using the LUMIX LINK application, users can enter and store all their social network account information and will not have to log-in to individual sites after the initial set-up.  At home, users can directly upload the images to the social networks via the access point of a home router or a wireless connection. To make accessing Wi-Fi even easier, the LUMIX FX90 has a convenient dedicated Wi-Fi button that when pressed, directly opens a Wi-Fi Connection mode outside home and gets WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) connection at home. The Wi-Fi module is located on the opposite side of the grip so as not to interfere with the connection signal.

In addition to its Wi-Fi connectivity features, the LUMIX FX90 is an outstanding digital camera complete with a stylish design and sleek body.  With an ultra-wide-angle Leica lens complete with a 5x optical zoom (available also in video recording) and an F2.5 brightness, the LUMIX FX90 excels in a variety of shooting environments. Whether taking a photo of a landscape, or capturing moving subjects even in low-lit situations – the LUMIX FX90’s outstanding lens will take the photo brightly and crisply.
The LUMIX FX90 also features a 3.0-inch 460,000-dot LCD with Smart Touch, meaning all controls can be made by intuitively touching the screen. Touch operations while recording, include: Touch AF, Touch Zoom or Touch Shutter. And during playback, the Smart Touch feature can be used with the Beauty Retouch and Art Retouch modes. In addition, functions and settings used most often, such as O.I.S., AF point and white balance, can easily be customized to the user and accessed via the shortcut setting by dragging the icon to the main menu.

The LUMIX FX90’s outstanding performance is powered by a 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor and is compatible with high-speed, large-capacity signal processing required for 1920 x 1080 60i (sensor output 30p) full-HD video recording in the AVCHD format. Videos can also be recorded in MPEG4 format to easily playback on a computer and other portable electronic devices. To complement its high-quality video capabilities, the LUMIX FX90 also includes Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio. The Venus Engine powers the Sonic Speed AF, enabling extremely fast start-up times, making the LUMIX FX90 not only a powerful digital camera, but a speedy one, too. Also, the Venus Engine also provides precisely selective noise reduction to the chromatic noise without affecting the border of colors, so images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and video recording.

Like all of Panasonic’s digital cameras, the LUMIX FX90 features Intelligent Auto.  When in iA mode, the LUMIX FZ47 automatically chooses the best setting based on the shooting environment and features include: Active Mode in MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), Motion Deblur*, Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. Even when shooting video, the LUMIX FX90 enables the following features when in iA: AF Tracking, MEGA O.I.S., Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure – all available to help take clear videos worthy of sharing with friends and family.

Access to the LUMIX CLUB is expected, be available on September 5, 2011 here: http://lumixclub.panasonic.net and will allow consumers to easily share their images on Facebook, Flickr, Picasa or YouTube.  In addition the LUMIX LINK applications for iPhone and Android OS smartphones will be also available.  The LUMIX CLUB site will available in six languages: English, Italian, German, French, Spanish and Japanese.  In the future, LUMIX CLUB plans to add the following features:

* A storage service so photos can be uploaded to an album that resides in the cloud-based networks and then viewed from smartphones, and Internet-enabled Panasonic VIERA HDTVS and Blu-ray Disc players
* An intuitive user interface with a Timeline function that has a drag-and-drop feature
* A photo sharing album function that will allow users who attended the same event, such as a wedding or party, to exchange and comment on photos and videos

Pricing and availability for the LUMIX FX90 will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping.  For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

Press Release:

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2011 – Blazing speed, enhanced image quality, high resolution and incredible performance are just some of the features advanced amateurs and photo enthusiasts will find in Sony’s newest alpha cameras, models SLT-A77 (α77) and SLT-A65 (α65).

Sony’s latest refinements to its Translucent Mirror Technology make these new cameras the fastest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class, as well as set new performance benchmarks that even professional DSLRs have yet to achieve. The α77 and α65 both feature a newly developed Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, as well as the world’s first XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder. The sensor teams with the next generation of Sony’s BIONZ® image processing engine to handle huge amounts of high speed data from the camera sensor, enabling unprecedented response times and flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video.

“We feel that these cameras are not only a significant evolution of our breakthrough Translucent Mirror Technology,” said Mike Kahn, director of the alpha camera business group for Sony Electronics. “They’re also a revolution in terms of redefining how this unique technology can be put to use by enthusiasts.”
The much anticipated successor to Sony’s acclaimed α700 DSLR, the α77 boasts the world’s fastest continuous autofocus (AF) shooting performance (among DSLRs in Aug 2011), capturing a burst of full resolution, 24 megapixel images at 12 frames per second with full-time phase-detection AF. The α65 achieves a similarly impressive 10fps shooting speed.

Precision AF tracking of moving subjects is more precise with the α77 due to a new 19-point autofocus system with 11 cross sensors. The α65 boasts 15-point AF with three cross sensors. Tracking Focus maintains accurate focus lock on a moving subject – even if the target is momentarily obscured. Additionally, a new electronic front shutter curtain achieves a minimum release time lag of approximately 50 milliseconds, comparable to much more expensive professional-class DSLRs.

The α77 and α65 further refine Sony’s acclaimed Fast Continuous AF Full HD Movie shooting, already featured on previous Sony Translucent Mirror cameras. Phase Detection maintains accurate focus during video shooting of portrait subjects, even when they’re moving at fast speeds.
Unprecedented image quality and creative options
A broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000 expands (α77 only) down to ISO 50. At the highest sensitivities, both cameras can freeze fast action or capture atmospheric low-noise shots without flash. Low ISO settings are ideal when used with a long exposure to create expressive shots, such as splashing water.

Both cameras showcase a remarkably crisp OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder, the world’s first of its kind. With a 2359k dot (XGA) resolution, this precision electronic viewfinder offers a bright, highly detailed, high contrast image with 100 percent frame coverage and a wide field of view comparable to the most advanced class optical viewfinders.

However, unlike optical viewfinders, users have expansive customization capabilities through the XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder and can preview the effects of adjusting exposure, white balance and other settings in real-time. Photographers can also make fine focus adjustments via a zoomed-in portion of the image.

The Smart Teleconverter displays an enlarged central portion of the image sensor, allowing compositions to be displayed clearly on the OLED viewfinder and captured as 12 megapixel images with a digital zoom factor of 1.4x or 2x.

In another first for DSLR cameras, both new models can capture Full HD video at 60p (progressive) frame rates – incorporating the recently introduced AVCHD™ Progressive (Ver. 2.0) format. Also, 24p shooting is available for capturing beautiful cinematic video footage. Manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes, familiar to creative filmmakers, also can provide enhanced control during video shooting.
Shooters can compose and review stills and video on the adjustable-angle three-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display that offers high resolution (921k dot) and TruBlack™ technology for superb detail and contrast. As an extra refinement, the α77 introduces the world’s first three-way adjustable screen that tilts and pivots freely for effortless framing at any angle (α65: two-way adjust LCD).

Revised ergonomics on both cameras include a comfortably contoured new grip design and tactile new button layout for ‘eyes off’ operation while viewing via the high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder.

The α77 adds front and rear control dials for intuitive fingertip operation and a separate top-mounted LCD data display. The durable body features magnesium alloy panels for strength and lightness. Key controls are sealed against the effects of dust and moisture, complementing similar levels of protection offered by the new SAL1650 lens, VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for α77 and HVL-F43AM flash unit.
A new shutter unit on the α77 is tested up to 150,000 cycles and supports an ultra-fast minimum 1/8000 sec shutter speed (1/250 sec flash sync). On-board GPS allows automatic geo-tagging of photos and video clips with location data.

New DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM zoom lens and accessories
The growing range of compatible A-mount lenses for both cameras now includes the quiet, bright DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM standard zoom with 16mm wide angle coverage that’s ideal for both portrait and everyday shooting.

The high-performance lens features a dust- and moisture-resistant design, and offers a zoom range of approximately 3x range at constant wide F2.8 aperture. Optical performance is assured by aspherical glass and three ED (Extra Low Dispersion) lens elements to minimize aberration at all focal lengths. An internal Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) drive enables fast, quiet autofocus.

An optional dust- and moisture-resistant VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for α77 assures comfortable handling in vertical shooting positions. It can house up to two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM® batteries, doubling shooting stamina up to approximately 1060 shots (via LCD monitor)/940 shots (via Tru-Finder™ viewfinder) when using Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media. Other new A-mount system accessories include a back pack (LCS-BP2), soft carrying cases (LCS-SC21 and LCS-SC8), LCD protectors and eyepiece cups.

Pricing and Availability
The new α77 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with the new SAL1650 f2.8 lens for about $2000, and offered as body-only for about $1400. The SAL1650 lens will also be sold separately for about $700.

The new VG-C77AM vertical grip, designed for the α77 camera, will be available in October for about $300.

The new α65 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with a standard 18-55mm lens (SAL1855) for about $1000, and offered as body-only for about $900.
Both the α77 and α65 cameras kits and the new SAL1650 lens will be available this October at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.

For “sneak peak” videos of the new products, please visit www.sony.com/cameravideos.

Press Release:

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2011 — Sony is taking professional quality imaging and artistic shooting options to new levels with the introduction of the new Sony NEX-7 camera.   Styled in magnesium alloy for strength and designed with a unique blend of classic and modern inspiration, the new compact interchangeable lens model weighs only 10.3 ounces (291g).
“For Sony, the new NEX-7 represents innovation in its purest form,” said Kelly Davis, vice president of digital imaging at Sony Electronics. “Speed and style meet performance and control, creating a shooting experience unlike anything in market today.”

The NEX-7 camera features a new Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution – highest in its class — that complements the latest generation of Sony’s BIONZ®  image processing engine.

This unique combination of sensor and processor technology delivers flawless image and HD video quality with very low noise and exceptionally fast shooting responses. An ultra-high sensitivity range extends from ISO 100-16000, making it easy to capture clean, low-noise images in dimly lit interiors or exteriors.

Response is accelerated even further by a shutter release lag of approximately 20 milliseconds– the fastest of any interchangeable lens digital camera (as of Aug 2011). In speed priority continuous mode, the NEX-7 camera captures fast-moving action at up to 10fps (AF/AE is fixed) – the world’s fastest burst shooting speed of any mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (as of Aug 2011).

The NEX-7 model offers extensive, direct control over creative settings via an intuitive new TRINAVI control interface, important for enthusiast and professional photographers.  Two control dials on the top of the camera are complemented by a control wheel, giving users three customizable, manual controls and the ability to create images with the flexibility and precision of an advanced DSLR camera.

The NEX-7 model is also the world’s first interchangeable lens camera (along with new α77, α65) that features an integrated XGA OLED TruFinder™ viewfinder for precision framing and focusing.  The viewfinder provides a bright, detail-packed, high contrast view of still images and video, with approximately 100 percent frame coverage and a wide field of view that rivals pro-grade optical viewfinders. On-screen grid lines, various shooting parameters and a level gauge can be displayed to assist with accurate framing.  With the XGA OLED TruFinder™, the NEX-7 model realizes the ideal of a compact, rangefinder style camera with an eye-level, through the lens viewfinder.

The XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder is complemented by a three-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display that can be angled up to 90-degrees up or 45-degrees down for easy viewing in any shooting position. TruBlack™ technology assures superb detail and contrast, while dramatically reducing on-screen reflections.

At the touch of a button, the NEX-7 camera shoots smooth AVCHD Full HD movies with high-quality stereo sound. Support for the new AVCHD Progressive (Ver. 2.0) format allows users to capture Full HD video at 60p (progressive) frame rates. for beautifully smooth, detailed video footage. 24p video shooting is also available. The Tracking Focus feature lets users select a target object on screen and focus on it accurately, even if it is moving.

Additionally, manual focus is now possible during video shooting. Enthusiasts can also enjoy full control over creating the perfect video image with Program, Aperture/Shutter Priority and all-Manual modes (P/A/S/M) – just like the most advanced DSLR cameras. Stereo audio quality is improved, with revised circuitry that lowers noise levels, especially when shooting quiet scenes.

First introduced on the NEX-C3, Picture Effects enables easy “in camera” production of sophisticated artistic effects without the need for a PC or post-processing. The camera features 11 modes and 15 effects, including new HDR Painting, Soft Focus, Miniature and Rich-Tone Mono. A generous palette of other artistic imaging functions includes 3D Sweep Panorama™ mode, Soft Skin, Auto HDR, Handheld Twilight and Anti Motion Blur Modes.

The NEX-7 camera includes an integrated flash system and also features an Auto-lock Accessory Shoe for advanced shooting applications, both of which are firsts for Sony’s E-mount line of cameras. The shoe supports the full range of Alpha flashes and monitors, as well as adaptors to accommodate studio lighting.
The LCS-ELC7 soft carrying case combines a snug-fitting body case and leather lens jacket to help protect the body and lens from scratches and dust. It’s complemented by the STP-XH70 shoulder strap, made of the same material.

The α NEX-7 ultra-compact interchangeable lens digital camera will be available this November in a kit with an exclusive black 18-55mm zoom lens for about $1350, or as a body-only for about $1200.
The new camera and all compatible lenses and accessories will be sold at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.

For “sneak peak” videos of the new products, please visit www.sony.com/cameravideos.

Specifications:

Body material	• Magnesium-alloy top and front • Plastic back and battery casing
Sensor	• 23.4 x 15.6 mm Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor • 24.7 million total pixels • 24.3 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 6000 x 4000 (3:2) • 4240 x 2832 (3:2) • 3008 x 2000 (3:2) • 6000 x 3376 (16:9) • 4240 x 2400 (16:9) • 3008 x 1688 (16:9)
Sweep Panorama	• Wide: horizontal 12416 x 1856 (23M), vertical 5536 x 2160 (12M) • Standard: horizontal 8192 x 1856 (15M), vertical 3872 x 2160 (8.4M)
3D Sweep Panorama	• Wide: 7152 x 1080 (7.7M) • Standard: 4912 x 1080 (5.3M) • 16:9: 1920 x 1080 (2.1M)
File qualities / formats	• RAW (Sony .ARW 2.2) • RAW + JPEG Fine • JPEG Fine • JPEG Standard
Movie	AVCHD • 1080 60i/p up to 28mbps (50i/p in Europe) • 1080 24i/p up to 24mbps (25i/p in Europe) MPEG-4 • 1440 x 1080 29.97fps 12mbps • 640 x 480 29.97fps
Dust reduction	• Coating on low pass filter • Sensor-shift
Lenses	• Sony E-mount • Sony Alpha lenses, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses via adaptor (exclude power zoom lenses/tele-converters)
Image Stabilization	‘Optical SteadyShot’ system on selected lenses
Auto Focus	• Contrast AF • 25 multi-point • Centre-weighted • Flexible Spot
Shooting modes	• iAuto • Scene Selection • Anti Motion Blur • Sweep Panorama • 3D Sweep Panorama • Manual Exposure • Shutter Priority • Aperture Priority • Program Auto
Scene modes	• Portrait • Landscape • Macro • Sports Action • Sunset • Night Portrait • Night Scene • Hand-held Twilight
Sensitivity	• Auto (Range varies depending on shooting mode) • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200 • ISO 6400 • ISO 12800 • ISO 16000
Metering modes	• Multi-segment (49 segment Honeycomb pattern) • Center-weighted • Flexible Spot
Exposure compen.	• -2.0 to +2.0 EV • 0.3 EV steps
Shutter Speed	• Electronically controlled, vertical traverse, focal-plane shutter • 30 to 1/4000 sec • Bulb
Aperture values	Depends on lens, 0.3 EV steps
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent (Warm, Cool, Day, Daylight) • Flash • Color temperature/filter (2500 – 9900 K) • Manual (Custom) • Manual (Custom set)
Dynamic range optimizer	• Off • DR0 (Auto, LV1 – LV5) • HDR (Auto, 1EV – 6EV)
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Creative Styles	• Standard • Vivid • Portrait • Landscape • Sunset • B&W
Picture Effect	• Toy Camera Normal Cool Warm Green Magenta • Pop Color Color B&W • Posterization • Retro • Soft High-key • Partial Color Red Green Blue Yellow • High Contrast Mono • Soft Focus Mid Low Hi • HDR Painting Mid Low Hi • Rich-tone Mono. • Miniature Auto Top Middle (Horizontal) Bottom Right Middle (Vertical) Left
LCD monitor	• 3.0 XtraFine TruBlack LCD • 921,600 dots • Angle adjustable 80 degrees up/45 degrees down
Flash	• Internal manual pop-up flash • GN : 6 meters • Coverage : to 18mm • Flash Sync: 1/160sec
Flash modes	• Auto • On • Off • Fill-flash • Slow Sync • Rear Sync. • Red-eye reduction on/off selectable
External flash	• Hot shoe • Wireless, with opt/external flash
Viewfinder	• Eye-level fixed XGA OLED, 1.3 cm (0.5″ type) electronic viewfinder • 2,359,296 dot resolution • Magnification approx.1.09x • 100% frame coverage
Drive modes	• Single-frame • Continuous • Speed Priority • 10 sec 3 or 5 images • Bracket Cont 0.3 EV • Self Timer
Continuous shooting	• Continuous Shooting 3fps (for 17 Fine Jpegs, 13 Raw, 11 Raw+Jpeg) • Speed Priority Continuous (~10fps)
Self-timer	• 10 or 2 seconds
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (High Speed) • HDMI type C • external microphone
Storage	• Memory Stick Pro Duo • SD/SDHC/SDXC
Power	• NP-FW50 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (supplied) • Battery charger included • Optional AC adapter
Battery Life (CIPA)	~350 images (with EVF) ~430 images (with rear LCD)
Dimensions	119.9 x 66.9 x 42.8 mm (4-3/4 x 2-3/4 x 1-11/16 in.)
Weight (without batt or card)	291 g (10.3 oz.)
Supplied accessories	Shoulder strap; Battery; Charger; USB cable (miniB); CD‑ROM; Flash