SECAUCUS, N.J., April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic is
proud to announce a new digital pocketable compact camera LUMIX
DMC-LF1(LF1), part of the new LF series – a sister line of the
world-renowned LX series which have been long acclaimed by photo
enthusiasts for its high picture quality and creative ability. The
new LF1 incorporates a 0.2-inch 200K-dotpractical EVF, the LF1
features 3-inch large 920K-dot Intelligent LCD, assuring highly
visibility in both shooting and image playback. An F2.0 LEICA
DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens and 1/1.7-inch large High Sensitivity MOS
Sensor are integrated into a sleek, stylish profile. The F2.0 fast
LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens boasts excellent performance and
achieves 7.1x high optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 28-200mm)
making this camera even more versatile. The 1/1.7-inch large High
Sensitivity MOS Sensor and the high performance Venus Engine
achieves clear image recording even at high sensitivity, taking
advantage of the rich amount of light.
With Wi-Fi® connectivity with NFC (Near Field Communication)
technology, the LF1 features "Touch & Share" in which users can
connect the camera to their smartphone/tablet anywhere with one
touch to share an image easily right on the spot. It is also
possible to use a smartphone/tablet as a multi-capable remote
shutter with a monitor. With the new Instant Transfer function,
photos are automatically sent to the smartphone/tablet right after
shooting. Additionally, both photo and video can be archived to the
registered digital device such as a PC automatically via the
wireless access point (router) at home.
For step-up users who pursue higher expressive performance, the
LF1 comes equipped with a variety of manual functionalities. Newly
integrated Control Ring and Composition Guide help the user
experience advanced photography with ease. A variety of special
effects that add fun to the shooting experience are also integrated
in LF1–Creative Panorama, Creative Control and Creative Retouch,
featuring a total of maximum 15 attractive filter effects*.
The LF1 records 1,920 x 1,080 60i (NTSC) full-HD video recording
in AVCHD / MP4** with high quality stereo sound. The 7.1x optical
zoom is also available in video recording. The POWER O.I.S.
(Optical Image Stabilizer) with Active Mode powerfully suppresses
blur even in video recording.
Advanced in function and more fashionable in design – the LF1 is
for users who want to get more inspired by photography in their
sophisticated lifestyles.
*Some modes of Creative Control cannot be used in Creative Panorama
and Creative Retouch.
** 30p (NTSC) / 25p MP4 recording.
- Maximum time to record motion pictures continuously with
[MP4] is 29 minutes 59 seconds or up to 4 GB.
- You can check the recordable time on the screen. (For [FHD] in
[MP4] format, the file size is large and so the recordable time
will drop below 29 minutes 59 seconds.)
1. Practical EVF and Large, High
Resolution LCD for Easy Viewing of Image
The LF1 is a
premium sleek, stylish digital compact camera with the *only
0.2-inch EVF with an adjustable diopter (Electronic Viewfinder) in
its class. Its EVF features 200K-dot resolution and 100% field of
view. It assures stable framing and high visibility of live view
image even under strong sunlight.
The 3.0-inch, 920,000-dot Intelligent LCD with super high
resolution and a wide viewing angle features automatic brightness
adjustment in 7 steps as the surrounding brightness level changes,
ensuring easy visibility at all times. The big screen with AR
coating reflects fine details, making it easy to check the focus
before shooting. It also serves as a small photo and video viewer,
allowing the user and friends to enjoy viewing the still and motion
images together.
* For compact premium point and shoot at the time of this
announcement.
2. The F2.0 Fast LEICA DC
VARIO-SUMMICRON Lens with 7.1x Optical Zoom
The LF1
is equipped with newly developed 28mm wide angle LEICA DC
VARIO-SUMMICRON lens with 7.1x optical zoom (35mm camera
equivalent: 28-200mm). This superb lens features F2.0 high speed,
which boasts approximately twice the speed of an F2.8 lens. The
extraordinarily rich amount of light allows not only higher shutter
speed to capture stunningly clear, sharp, blur-free images in low
lighting, but also delivering impressive expression to the
image by reproducing exquisite gradation and mellow defocus. The
lens unit consists of 10 elements in 8 groups with 4 aspherical
lenses with 7 aspherical surfaces including an ED (Extra-low
Dispersion) lens that compensates for chromatic aberration at
entire zoom range.
The super-high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens minimizes
distortion at the wide end, so users can get stunning, true-to-life
images with outstanding resolution and detail. For more effective
countermeasures against hand-shake which tends to occur in shooting
with a long zoom, POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) with
Active Mode is equipped with the LF1 to powerfully suppress blur in
both photo and video recording.
3. The Large 1/1.7-inch
12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS Sensor and Venus
Engine
The LF1 integrates a large 1/1.7-inch,
12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS Sensor which is larger in size
than standard digital compact cameras. Thanks to the extensive
light receiving area of each cell, the performance of image
recording in low light is superior with its excellent wide dynamic
range. The result is a high resolution image with stunning clarity
not only in high sensitivity recording but also in low ISO settings
reproducing rich gradation with the exquisitely wide dynamic range
even when there is a great deal of contrast in the subject.
The high performance image processor Venus Engine also boasts
advanced signal processing. The Venus Engine enables deliberate
noise reduction processing without missing low-frequency noise by
searching a large detection area to achieve high sensitivity image
recording even at ISO 12,800. In addition, Edge Smoothing NR
technology helps render smooth edges even at high ISO settings.
The high speed digital signal output technology is integrated to
realize high speed consecutive shooting at 10 fps in full
resolution with mechanical shutter and to record full-HD 60i (NTSC)
smooth video in AVCHD/MP4*. It also contributes to the high speed
Sonic Speed AF to catch the most fleeting shooting opportunities.
In addition, the high speed burst shooting at 60 fps is available
to capture subject with fast motion**.
* 30p (NTSC) MP4 recording.
** In max.2.5-megapixel (4:3), 3-megapixel (3:2), 3.5-megapixel
(16:9) and 2-megapixel (1:1)
4. Creative Panorama & Creative
Control / Creative Retouch
The LF1 is also equipped with
popular Creative Control and Creative Retouch featuring a total of
15 filter effects – Retro, Expressive, High Key, Low Key, Sepia,
Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Toy Effect,
Miniature Effect, Star Filter, Cross
Process, Soft Focus, One Point Color and Old Days. The Creative
Control lets users shoot with a filter effect while checking how it
makes a difference in the picture, which can also be used for video
recording, too*. The Creative Retouch enables applying a filter
effect on the picture even after shooting in camera.
With the Creative Panorama function, it is possible to apply
filter effect of Retro, Expressive, High Key, Low Key, Sepia,
Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Star Filter, Cross Process, Soft Focus, One
Point Color and Old Days to the horizontal / vertical panoramic
image, which can be shot by sweeping the camera in any four
directions – to the right, left, top or bottom.
- Soft Focus and Star Filter
cannot be used in video recording.
5. Get More Inspired with Specialty
Functions
A variety of advanced functions are
equipped with LF1 to spur more interest of step-up users in
photography. Manual control is easy thanks to the Control Ring,
which enables direct, intuitive control over frequently-used
settings – zooming, aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity and
filter of Creative Control / Creative Panorama. To assist learning
photography, Composition Guide is also available in LF1. It is easy
to shoot a photo with great composition by just choosing most
suitable pattern of composition from- Rule of Thirds Offset,
Diagonal Lines, Tunnel, Radiation1, Radiation2 and S-shape - and
framing the subjects along the guided lines. Furthermore, LF1 is
equipped with Level Gauge to detect the horizontal / vertical angle
of view using its internal level working with the acceleration
sensor. This is helpful to keep horizontal composition precisely
even when shooting at a high or low angle.
6. Shoot, View, Share Images in More
Flexible Way with Wi-Fi® Connectivity with NFC
The
LF1 integrates a Wi-Fi® connectivity (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) with NFC
(Near Field Communication) technology to offer a more flexible
shooting experience and instant image sharing with easy operation.
The NFC allows "Touch & Share" in which users can connect the
camera to their smartphone/tablet anywhere at one touch to share an
image easily right on the spot by just pairing the two devices.
What is new is that the setup is extremely easy and finishes within
seconds, making it possible to pair the camera directly to the
smartphone/tablet without connection procedure of information input
for authorization.
With a smartphone/tablet, remote shooting of both photo and
video is available by using the smartphone/tablet for a remote
shutter with a monitor which displays live at a smooth 30 fps. Not
only the shutter release, but also zooming, focusing and settings
of shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation are all
controllable with a smartphone/tablet.
The Instant Transfer function allows the camera to transfer the
photo data to the designated electronic devices automatically
whenever the shutter is released. In playback mode, users can also
touch the image displayed on the camera to transfer it directly to
the smartphone/tablet right on the spot. In addition, it is
possible to tag the location information to the image by utilizing
the GPS (Global Positioning System) log of a smartphone / tablet.
All these flexible shooting / browsing / sharing styles are made
possible with the LF1 and Panasonic's dedicated application
software "Panasonic Image App" for iOS / Android
smartphones/tablets.
Archiving images also becomes easy. The LF1 transfers the data
to a PC or other compliant electronic devices automatically via the
wireless access point (router) at home. Also, users can save
precious memories to Panasonic's exclusive cloud service "LUMIX
CLUB".
The Wi-Fi Direct™ function allows direct playback of images on
the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) – compliant VIERA
HDTV*.
* Using [Playback on TV] of the Wi-Fi function, you can display
images on a TV that supports the Digital Media Renderer (DMR)
function of the DLNA standard. Please check the following website
about the compatible devices for details.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/
7. Other Attractive Features for
LF1
High Quality 1920 x 1080 Full-HD 60i (NTSC) Video
with Stereo Sound
The LF1 records 1920 x 1080 at 60i (NTSC)
full HD videos with full-time AF and high quality stereo sound in
the AVCHD format which excels in both compression efficiency and
compatibility with AV equipment for playback. With a dedicated
video record button on the back, users can instantly start
recording videos while shooting photos without having to make any
extra setting adjustments. Videos can also be recorded in MP4
format for playback on a PC or other portable electronic devices
without having to convert the files.
* 30p (NTSC) in MP4 recording.
- Maximum time to record motion pictures continuously with [MP4] is
29 minutes 59 seconds or up to 4 GB.
- You can check the recordable time on the screen. (For [FHD] in
[MP4] format, the file size is large and so the recordable time
will drop below 29 minutes 59 seconds.)
iA+ (Intelligent Auto Plus) Mode for Photo and
Video
For beginners, iA (Intelligent Auto) mode supports
taking beautiful pictures with a variety of shooting-assist
functions including AF Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face
Recognition and Intelligent ISO Control. The iA Plus mode lets
users adjust the defocusing area in the background, exposure
compensation and white balance for more flexible control.
AC / USB Power Charging
The camera's battery can be
recharged either via AC or via USB according to the users'
convenience.
About Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North
America
Based in Secaucus,
N.J., Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America, a Division of Panasonic
Corporation of North America, the
principal North American Subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation and
the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D
operations, offers a wide-range of consumer solutions in the U.S.
and Canada. The Company's portfolio of innovative consumer
products ranges from VIERA Full HD 3D Televisions, Blu-ray players,
LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones,
Home Appliances, Wellness and Personal Care products and
more.
Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the
earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the
company's Eco Ideas programs. In the 2012 Interbrand Annual Best
Global Green Brands ranking, the Panasonic brand jumped four spots
to number six:
http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/Best-Global-Green-Brands/2012-Report.aspx.
Follow Panasonic on Twitter @PanasonicUSA, and additional company
information for media is available at
www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
SOURCE Panasonic