CeBIT launch for two new Lumix digicams | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
By Ian Burley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Official Panasonic/Leica press release
Jump to technical specifications - click here The LUMIX DMC-LC40 Digital Camera Ultra-compact with Summicron lens Professional photographers consider Leica Summicron lenses the ultimate in lens technology – now a specially configured model in this range is available for digital photography: the new Panasonic LUMIX LC40 Digital Camera has been equipped with an exceptionally high-speed Leica DC Vario Summicron lens. The newly developed 4 010 000 pixel CCD ensures digital photos in rich detail with a resolution of up to 2240 x 1680 pixel, which can be saved onto SD Cards no larger than a postage stamp. A 1.8 inch LCD monitor allows the user to preview the images. Its ultra-compact design and ease of use make the camera comfortable to handle for the novice, yet a host of professional functions make it attractive to more ambitious photographers too. All cameras in the Panasonic ”LUMIX” range profit from the close cooperation between the company and Leica Camera AG, which has already borne fruit in the the Panasonic ”e.cam”-Camcorder with its Leica Dicomar lenses. The DC Vario Summicron fitted to the LC40 possesses an exceptional high speed of F 2.0 and a 3x optical zoom with a zoom range of 7 to 21 millimetres (corresponds to a 35 millimetre camera with a zoom range of 35 to 105 millimetres). The 2x digital zoom enhances the zoom range sixfold. Macro Mode enables the photographer to take shots at a distance of just six centimetres to the subject matter. Thanks to a multi-coating process and two aspheric lenses, the Leica lens is capable of achieving images of exceptional depth and clarity. This combined with the innovative, highly sensitive CCD, a secondary filter and a new colour processor for optimum processing leads to sharp and finely nuanced images. Panasonic has also made great strides in the area of speed. The ”Warm-Up Phase” has been significantly reduced and there is now practically no delay between triggering and the effective rendering of the image. The new Multitask Image Processing function permits the shooting of up to eight frames at a rate of up to four frames a second. Activating the Auto Bracket Function makes possible an individual series of exposure settings. The 512 MB SD Card means that it is now possible to use the LC40 to shoot up to 48 minutes of moving images with audio in Quicktime format. The 1.8 inch LCD Monitor can be used to decide on a subject and to provide a clear, sharp rendering of the image after it has been shot. The camera plays back the photos by means of the 9-image Multi-Playback or Slide Show function that continuously displays one image after another. The Playback Zoom function can be used to view the photos magnified 16 times. For quick viewing, there is the Review function for viewing images magnified 8 times, which means there is no need to switch to Playback mode. Films and photos can be saved onto the SD Card which is the size of a postage stamp, or transferred via USB terminal to a computer, printer or handheld computer. The LC40 comes with an energy-saving lithium ion battery. The camera is supplied with a comprehensive software package for the transfer and editing of the captured images. The LUMIX LC40 Digital Camera will be available in the shops from April. The non-binding recommended retail price including VAT is 799 euros.
Official technical specifications for Lumix DMC-LC40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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