Panasonic launches world's smallest, lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera 

(MENAFN Press) Panasonic has announced the Middle East launch of their new interchangeable lens system camera the DMC-GF2, which is the world's smallest and lightest.

The DMC-GF2 is reduced approx. 19% in size and approx. 7% in weight compared with the DMC-GF1. The DMC-GF2 is equipped with a built-in flash which adopts new pop-up mechanism to prevent vignetting effect due to short distance between the flash unit to the interchangeable lens.

The camera also features a 12.1-megapixel high speed Live MOS sensor and high performance Venus Engine FHD, the DMC-GF2 boasts high picture quality not only in photo but also in movie, at resolutions of full HD 1920 x 1080 at 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL) in AVCHD. The FG2 is available in black, silver, white, red and pink.

The GF2 is a perfect fit for anyone who is looking for a compact camera that is capable of taking exceptional pictures with ease, commented Hitesh Ojha, Senior Manager, Sales and Marketing “ AV Categories, Panasonic Marketing Middle East FZE.

The cameras operation is extremely easy to understand for any level of users with the adoption of touch control via the new GUI (Graphic User Interface) designed for DMC-GF2. Together with the simple button components including the dedicated buttons for movie recording and iA (Intelligent Auto) mode that lights during activation, users can operate the camera intuitively with ease and comfort, added Ojha.

With the GF2, users can lock on to the subject with just a touch, the camera then tracks the subjects movement with the AF tracking function. With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject touched.

For example, a touch on a human face switches to the portrait mode and a touch on the background or scenery to the scenery mode while a touch on the subject close to the camera to the close-up mode. With the MF assist mode in the manual focusing, you can enlarge the part by just a touch to select 1x, 5x or 10x and smoothly move the part by dragging it on the screen. With the defocus control function in iA mode and the My Color mode, the range of defocus can be adjusted by just moving the slider by a finger.

The touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting but also for playing back images with outstanding visibility. Users can play back the image they want out of hundreds of stocks by touching them in the thumbnails. To play back images one by one in order, one need only drag the image over the screen with a finger to browse the collection of photos and flip over the pages of a book. Max. 16x of enlargement is also operated easily with touches.

For the image processor, the Venus Engine FHD is incorporated that features exceptionally high performance signal processing capabilities in both photo and movie recording. With the advanced noise reduction system employing the 3D NR and CNR (Chromatic Noise Reduction), the camera captures clear, naturally-balanced images even when shooting at high ISO sensitivity levels preventing the color bleeding due to the chromatic aberration and deterioration of the resolution.

The LUMIX DMC-GF2 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful full HD movies. The DMC-GF2 can record high-resolution full HD 1920 x 1080 movies at 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL), or smooth HD 1280 x 720 movies at 60p (NTSC) / 50p (PAL) in AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264) format. The HD Motion JPEG in 1280 x 720 can also be selected as an alternative movie recording format in addition to QVGA, VGA and WVGA, which is more compatible with PCs.

A special, separate button on the back lets the user instantly start recording movies while shooting photos without having to make any extra settings. High quality sound can be recorded with the stereo microphone for Dolby Digital Stereo Creator. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.

The DMC-GF2 features a new My Color mode which is integrated with the conventional Film mode. It offers a total of 8 preset effects ” Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Cinema, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, Silhouette, plus Custom mode, which let users manually, set the color, brightness, saturation and contrast levels.

Both still images and motion images in AVCHD recorded on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV with dynamic HD resolution. The user simply inserts the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on a VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray DiscTM Recorder / Player* to play the content. Alternatively, an optional HDMI mini cable can be used to output still and motion images recorded with the DMC-GF2 directly to the TV for easy VIERA Link operation.

With the DMC-GF2, PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 HD Edition for easy organization of photos and movies, the SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE for RAW file development and Super LoiLoScope (trial version) come bundled.