Panasonic LUMIX DMC LX3

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Lumix is Panasonic's brand of digital cameras, ranging from pocket point-and-shoot models to digital SLRs. Many Lumix models are fitted with Leica lenses that have been designed by Leica's German optical engineers and are assembled in Japan, some are rebadged as Leica cameras with different cosmetic styling. Leica had a similar relationship with Minolta in the past, where late model Leica SLRs (and some 35mm point and shoot models) were strongly based on Minolta bodies.

Most Lumix cameras use different releases of the Panasonic Venus Engine for digital image processing; the original version was followed by II, III, IV, HD (2008), V (2009), and VI, HD II (2010).

Panasonic produces all of Leica's branded digital point and shoot cameras in Japan, but not film cameras, the Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera, or the Digital Modul R digital camera back for the Leica R9 film SLR.

[edit] Model lines

Some cameras come in several colours, indicated by a suffix letter: K is black, S silver, A blue, R red, W white. Most lower-price cameras have small sensors of about 10.2 mm / 1/2.5". More expensive ones often have sensors of about twice the area, 14.1 mm to 15.4 mm / 1/1.65" to 1/1.8". dSLRs and Micro Four Thirds cameras have much larger sensors. Larger sensors produce a better signal-to-image-noise ratio and better dynamic range.

[edit] Current

DMC-LS: Panasonic's cheapest line, budget plastic compact cameras powered by two AA batteries. Includes the LS1, LS2, LS3, LS60, LS70, LS75, LS80, and LS85.

DMC-LZ: Budget, but more advanced and with more user control than many other digital compact cameras. The most notable feature is a 5× (37–222 mm) optical zoom range. Includes the LZ1, LZ2, LZ3, LZ5, LZ6, LZ7, LZ8, LZ10 (Jul 2008).

DMC-FS: Ultra-compact mid-range, relatively typical cameras. The FS range was launched in January 2008. This series includes the FS3, FS4, FS5, FS20, FS6, FS7, FS15, and FS25.

DMC-FX: Ultra-compact high-end, relatively typical cameras. The FX01 was the first ever ultra-compact (considering Ricoh R series as compact) with a true wide-angle 28–102 mm lens, sharing now (20 Jan 2007) this feature with its siblings FX07 and FX50, as well as with the Canon SD800 IS (IXUS 850 IS in Europe). Unlike most of the other Lumix lines, the FX series tends to have a more stylish look (as opposed to the generic silver or black), targeted at social photography. Includes the FX1, FX5, FX2, FX3, FX7, FX8, FX9, FX01, FX10, FX12, FX30, FX37, FX50, FX07, FX100, FX33, FX55, FX35, FX150 (1/1.72"), FX500, FX48 (FX40 in Europe), and FX580 (FX550 in Europe). The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 was announced as the world's slimmest camera with a 28 mm equivalent wide-angle lens. The Panasonic Lumix FX35 equips with 25 mm Ultra-Wide-Angle Lens. The FX500 is the first Panasonic to feature a touch-screen interface.

DMC-LX: A compact high-end camera line, with full manual exposure and focus controls (with joystick control rather than focus ring), and RAW recording, unusual in compact cameras. Includes the 8 megapixels LX1, the 10 megapixels (1/1.65") LX2, and the 10 megapixels (1/1.63") LX3 with a f/2–2.8 24–60 mm (35 mm equivalent) lens. (Announced Jul 2008, shipping since late Aug 2008.)

DMC-FZx (excluding DMC-FZx0 models): Compact ultra-zoom higher-end cameras. These cameras are described as compact but are relatively large, have extensive controls (although models earlier than the FZ7 do not have manual focus), and long zoom ranges, typically 12× with extending zoom lens. Includes FZ1, FZ2, FZ3, FZ4, FZ5, FZ7, FZ8, FZ18 (18× zoom, 1/2.5"), FZ28 (18x zoom, Venus IV) and FZ35/FZ38(Europe) (18x zoom, Venus HD).

DMC-FZx0: Bridge digital cameras, resemble digital SLRs in many ways, but have a non-interchangeable, non-extending zoom lens. The later models from the FZ30 are large and heavy, have a wide zoom range (12×) and extensive manual controls, including fully manual focus and zoom rings on the lens. The range comprises the FZ10, FZ20, FZ30, and FZ50 (14.1 mm / 1/1.8").

DMC-TZ: Compact, point and shoot 10× zoom cameras with image stabilization. Includes the TZ1, TZ2, TZ3, TZ4, TZ5 (Known as the TZ15 in Asia), and TZ50 (TZ5 with Wi-Fi). The TZ1 uses folded optics, with a prism. TZ1's successors use a traditional design without folded optics, hence the barrel extends further out during operation^[1]. The TZ series stands out against other compact digital cameras by achieving a 10x optical zoom with a 28 mm* wide angle lens in a small compact body. *equivalent to 35 mm camera.

DMC-TS: waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof point and shoot camera. Includes TS1 (FT1), which also has limited high definition video capability.

DMC-L: Panasonic's DSLR line. It uses the Four Thirds System lens mount and along with the Olympus E-330 was one of the first DSLRs capable of displaying live image view on the LCD screen. Models include the L1 and L10.

DMC-G: Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds System line, advertised as a "reinvented D-SLR" without mirror. The first camera in the line is the G1, released in late 2008, which has an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and interchangeable lens. It does not use the mirror and pentaprism of a true SLR, so is smaller and lighter. It has many of the features of a DSLR and of a compact digital camera, but no movie mode^[2]. The GH1 was released in June 2009 and includes support for HD video recording^[3]. In September 2009, Panasonic released the GF1, a 12 megapixel compact Micro Four Thirds camera featuring 720p HD video^[4].

DMC-ZS: Compact ultra-zoom high-end (offering HD video) cameras. Announced in January 2009^[5] as a successor to the successful TZ series. It is distinguished by having high-grade still shooting and offering HD video functions. Includes ZS1 (TZ6) and ZS3 (TZ7). The ZS3 is advertised as "the world's first digital camera that records motion image in AVCHD Lite", records 720p HD video with stereo audio and has a dedicated video record button.

[edit] Discontinued

DMC-LC: No longer in production. Consisted mostly of medium-size, mid-range cameras, but also included the high-end LC5 and LC1, which were also sold as the Leica Digilux 1 and Digilux 2 respectively.

[edit] Model history

[edit] Leica model crossover

Some Panasonic and Leica cameras are more or less the same. The differences, other than the obvious exterior styling, are in the camera firmware. Different application software is also supplied by the two companies with the cameras.

The Leica and Panasonic cameras produce the same RAW image, but will process white balance, noise reduction, etc. differently. Lumix cameras are less expensive than their Leica counterparts due to the companies' marketing strategies and production economics.

Lumix L1 vs. Leica Digilux Lumix L1 Leica Digilux 3

Lumix FZ50 vs. Leica V-Lux Lumix FZ50 Leica V-Lux 1

Lumix LX vs. Leica D-Lux Lumix LX2 Leica D-Lux 3

Lumix FX vs. Leica C-Lux Lumix FX01 Leica C-Lux 1

A partly disassembled Lumix camera

[edit] Promoters

In Japan pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki promotes the Lumix cameras with her songs. She announced on May 8, 2007 that Panasonic is releasing a Ayumi Hamasaki x Hello Kitty x Lumix collaboration camera, a Leica FX-30 which sells for ¥54600 (about USD$455). Recently^[update], Hamasaki promoted the Lumix FX 40. ^[6] Hong Kong actress and singer, Karena Lam also appeared in a local Hong Kong Panasonic commercial for the now discontinued Panasonic Lumix FX01.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Panasonic Lumix cameras

• Lumix – official website with details of current cameras
• Leica camera – official website
• Lumix LX3 photography – non official website dedicated to the Lumix LX3
• Panasonic Lumix Digital Cameras – listed by popular uses
• Most popular Panasonic cameras – used in the Flickr community