The new DMC-G3 is the seventh camera in the now extensive Lumix G Micro System range from Panasonic. In addition to its small size, the Panasonic G3 features a brand new 16 megapixel Live MOS sensor with 15.8 effective megapixels, the so-called Light Speed Auto Focus System that delivers a 0.18 focus speed with the 14-42mm lens, and a 3 inch articulated LCD that provides touch-based functions like Touch AF/AE and Touch Shutter. There’s also 1080/50i Full HD video recording with stereo sound in the AVCHD format, Venus Engine VI FHD processor, sensitivity range of ISO 160-6400, new Photo Style and Creative Control filters, and 4 frames per second burst shooting.

Panasonic DMC-G3 Features

• Stylish Aluminum body comes in four colors (Black, White, Red, and Brown)
• New 16-Megapixel Live MOS imager with improved signal-to-noise ratio
• Choose from 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9 aspect ratios
• Micro Four-Thirds lens mount system
• Is capable of using the World’s first interchangeable 3D lens
• Compatible with Four Thirds mount lenses using optional adapter (DMW-MA1)
• Venus Engine HD image processor
• Supersonic Wave Filter Dust Reduction System
• AVCHD video recording @ 1080p (1920×1080, 24p or 60i) or 720p (1280×720, 60p)
• Standard Motion JPEG video recording at VGA (640×480), QVGA (320×240), and WVGA (848×480) @ 30fps
• Compressed RAW and JPEG (Fine/Standard) formats, including RAW+JPEG (Fine or Standard)
• Full resolution burst mode shooting at 4fps
• High-speed burst mode shooting at up to 20fps @ 4-megapixels
• Touch AF option
• 3.0-inch Touchscreen LCD that rotates up to 270 degrees (460,000 pixels)
• Electronic Viewfinder or ‘LVF’ (Live View Finder) with 1.44 million dots, diopter adjustment, and 100% frame coverage
• Intelligent Auto ISO or fixed settings from 100 to 6400 in 1/3 EV steps
• Built-in Pop-up flash unit + hot shoe for external units
• Noise Reduction for long exposures
• SD/SDHC/MMC memory card storage
• Selectable video output with NTSC or PAL format
• HD output via MiniHDMI Type C I/O port (with optional cable)
• Built-in stereo microphones + a microphone input jack for an external unit
• USB 2.0 (High-speed) data and control interface
• 7.2V 1010mAh Li-ion battery pack (good for up to 270 photos)

Touch-Enabled LCD Screen: At the heart of the DMC-G3’s improved functionality is a movable 3.0-inch LCD (460k- dot) that allows for intuitive touch control of menus and most shooting, focusing, playback and effects controls. Menus can be customized using simple drag-and-drop actions like those on most touch-enabled cell phones. This allows for a custom user interface, giving Quick Menu access to functions that can be tailored to any user’s expertise level. Even the shutter can be triggered from the touch-enabled LCD by simply touching the subject you want focused and captured. Using the touch-screen operation, a user can lock onto a subject, enabling AF Tracking in both still and video modes. When you’re ready to shoot, the subject will be in focus and ready to capture.

The Lumix DMC-G3 will be available in four colors (Black, White, Red, and Brown) sometime in June, 2011.

The 16.1-megapixel DMC-FH27(FS37)/FH25(FS35) packages a newly developed 28mm wide-angle high quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with powerful 8x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 28-224mm) into a slim, compact body. Comprising 9 elements in 7 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes the outstandingly slim and compact body yet achieving exceptional optical performance. Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the DMC-FH27(FS37)/FH25(FS35) which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even using a digital zoom. This means the 8x optical can virtually extend to 10x equivalent. Furthermore, the Extra Optical Zoom function that extends zoom power to 18x at 3-megapixel resolution by using the center part of the 16.1-megapixel high resolution CCD to bring subjects even closer.

The DMC-FH27(FS37) adopts full touch-screen operation with new Smart Touch Screen. Auto Focus is immediately set to the subject by just touching it on the 3.0-inch large, 230,000-dot LCD and you can even release the shutter. The 3.0-inch large screen 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. Once you lock on the subject by a touch, the camera tracks the subject with the AF tracking function even if it moves. With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the camera automatically switches to the scene 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 macro mode. All menu setting is now available with touch control. In the shooting screen you can directly touch the icon to change its setting quickly. The touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting but also for playing back images with outstanding visibility. You can play back the image you want out of hundreds of stocks by touching in the thumbnails. To play back images one by one in order, you can drag the image over the screen with a finger to browse the collection of photos as you flip over the pages of the book. Max. 16x of enlargement is also operated easily with touches.

However while Samsung may have a advantage in manufacturing it is still lagging behind its major rivals in the design department, because while the PL80 does offer some useful features for a relatively low price, it also suffers from a number of problems. The PL80 shares most of its internal components with the cheaper PL55 which we reviewed a few months ago. It has the same sensor, the same monitor screen, same software and mostly the same features. However despite its superior specification the PL80 is slimmer and lighter than its stablemate. It’s a nice looking camera, and the overall build quality is very good. The body is mostly plastic but the front panel is aluminium with a brushed texture, and it is available in either black or red. The controls are sensibly laid out and not too fiddly, and the camera is comfortable to handle, but as usual Samsung has labelled some of the buttons with etched silver-on-silver symbols that are hard to see in low light.

Samsung SL630/PL80 Specifications

The TZ8 also implements a long requested feature for the TZ-series – A, S and M exposure modes for creative photographers, in addition to Intelligent Auto and a variety of scene modes for beginners. 720p HD video recording in the Motion JPEG format, high-speed and high-performance Venus Engine VI processor, POWER O.I.S. anti-shake system and a 2.7-inch LCD screen with 230k dots complete the headline specifications. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 is available in silver or black

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Specifications

The Intelligent Resolution function can be used to digitally boost the zoom ratio to 21x without hardly any loss in quality, or to simply make still images and video look better, at least according to Panasonic. The TZ20 also implements A, S and M exposure modes for creative photographers, in addition to Intelligent Auto and a variety of scene modes for beginners. An upgraded Sonic Speed auto-focus system, high-speed and high-performance Venus Engine FHD processor, POWER O.I.S. anti-shake system and a 3-inch touch-sensitive LCD screen with 460k dots complete the headline specifications. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 / ZS10 is available in silver, black, red or blue.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 is very similar to its predecessor, the DMC-TZ10, in terms of its design, with the most notable difference being the relocation of the one-touch Movie Record button from the rear of the camera to the top. At first glance the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 strikes you as being a little large, elongated and bulky, but it’s virtually the same size and weight as the previous TZ7 model. You then have to remind yourself that Panasonic have 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 TZ20, making it look to all intents and purposes like a “normal” compact camera. This helps to make the DMC-TZ20 great for candid moments, as people assume that you’re using just a standard point and shoot with a much more limited range.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Specifications

The high performance Venus Engine HD II processor delivers longer 330 shot battery life and video recording has also been greatly improved for the ZX3. 720p footage is now also available in AVHCD Lite format as well as motion JPEG, Intelligent Auto mode can be used, there’s a Video Divide function and the option of extracting a 1920×1080 still, plus a dedicated Video Record button and HDMI port. If all that fails to entice you, the new Happy scene mode should put a smile on your face.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZX3 is externally very similar to the previous ZX1 model in terms of its design – side-by-side, you’d be hard pressed to tell them apart. Credit card dimensions and rounded edges ensure it’s marginally less boxy than other competitors, and it’s easily small and light enough to fit inside a shirt or trouser pocket. Panasonic have somehow squeezed in an 8x zoom lens, equivalent to a focal range of 25-200mm on a 35mm camera, which as with the original ZX1 is quite a feat of engineering. There’s also an ‘extra’ optical zoom function boosting it to an equivalent 15.6x, albeit with an attendant resolution drop to 3 megapixels. Even when set to 200mm, the lens doesn’t extend very far from the front of the ZX3, making it look to all intents and purposes like a run-of-the-mill compact camera. This helps to make the DMC-ZX3 a great candid camera, as people assume that you’re using just a standard point and shoot.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZX3 Specifications

Like its predecessor, the TS2 features a 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4.6x zoom with a scratch-resistant 2.7-inch LCD display, and can record high-definition movies in AVCHD Lite or Motion JPEG formats at a 1,280×720-pixel, high-definition resolution. Unlike the TS1, the TS2 can record not just to SD and SDHC cards but also to super-high-capacity SDXC cards.

More than the TS1, which was already pretty tough. Tough and rugged is in, and almost all major manufacturers are now offering some sort of ruggedized and waterproof camera for the great outdoors. But ruggedness comes in various degrees, and customers have different requirements. The TS1 was designed to survive a drop from five feet, to be used underwater at depths of ten feet, and in temperatures between 32 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s pretty tough, but the TS2 can do better. It can now survive a drop from 6.6 feet (two meters), handle depths to 33 feet, and temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Are these differences meaningful? Absolutely. If you’re into winter sports, you can now use the camera in freezing temperatures. If you like the water, it can accompany you now on real dives and not just snorkeling or splashing around. Many dives, of course, are deeper than 33 feet, but not all; many dives on our recent camera eval dive trip off California’s Channel Islands were in the 30-40 foot range.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2 Specifications

• 14.1 megapixel, 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor
• Leica DC-Vario 4x optical zoom lens with 35-140mm in 35mm equivalent focal range (4x digital zoom)
• Waterproof up to 10 feet
• Shockproof up to 5 feet
• Dustproof
• Freezeproof to 14°F
• ISO 80-1600 (up to 6400 high sensitivity)
• 2.7-inch TFT LCD screen with 230K pixels
• iAuto shooting at the touch of a button
• 720p HD video capture (30 fps, Motion JPEG)
• Face Detection / Red-Eye Reduction
• MEGA Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.)
• 4.6fps burst shooting
• SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
• A/V and USB 2.0 output
• Mono Microphone
• Powered by a Li-ion battery pack (rated up to 300 shots per charge)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS10 Specifications

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45, or FZ40 as it’s known in North America, is a 14 Megapixel digital camera with a 24x stabilised range, HD video and a 3 inch screen. Launched in July 2010 it replaces the very popular Lumix FZ38, or FZ35 as that model was called in North America. From here on we’ll refer to the old model as the FZ38 / FZ35 and the new one as the FZ45 / FZ40.

The FZ45 / FZ40 extends the zoom range of its predecessor from 18x to 24x, widening the equivalent coverage from 27 to 25mm and greatly extending it from 486 to 600mm. The maximum resolution is increased by 2 Megapixels and, at 3 inches, the fixed main screen is a little larger, but retains the 230k pixel resolution of its predecessor.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 Specifications

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX70 (also known as the Panasonic DMC-FX75) is a new touch-screen digital compact camera. Offering a large 3.0-inch LCD with full touch-screen operation, the 14.1 megapixel FX70 also features a bright f/2.2, 24-120mm 5x zoom lens, HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels in the AVCHD Lite format, Intelligent Resolution technology and improved Intelligent Auto mode with a new Motion Deblur anti-blurring function. The FX70 / FX75 is available in black in Europe and silver and black in the USA.

• 14.1-Megapixel, 1/2.33″ CCD imaging sensor
• Leica DC VARIO-SUMMICRON 5x optical zoom lens
• 35mm equivalent: 24-120mm, F2.2 – 6.3 (W) / F5.9 – 6.3 (T) 5x zoom lens
• Power O.I.S. system
• 3.0-inch Touchscreen LCD, 230,000 dot resolution
• 720p HD video recording in the AVCHD Lite compression
• One-Touch video recording button
• Evolving iA (intelligent auto)
• Sonic Speed AF
• Backlight Compensation
• Photo and Movie Face Detection
• Intelligent Exposure Photo and Movie
• Intelligent ISO Control
• Intelligent Scene Selector
• Face Recognition
• HDMI output
• 40MB internal memory
• Li-Ion Rechargeable battery
• 360-pictures per charge battery life (CIPA)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX70 Specifications