Panasonic Lumix G1 Preview September 2008, Simon Joinson and Richard Butler

Review based on a pre-production Panasonic Lumix G1

When you consider the incredible flexibility offered by digital capture (unencumbered by the physical need to put the film behind the lens and to advance it frame by frame) it’s perhaps surprising that the digital interchangeable lens camera has remained so firmly rooted in a basic design that hasn’t changed since the 1950’s. The single lens reflex does its job very well, but building a camera around a mirror box seriously ties the designer’s hands – not only in the physical size and shape of the body, but in the lenses too (the distance to the sensor means retrofocus designs are needed to overcome the distance from the sensor to the flange).

The reasons for this seemingly dogmatic attachment to the single lens reflex are fairly obvious; the main players in the market have a vested interest in maintaining compatibility with legacy lenses and offering as seamless a transition from film to digital as possible for their millions of existing users. Besides, it’s a lot easier to design a body that works in the same way SLRs always did than to launch an entirely new lens system.

Cara Mudah Menganalisa Keaslian Sebuah Foto Digital

Sophia Latjuba. (ilustrasi / ist.)

Jakarta – Setiap ada foto figur publik yang beredar di Internet, apalagi dalam pose syur, pertanyaan publik selalu sama, “asli atau tidak ya?”. Masalahnya, di era teknologi digital saat ini, proses rekayasa (baca: pengolahan) gambar sudah sedemikian mudah dan rapinya. Sehingga dengan gampang pihak-pihak tertentu akan menyalahkan teknologi digital sebagai biang keladi atas keberadaan foto-foto tersebut.

Pun untuk mencirikan apakah suatu foto adalah merupakan hasil rekayasa software tertentu ataukah memang murni hasil ‘jepretan’ alat penggambil gambar (kamera ataupun ponsel berkamera), tidaklah terlalu mudah bagi orang awam.

Berikut ini adalah beberapa kiat untuk membedakan apakah suatu foto adalah asli ataukah hanya hasil rekayasa, yang diposting di sebuah milis oleh seseorang yang mengaku telah bergerak di bidang olrah grafis fotografi, dan nama pada e-mailnya tertulis sebagai Alvin Soong (keymon231@xxxxxxx)

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Hands-on Preview

Preview based on a pre-production EOS 5D Mark II

Back in August 2005 Canon ‘defined a new DSLR category’ (their words) with the EOS 5D. Unlike any previous ‘full frame’ sensor camera, the 5D was the first with a compact body (i.e. not having an integral vertical grip) and has since then proved to be very popular, perhaps because if you wanted a full frame DSLR to use with your Canon lenses and you didn’t want the chunky EOS-1D style body then the EOS 5D has been your only choice. Three years on and two competitors have turned up in the shape of the Nikon D700 and Sony DSLR-A900, and Canon clearly believes it’s time for a refresh.

World’s First Full-time Live View Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera Adopting New-Generation Micro Four Thirds System Standard DMC-G1 from LUMIX G Micro System

September 12,2008: Panasonic today announced the release of the DMC-G1, an exciting new digital interchangeable lens camera that is based on the new Micro Four Thirds System Standard. Combining a downsized body and advanced camera features that realize the operational comfort even as easy as that of compact cameras, the super-mobile G1 shatters the old notion that all digital SLRs are bulky, heavy and hard to use. This, plus the superior picture quality made possible by a 4/3-type image sensor, draws a clear line between the new-generation Lumix G1 and all conventional digital SLR cameras.

With the G1, Panasonic has developed an entirely new-concept digital camera that takes even greater advantage of the compactness and light weight inherent in the Four Thirds System Standard. By increasing the number of electrical contacts between camera body and lens, Panasonic has also increased camera expandability and maximized the future potential of the G1, including compatibility with future features. In addition, the versatile G1 accepts not only Micro Four Thirds System interchangeable lenses, but also conventional Four Thirds System lenses (when an optional adapter is mounted). This means that users can continue to use Four Thirds lenses they already own.

Panasonic AG-HMC72

Panasonic AG-HMC72

Panasonic Australia will expand its professional AVCHD product line with the introduction of the AG-HMC72 AVCHD camcorder, due for local release in April 2008.

As the industry’s first shoulder-mount AVCHD camcorder, the AG-HMC72 records high-quality 1080i images onto readily available SD/SDHC memory cards.

Like Panasonic’s full production quality solid-state P2 HD recording system, this AVCHD camcorder eliminates the need for a special deck or play-out unit, as well as the time required to transfer content from a tape or optical disc to a PC for editing and content distribution – thus providing hardware and time cost savings. Since the AG-HMC72 uses a standard SD or SDHC card, the recording capacity will increase and media cost per gigabyte decrease as new higher capacity cards continue to be introduced.