News

Panasonic just unveiled the 20.3-megapixel Lumix DMC-GX8, which features dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer) technology and 4K Video/Photo shooting. This splash/dust-proof camera is the flagship model in Panasonic’s Lumix mirrorless camera line.

Panasonic LUMIX has announced the dates and locations of its first Digital Photo
Academy workshops in 20 cities across the United States. Digital Photo Academy
is a series of classes for all digital camera owners who want to maximize their
cameras' features and create more rewarding and enjoyable photo experiences.
The Academy courses are taught by local professional photographers, giving students
ongoing access to photo experts and tips in their own community. Furthermore,
after courses have finished, participants can enter photo contests and assignments
with other Academy students from across the country.



The Digital Photo Academy is designed for a digital camera owner, at any level,
with classes offered to accommodate the beginner, intermediate, and advanced photographer.
Students are welcome to bring whatever brand of camera they currently own and
courses will be available in the following markets: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,
Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis,
New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa
and Washington, D.C.



In each market, courses will be taught in professional studios, museums and other
inspirational locations. To view the locations and schedule of all 20 cities visit
www.DigitalPhotoAcademy.com. Some locations and dates include*:



Atlanta

Location:

The Bonaventure

650 Bonaventure Avenue

Atlanta, GA 30306

Dates:

· Beginner: 6/21/07, 6-9pm

· Intermediate: 6/23/07, 2-6pm

· Advanced: 6/10/07, 10am-7pm



Boston

Location:

Griffin Museum of Photography

67 Shore Road

Winchester, MA 01890

Dates:

· Beginner: 6/9/07, 9am-12pm

· Intermediate: 6/9/07, 2-6pm

· Advanced: 6/10/07, 10am-7pm



Detroit

Location:

The Park Shelton

15 East Kirby

Detroit, MI 48202

Dates:

· Beginner: 6/13/07, 6-9pm

· Intermediate: 6/14/07, 6-10pm

· Advanced: 6/30/07, 10am-7pm



Initially, each level of Digital Photo Academy courses will be offered once a
month in each city. Class descriptions include:



Beginner, Three-Hour Course, $50: Targeted for the family record keeper, passionate
scrapbooker, casual point-and-shoot user, or for the person looking to choose
the right camera, the beginner class, "Discovering Digital," is perfect
for all these types of users. Instructors will address how to reduce red-eye,
better use a flash, include special effects and create better composition. Beyond
photographic techniques, the course will also teach valuable "post-capture"
skills, such as how to use Adobe® Photoshop® Elements to create a greeting
card or calendar, and send prints to friends and family via email.



Intermediate, Four-Hour Course, $65: The "Digital Endeavors" intermediate-level
course is perfect for users who are quite familiar with the settings on their
point-and-shoot and are looking to take digital photography to the next level.
Either a recent purchaser of a digital SLR, or someone considering buying one,
would benefit from this course. The class will compare point-and-shoot cameras
to SLRs, discuss the differences between the two categories, helping to ensure
a smooth transition. For those who have some experience in post-capture and Photoshop,
this class will offer more advanced techniques, such as burning and dodging and
an introduction to color management. It will also discuss printed layouts, and
how to make newsletters and brochures.



Advanced, Two-day Course, $150: At the advanced level, the "Digital Vision"
course is be divided into two parts: in-field shooting and learning post-capture
computer application skills. The four-hour in-field shooting session is held in
local parks, vibrant streets, during seasonal events like fairs and marathons
to capture newsworthy current affairs. The second component, involves six hours
of classroom time learning techniques from Adobe® Photoshop® Creative
Suite 2, such as converting and processing RAW files, using layers and masks,
working with black and white files, and more.



To sign-up for Digital Photo Academy, please visit www.DigitalPhotoAcademy.com
or call 1.877.DP.ACAD.4. Instructor biographies, additional schedules and workshop
locations are also available on the website.

All interchangeable lens cameras share common feature sets, with some offering higher sensitivity (ISO range), faster shutter speeds, or enhanced video capabilities. Aimed squarely at photo enthusiasts and advanced photographers who can appreciate and make use of its many creative imaging options, the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 ($1,697, body only) stands out as a fast performer, with an astonishing framing rate and very fast autofocus acquisition time, plus many features and functions that will appeal to knowledgeable photographers who want to make use of cutting-edge processing and capture capabilities.

It's not often a camera like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ comes along.
But when it does, it thankfully arrives in several flavors to suit various tastes,
in 4-, and 5-Mp versions, priced at $499 (DMC-FZ15), and $599 (DMC-FZ20), respectively.




For starters, what makes the Lumix FZ stand out is the Leica DC Vario-Elmarit
6-72mm/12x optical zoom lens, which translates into 36-432mm, in 35mm parlance.
More astounding still is the maximum aperture: f/2.8, which defines a fast lens
for this zoom range, one eminently suited to low-light situations. As if that
weren't enough, optical image stabilization should help when shooting
in subdued light at relatively long shutter speeds, a key feature we'll
be testing.

...

Panasonic has unveiled the new LUMIX DMC-FZ70 (FZ70. ) Optically, the FZ70 delivers 20mm wide-angle to 1200mm (60X) long zoom, making it a category class leader. The lens is constructed with 14 elements in 12 groups, including 6 aspherical lenses with 9 aspherical surfaces and 3 ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses. Optical image stabilization assures that both long zoom photos and videos are sharp and free from blur. The FZ70 offers Full HD 1080/60i video recording, thanks to Panasonic's experience as a world leader in professional broadcast video. It boasts crystal clear audio due to a unique microphone that eliminates ambient noise and wind sound with the stunning clarity of Dolby(r) Digital. This unique microphone even zooms with the optical zoom to more precisely zero in on the audio coming from your subject.

There are few things that can get a man’s heart pumping like a new camera and a legendary car race to test it out at. Or at least that’s how I felt when I got a chance to take the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 for a spin at the Indianapolis 500 in May.