Panasonic demonstrates leadership in competitive category winning Best Compact System Camera Expert and Best Rugged Compact Camera Awards
2nd May 2011
Panasonic Australia is proud to announce that the company has been awarded the prestigious TIPA ‘Best Compact System Camera Expert’ Award for its new LUMIX DMC-GH2 digital interchangeable lens camera system as well as the ‘Best Rugged Compact Camera’ Award for the popular DMC- FT3.
Established in 1991, the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) is an independent association of consumer electronics journalists, representing fourteen countries across Europe, South Africa and the United States. Each year, the TIPA Awards honour specific products distinguished as the best in each classified category.
In the 2011 awards, TIPA’s editors have again recognised Panasonic’s digital imaging products for their innovation, use of cutting-edge technology, design, value and ease-of-use, with the success following Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-G2 digital interchangeable lens camera being named the ‘Best Compact System Camera Expert’ at last year’s awards.
According to a spokesperson for the TIPA jury: “The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH2 is a true 'hybrid' photo and video camera, where video is no longer just an additional function. The DMC-GH2 features Full HD 1920x1080 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL), smooth, high quality video recording with 60p (NTSC) / 50p (PAL) output in addition to high quality photo - a world first for cameras in this category.”
The jury also praised the LUMIX DMC-FT3 for its innovative design and features which make it ideal for outdoor use – being waterproof to 12m, shockproof to 2m, freezeproof to -10 degrees Celcius and dustproof.
“It has an integrated GPS function, ideal for photographers who want to shoot in the great outdoors and record their exact position during that shoot,” commented a TIPA jury spokesperson. “The camera has a built-in compass, altimeter and barometer to show and record altitude, barometric pressure and orientation data. The barometer also works as an indicator for depth underwater. Thanks to its location awareness, the internal clock of the camera is automatically adjusted to the local time.”
Alistair Robins, Category Marketing Manager, Mobile AV, Panasonic Australia, said: “Panasonic continues to lead the evolution of the Micro Four Thirds platform with the introduction of the LUMIX DMC-GH2, offering creativity and versatility with a downsized body, intuitive touch control, Light Speed AF, Full HD movie recording, and compatibility with Panasonic’s new interchangeable 3D lens.”
“We are also proud to offer the LUMIX DMC-FT3 - the next generation in tough digital cameras designed with the active user in mind - the perfect match for outdoor adventurers and holiday makers who are not only looking for rugged features but also outstanding image quality,” he said.
Fully compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the DMC-GH2 combines a compact body with advanced functions that achieve both high performance and operational ease. The new camera boasts a Light Speed AF of approximately 0.1 of a second to capture spur-of-the-moment opportunities in sharp focus.
The DMC-GH2 is designed for impressive and imaginative AVCHD movie recording, featuring Full HD 1920 x 1080* movie recording in smooth 50i, with a sensor output of 50p, and supports 1080/24p native mode with 24Mbps for outstanding image quality.
The 12.1-megapixel DMC-FT3 boasts enhanced ruggedness as well as built-in GPS function, compass, altimeter and barometer, so it can withstand even the toughest photography challenge.
Incorporating a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens** with folded optics, the DMC-FT3 does not compromise on image quality. Starting at the 28mm wide-angle and zooming up to 4.6x in telephoto, this camera offers flexibility for virtually any shooting situation and is particularly useful underwater, where movement is often restricted and the angle of view becomes important for composing shots.
The 2011 TIPA awards were held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 9 April, 2011.
Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) For more information on TIPA, visit the organization’s website below.
TIPA
RELEASED BY PANASONIC AUSTRALIA
*Full-HD (1,920 x 1,080) movies are recorded at 50i (PAL). HD (1,280 x 720) movies are output and recorded by the image sensor at 50p (PAL).
**LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company's quality standards.