NewsMarch 2010

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Panasonic unveils DMC-G10 Micro Four Thirds camera

Focus on Imaging 2010: Panasonic has released what it calls 'the world's lightest interchangeable lens camera with a viewfinder' in the shape of Lumix DMC-G10. It features the same 12.1MP Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine HD II as the DMC-G2, also announced today. It also comes with a 460K dot 3" LCD but without the tilt/swivel and touch options of the G2 and gets a lower resolution viewfinder. The G10 can record 720p HD movie in Motion JPEG format. Both cameras can accept the high-capacity SDXC format cards and are offered with a new 14-42mm kit lens.

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Press Release:

World’s Lightest* DMC-G10 from Lumix G Micro Systems

Essential Advanced Functions in Minimum Simple Operation

February 7, 2010: Panasonic unveils another new interchangeable lens camera from Lumix G Micro System – the DMC-G10 that packs a host of advanced digital functions operated in a simple way in the world’s lightest body.

The LUMIX G Micro System has been sparking revolutions in the market as its name “New-Generation System Camera” suggests. Ever since the release of DMC-G1, the first interchangeable lens system camera based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard with dramatic downsizing of the body adopting the mirrorless structure. The GH1 realized 1920x1080 full HD (High Definition) movie recording and the GF1 brought an innovation even in the viewpoint of design with a flat, slim profile. The new DMC-G10 is newly released as a sister model of the touch-operation DMC-G2, both boasts high image quality and ease of use.

The double Live-View function offered by the large and bright 3.0-inch 460,000-dot Intelligent LCD and 202,000-dot 1.04x (0.52x*2) Live View Finder makes it possible to see how settings results in the picture in advance to the shooting. The 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor and the new Venus Engine HD II integrating Intelligent Resolution technology assure high image quality

The iA(Intelligent Auto)mode which is popular in both Lumix system cameras and compact cameras supports easy shooting with automatic optimization according to the scenes in both photo and movie recording. It can be directly activated with the newly added iA button without trouble of setting using dial or menu.

The popular My Color mode is succeeded from the predecessors to offer 7 color settings and 1 custom setting that matches to the shooting subject in photo recording.

The DMC-G10 records HD movie in motion JPEG and the camera has an HDMI output capability so that the dynamic movies and photos can be played back on the large HDTV via the optional HDMI mini cable.
 Compact and lightweight DMC-G10 will be the camera that surely takes away the difficulty of operation or setting for users who tries the interchangeable lens system camera for the first time, letting you know the potential of photography with unlimited ways of expression.

World’s lightest small body featuring ultimate ease of operation with iA (Intelligent Auto) mode*1
The DMC-G10 features its world’s lightest*1 body that comes with the outstanding compactness and portability. An innovative mirrorless structure using the Micro Four Thirds System standard made it possible to develop a compact, lightweight body by eliminating a number of components that are found in a conventional interchangeable lens camera, including the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit. The distance and light measurements that are conventionally performed by the mirror box are handled by sensors in real time, and highly accurate, high-speed auto focusing is achieved by the use of contrast AF.

The DMC-G10 is easy and comfortable enough for compact camera owners who want to step up to higher-quality photos -- but without having to worry about the need of technique. Panasonic achieved this superb ease of use by continuing to improve iA mode -- with its shooting assist functions that have proven extremely popular in LUMIX compact cameras -- and adding it to the LUMIX G Micro System's advanced imaging technologies.

With AF Tracking, the G10 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves -- making it easy to get beautiful, clear shots when a great photo opportunity suddenly arises. Simply aim, lock, and shoot. The Face Recognition*2 function remembers registered faces to give an appropriate AF/AE on the people. In playback, you can choose to display only photos that contain a specific registered face using Category Playback.

In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include MEGA O.I.S., which helps prevent blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights and helping ensure that gradation and details are reproduced beautifully.

It also features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects the subject is in backlight. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically detects the most common shooting situations -- Portrait, Night Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery, Close-up and Sunset -- and switches to the appropriate Scene mode. The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by simply selecting iA mode and user can take maximum advantage of this mode in both photo/movie recording.

The LUMIX G Micro System identity
With the LUMIX DMC-G1, Panasonic has developed an entirely new concept in digital cameras that comply with the Micro Four Thirds System standard by taking even greater advantage of the compactness and light weight that are made possible by eliminating the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit. By increasing the number of electrical contacts between the camera body and the lens, the camera's expandability is also dramatically increased to maximize future potential.

The G10’s Live View Finder of 202,000-dot equivalent, 1.04x (0.52x*3) retains high viewability of an optical viewfinder and can also display information about camera settings that the user can see without taking his or her eye from the subject. The 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD with wide viewing angle automatically controls the brightness according to the situation as an Intelligent LCD. The 60-frames-per-second Live View is made possible by the Live MOS sensor, which takes signals directly from the image sensor and sends them continuously to the LCD, in real time. Both the Live View Finder and LCD provide approx. 100% field of view. This allows the user, when composing a shot, to check the framing accurately from corner to corner.

The contrast AF*4 system adopted by the LUMIX DMC-G10 is not only accurate and easy to use, but also very fast. Users can choose from a wide range of AF modes, including AF Tracking, 1-area AF, Face Detection AF/AE and 23-area AF.

High image quality as an interchangeable lens system camera
While achieving breakthroughs in advanced functions and compactness of design, Panasonic also refined its comprehensive digital imaging technologies for every cameras of LUMIX G Micro System to raise the level of image quality that rivals or even surpasses D-SLR cameras. The 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor featured in the DMC-G10 offers the best of both worlds -- the superior image quality of a CCD sensor, and the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. Advanced technology that makes it possible to read 4 channels of data simultaneously also helps the G10 deliver 60 frames-per-second Full-time Live View images, while faithfully reproducing high-resolution images with fine detail and rich gradation.

The new Venus Engine HD II features exceptionally advanced signal processing capabilities. This sophisticated LSI separates chromatic noise from luminance noise and applies the optimal noise reduction to each, so you capture clear and beautiful images even when shooting at high ISO sensitivity levels. The Venus Engine HD II also provides independent gradation control for each of the R, G and B colors, so even delicate color nuances are reproduced faithfully. Linking smoothly with the Live MOS sensor, the Venus Engine HD II records stunning high-resolution 12.1-megapixel images with exceptional accuracy. Signals containing a large amount of image data are sent from the Live MOS sensor to the Live View Finder at 60 fps, resulting in clear, smooth live view.

The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II has been re-engineered to compile the new image processing technology "Intelligent Resolution". It enables the recording of beautiful photo and high-definition movie with higher quality signal processing. With the Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas — outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clearness while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed.

To the soft gradation part, superior noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to make it smoother. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way for it. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in photo recording.

Cameras of LUMIX G Micro System are equipped with highly efficient Dust Reduction System. If dust or other foreign matter gets inside the camera when you're changing lenses, it could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in your photos. The Dust Reduction System in the G10 helps eliminate this possibility by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles effectively.

Expansion of HD movie recording with iA and creative functions
The DMC-G10 can record 1280 x 720 high-definition Motion JPEG in addition to QVGA, VGA and WVGA aspect. Users can enjoy recording HD motion images taking maximum advantage of lens' descriptiveness and interchangeability or the large sensor size. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.

Even video beginner can record excellent movies with DMC-G10 because the popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in motion image recording. Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom. With AF Tracking, the G10 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it so it always turns out beautifully.

Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. And Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Close-up, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.

The G10 also provides a Film mode and you can select different films for you distinctive coloring and contrast in movie recording. You can try professional-like movie recording with these variety of options like you do with photo recording.

A pallet of options to stimulate photographers' creativity
The DMC-G10 is artistic not only in form, but also in function. It provides an array of features that let users either capture precisely true-to-life images or create their own beautifully expressive images. The G10 features My Color mode with a total of seven preset effects -- Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette while inheriting the previous Custom mode, which lets users manually set the color, brightness and saturation levels.

With the Full-time Live View function, users can see how these settings will affect the images before they shoot, making it easier to capture the exact mood or atmosphere desired. For even more elaborate effects, users can choose from a total of nine Film modes, and set the contrast, sharpness and saturation levels for each. A custom function lets users store their favorite settings in memory. The G10 also provides a total of 26 Scene modes including the Peripheral Defocus mode.

The exposure meter can be displayed in the P/A/S/M shooting modes. The correlation between shutter speed and aperture is shown, with a color-coded warning that alerts users when the settings are not in the proper range. For newcomers to system camera photography, this makes it easy to learn proper settings both visually and logically, enhancing their photography skills.

Enjoy watching high quality photos and movies on large HDTV - VIERA Link networking
Still images on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV with dynamic HD resolution. The user simply inserts the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on a VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to play the content. Alternatively, an optional mini HDMI cable can be used to output still and motion images recorded with the DMC-G10 directly to the TV for easy VIERA Link operation. This makes it possible to take maximum advantage of the camera's playback functions, including slideshows in which both still and motion images are played sequentially, or calendar displays and so on. All control is possible using only the TV's remote control.

In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.

Rich options for expandability
The Micro Four Thirds System products are joining today's Four Thirds System products to provide customers with even higher levels of performance in a digital interchangeable lens camera. In addition to LUMIX G lenses, the LUMIX DMC-G10 and LUMIX G Micro System can use any interchangeable lens that complies with the Four Thirds standard via an optional mount adaptor DMW-MA1 and with the prestigious Leica M/R Lenses via DMW-MA2M or MA3R. This gives the user access to the unlimited number of lens properties.

With the LUMIX G Micro System and the growing assortment of lenses becoming available, the expressive possibilities are unlimited. The LUMIX DMC-G10 system camera offers a wide variety of options to choose from to match every shooting situation and shooting style. Some functions on the DMC-G10 are not available depending on the lens that is mounted. Some accessories are not available in some countries.

• Mount Adaptor: DMW-MA1, DMW-MA2M, DMW-MA3R
• External Flash: DMW-FL220 (GN22) / DMW-FL360 (GN36) / DMW-FL500 (GN50)
• PL Filter: DMW-LPL52
• ND Filter: DMW-LND52
• MC Protector: DMW-LMC52
• Battery Pack: DMW-BLB13
• DC Cable: DMW-DCC3
• Remote Shutter: DMW-RSL1
• Soft Case: DMW-CG1
• Soft Case: DMW-CG2
• Soft Bag: DMW-BAG1, DMW-CZ18
• Leather Bag: DMW-BAL1
• Shoulder Strap (Stylish): DMW-SSTG1-A/C/R/K
• Shoulder Strap (Woven): DMW-SSTG2-W
• Shoulder Strap (Leather): DMW-SSTG3-T
• Shoulder Strap (Leather): DMW-SSTL1
• HDMI mini Cable:RP-CDHM15/RP-CDHM30  

Included software
With the DMC-G10, PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 for easy organization of photos and movies and the SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.1 SE for RAW file development come bundled.|

The PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 makes it possible to sort and organize photos not only of those newly taken but also of those stored in your PC with quick start-up and fast read-in of images. The Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the picture to automatically sort the photos by the registered faces without picking out each photo one by one when you only want pictures of a specific person.

You can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music. Motion pictures can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader even in HD quality. It also lets you create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in MOV, which is especially easy if Panorama Assist mode in the camera is used. The software is of course compatible with the Windows 7.

The original image data in RAW file format recorded with the G10 allows images to be developed according to your intention using highly advanced functions of the SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.1 SE software utility. It features unique combination of high resolution and extraordinary color separation performance.

*1 For an interchangeable lens system camera with a viewfinder as of March 7, 2010
*2Turn Face Recognition item ON and register the person with full-face portrait on the shooting menu in advance. Some functions in iA mode may not be available depending on the lens that is mounted.
*3 35mm camera equivalent.
*4 Lenses that are not compatible with the contrast AF function can be used with manual focusing. There are some limitations to other functions depending on the lens to attach.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 specifications

Sensor	• 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor') • 13.1 million total pixels • 12.1 million effective pixels • RGB (Primary) color filter array
Image sizes	• 4000 x 3000 (4:3) • 2816 x 2112 (4:3) • 2048 x 1536 (4:3) • 4000 x 2672 (3:2) • 2816 x 1880 (3:2) • 2048 x 1360 (3:2) • 4000 x 2248 (16:9) • 2816 x 1584 (16:9) • 1920 x 1080 (16:9) • 2992 x 2992 (1:1)* • 2112 x 2112 (1:1)* • 1504 x 1504 (1:1)*
Image sizes (Motion)*	Motion JPEG: 1280 x 720 (30fps) 848 x 480 (30fps) 640 x 480 (30fps) 320 x 240 (30fps)
Aspect ratios	• 4:3 • 3:2 • 16:9 • 1:1*
File formats	• RAW • RAW + JPEG Standard • RAW + JPEG Fine • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) - Standard • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) - Fine
File formats (Movie)*	• QuickTime Motion JPEG
Lenses	• Micro Four Thirds mount lenses • Four Thirds mount lenses via adapter (DMW-MA1PP) Autofocus only available with: - Olympus Zuiko 25 F2.8 'Pancake' - Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 - Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4-5.6 - Panasonic Leica D Summilux 25mm F1.4 ASPH - Panasonic Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm F3.8-5.6 ASPH. Mega OIS - Panasonic Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. Mega OIS
Focus modes	• Auto Focus (Contrast AF system) • Manual focus • Face Detection • AF Tracking • 23-Area-Focusing/1 Area Focusing
AF assist lamp	Yes, dedicated lamp
Image stabilization	Optical Image Stabilization
Extended optical zoom	Yes
Digital zoom	• Up to 4x
Exposure modes	• Program AE • Aperture priority AE • Shutter priority AE • Manual • Auto
Scene modes	Portrait • Normal • Soft Skin • Outdoor • Indoor • Creative Scenery • Normal • Nature • Architecture • Creative Sports  • Normal • Outdoor • Indoor • Creative Close-Up • Flower • Food • Objects • Creative Night Portrait • Night Portrait • Night Scenery • Illuminations • Creative SCN • Sunset • Party • Baby 1 • Baby 2 • Pet • Peripheral Defocus
Sensitivity	• Auto • Intelligent ISO • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200 • ISO 6400*
ISO steps	1/3 or 1.0 EV
Metering range	0 to 18 EV
Metering modes	• Multiple-Weighted • Center-Weighted • Spot
AE Lock	• AEL/AFL button • With shutter release half-press
AE Bracketing	• 3, 5, 7 frames • in 1/3 or 2/3, +/-2.0 EV steps
Exposure compensation	• -3.0 to +3.0 EV • 1/3 EV steps
Shutter speed	• 60 -1/4000 sec • Bulb (up to 4 mins*) • Flash X-sync 1/160 sec
White balance	• Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Shade • Halogen • Flash • Custom 1 • Custom 2 • Kelvin temp (2500 - 10000 K, 100K steps)
WB fine tuning	Yes (blue/amber bias, magenta/green bias)
WB Bracketing	• 3 shots •+/-1 to +/-3 in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Image parameters	• Color mode (Standard, Dynamic, Nature, Smooth, Vibrant, Nostalgic) • Saturation (5 levels) • Contrast (5 levels) • Sharpness (5 levels) • Noise reduction (5 levels) • Monochrome (Standard, Dynamic, Smooth) • My Film (2 memories/Multi Film)
Drive modes *	• Single • Continuous H (3.2 fps) • Continuous L (2.6 fps) • Continuous L (2 fps)
Continuous buffer	• 7 RAW images • Unlimited JPEG images with a fast card
Self-timer	• 2 sec • 10 sec • 10 sec, 3 images
Flash	• Manual pop-up • TTL auto / manual • Guide no. 11 (ISO 100, m) • Sync modes: Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro • Flash power: Up to +/- 2EV in 1/3 EV steps
Flash X-sync speed	1/160 sec
External flash	• Hot shoe • TTL Auto with FL220/FL360/FL500 (Optional)
Viewfinder*	• Electronic Viewfinder • Color LCD Viewfinder • Field of view 100% • Eye point 17.5 mm at -1 dioptre* • Magnification 1.04x (equivalent to 0.52x on a 35mm camera / 50mm lens) * • Dioptre adjustment -4 to +4 dioptre • 202,000 dots*
DOF preview	Yes
Orientation sensor	Yes
LCD monitor*	• 3.0" TFT LCD monitor • Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD • 460,000 dots • Approx 100% frame coverage • Auto Power LCD (optional) adjusts brightness in bright light • Brightness (7 levels), Color (7 levels)
Playback functions	• Single • Magnify (2 - 16x) • Thumbnail display (30,12) • Slide show • Title Edit* • Text Stamp* • Resize • Trimming • Aspect Conversion • Rotate • Rotate Display • Favorite • Print Set • Protect • Face recognition Edit*
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (High Speed) • Video Out (NTSC / PAL) • Wired remote control DMW-RSL1 (optional) • HDMI
Print compliance	• PictBridge • DPOF
Storage	SD / SDHC / SDXC*
Power	• 1250 mAh 7.2v Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery • Supplied charger / AC adapter
Dimensions	124 mm x 84 mm x 74 mm (4.88 x 3.29 x 2.91 in )
Weight (camera body)	Approx. 336 g (11.85 oz)*
Weight (inc supplied lens, card and battery)	Approx. 558 g (19.68 oz)*

* Changed compared to the G1
* Changes compared to the G2

Additional images