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Panasonic's Lumix DMC-G10 camera finally gets the review we've been waiting for

Tim Stevens — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:19:00 EST

The Lumix G10 got pricing and a vague date yesterday, and now the first full review has finally graced the interwebs. Photography Blog put this $599, 12 megapixel Micro Four Thirds camera (and its 14 - 42mm kit lens) through a full suite of tests and came away generally impressed. The addition of 720p video recording makes this model an easy choice over the older G1, despite the subtraction of a few features and the tilting LCD. But, the upcoming $800 G2 offers all those features plus 720p video recording as well, making it perhaps a better choice for more serious shooters with deeper pockets. Still, the G10 looks to be a great option for those wanting affordable DSLR power and HD video recording in a (reasonably) svelte package.

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-G10 camera finally gets the review we've been waiting for originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic announces pricing, availability for Lumix G2, G10

Donald Melanson — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:43:00 EST

Panasonic already outed its new Lumix G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras back in March, but it's just now finally gotten official with the pricing and availability for them. While there's still no word on an exact release date, both cameras are now slated to be available in "late-May," with the G2 running $799.95 in your choice of red, blue or black, while the black-only G10 will set you back $599.95. That will get you the same 12.1-megapixel sensor, Venus Engine HD II, and LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens on each, while the G2 boasts an added movable touchscreen -- a first for a Micro Four Thirds camera. Full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic announces pricing, availability for Lumix G2, G10

Panasonic announces pricing, availability for Lumix G2, G10 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic gets official with Lumix DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras

Darren Murph — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:06:00 EST

Panasonic has the news day all to itself with its newfangled pair of Micro Four Thirds shooters, and in case you were wondering -- yeah, this is the exact same duo that we saw slip out on Friday. Up first is the Lumix DMC-G2, which looks an awful lot like the G1 it replaces and is touted as the first interchangable lens system camera with touch-control shooting. Granted, we haven't exactly warmed to the idea of using a touchpanel to fire off a shot, but hey, it is what it is. Other specs include a 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, Venus Engine HD II technology, a 3-inch rear LCD and a 720p (AVCHD Lite) movie mode, though curiously enough a price and release date eludes us. Moving on, there's the DMC-G10, which is supposedly the "world's lightest" interchangeable lens camera with a viewfinder; this one packs the same 12.1 megapixel sensor and Venus Engine HD II as on the G2, but the 3-inch LCD lacks tilt / swivel / touch options. We're still waiting on pricing for this one as well, but now is as good a time as any to mention that both fully support those obnoxiously expensive SDXC cards. Huzzah!

Panasonic gets official with Lumix DMC-G2 and DMC-G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic leaks own G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cams in macro fashion

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:40:00 EST

Whoopsadaisies. Seems Panasonic "accidentally" posted specs and images of its upcoming G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras to its web site just long enough to be snagged by a few different photog sites. While there's no denying that the incident occurred (the pics are certainly legit), there's some speculation at 43rumors that the specifications are still "work in progress" and should be considered only partially correct. Nevertheless, let's go with what we've got keeping in mind that some of this might change. Both cams are said to feature a 12.1 megapixel sensor, touchscreen with touch shutter and touch MF Assist, and ISO 100 to 6,200 sensitivity. The G2 differs with its one-touch AVCHD Lite movie mode (1,280 x 720, 60p) and 3-inch articulating display with live view. The G10 then, offers a "double live view" (LCD and live view finder) glimpse at the action while recording 1,280 x 720p motion JPEG videos at 30fps. However, the leaked spec sheet inconsistently mentions an AVCHD Lite recording format for the G10 as well... so who knows. Panasonic is expected to make an announcement on March 7th; surely you can wait you a few days?

Gallery: Panasonic leaks own G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cams in macro fashion

Panasonic leaks own G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cams in macro fashion originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's response on shifting black levels in plasma HDTVs: 'There's nothing to fix'

Richard Lawler — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:11:00 EST

Owners of Panasonic's recent plasma HDTVs have continued to push for more details on the "automatic control" the company cited as the cause of suddenly elevated black levels and it has revealed a few more details in an email exchange with CNET. Those hoping for some kind of patch or action in response to the changes will likely be disappointed however, as Senior VP Bob Perry put it, "there's nothing to fix." Citing trade secrets and a lack of a standard measure for black level performance, he also was unable to give any specifics about when the changes are designed to happen or by exactly how much. The company is promising technology in its 2010 models will offer a more gradual adjustment thanks to design adjustments, but that doesn't help current model owners left wondering if their set has, or will have in the future, degraded picture quality either by design or some software glitch. He did close by offering the olive branch of the VIERA Concierge Program for dissatisfied customers -- we'll see if a happy resolution for all is still within reach.

[Thanks, Chris]

Panasonic's response on shifting black levels in plasma HDTVs: 'There's nothing to fix' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic cops to rising black levels in its plasma HDTVs, but questions still remain

Richard Lawler — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:37:00 EST

Over the last several months complaints that Panasonic's plasma HDTVs experience sudden adverse changes in their black levels after a certain number of viewing hours have been piling up in an AVSForum thread, and now that behavior has been confirmed, though not very well explained, in a response the company sent to CNET today:

In order to achieve the optimal picture performance throughout the life of the set, Panasonic Viera plasma HDTVs incorporate an automatic control which adjusts an internal driving voltage at predetermined intervals of operational hours. As a result of this automatic voltage adjustment, background brightness will increase from its initial value ... The newest Viera plasma HDTVs incorporate an improved automatic control which applies the voltage adjustments in smaller increments. This results in a more gradual change in the Black Level over time.

Especially considering many buyers purchased their televisions specifically for those deep black levels, you can see why a TV suddenly going Sammy Sosa overnight would be upsetting. One of the reigning theories in the thread indicated by poster & calibrator D-Nice has been that this is by design, but a flaw in the settings caused the large jumps (around double the brightness, as measured by several owners light meters) instead of a much more subtle change. So what now for owners or potential buyers? Without more details about what is going on and whether or not anything can be done about it, like CNET's David Katzmeier, it's hard to see how we can continue to recommend these HDTVs for purchase without knowing what they will do months or years down the line. The ball is in Panasonic's court now, a speedy response could do a lot to assuage the concerns of current and potential owners.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Panasonic cops to rising black levels in its plasma HDTVs, but questions still remain originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TrustedReviews takes its turn with Panasonic's TX-P42G10 plasma

Steven Kim — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:21:00 EST

A little skeptical of rave review the HD Guru gave to Panasonic's NeoPDP-equipped G10 plasma? After reviewing the smaller 42-inch TX-P42G10 from the G10 plasma series, the good folks at TrustedReviews have another data point for you. The set turned in a solid performance without blowing away the reviewers -- which to our reading back up feelings around these parts that plasma still has an edge over LCDs in some performance areas, including black levels, off-axis viewing and motion resolution. It's interesting that even though the review itself is pretty reserved, the set scored very highly (9 out of 10) in the "image quality," "value" and "overall" categories. It sounds like TrustedReviews was torn between pulling the trigger on the G10 or waiting a few weeks for the V10 models -- a feeling we know all too well. Hemming and hawing aside, it sounds like the mid-tier G10 sets (below the V10 and Z1 lines) have plenty to offer those not ready to jump the plasma ship just yet.

Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Panasonic, Plasma

TrustedReviews takes its turn with Panasonic's TX-P42G10 plasma originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 May 2009 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic 2009 VIERA HDTVs official pricing revealed

Richard Lawler — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:11:00 EST

Just in case the HDGuru didn't carry enough credibility for you, Panasonic has finally issued a press release with prices and shipping months for most of its 2009 VIERA brand lineup. We've taken a peek, and everything appears to line up with the leaked figures, including that slim wireless HD equipped Z1 and its $5,999 pricetag, while only copping to a summer ship date. The rest of the lineup proceeds downward in pricing and features from there, the wall-busting details are but a mere click of the read link away.

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Panasonic 2009 VIERA HDTVs official pricing revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic 2009 VIERA HDTVs official pricing revealed

Richard Lawler — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:11:00 EST

Continue reading Panasonic 2009 VIERA HDTVs official pricing revealed

Filed under: Displays, Panasonic, LCD, Plasma

Panasonic 2009 VIERA HDTVs official pricing revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's CES 2009 Viera HDTVs get US pricing and dates

Nilay Patel — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:02:00 EST

Panasonic announced a slew of Viera TVs at CES, and although we already knew when they'd be making their Japanese debut, US info has been hard to come by. That's starting to change: pricing details are leaking out, and CNET and HDGuru have managed to assemble a pretty exhaustive list of what to expect and how much it'll cost. Of interest, Panny's still going strong on the plasma tip, so those of you aching for the best picture possible but unwilling to shell out for the dead-ended Kuro will still have plenty of options -- there's a set at every point between the 42-inch 720p X1 at $899, the 50-inch 1080p S1 with a nicer NEO-PDP panel for $1,799, the 50-inch THX-certified G10 with VieraCast for $1,999 and the as-yet-unpriced, one-inch thick wireless 54-inch Z1. As for LCDs, it's a similar story at smaller sizes: you've got sets ranging from the budget $499 720p 32-inch C12 to the $1,099 120Hz 1080p 37-inch G1 with Motion Focus and a 20,000:1 contrast ratio. Check all the info at the read links; we'll be scouring the wire praying for news that Panny's bought up the Kuro tech from Pioneer.

Read - HDGuru
Read - CNET

Filed under: Displays, Panasonic, LCD, Plasma

Panasonic's CES 2009 Viera HDTVs get US pricing and dates originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's CES 2009 Viera HDTVs get US pricing and dates

Nilay Patel — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Panasonic's CES 2009 Viera HDTVs get US pricing and dates originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic's newest plasmas include DivX

Richard Lawler — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:26:00 EST

Not willing to let its Blu-ray decks have all the fun, Panasonic's seen fit to announce that the European editions of its upcoming Z1, V10 and G15 line of VIERA plasma displays will all be DivX compatible. We assume this functionality will be present on this side of the Atlantic as well, so these flat panels are ready to access video via DLNA or SD/SDHC card. Frankly, these days we're happy just to hear plasmas are still in production, and expect the added functionality won't hurt a bit.

Filed under: Panasonic, Plasma

Panasonic's newest plasmas include DivX originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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