Digital Camera Photography Tips

(Reuters) - A young Hindu devotee takes a shower before starting his pilgrimage to the sacred Batu Caves temple during Thaipusam festival in Kuala Lumpur on January 31, 2007. Thousands of Hindus, who comprise over eight percent of the 26 million Malaysia’s population, participate in the annual Hindu thanksgiving festival, in which devotees subject themselves to painful rituals in a demonstration of faith and penance, held in honour of Lord Subramaniam. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA)

A comment to my recent posting which mentioned the instructions to photographers from Reuters severely (and in rather arbitrary fashion) limiting the use they should make of Photoshop reminded us…

Next up are the twin replacements for the TZ1 ‘travel zoom’ compact, the Lumix DMC-TZ2 and DMC-TZ3. At 6.0 and 7.2 million pixels respectively, both feature several enhancements over the original model, most exciting of which is a new 28-200mm (equiv.) 10x Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens (with OIS). The DMC-TZ2 also has a 2.5-inch LCD whereas the DMC-TZ3 has the larger 3.0-inch.

Panasonic is also giving its affordable LZ series a resolution boost in the form of the DMC-LZ7 and DMC-LZ65, replacing the LZ3 and LZ5, respectively. As well as upping the pixel count (to 7.2MP in both cases) the new models add several features and move the range to the Venus III processor. The only significant difference between the two models is the screen size.

Last but not least we have the entry-level Lumix DMC-LS60 and DMC-LS75 cameras. The 6.0 and 7.2 megapixel successors to the DMC-LS offer new features and a speed boost thanks to the Venus III processor. The pricier LS75 also boasts a larger (2.5-inch) screen.

As the run-up to PMA starts in earnest Panasonic has announced a fairly major refresh of its compact Lumix range, starting here with the DMC-FZ8, which replaces last year’s DMC-FZ7. The DMC-FZ8 ups resolution to 7.2 million pixels, adds a newly-optimised (we are told) version of the Venus III processor and throws Raw mode into the mix. The remaining spec (including the stabilized Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x zoom lens) is otherwise broadly unchanged. We’ve had an FZ8 in our hands for a week or so now and a review should be forthcoming very soon.

Panasonic’s new flagship ultra-compact, the 7.2-megapixel Lumix DMC-FX30, features an optically stabilized 28mm wide-angle lens with a 3.6x optical zoom. 2.5-inch LCD and sensitivity to ISO 1250 packed into a slim 22mm body, making it the world’s slimmest 28mm lens camera.

Next up we have the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX10 and DMC-FX12 cameras. Featuring 6.0 and 7.2 million pixels respectively, both cameras have a Leica DC lens, 3x zoom, Optical Image Stabilizer and a 2.5-inch LCD and will be available in black, silver or a blue finish.

Between her painting, her quilting and her photography, Libby J. Christensen is one busy artist.Comment