Digital Media: March 2010

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Testing My BigCommerce E-Commerce package out - thoughts so far.

Anyone starting out in the ecommerce world and trying to run an online business for the first time soon finds that its never as easy as all the articles in blogs and other sites would have you believe. Once you leave the protected world of eBay it soon becomes apparent that there is a lot more to it than anyone tells you.

Not only do you have the obvious questions of whether to host it on your own server or use a managed hosting service, you also have to decide which ecommerce package to use... open source or paid for?

Also, how do you know which is best value and how can you be sure it will do everything you need it to do, especially when you are not sure what it is that you do need from it?

Well, as always, research is the key, and I also believe, a little testing. Its important then to do your research thoroughly. I suggest dong a Google (or Bing etc) search for “ecommerce reviews” and “ecommerce packages” etc. One site I found useful was “TopTenReviews” at http://ecommerce-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

Also, recommend reading the press and I found an article in PCPRO very timely and useful. It shared the experience of the author in moving his own business site from one managed ecommerce package to another. You can read the article in the latest issue (May 2010) and visit his site here: http://www.makingyourowncandles.co.uk/

Its now hosted by MyBigCommerce and partly as a result of the aforementioned article and partly through my own web research, I decided to sign up for the 15-day trial at http://www.bigcommerce.com/

Once I had chosen my template for the overall look of the site and added some products, I then went to my own server cpanel and did a 302 temporary redirect so that anyone typing in www.newbeltane.com would be immediately redirected to http://newbeltanetechmedia.co.uk

Overall, my experience of setting up my new store (albeit still in ‘trial’ mode) was a good one. I like the ease with which you can add products, upload unlimited photos for each product, configure shipping and tax options and also have featured products. There are also SEO friendly options such as META keywords, page title and description fields you can complete as well as field for search terms for when visitor search your site for products.

The range of templates is good, with about 60 designs that are professional looking. More importantly however, you can edit the code quite easily and have full access to all the stylesheets and other pages used by your site, so its possible to completely customise your site very easily if you know any code or alternatively, you can download the code and edit it in a WYSIWYG editor or pay someone to do it for you.

Another plus is the fact that although I am in the UK, I had a phone call a couple of days after signing up from the company in the USA to see how I was getting on, offering advice, telling me about their free phone support and also offering to extend the free trial period and waive the sign-up fee if I moved to them (normally its $49.95)!

That brings us neatly to the cost. Obviously open source options are a lot cheaper but they do usually come without any support apart from the community support via forums etc. MyBigCommerce has several packages:

Bronze: $24.95/month
# 100 Products
# 3 Staff Logins
# 2 GB Bandwidth
# 200 MB Storage
# $50 Google AdWords Credit

Silver: $39.95/month
# 500 Products
# 10 Staff Logins
# 3 GB Bandwidth
# 300 MB Storage
# $50 Google AdWords Credit

Gold: $79.95/month
# 1,000 Products
# 20 Staff Logins
# 5 GB Bandwidth
# 500 MB Storage
# $75 Google AdWords Credit

Platinum: $149.95/month
# Unlimited Products
# 50 Staff Logins
# 15 GB Bandwidth
# 1 GB Storage
# $100 Google AdWords Credit

Diamond: $299.95/month
# Unlimited Products
# 100 Staff Logins
# 30 GB Bandwidth
# 3 GB Storage
# $100 Google AdWords Credit

There is also a $49.95 set-up fee but if you are moving your existing site to them you may find they waive this, as they offered to do for me if I eventually do switch.

Features that stand out for me are:

Fully featured across all packages, just the number of products, storage, bandwidth and staff logins vary, everything else is the same.
User-friendly set-up
Unlimited images (limited only by storage space I guess but as long as you optimise your images you shouldn’t have any problems). Come with SuperZoom to allow customers to zoom in on product photos.
Friendly support.
Professional-looking designs and that you can fully customise the look of your site.
Back-end admin including visitor stats, sales, inventory control, flexible returns system, Google Website Optimizer, SEO Optimisation, promotional banners, gift certificates.... list goes on! Check out their site for more information on features.
Direct link to shipping providers site for dynamic shipping quotes - this s perhaps the most attractive feature for me as their list includes not only US ones such as FedEX and UPS but also the Royal Mail.

Well, I guess its pretty clear that I am impressed and I will probably move over to them at the end of my (extended) trial. The fact that they come recommended by someone who’s opinion I trust and that they are highly rated in various reviews means that they should definitely be on your short-list.

I will update my blog with how things go if I do indeed sign-up.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Apple to announce new Mac Pro Desktops this coming Tuesday?

Rumours are everywhere right now in blogsphere that Apple will be updating its Mac Pro desktop range to feature the Core i7- 980X Extreme Edition from Intel.

The Core i7- 980X Extreme Edition runs at 3.33GHz, whilst supporting 12 simultaneous threads (two per core) and has a massive 12MB of cache. The current Extreme Edition processor, the Core i7-975, runs at the same clock speed, but it has only four cores (eight threads) and a smaller 8MB of Level 3 cache.

This means the new Mac Pro will have a stonking specification and should feature record-breaking performance for Apple’s top of the range computers. Price-wise its likely that Apple will have negotiated some deal with Intel to bring the price of the CPU down from the reported $970 - $999 range. How this will translate into actual retail prices will of course depend very much on the actual specification of the other components. PC (Windows boxes) are retailing in the $5,500 plus range, so don’t expect the top of the range model to be cheap! The current 8-core model starts at $3,299.00, so expect the 12-core to start somewhere in the region of $3,500 - $3,750. However, in view of the current economic climate it may be that Apple will wish to reduce these prices. In the past they have sometimes upped the spec but kept the price the same or close to the existing range.

Certainly, Apple doesn’t seem to have lost interest in its Mac range, despite all the interest in the iPad and the iPhone. Rumours have it too that we can expect a new iPhone (4G?) this summer, so they are obviously keeping their engineers and fabrication partners busy!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Finally, Pentax 645D unveiled in Japan!

Pentax has announced that the PENTAX 645D (PENTAX's First Medium-Format Digital SLR Camera) is to be available in the near future, but only in Japan for now. The PENTAX 645D has been developed to provide super-high-resolution images produced by large image sensors — something previously available only on professional models — to serious landscape and outdoor photographers. It combines exceptional image quality with excellent maneuverability and outstanding reliability to simplify professional-level outdoor shooting. Thanks to the incorporation of a large, high-performance image sensor (measuring 44mm by 33mm) and PENTAX-original image-processing technology, it produces extra-sharp, super-high-resolution images with approximately 40 effective megapixels.

It features remarkable durability and dependability, thanks to its lightweight but solidly built body featuring a magnesium-steel-alloy frame, reinforced glass LCD panel protectors and a reliable dustproof, weather-resistant construction. In addition, it is designed to be compatible with the majority of the existing PENTAX 645 system, so that current PENTAX 645-series camera users can take advantage of their valuable assets, including high-performance smc PENTAX 645 interchangeable lenses.

Major Features

Unprecedented image quality
1. Super-high-resolution images made possible by approximately 40 effective megapixels
  The PENTAX 645D incorporates a high-performance CCD image sensor produced by Kodak. It measures 44mm by 33mm, and is approximately 1.7 times larger than its 35mm-format counterparts. Thanks to approximately 40 effective megapixels, it assures a wide dynamic range to faithfully reproduce the prevailing ambience and the sense of depth in super-high-resolution images that are rich in gradation and truthful in texture description. In order to bring out the full potential of the lens and the image sensor and assure the highest level of image-resolving power, the CCD unit is designed with no low-pass filters.
2. High-performance, high-speed PRIME II imaging engine
  The PENTAX 645D features the acclaimed, PENTAX-original PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) II as its imaging engine. Thanks to its high-speed data-processing capacity and new algorithm exclusively programmed for medium-format digital SLR cameras, this high-performance imaging engine produces super-high-quality images rich in gradation and faithful in color reproduction, while allowing speedy data transmission of large-volume image data — even RAW-format images as large as some 50MB per file.
3. 14-bit A/D converter for faithful conversion of image data to digital signals
  The PENTAX 645D features a high-performance A/D converter, which faithfully converts the large volume of analog image data output by the large CCD image sensor to digital signals carrying an extensive amount of image data, including resolution and gradation.
Solid, maneuverable body
The PENTAX 645D’s main frame is made of lightweight but strong magnesium-steel alloy, while the chassis is made of diecast aluminum to minimize the expansion and extension caused by heat and also to optimize kinematic accuracy and thermal stability. The LCD panels — one on the camera’s top panel, another on the back panel — are covered with tempered glass plates for extra protection. The PENTAX 645D’s body is also designed to be a compact and highly maneuverable medium-format camera, despite the incorporation of such dependable features as a dust-proof, weather-resistant construction with 70 special seals, outstanding cold-resistant performance to assure solid operation at a temperature as low as –10°C, and a newly designed shutter unit with a top shutter speed of 1/4000 second that can withstand as many as 50,000 shutter releases.
Dual SD/SDHC memory card slots
The PENTAX 645D has a pair of memory card slots for the recording of images on both SD and SDHC memory cards. This dual-slot design gives the photographer extra data-storage options: for instance, recorded images can be assigned to different cards according to recording format (such as RAW or JPEG), or one of the cards can be used as the backup of the other. The settings for each memory card slot can be easily made by dedicated button.
Dependable DR II mechanism to minimize dust spots
The PENTAX 645D comes equipped with the highly dependable DR (Dust Removal) II mechanism, which effectively minimizes annoying dust spots on recorded images, even when the lenses are changed in dust-prone outdoor settings. By shifting UV/IR-cut filters placed in front of the CCD image sensor at supersonic speed using a piezoelectric element, this mechanism effectively and efficiently shakes dust off the image sensor. Thanks to the user-friendly dust-alert system, the photographer can check at a quick glance for dust adhering to the image sensor prior to the actual shooting.
Newly designed, high-precision 11-point wide-frame AF sensor
The PENTAX 645D’s new SAFOX IX + wide-frame autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to assure the extra-high-precision focusing demanded of medium-format digital SLR cameras. To develop this sophisticated AF system, the entire optical system was redesigned, at the same time with the addition of the new functionality to analyze and make use of the light sources data in the field of view.
Advanced 77-segment multi-pattern metering
The PENTAX 645D employs a state-of-the-art, 77-segment multi-pattern metering system to assure super-high-accuracy light metering. The exposure accuracy is further enhanced by collecting such additional data as image orientation (horizontal or vertical) and the distance to and magnification of the subject using the sensors installed inside the camera body, with the obtained data incorporated into exposure calculations.
Large, easy-to-see optical viewfinder
Incorporated in the PENTAX 645D’s finder unit, a trapezoid-shaped glass prism not only assures an approximately 98% field of view, but also greatly contributes to the downsizing of the camera body. Coupled with a bright, easy-to-focus Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the PENTAX 645D’s viewfinder offers a large, clear view of the subject.
Custom Image function to create desired visual effects with ease
The PENTAX 645D’s Custom Image function lets the user easily control an image’s finishing touches to more precisely reflect the user’s creative intentions, or to more faithfully reproduce the ambience of the scene. The user can select one of eight modes, including the new Reversal Film mode designed to create images with the colors that are typical of reversal film. In addition, all parameters — such as saturation, hue, contrast, sharpness, key, and highlight/shadow contrast — can be easily adjusted to desired levels, so that the photographer can shoot images with great ease.
Versatile, multi-mode exposure system for faithful reproduction of creative intentions
1. Hyper Program function
  The PENTAX 645D's Hyper Program function allows the user to instantly switch from Programmed AE mode to Shutter- or Aperture-Priority AE mode with a simple turn of the electric dials positioned around the grip. A single push of the green button shifts the exposure mode back to the original Programmed AE mode.
2. Hyper Manual function
  When shooting in the Metered Manual mode, the PENTAX 645D's Hyper Manual mode lets the user to instantly set the proper exposure for the subject with a single push of the green button.
3. Sensitivity-Priority mode
  The unique Sensitivity-Priority (Sv) mode automatically selects the optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed for the user-selected sensitivity. The sensitivity can be shifted swiftly by electronic dial on the back panel. The variable amount of the ISO could be configured to either 1/2 or 1/3 steps per click.
4. Shutter/Aperture-Priority mode
  Taking full advantage of the unique capability of digital cameras for the automatic shifting of sensitivity at any time, the Shutter/Aperture-Priority (TAv) mode automatically selects the most appropriate sensitivity for the user-selected aperture/shutter-speed combination. It allows the user to effortlessly experiment with a greater range of photographic expressions.
Large, easy-to-view 3.0-inch LCD monitor with approximately 921,000 dots
Positioned on the camera’s back panel, a large 3.0-inch color LCD monitor with approximately 921,000 dots provides a clear, bright view of onscreen images and menus. Since its wide-view design allows quick, effortless confirmation of the monitor image from approximately 170 degrees both horizontally and vertically, the photographer has little difficulty shooting images from low and high angles. The LCD monitor is also treated with exclusive AR (Anti-Reflection) coating to minimize reflections on the screen, even in the outdoor locations under bright sunshine.
Long battery life
The PENTAX 645D is powered by a large-capacity, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can capture approximately 800 images* when fully charged.
* Under testing conditions prescribed by PENTAX, when using a rechargeable D-LI90 lithium-ion battery with no flash.
Other features
1. HDR (high dynamic range) function to create one composite image with an extra-wide gradation range from three images with different exposures
2. Dynamic-Range Expansion function to compensate for both whitewashed (excessively overexposed) and blacked-out (excessively underexposed) areas
3. Digital Level function for easy checking of the image’s levels
4. Automatic compensation of distortion and lateral chromatic aberration (available in combination with the D FA 645- and FA 645- series lenses)
5. Versatile white-balance control system, including the CTE mode designed to emphasize the dominant color components of the captured images, which works especially well with such scene like sunset.
6. Mirror shock/operation-noise reduction function to assure smooth, quiet operation of the mirror during shooting
7. Attachment of copyright credits on recorded images
8. Compatible with the SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) autofocus mechanism, designed to assure smooth, quiet operation using the supersonic motor installed inside SDM lenses
9. HDMI terminal (for type C mini connectors) for high-resolution image data output
10. User-friendly, color-classified control buttons/switches, based on the color universal design concept
11. PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 software package, including a RAW-data processing application (based on the popular SILKYPIX RAW-data processing engine developed by Ichikawa Soft Laboratory) and browser application

645D Specifications

Type: TTL autofocus, auto-exposure medium format digital SLR camera
Image sensor:
Effective Pixels: approx. 40.01 megapixels
Type: CCD with a primary coluor filter
Size: 44mm x 33mm
Pixel size: 6.0 μm x 6.0 μm
Dynamic Range: 11.5 f - stops
Recorded Pixels:
Still - JPEG: L[40M]7264x5440 pixels, M[32M]6528x4896 pixels [21M]5376x4032 pixels,
S[13M]4224x3168 pixels [7M]3072x2304 pixels
RAW: [40M]7264x5440 pixels

Formats:
Still - RAW(14 bit): (PEF/DNG), JPEG: (Best), (Better), (Good), RAW+JPEG: available

Recording file Format:
Still - RAW (PEF/DNG), JPEG (Conforms to Exif 2.21),

Sensitivity:
( Standard output sensitivity ) - Auto:200-1000, Extension:100, 1600 (1EV steps or 1/2EV steps or 1/3EV steps)

Storage Media: SD, SDHC memory card (Dual slot)

White Balance:
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light ( D, N, W, L), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual setting 1, Manual setting 2, Manual setting 3, Color temperature setting (3 types) with WB fine adjustment

Custom Image:
Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Muted, Reversal Film, Monochrome

Viewfinder Type: Trapezoid prism finder

Focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen

Field of view: approx. 98%

Diopter adjustment: approx. -3.5 - +2.0m-1

Magnification: approx. 0.62 x (with D FA645 55mmF2.8 at infinity), approx. 0.85 x (with FA645 75mmF2.8 at infinity)

Monitor:
Type - TFT color LCD monitor, Wide angle view, Brightness adjustable, Color adjustable, AR Coating, Reinforced glass

Size: 3.0 inch

Dots: approx. 921,000 dots

Preview Method: Optical preview, Digital preview

Playback:1 Image, 2 Image, 4 Image, 9 Image, 16 Image, 36 Image, 81 Image, Enlargement (up to 32X, scroll available), Image Rotation, Folder view, Slideshow, Histogram, Resize, Cropping, Bright/Dark area, Calendar view, Index view

Digital Filter:
Playback Mode - Monochrome, Extract Color, Color, Base Tweaking, Soft

Focusing System:
Type - TTL phase difference detection, 11-point autofocus system (SAFOX IX+)

Focus Mode: AF-single, AF-continuous

Focus Point: Auto, Select, Center

Superimpose: available

Exposure Control:
Metering System - TTL open-aperture 77-segment metering

Metering Mode: (1) Multi-segment metering, (2) Center-weighted metering, (3) Spot metering

Exposure Range: EV 2-21 (at Standard Output Sensitivity 200 with 55mmF2.8)

Modes: (1) Program AE, (2) Sensitivity-Priority AE, (3) Shutter-Priority AE, (4) Aperture-Priority AE, (5) Shutter and Aperture Priority AE, (6) Metered Manual, (7) Bulb, (8) X speed

Exposure Compensation: ±5EV

AE Lock: availiable

Shutter:
Shutter Type - Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter

Shutter Speed: Auto:1/4000 - 30 sec, Manual:1/4000 - 30 sec (1/3 EV steps or 1/2 EV steps), bulb

Drive Modes: Single-frame, Continuous (Hi, Lo), Self-timer (12s, 2s), Remote control (0s, 3s ), Remote Continuous Shooting, Interval, Multiple Exposure, Exposure Bracketing, Extended Bracketing

Continuous shooting: Both 1 slot and 2 slots
approx. 1.1 fps, RAW(PEF)+JPEG(40M at ): until approx. 13 fps, RAW(PEF): until approx. 13 fps, RAW(DNG): until approx. 13 fps, JPEG(40M at ): until approx. 15 fps

Mirror Lock-up shooting: available by dedicated dial

Flash Synchronization: Hot shoe, X-sync socket, sync-speed: 1/125 sec., P-TTL, high-speed-sync, wireless-sync with PENTAX dedicated external flash

Dust Removal: Image sensor cleaning function by supersonic vibration (DR II) with dust alert function

Power Sources: Rechargeable D-LI90 lithium-ion battery; Optional AC adapter also available.
Battery Life: Number of recordable images approx. 800 (23°C) *, approx. 700 (0°C), approx. 650 (-10°C)

Playback time: approx. 440 minutes (23°C) *, approx. 400 minutes (0°C), approx. 380 minutes (-10°C)

Interfaces: USB2.0 (Hi-Speed:mini B type), Video output (mini phone type), HDMI output (type C mini), DC input , Cable switch, X-sync socketc

Video Output: Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats

Lens Mount: PENTAX 645AF2 bayonet mount

Usable Lenses: PENTAX 645AF2, 645AF, and 645A mount lenses

Dimensions: approx. 156(W) x 117(H) x 119(D)mm (6.1 x 4.6 x 4.7 inches)

Weight: approx. 1480 g (52.2 oz.) loaded and ready with battery and two SD memory cards; approx. 1400 g (49.4 oz.) without battery and SD memory card.

Bundle software: PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 (Ver.4.20)

Price: TBA

PENTAX, 645D, and smc PENTAX are trademarks of HOYA CORPORATION.PENTAX Digital Camera Utility and SDM are trademarks of HOYA CORPORATION.This product supports PRINT Image Matching III. PRINT Image Matching enabled digital still cameras, printers and software help photographers to produce images more faithful to their intentions. Some functions are not available on printers that are not PRINT Image Matching III compliant.

Copyright 2001 Seiko Epson Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Print Image Matching is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.

The PRINT Image Matching logo is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.HDMI, the HDMI Logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.Designs and specifications are subjects to change.

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Sunday, March 07, 2010

Panasonic announces new Lumix G cameras

Panasonic has revealed its new Lumix G2 and G10 cameras.

The New Lumix G2

Part of the highly commended Lumix G Micro System of digital still cameras, the 12.1 megapixel DMC-G2 is stylish, sophisticated and packed with features – whilst remaining committed to ease of use even for beginners. Standing out from the crowd, the new DMC-G2 is the world’s first interchangeable lens system camera with touch-control shooting (*1), offering consumers an entirely new kind of system camera shooting.

With a feature set to be proud of – including a 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, the new Venus Engine HD II processor, double Live-View function, AVCHS Lite high definition movie recording, popular My Colour Mode and iA (Intelligent Auto) mode – to name but a few, the DMC-G2 offers revolutionary shooting ease and comfort.

The DMC-G2 features a touch-screen operation with 3.0-inch free-angle LCD featuring Full-time Live View and high-speed Contrast AF System. While shooting, auto focus can be set at the desired part of the frame by simply touching the subject to activate the AF in both photo and movie recording. In manual operation, aperture and shutter speed can be set to the desired value by moving the slider. While playing back, you can quickly select an image to view by scrolling images. The DMC-G2 has a 1,440,000-dot equivalent LVF (Live View Finder), too.

The 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor is advantageous for photo and movie recording with its high S/N, thanks to a circuit structure that is unaffected by the noise generated in each of the circuits. The Intelligent Resolution Technology, incorporated in the Venus Engine HD II, determines the subject's contours and color edges, and emphasizes them during image processing. This lets you capture stunning images with details. The Dust Reduction System helps maintain image quality by placing a Supersonic Wave Filter in front of the sensor.

My Color Mode makes it easy to customize color effects to match your favor for both photos and movies. In still image recording, the Peripheral Defocus Mode automatically adjusts the focus to match the AF area you positioned while gently defocusing the foreground and background to emphasize the subject. In movie recording, the Motion Picture P Mode makes adjustment the aperture easily. The iA Mode, featuring Face Recognition function, serves as a combination of functions that makes it easy for anyone to get beautiful photos and movies.

The DMC-G2 can record HD movie of 720P in AVCHD Lite with high sound quality of Dolby Digital Creator. Just press the Motion Picture Button, and shooting begins. The iA Mode can also be activated in movie recording. Still image recording is available during movie recording and can cut out a still image after shooting thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. When the DMC-G2 is connected to a Panasonic VIERA via an optional mini HDMI cable, the TV's remote control unit can be used to enjoy playing back with greater convenience.

Suitable for a wide range of scenes from portrait to landscape photography, the LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. offers a zoom range of 28-84mm (35mm equivalent) while featuring its compact size and light weight. It incorporates Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), which makes it easy to shoot clear shots even in low-lit situations without hand-shake blur. When the lens is mounted on the DMC-G2, you can use the contrast AF system, which is implemented in the DMC-G2 to offer a variety of convenient functions.

The New Lumix G10

Boasting a host of advanced digital functions, with outstanding image quality and a compact DSLR style body, Panasonic’s new DMC-G10 is the latest addition to the award winning Lumix G Micro System of cameras. Joining a family of innovative members – the DMC-G1 was the first interchangeable lens system camera based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard with dramatic downsizing of the body adopting the mirror-less structure. Next came the DMC-GH1 realizing 1920x1080 full HD (High Definition) movie recording and the DMC- GF1 brought innovation with its’ ultra compact, slim profile. The new DMC-G10 is newly released as a sister model of the touch-operation DMC-G2, with both models boasting high image quality and ease of use.

The DMC-G10 features dual Full-time Live View for the LCD and the LVF (Live View Finder). It gives you a live view of what you're shooting, with approx. 100% field of view. The DMC-G10's 3.0-inch LCD features 460,000-dot resolution Intelligent LCD with wide-viewing angle. This LCD provides sharp, clear images in virtually all shooting situations, ranging from nighttime to bright daylight scenes and from low-angle to high-angle shooting. The DMC-G10 also features Contrast AF system that is not only accurate and easy-to-use, but also very fast.

The 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor is advantageous for image recording with its high S/N, thanks to a circuit structure that is unaffected by the noise generated in each of the circuits. The Intelligent Resolution Technology, incorporated in the Venus Engine HD II, determines the subject's contours and color edges, and emphasizes them during image processing. This lets you capture stunning images with details. The Dust Reduction System helps maintain image quality by placing a Supersonic Wave Filter in front of the sensor.

My Color Mode makes it easy to customize color effects to match your favor. In still image recording, the Peripheral Defocus Mode automatically adjusts the focus to match the AF area you positioned while gently defocusing the foreground and background to emphasize the subject. In movie recording, the Motion Picture P Mode makes adjustment the aperture easily. The iA Mode, featuring Face Recognition function, serves as a combination of functions that makes it easy for anyone to get beautiful photos and movies.

The DMC-G10 can record HD movie (1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format). The pixel mixed readout method enables bright motion-picture recording even in low-light settings. The iA Mode can also be activated in movie recording. When the DMC-G10 is connected to a Panasonic VIERA via an optional mini HDMI cable, the TV's remote control unit can be used to enjoy playing back with greater convenience.

Suitable for a wide range of scenes from portrait to landscape photography, the LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. offers a zoom range of 28-84mm (35mm equivalent) while featuring its compact size and light weight. It incorporates Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), which makes it easy to shoot clear shots even in low-lit situations without hand-shake blur. When the lens is mounted on the DMC-G10, you can use the contrast AF system, which is implemented in the DMC-G10 to offer a variety of convenient functions.

UK Prices TBA

Digital Media

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Testing My BigCommerce E-Commerce package out - thoughts so far.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Apple to announce new Mac Pro Desktops this coming Tuesday?