Newark, NJ—The Lumix DMC-LX10 is the next generation of Panasonic’s premium LX compact, point-and-shot camera series. Integrating 4K video recording capability, it’s aimed at “enthusiasts who want to release their creativity anytime, anywhere.”
The pocketable LX10 uses a newly developed f/1.4–2.8 Leica DC Vario-Summilux lens system with 3x optical zoom (24–72mm equivalent). The lens is engineered to let a large volume of light into the camera, thus enabling the high-speed shutter release to capture clear, sharp images even in low light. It also allows for creative bokeh, which makes the subject stand out against a pleasingly blurred background.
The camera also employs a 1-inch MOS sensor with its 20.1 megapixels that also contributes to a reduction in noise and improved S/N ratio, to allow for high-quality, high-sensitivity shots— even at ISO 12,800. In addition, its new random filter granulates chromatic noise to be blended into the image more naturally.
The LX10 also features a “fast, high-precision” autofocus (AF) system with DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology. DFD was developed to shorten the time to set focus by calculating the distance to the subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness levels at 240 frames per sec. Specs state the LX10 boasts high-speed burst shooting at 10 fps (AFS)/6 fps (AFC) to capture fast-moving subjects.
And to take advantage of 4K technology, Panasonic included both 4K photo and 4K video modes. With 4K photo capability, users can capture fleeting photo opportunities at 30 fps in 8MP-equivalent resolution by extracting the best frame from a 4K burst file to save as a photo. Three 4K functions are integrated to avoid missing the spur-of-the-moment action: 4K burst shooting; 4K burst (start/stop) and 4K pre-burst.
The LX10 also records QFHD 4K video in 3,840×2,160 at 30p, 25p (50Hz area) or 24p in MP4 format, in addition to Full HD 1,920×1,080/50p videos in AVCHD Progressive or MP4 (MPEG-4 / H.264) formats with practical full-time AF.
It also enables 4K live cropping in video recording, to help achieve stable panning and zooming. Thanks to the digital operation of the zoom lens, panning and zooming on images is said to appear smooth because the lens isn’t physically moved. If the original footage is recorded in 4K, users can create a Full HD video with special effects.
Another notable feature is the camera’s post-focus function that enables users to select in-focus areas after shooting. It’s helpful in situations such as macro shooting, where extreme focusing is required. It can also be used to change the expression of the image by changing the subject in focus—by touching it on the camera’s 3-inch, 1,040K-dot, tilting LCD screen.
Panasonic also integrated a new post-focus stacking function, which enables users to take multiple images of the same frame with different areas in focus, then combine all or selected focus areas into one image.
Additional DMC-LX10 Features
Other Lumix LX10 features include: in-camera RAW processing; photo style, intelligent D-range control and intelligent resolution functions; two control rings for focus and aperture to make it easier for enthusiasts to manually select settings; a creative control function with 22 filter options; PASM mode; macro shooting; a 5-axis hybrid OIS + system (optical image stabilizer plus) to compensate for camera shake; 120-fps video recording to create slow-motion videos; and integrated Wi-Fi connectivity (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n).
Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-LX10 retails for $699.99. panasonic.com
