Panasonic Announces LUMIX DMC-LX7

PANASONIC INTRODUCES THE LUMIX LX7, FEATURING A REDESIGNED LENS, IMAGING PROCESSOR AND ENGINE FOR POWERFUL PERFORMANCE AND OURSTANDING PICTURE QUALITY

DMC-LX7 Features 24mm Ultra-wide Angle Lens with 3.8x Optical Zoom¹ and F1.4 -F2.3 Full-range Brightness

MISSISSAUGA, ON (July 18, 2012) – Panasonic today announced its new premium digital compact camera, the LUMIX DMC-LX7, from the world-renowned and highly acclaimed LX series. The new LUMIX LX7 is equipped with a fully redesigned lens, image sensor and image processing engine for superior performance and stunning image quality.

“The Panasonic LUMIX LX-Series cameras have been extremely popular with both professional and enthusiast photographers, who understand the value and superb image quality offered by these compact and affordable digital cameras,” said Doug Borbath, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Canada Inc. “We expect the same enthusiasm, if not more, for the LX7, which features major upgrades and improvements resulting in even better image quality.”

Equipped with a newly developed 24mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX lens with 3.8x optical zoom¹, the LUMIX LX7’s supreme lens also features F1.4 brightness at wide-end and F2.3 at tele-end. The F1.4 brightness is approximately 400 percent as bright as an F2.8 lens. The extraordinarily high amount of light allows the use of higher shutter speeds to capture stunningly clear, sharp, blur-free images in low light situations and also provides impressive expression to images by reproducing exquisite gradation and mellow defocus to elevate photography.

The LX7’s lens unit consists of 11 elements in 10 groups with five aspherical lenses with nine aspherical surfaces, including the dual-sided aspherical surface ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens, which has never before been adopted by any Panasonic LUMIX digital camera or interchangeable lens. This advanced lens system makes it easy to produce beautiful photos in high resolution with minimal distortion and a pleasing, soft-focused background.

Nano Surface Coating technology dramatically minimizes light reflection at entire visual range (380nm-780nm). The LX7’s 24mm ultra-wide-angle lens gives users a wider range of composition possibilities, capturing approximately 136 percent larger viewing space compared to that of a 28mm wide angle camera. Additionally, the LX7’s lens minimizes distortion at wide end so users obtain stunning, true-to-life images with outstanding resolution and detail.

The LX7 adopts a new 1/1.7-inch 10.1-megapixel² MOS Sensor that features an improved S/N ratio by 1.5 dB compared with its predecessor, the LUMIX DMC-LX5³. The new sensor provides high resolution images with stunning clarity in high sensitivity recording and also in low ISO, reproducing rich gradation with wide dynamic range even when the situation is highly contrasted. The LX7’s high performance Venus Engine also boasts advanced signal processing. The Intelligent NR (Noise Reduction) system keeps resolution high by optimizing the NR process applied to each part of an image. The Multi-process NR quickly detects brightness in each portion of a picture and applies optimal noise reduction in multiple steps. High-speed digital signal output has been integrated into the LUMIX LX7 to realize high-speed consecutive shooting at 11 fps (frames per second) in full resolution with mechanical shutter and 5 fps with continuous AF (Auto Focus).

Creative Control Mode offers 16 filter options including Soft Focus⁴, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, One Point Color, Cross Process, Low Key, Toy Effect, Star Filter, Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia, Hi Dynamic, Miniature Effect⁵ and the new exclusive Radial Defocus and Smooth Defocus modes. Radial Defocus adds defocus effect radially from the light source while Smooth Defocus makes defocus figuration even smoother. Photo Style allows users to get creative with their photography by using Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait and Custom preset options. The Time Lapse Shot function allows users to capture images of a subject over a period of time like flowers coming into bloom, wild animals and moving clouds. Additionally, full manual control is available on the LX7 so advanced users can enjoy more creative photography.

The LUMIX LX7 features both iA (Intelligent Auto) and iA Plus modes. In addition to the popular functions of iA; POWER O.I.S., AF Tracking, Intelligent D-range Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Face Recognition, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent HDR (High Dynamic Range), Intelligent Handheld Night Shot and Motion Deblur⁶ modes, iA Plus mode allows users to adjust defocusing area in the background, exposure compensation and white balance for more flexible control.

Equipped with a new 3.0-inch 920,000-dot Intelligent LCD screen with super high resolution and wide angle viewing, the LX7’s screen brightness automatically adjusts in 11 steps as surrounding brightness levels change, ensuring easy visibility at all times. To enhance operability, the LX7 is equipped with an aperture ring, internal ND filter, focus lever and rear dial in order to control light source. The newly added level gauge detects horizontal or vertical angle of view which is helpful in keeping horizontal composition even when shooting at a high or low angle.

In addition to recording stunning still imagery, the LX7 also records high resolution full-HD 1,920×1,080 60p videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format or 30p in MP4. The LX7 features a dedicated video record button on the top of the camera body so users can instantly start recording videos while shooting photographs without changing any settings. Along with full-HD video capabilities, a 3.8x optical zoom lens with step zoom function and POWER O.I.S., the LX7 also features high-quality sound, which is recorded with Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator to complement images with highly realistic sound. The stereo microphone comes with a zoom noise reduction system and an Auto Wind Cut function blocks out most background noise from wind. To create even more impressive videos, Creative Video mode lets users manually set the camera shutter speed, which can create special effects in videos, and aperture, which is convenient when there are several subjects at different distances.

Additional features of the LUMIX LX7 include:

• RAW and RAW+JPEG data recording options
• Aspect Bracket / White Balance Bracket
• HDR mode
• Panorama Shot mode
• 3D Photo mode
• Creative Retouch

The LX7 offers rich accessory options for camera expandability to match every shooting situation and style. The hot shoe atop the camera body allows for the attachment of advanced accessories including the optional tilt-shift Live View Finder (DMW-LVF2) which helps monitoring even under strong daylight with high visibility. Additional camera accessories include:

• External Optical View Finder: DMW-VF1
• Filter Adaptor: DMW-FA1 NEW
• MC Protector: DMW-LMCH37
• ND Filter: DMW-LND37
• PL Filter: DMW-LPLA37 NEW
• External Flash: DMW-FL220 (GN22) / DMW-FL360 (GN36) / DMW-FL500 (GN50)
• Genuine Leather Case: DMW-CLX7 NEW
• Battery Pack: DMW-BCJ13

Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.

¹ 35mm camera equivalent: 24-90mm
² Camera effective pixels
³ Panasonic in-house comparison with the LX5
⁴ For photo only
⁵ Sound will not be recorded with [MINIATURE EFFECT] and approximately 1/10 of the time period is recorded. (If you record for 10 minutes, the resulting motion picture recording will be approximately 1 minute long)
⁶ The picture size may be reduced.

Maximum time to record motion pictures continuously with [AVCHD] is 29 minutes 59 seconds. (excluding when [SH] is set)

Motion pictures in [MP4] can be recorded continuously for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds. Also, motion picture recorded continuously in [MP4] is up to 4 GB.

Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.

The LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.

“AVCHD Progressive”, “AVCHD”, the “AVCHD Progressive” Logo and the “AVCHD” Logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.

All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.

This unit is compatible with both SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. You can only use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are compatible with them. You cannot use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are only compatible with SD Memory Cards. (When using an SDHC Memory Card on another device, be sure to read the operating instructions for that device.)

Some accessories are not available in some countries.

The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Panasonic products are marketed in Canada by Panasonic Canada Inc. (PCI). PCI is an affiliate of Panasonic Corporation (PC) of Japan, one of the world’s largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business, and industrial use. Consumers seeking more information on the company’s products can call Panasonic’s Customer Care Centre at 1-800-561-5505 or access Panasonic’s home page at www.panasonic.ca.

Related Links:

• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 Technical Specs