Panasonic Post Focus Technology Based On Depth From Defocus and 4K Photo Burst

Panasonic is developing a new technological function ‘Post Focus’, that enables users to select their area of focus after shooting with easy touch screen operation. This function has been developed by evolving the conventional 4K Photo technology, not only to prevent out-of-focus misshots but also to offer creative freedom in photography. This is made cleverly possible by shooting 30 shots (using 4K Photo Burst) while shifting the lens to set focus on approx. 50 different depth areas. Panasonic will introduce this Post Focus function via a firmware update for DMC-GX8, DMC-FZ300 and additional models in late 2015. This feature will be integrated into several upcoming LUMIX digital cameras in 2016 as well.

Here is the relevant extract from a press release from Panasonic:

NEWARK, NJ 07/16/2015

Post Focus will enable users to select an “in-focus” area after shooting with a simple interface. This function has been developed as a further evolution of 4K Photo technology to prevent out-of-focus errors and offer additional creative freedom.

By combining high-speed, high-precision DFD (Depth From Defocus) auto focus technology and the 4K Photo burst images in 4K resolution are shot at 30 fps while shifting the lens to set focus on approx. 50¹ areas (*TBC).

With the Post Focus function, the best image can be selected from the 4K burst images shot with different focus areas. Once the composition is fixed, you are free from the job of serious focusing. In addition, this function can be used for creative photography such as landscapes or portraits. Users can pull different impressions out of one picture by changing the subject to enhance it with focus. The operation of the Post Focus function is quite easy – just touch the point where you want to set focus while playing back the image, no matter where the original focus area is, and the image with different in-focus area will be produced as a separate photo.

Panasonic will introduce this Post Focus function via a firmware update for LUMIX GX8, LUMIX FZ300 and some other models in late 2015 and 2016 will study to integrate it into upcoming LUMIX digital cameras as well.

1 Details of the product specifications, the date of release and the price are yet to be advised
• Service specifications are subject to change without notice.