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CP+ Camera Panasonic interview
  • I want Panasonic to be known for very high-quality cameras, and we are currently restructuring the range of products that we offer to include a very high end model

    Panasonic has already shown two new concept lenses that it plans to launch this year – a 35-100mm and a 12-35mm, both of which will feature a constant f/2.8 aperture across the zoom range. 'We are very good at making aspherical lenses,' Kitao told AP. 'And when we use them in our optical designs we can reduce the number of elements we need, and thus produce better optical quality.

    the company is able to produce aspheric elements of up to 30mm in diameter, but that soon it will be possible for the factory to produce larger - paving the way for faster apertures.

    The GF series is a step-up from compact cameras, but we want the GH and GX cameras to be seen as quality products.

    We will define more clearly what GH and GX means this year, so consumers have a better idea of what their characteristics are

    We are also trying to improve the readout speed of our sensors and the speed at which the focus information is processed so that lack of sharpness is detected more quickly and focus can be found in less time. We are convinced that contrast detection is a better method for mirrorless systems

    We already have lenses from 14mm to 300mm, and we've already introduced nine camera bodies, but now we will make faster lenses and more compact pancakes.

    Via: http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/panasonic_plans_highend_csc_to_fend_off_canon_threat_news_311439.html

  • 11 Replies sorted by
  • 20.7 mark ii? dynamic range and tonal gradation improvements?

  • more compact pancakes.. that's great. Do you guys think we have any hope the new lenses will have less or none digital sharpening?

  • No idea. But it aint sound cheap.

  • Why pancakes?

  • Because it fits on you pocket. For some that's a good practical thing..

  • Make 17.5mm and 60mm f1.4 pancakes.

    Make 17.5-60 f2.8. Power OIS & AFF & HD ready.

    All inner focus and fixed barrel.

    Make .7x and 1.4x converters.

    Done.

  • @ttancredi The digital sharpening used in conjunction with distortion correction in Panasonic lenses is turning out to be a serious problem for GH2 high-bitrate patch optimization. You can actually see the aliasing artifacts shimmer on the LCD as the lens locks into focus. The lens' artificially-enhanced edge sharpness overloads the bitrate of the AVCHD encoder, especially when using ETC mode and high ISO. To handle this behavior safely, the maximum bitrate of the patch must be throttled down to guard against recording failures. As a result, you get suboptimal performance at low light levels and when using manual-focus lenses that could otherwise work reliably at higher bitrates.

  • Pancakes are practical choice for the mainstream. Such oversharpening could be changed if enough # of people complain. It seems Panasonic do listen to people. e.g. GF1 true successor = GX1, fast zooms = 12-35-100 2.8.

  • Great answer. Lee has hit the nail on the head regarding Panasonic OIS lenses enhanced sharpening. Stick with manual lenses if you want to make best use of high bitrates.

  • Waiting for more m43 lenses from Samyang :)