Panasonic is announcing an exciting new addition to its Lumix family, the DMC-3D1 digital camera. As the title suggests, it is a compact digital camera which has the capabilities to shoot both 2D and 3D photos and HD videos. Employing the necessary 2-lens optical system, a pair of newly developed ultra wide angle 25mm lenses captures 3D photos in 8 megapixels and 1920 x 1080 HD video. While 2D photos are taken in 12 megapixels and videos are shot in same 1920 x 1080 HD format. Behind the camera, the touch screen operation makes it easy to use and there are several helpful functions for taking great photos at varying light conditions. Inside the camera, the High Sensitivity MOS sensor and Venus Engine allows for superb image processing in sensitivity and speed. The quad-CPU Venus Engine is fantastic for processing large data at high speeds and it can shoot consecutively at 8 fps without auto focusing and 4 fps with auto focusing.

To address the rapidly changing demands of photographers, both professionals and pro-sumers, Panasonic announced the addition of LUMIX DMC-GX1, the latest among its Compact System Camera. Featuring a 16.01-megapixel Live MOS sensor, the new camera system ensures true-to-life resolution and color reproduction thanks largely to its Venus Engine image processor. Unlike other conventional camera system, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX1, like all other G-Series cameras, uses Contrast AF where auto focusing works in tandem with the image sensor. Combine this with Light Speed AF, photographer can acquire the image they want in as little as 0.09-second. A generous 3.0-inch LCD screen with 460,000-dot and a wide-viewing angle means you can review the photos you took quickly. With touch-control embedded into it, all functions of the camera are accessible with ease. With the 14 Micro Four Thirds lenses and other accessories available, the LUMIX DMC-GX1 is the best of both worlds.

Available in black or silver bodies, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX1 will be available in various options – DMC-GX1-X with the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S (H-PS14042) lens at suggested retail price of $949.99; the DMC-GX1-K with the 14-42 standard zoom at a price of $799.99; and the DMC-GX1, body only for only $699.99. All to be launch Mid-December in time for the holiday season.

• 16.01 Megapixels Live MOS sensor with Venus Engine Image Processor
• Micro Four Thirds lens mount
• 460,000-dot wide-angle 7.5cm (3.0”) LCD with touch control
• 1920 x 1080 Full-HD High Quality Video Recording
• Compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
• Compatible with the full line of Four Thirds lenses
• Image formats in RAW, RAW+Fine, RAW+Standard, Fine, Standard, MPO+Fine, MPO+Standard
• 23 area Auto Focus System

Release Date: Mid-December 2011

Few things have advanced high end, compact digital cameras in recent years more than the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) format. MFT cameras have bigger sensors, wider apertures, and allow amateur photographers to use interchangeable lenses – something that had been reserved for more complex DSLR cameras. Panasonic has been a leader in the sector, based on the popularity of it’s GF1, GF2, and GF3 cameras – and now we have an official teaser video for their successor, the Lumix GX1. The new GX1 is based around the 16-megapixel sensor that gave the GF3 such high data quality, and new developments include an external electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dots, a super-fast .09 second contrast autofocus, and a 3-inch LCD touchscreen. The new GX1 gets a redesigned body, too, which is somewhat more utilitarian than it’s predecessors (although it’s available in a sleek silver version too). Check out the teaser video after the jump, which shows some of the new features, and the compatible X-Series lenses.

Panasonic spear headed the Micro Four Thirds category of the digital camera segment and it created history with the first generation Lumix DMC-GF1. Now they are returning with the Lumix DMC-GF3 to shake up the competition by releasing a very light weight camera that weighs only 222g. Compromises were not an option and the new and improved camera boasts an enhanced Venus Engine FHD and 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor. Low light photography benefits from this upgrade and it captures full HD video in 1920 x 1080 size. Their Creative Control is renovated to increase control over contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction while making it easier to achieve results. The overall design of the camera have also been revamped and the ergonomic design offers comfort to the users. Aluminum body enables the light weight and 5 colorways, black, white, red, brown and pink, are produced to suit the style of each individual.

A camera’s form factor is usually attribute to the functionality of it. Not directly so in the case of Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G3, which took home the title as the “World’s Smallest & Lightest Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera”. Taking full advantage of the Four Thirds System standard, Panasonic was able to slimmed down the LUMIX DMC-G3 substantially as well as streamlined its appearance. While its a mirror-less system, the Four Thirds-base 16-megapixel Live CMOS sensor means equivalent qualities to that of traditional Digital SLR cameras. There are some qualities, however, it even surpasses the larger, bulkier counterparts. At 0.18 seconds, the high speed ability of LUMIX DMC-G3′s Auto Focus is unheard of. Now with the combination of Full-HD video at 1920 x 1080 and the LUMIX G 12.5mm/F12 3D lens, the creation of 3D video, home movies will never be the same again. With the implementation of touch control LCD screen, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G3 carries the abilities of a professional camera system along and a point-and-shoot’s ease of usage, all in one ideal package.

• 16.6 Megapixels Live MOS sensor with Micro Four Thirds lens mount
• 1,440,000-dot free-angle 7.5cm (3.0”) LCD Live View Finder with touch control
• 1920 x 1080 Full-HD High Quality Video Recording
• Compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
• Compatible with the full line of Four Thirds lenses
• Image formats in RAW, RAW+Fine, RAW+Standard, Fine, Standard, MPO+Fine, MPO+Standard
• 23 area Auto Focus System

Lightweight aluminum body clad in traditional black, or the more vibrant colors of red, white, and brown, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G3 will be available in June 2011 with a suggested retail price of US$ 699.99 (with a 14-42mm Zoom Lens Kit).

Photography By Kazuhiro Nogi

As the crisis in Japan deepens, it is thanks to journalists and photographers like Kazuhiro Nogi to convey the magnitude of destruction and human sufferings to the rest of the world. However, the very tools these committed professionals use daily might be affected by the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami as well, since the majority of digital imaging manufacturers are from Japan. Such concerns were alleviated today as New York City-base camera store ADORAMA issued an update of the state of Japanese Photo Industry. By filtering through Press Releases, news services, and contact sources, ADORAMA was able to list all the major photographic equipment suppliers in Japan and their status. While there were multiple production stoppages and logistical delays, the good news was that there no causalities reported from any companies, a spark of hope in this darkest of time… via: ADORAMA

Skateboard filmers Atiba Jefferson and Ty Evans were recently invited to take part in testing the capabilities of the newly developed Panasonic Lumix GH2 DSLR. Unlike conventional video shooting, skateboard filming is much more rigorous and is demanding on both the shooter and the equipment. The video shows the footage without any color grading to be true to the camera and it is shot in flavorsome nostalgic film mode. All star line up of skaters such as Eric Koston, Paul Rodriguez, Marc Johnson, MikeMo and even Tony Hawk makes an appearance in this video and the flawless editing by Ty Evans makes it fun to watch. The outtakes are just as long as the main video segment and you can watch it in full after the jump.

One of the bigger happenings this week is slightly less frivolous on the stateside, as we had just completed the midterm elections, and to some’s dismay and some’s joy, the US House is now largely dominated by the Republicans, with the Republicans controlling 239 seats, and the Democrats with 188 seats. In New York, Paladino lost the Governor seat to Cuomo. Politics aside, New York City has been taken over by the Kardashian sisters, who had just opened the New York store of their boutique, DASH. On the same night as the DASH opening, Dr. Martens finally gets its stand-alone store in SoHo, with Burberry and Chanel as its chic neighbors. The weather continues to drop, but on Halloween night, the streets were taken over by NY Bridge Runners who are determined to celebrate the big party occasion with a little cardio instead of alcohol. adidas Originals released new winter-ready shoes for the colder weather, and NBA heats up with spotlight on new blood like John Wall, who had his NYC debut at the Madison Square Garden this past week, and of course, the man of insane assists, Rajon Rondo. Catch up on key things not to be missed before the week is over after the jump.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 led the way for the tidal wave that was the Micro Four Thirds. And now, they will be releasing the second version Lumix DMC-GF2 which is 19% smaller than the GF1, and packs more features than the GF1. One big feature is the new 3-inch touch screen which adds flexibility to the digital camera. Navigation will be easier  and short cuts can be created for functions and settings that are used often. For photographic beginners the iA function is well thought out and provides simple operation from depth of field slider to scene modes on the touch screen. All in all it is a welcome injection from Panasonic into the Micro Four Thirds segment again. Look for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 sometime in January 2011.

This seems to be a week of controversy and debate, be it something political like the saga of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Liu Xiaobo, or something related to design like the new Gap logo. However, opinions and arguments aside, we have unearthed interesting things this week and spent some time dodging cars at a drifting rally, hanging out with Nikki Reed (aka Rosalie from Twilight) at the Swatch New Gents Collection Launch, sharing a quick word with Steven Alan over some plaid button downs and slim khakis, and talking everything sonic and tunes with contemporary motown sweetheart, Mayher Hawthorne. Of course, something we just can’t get over from this week includes Dwight Howard’s stunning performance with Ken Jeong which convinced us that fast don’t lie, and a 13.2MP camera phone from Lumix. Check out a quick review of everything you should know for the first week of October, and stock up on a some conversation starters for the coming week.

Logging in at 13.2 MP, the LUMIX Phone is not ye old regular camera phone, and has definitely kicked the other prevalent phone lens and camera hardware to the shame bucket, including iPhone 4′s updated 5.0MP camera. And thanks to the photography expertise of the Panasonic LUMIX family, who has been supplying the world with digital photography wonders from point and shoot to beyond, making a camera that is also a phone (note, this is quite different from a phone that is also a camera) absolutely conceivable.

Ahhh…nothing beats Gadget Porn on a Friday morning. While 2010 Photokina came and went last month. Executives at Panasonic failed to mention one more new product they have in the works – the Panasonic LUMIX Phone. Sure, there are plenty of 5+ megapixel camera phone out there, enough for any group of friends to have a “whose bigger contest” at any street corners. But Panasonic said their new phone would be different. It isn’t just an add-on or an after thought. Instead, they built the phone components around the camera, which explained the specs of 13.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, the new Mobile VenusEngine image processor,  and a 3.3-inch VGA LCD screen. Unfortunately, we all have to wait for more information as the company unveils more details next Tuesday, October 5th. via: Gadget Lab