14 DAY TRIAL // If you happen to be the owner of the recently announced DSLR from Panasonic, the Lumix DMC-L10, then you should really check out this news as it might improve the performance of your digital single lens reflex camera.
Panasonic has announced v.1.1 of the camera's firmware and unlike some updates we've seen from camera manufacturers, this one looks pretty serious. Most of the improvements brought by Panasonic are targeted at the autofocus, white balance and exposure systems, all of which are vital to the camera's performance.
First of all, the new version improves the AF with the Panasonic lenses, model no. L-ES014050 and L-RS014150, which are in fact the Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm F/3.8-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S lens and the Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm F/3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S lens.
Another change is related to the Auto Exposure system (or AE if you like) in the night scene mode. The auto white balance has also been improved.
Other improvements include the shortened minimum shooting intervals on the single shooting mode and the possibility to use the Front/Rear dial operations in the fine white balance adjustment as well as the change of magnifying position on the MF Assist in Live View mode.
If you don't own a DMC-L10 yet, but you are pondering upon the idea, here's a quick description of the camera.
Announced in August 2007, the DMC-L10 is powered by a Live MOS sensor with 10.1 megapixels and has a completely new 2.5 inch Live View LCD which can rotate 270 degrees, enabling versatile shooting options and making it easy and convenient to shoot from high or low angles. There's also the usual Supersonic Wave Filter system that prevents the so-called "dust bunnies" from collecting on the sensor.
The Live View mode is also present and it's no surprise, but users now have contrast AF, which works just like the system in compact cameras.
Other features of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-L10 include the Film Mode, which allows users "to choose a setting which mimics the effects of analog film" and the Venus Engine III. There are nine modes available to choose from: Standard, Dynamic, Nature, Smooth, Nostalgic, Vibrant, Standard B/W, Dynamic B/W and Smooth B/W. You can check out more information here.
Firmware version 1.1 can be downloaded from Softpedia here.