New Firmware Brings Latest to Current Digital Camera Users

SECAUCUS, N.J. (April 5, 2007) - Panasonic today announced a new firmware enhancement service for the LUMIX DMC-L1K digital SLR camera. Panasonic's customers, who are currently enjoying the benefits of the company's first digital SLR camera, can now download new firmware to support the device, giving them the latest advancements and digital photography technologies.

Panasonic's enhanced firmware improves some of the camera's traditional SLR features, such as exposure and white balance, as well as some of the digital features like AutoReview and zoomed image playback. These new benefits not only add to the performance and operation of the camera, but they also extend the impact of Panasonic's digital SLR within the industry.

"Panasonic is committed to bringing users the newest and most innovative technologies, and making them available not just our newest products, but also enhancing products already in the consumer's home," said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "Now our digital SLR users can continue to benefit from new technologies and still enjoy this industry-leading camera."

Full firmware enhancements for the LUMIX DMC-L1K are free to current camera owners and include:

• An added multiple exposure function.
• Panning mode [MODE3] as an addition to the optical image stabilizer.
• Three new viewing options: Low-angle mode that makes it easier to view the LCD display when the camera is held below eye level; a "HOLD" option in Auto Review that enables continuous viewing; and an added feature to allow zoomed playback of photos.
• Added feature that simplifies setting the aperture when using a lens without an aperture ring.
• Two new manual white balance settings added to the GUI, plus removal of a time restriction on the settings.
• An AUTO option for ISO sensitivity in the aperture-priority AE mode [A] and shutter speed-priority AE mode [S].