“Best Design Innovation 2009” for ground breaking new LUMIX G1 Micro System and “Best Imaging Storage Media 2009” for its highly reliable 32 GB SD Memory Card

Panasonic is pleased to announce that it has been awarded two prestigious TIPA prizes: the Best Design Innovation Award for its new digital interchangeable lens camera system, known as the LUMIX G Micro System, and the Best Imaging Storage Media Award, for its new 32 Gigabyte (GB) SD High Capacity (SDHC)* Memory Card with Class 6 speed specification.

"We are really proud that we have been awarded two TIPA awards by the leading European journalists in the field of photo and imaging products,” said Yorihisa Shiokawa, Chief Operating Officer of Panasonic Europe. “We are always striving to make products that people desire. The ‘Best Design Innovation’ Award shows that our strategy of incorporating our LUMIX digital still cameras with the newest technologies, as we did with our epoch-making LUMIX G System has been appreciated by the consumer. As always, our overall aim is to continue improving our range of cameras and help people enrich their photography experience.”

Best Design Innovation Award Europe 2009: Digital Camera Lumix G-Series
The Panasonic LUMIX G-Series is a new digital interchangeable lens camera system based on the Micro Four Thirds System Standard. Its entirely new concept takes advantage of the compactness and light weight made possible by an innovative mirror-less structure. The LUMIX G Series is the optimal camera system for those users who are interested in a small, sophisticated, easy-to-use camera that will greatly expand their photographic capabilities.

A TIPA jury spokesperson said: “The Panasonic LUMIX G-series cameras are the first cameras based on the Micro Four Thirds system, and the worlds smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens camera system. The LUMIX G1 and GH1 eliminate the internal mirror structure that defines digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, thus reducing the size and weight by nearly half.”

Best Imaging Storage Media Award Europe 2009: Panasonic 32 GB SDHC
The 32 GB SDHC Memory Card with Class 6 speed specification was developed for those wanting to record High Definition content. The 32 GB SDHC Memory Card can record up to 12 hours of 1440 x 1080i High Definition video and, like other Panasonic cards, can operate in temperatures ranging from -13°F to +185°F (-25°C to +85°C). The card is also equipped with a new user-friendly labelling feature, which allows users to write titles or comments directly onto labels on the front and back of the card.

"The new Panasonic 32GB SDHC Memory Card offers Class 6 Performance, guaranteeing a minimum writing speed of 6 MB/s and maximum speed data transfers of up to 20 MB/s. Its high speed and high capacity profile allows videos in high-definition quality and a high-speed still series with DSLR cameras. A small but useful detail is the Memo Label allowing easy writing on the front and rear of the card," a TIPA jury spokesperson commented.

Technical Image Press Association (TIPA)
Established in 1991, the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) is an independent association of consumer electronics journalists, representing twelve countries across Europe. This past April editors of the 25 member photo magazines met in Budapest to vote for the best photo and imaging products launched by the industry over the last year. The TIPA Awards honor a specific product for its superiority in quality, performance and value as well as distinguishing the best in each classified category. The 2009 TIPA Awards will be presented at a Gala Event in Cologne, Germany on 10th June 2009.