Panasonic clarifies power zoom lens support
By
Mike Tomkins
(Monday, August 29, 2011 - 16:03 EDT)
An undated press release from Panasonic Corp. has come to our attention today, which further clarifies operation of its recently-announced power zoom Micro Four Thirds lenses with existing Lumix G-series bodies.
According to the press release, the lenses can be used with the existing firmware in Lumix G-series bodies, including the DMC-G3, DMC-GF2, DMC-GF3, and DMC-GH2. However, there will be a new firmware update issued for these specific bodies which will provide enhanced support when using the new power zoom lenses, and presumably this support will not be available with earlier Lumix G-series models. With updated firmware, the DMC-G3, GF2, GF3, and GH2 bodies will be able to display the focal length of the lens on the camera body. They'll also be able to restore the zoom to the last-used position when the camera is switched on, and to automatically step to a predetermined focal length when commanded. Perhaps most significantly, though, the user will be able to select the speed with which the power zoom system will operate. Firmware updates allowing the Lumix G3, GF2, GF3, and GH2 to access these new features when using power zoom lenses will be available from the beginning of October 2011. More details can be found in the press release below.
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Original Source Press Release:
| Panasonic Announces the Firmware Update Program for DMC-GH2 / G3 / GF3 / GF2 for Enhancing the Functions of the New Power Zoom Lenses Panasonic announces the new firmware update program for the digital interchangeable lens system cameras DMC-GH2, DMC-G3, DMC-GF3 and DMC-GF2 of LUMIX G Micro System. The firmware version 1.1 will be released to enhance the functions when the camera is used with the new power zoom lenses - LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042) and LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm / F4.0-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-PS45175). The following functions will be available with the new firmware: - Display of the local length
When you zoom, the focal distance is displayed and you can confirm the zoom position. - Step zoom
When you operate the zoom, the zoom will stop at positions corresponding to predetermined distances. - Zoom resume
When you switch the power switch [ON], the zoom positions when you last switched [OFF] are automatically restored. - Selectable zoom speed
Users can select the speed of electric-powered zooming. The new firmware program ver.1.1 will be available worldwide from the beginning of October at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/. The power zoom lenses can be used with DMC-GH2, DMC-G3, DMC-GF3 or DMC-GF2 if the firmware is not updated. However, Panasonic recommends all users to update it. |
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