Interview with Panasonic’s Director of Imaging Business Unit: Makes it clear a S1H successor isn’t far out!

CineD published a full interview with Panasonic’s Director of Imaging Business Unit. The English translated text of the interview can be read on their site.

Through COVID-19, the possibility of taking photos outside has been clearly reduced. And the demand for watching videos as well as making videos and releasing them from home will increase. Therefore, the G100, for example, which has a V-Log feature, the S1H update to output ProRes with the Ninja, or the LUMIX live streaming – we will help our customers enjoy motion pictures by using LUMIX. Also, we are trying to improve how we share new information. We have already introduced the G100 and the S5 via online channels. This was the first experience for LUMIX. And, since our customers might have difficulties with trying out our real products currently, we are creating workshops with influencers and reviewers, in order to inform you about our new products and their features.

We are targeting traveling Vloggers with the G100, yet, right now it’s quite difficult to travel, so we were worried before its introduction. But many Vloggers are releasing their own home videos, so the actual sales are much better than expected. We think it’s the selfie mode or the OZO Audio function, which supports the creation of videos, that are well accepted.

The S1 is handled as a stills image/video hybrid camera. It is more on the professional side, robust and resistant to environmental influences. Also, as a function for stills images, it has one rank higher image stabilization, and we considered deeply and tried/challenged to make it better especially for the viewfinder and shutter function. Therefore, the target audience is different than the audience of the S5, which targets a wider range of users. There are, however, some parts of the video functions that overlap with the S5 and the S1, so there may be some competition, but I think that these two models will broaden the range of target users, in general.

Of course, we are thinking about a successor model to the S1H. Regarding the video performance of the S1H’s successor model, I am thinking of one rank higher, so I think that the technical difficulty will become even higher, too. We are continuously developing technologies regarding heat dissipation, and we hope to develop this technology will make it an attractive product.

Nearly 3.5 years have passed since the launch of the GH5, and many customers are still purchasing GH5, but many creators still shoot movies in a Micro Four Thirds format. As I have assured many times, we will continue to develop products for Micro Four Thirds as well as Full Frame to meet the needs of a wide range of creators. Regarding the replacement model for the GH camera that you asked about, I will inform you but the information may be spread. Of course, we are considering it, and we look forward to seeing you there.

We are currently exploring the future potential and marketability of 8K, and continue to develop technologies for the future and the expanding needs of the market. I feel like the needs of the market are a little behind from what I thought 3 years ago.

Panasonic announces new firmware update programs for the LUMIX S1, S1H and S1R

Panasonic announces new firmware update programs for the LUMIX S1, S1H and S1R

Press text:

2nd September 2020 – Panasonic has announced that it will be releasing new firmware update programs for its LUMIX full frame mirrorless cameras – S1, S1H and S1R – to enhance functions and usability by the end of 2020.

The new firmware enables the LUMIX S1R to record 5K video, making the most of its high-resolution image sensor.

In addition, the enhanced AF technology and performance of the new LUMIX S5 will also be available on the S1, S1H and S1R. The upgraded AF notably excels in detection of people and movement. In addition to eye, face, and body AF, the head is also separately recognised by real-time detection technology to provide even more precise focusing. The cameras will keep tracking the subject even if they move quickly, turn their back to the camera, tilt their head or move far away.

Improvements to the DFD technology have also enhanced AFC, which enables users to keep tracking small or fast-moving subjects to capture them in crisp focus. These updates benefit users in both photo shooting and video recording scenarios.

Panasonic continues to develop its technology and apply the achievement not only to new products, but to those already released via firmware update in a continuous commitment to its users.

Preorder now the new Luminar AI software

Skylum just launched the brand new Luminar AI (Click here to read all details). There will be  launch discount for first 30,000 pre-orders (79 Euro/Dollar instead of 99 Euro/Dollar)!
The whole idea behind Luminar AI is to make photo editing super easy thanks to automated tools.

Press Release

Skylum aims to reinvent traditional photo editing, announces LuminarAI

LuminarAI empowers visual communicators to make great photos with unique AI. Everyone can create amazing images faster while having fun.

NEW YORK, NY – September 3, 2020​ —​ ​This morning, Skylum unveiled a revolutionary approach to photoediting, LuminarA​I​.​​ Unlike other photo editors that takea time-consuming approach based on tools, LuminarA​I ​focuses on results. This revolutionary application and plug-in will be released this holiday season.

LuminarA​I makes complex editing easier than ever before thanks to unique AI-powered tools. LuminarA​I removes boring and complex tasks without sacrificing professional quality. Artificial intelligence lets the visual artist focus on results and not the process. Everyone can make amazing photos free of complexity, yet full of creativity, thanks to artificial intelligence.“

LuminarA​I​ will bring an entirely new,non-conventional approach to the world of photo editing, focusing on the results instead of the process,” said D​ima Sytnik, CPO of Skylum​. “We’ve designed LuminarA​I​from the ground up to change how people interact with their images. We’re really excited to see what Luminar​AI​ can do for creatives everywhere.”

LuminarA​I is designed for visual communicators, every day people and professional photographers alike. It’s made for those who rely on pictures to communicate their important messages and grow their opportunities or reputation: Bloggers, entrepreneurs, educators, marketers, small and medium-sized businesses, and many others. It lets everyone tell their story with rich and expressive images like never before. With LuminarA​I everyone can make amazing images in an efficient way.

Artificial intelligence is the core of LuminarA​I

Compared to traditional image editors, LuminarA​I​offers acompletely different approach. Built from the ground up to leverage artificial intelligence, LuminarA​I ​simplifies complex tasks and removes boring manual work.

Portraits take on new life​.

  • Use​ BodyA​I ​and ​FaceA​I ​to gently sculpt and refine a portrait.
  • Create eyes that are rich and expressive with ​IrisA​I​.
  • Remove blemishes and imperfections naturally with ​SkinA​I​.

Landscape photography has never looked better.

  • Add depth and detail to skies with ​AtmosphereA​I ​and SkyEnhancer​.
  • Transform a photo and add an all-new sky in seconds with​ SkyAI
  • Bring warmth with ​Golden Hour​ or even enhance the sun with ​Sunrays.​

Professional finishing with less hassle.

  • Looking for more detail and texture? Then​ StructureA​I​ is the perfect addition.
  • Get the perfect crop with​ CompositionA​I ​and fix crooked images
  • With AccentA​I​, a photo has perfect exposure and color.

With LuminarA​I​, amazing photos are just two clicks away.

Templates ​are at the very core of the new LuminarA​I​. LuminarA​I​recognizes the contents of a photo, suggesting the best templates to speed up the editing process. Each template collection helps tell a story. These edits can be applied and refined instantly. While artificial intelligence guides the way, throughout the entire editing process, artists retain complete control over the edits they make, the tools they choose and how they interact with their photos.

Great photography is for everyone, and with the brand-new LuminarA​I​, digital artists across the globe can tell their story through photography. LuminarA​I ​simplifies photo editing without sacrificing quality and creativity.

“LuminarA​I will help make image editing easier for everyone. We’ve removed the boring and difficult parts of photo editing without sacrificing creativity. LuminarA​I ​will be a great tool in a creator’s workflow. They can focus on great results — not on the process of editing,” said Alex Tsepko, CEO of Skylum.

LuminarA​I​ will be available as a stand-alone application and plug-in for macOS and Windows. To learn more about LuminarA​I​ and to sign up for updates, visit ​skylum.com​. Early-bird pricing is available here and the product includes a 30-day money-back guarantee from the time of shipping.

About Skylum Software

Skylum is a global imaging technology company focused on creating tools that make it easier for creatives to get things done. Skylum’s Luminar platform unleashes creativity through the innovative use of automated and intelligent image processing which still allows the artist complete control over the final product. Skylum has won the Red Dot Award, Apple’s Best of Year, “Best Imaging Software” by TIPA and EISA as well as several other top industry awards.​ ​To learn more about Skylum, visit​ ​skylum.com​.

Preorder Luminar AI (Click here to read all details) for 79 Euro/Dollar instead of 99 Euro/Dollar