Archive - June 2016

Panasonic releases feature-packed camcorder for professional videographers: HC-PV100

June 29, 2016

Panasonic Australia has announced the HC-PV100, a palm-sized Full HD camcorder that provides the videographer with a full suite of features – including professional controls, audio and lighting features, plus dual SD card slots for continuous recording and a versatile 20x zoom, as well as a convenient handle for shooting.

Doug Campbell, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic, said: “This feature-packed camcorder provides an agile and affordable professional video solution for applications such as corporate work, weddings, and field production.”

The camcorder is available in Australia from September, priced at RRP$1,999.

Key Features

The HC-PV100 is designed to meet the needs of professional on-site acquisition, with the versatility to support the busy sole operator. It has triple manual rings, with a focus ring, zoom ring and iris ring on the lens barrel enabling speedy and intuitive camera work. 2-channel XLR audio input terminals ensure high quality sound, with support for everything from external microphones requiring a phantom power supply to audio equipment with +4 dB output. An illuminated LED ring on the side of the camcorder shows when it is recording, convenient for one-person operations when the cameraman is also the presenter.

When capturing low light evening events such as wedding receptions or corporate launches, the HC-PV100 ensures successful results with a 1/3.1-inch Back Side Illumination (BSI) Sensor, and a Built-in LED video light providing a bright 300 lx at 1 metre.

The camcorder’s dual SD card slots provide worry-free continuous recording. When the first card reaches full capacity, the system automatically switches to the second card, and hot-swap recording allows cards to be exchanged while shooting. Simultaneous recording captures data at the same time onto both SD cards as backup against data loss.

Other convenient features to support the demands of a variety of shooting assignments include a colour conversion and a diffusion filter; optical 20x zoom/F1.8 lens; and blur suppression from wide angle to zoom shots via the 5-Axis HYBRID Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S.+).

The HC-PV100 will be available in Australia in September from photographic specialists and consumer electronics retailers. For further information, please visit www.panasonic.com.au.

Product Webpage HC-PV100 Specifications Watch video

Panasonic launches new premium range of refrigerators

June 24, 2016

Consumer Electronics, Kitchen appliances

Combining elegant design, advanced freshness, and energy-saving technologies

As a global leader in home appliance technology, Panasonic has expanded its popular range of refrigerators with a new collection of stylish and innovative models. The new range combines sophisticated design with the latest advancements in keeping food fresh, energy–saving technologies, user-¬friendly convenience, and improved storage.

Key details:

Panasonic’s new French Door model features a stunning full-flat glass panel, free from frames for a seamless finish
Selected new BX Series models feature innovative ‘Prime Fresh’ technology which maintains the flavour, texture and nutrients of produce
The ‘Vitaminsafe’ vegetable case featured in the French Door model uses blue and green LED lights to ensure fruit and vegetables stay fresher for longer
Panasonic’s unique energy saving ECONAVI and Inverter technologies save consumers energy and money
Panasonic has released five new refrigerators including a 547 litre French Door model; and the new 450L and 407L BX Series.

Panasonic Refrigerators include smart technologies to keep food fresher for longer

Consumers will enjoy Panasonic’s ‘Prime Fresh’ technology, which is a key feature of selected BX Series models. This revolutionary new refrigeration technology softly freezes fresh meat and seafood to approximately ¬-3˚C. Since food is only lightly frozen, it extends the life of perishable food, whilst maintaining nutrients, flavour and texture. Odours are also minimised, ideal for storing seafood and other strong smelling food. ‘Prime Fresh’ offers food preparation convenience as it’s easy to slice and cook it immediately.

The range’s new easy-access, centralised vegetable case ensures produce is stored in optimum conditions thanks to an airtight design. This keeps humidity levels high, up to 91 per cent, and prevents produce from drying out.

In addition, the French Door model has a ‘Vitaminsafe’ vegetable case which uses blue and green LED lights to mimic the sun, ensuring the nutrients of fruit and vegetables are protected, so they stay fresher for longer. Underneath, the chilled case maintains a temperature of 0˚C to preserve the freshness of chilled foods, without freezing them. It’s perfect for storing meat, fish and dairy products.

All models feature surround cooling which evenly distributes chilled air from the rear panel throughout the refrigerator for gentle cooling without dehydrating food and to maintain a constant temperature. The powerful Ag antibacterial and deodorising filter cleans circulated air, minimising mould and bacteria, and unpleasant odours.

ECONAVI technology for effortless energy savings

Inside, consumers will find Panasonic’s clever energy¬-saving ECONAVI and Inverter technologies, which have been designed to save consumers energy and money, whilst delivering an advanced cooling performance.

Exclusive to Panasonic, ECONAVI technology uses four intelligent sensors to monitor usage patterns, and energy output is then adapted accordingly. This revolutionary technology allows your fridge to monitor the level of lighting and temperature in the room, when and how often the fridge doors are opened, and the fridge’s internal temperature. It then analyses and responds to this information to maintain cooling and the most efficient operation of your fridge.

Premium, sleek, modern and functional design

Panasonic’s new premium refrigerators have a sleek, modern and flat design, which will perfectly complement any kitchen.

The stunning French Door model features a transparent full¬-flat glass panel overlaid on a stainless colour backing, free from frames, bumps or depressions, to create a seamless finish. The stylish recessed curved handles match the flat design.

The Electrostatic Touch Control Panel on selected models has a striking mirror finish and also gives consumers complete control over settings and temperature levels.

The French Door refrigerator features Panasonic’s popular full-¬extension bottom freezer drawer, which sits low, making it incredibly easy to put in and take out food, and see items in the freezer. All new refrigerator models benefit from having separate cases in the freezer which offer tidy storage, as well as minimising food odours.

Mr Emile Redden, Group Manager, Home Appliances and Air Conditioning, Panasonic, says: “We have drawn on our extensive history of over 50 years in refrigeration innovation to create these advanced models. The new Panasonic range is designed to improve user convenience, and offer effortless temperature control, as well as save energy and money in the home.

“With a sleek and sophisticated design, coupled with a wide range of outstanding features and technologies, these fridges are perfect for Australian households.”

KEY PRODUCT FEATURES

547L Full-flat glass French Door model:
Panasonic premium refrigerator with transparent full¬-flat glass panel overlaid on a stainless colour backing

Large 547L capacity
Vitaminsafe vegetable case protects nutrients and keeps produce fresher for longer
Chilled case keeps meat and fish chilled, without freezing them
Features Panasonic’s energy-¬saving ECONAVI and Inverter technologies
Electrostatic Touch Control Panel gives complete control over settings and temperature levels
Spacious full¬ extension bottom freezer drawer offers smooth and easy access
Ag Clean anti¬bacterial and deodorising technology eliminates mould, bacteria and odours

BX Series – Bottom Mount Range:
Panasonic premium flat bottom ¬mount refrigerator

Available in 450L and 407L capacities
Available in a premium flat stainless colour or white metal finish
Stainless colour models feature Prime Fresh technology which keeps meat and fish fresh, without freezing them
Vegetable case keeps produce fresher for longer with its airtight design
Chilled case keeps meat and fish chilled, without freezing them
Features Panasonic’s energy-¬saving ECONAVI and Inverter technologies
Stainless colour models feature an Electrostatic Touch Control Panel for complete control over settings and temperature levels
Ag Clean anti¬bacterial and deodorising technology eliminates mould, bacteria and odours

REFRIGERATOR PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

French Door

NR-CY54AGSAU 547L French Door

Glass panel and stainless colour finish

RRP $2,499

Available Now

BX Series

NR-BX46BXSAU 450L	Stainless colour finish	RRP $1,999	Available Now
NR-BX46BVWAU 450L	White metal finish	RRP $1,799	Available Now
NR-BX41BXSAU 407L	Stainless colour finish	RRP $1,699	Available Now
NR-BX41BVWAU 407L	White metal finish	RRP $1,399	Available Now

Panasonic’s new refrigerators are available now from selected retailers. For more information, please contact Panasonic on 132 600 or visit the website: www.panasonic.com.au.

Aussies rate Panasonic their favourite brand for air conditioning

June 23, 2016

Air Conditioners

Canstar Blue releases Air Conditioners – Customer Satisfaction Ratings

Whether it’s for cooling in summer or heating in winter, Australians would be lost without air conditioning. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which brand is best for your home comfort?

To answer that question, Canstar Blue annually surveys hundreds of households who have recently purchased and installed a new air conditioning unit, asking them to rate their brand on a number of important variables, including ease of use, reliability, quietness and value for money.

Seven big name brands featured in the final results, but only Panasonic scored five stars for overall customer satisfaction, in addition to every other category.

Canstar Blue Customer Satisfied Ratings – Air Conditioners

It means Panasonic joins Daikin and Fujitsu General in claiming the award for air conditioners twice in the six years of these ratings. Panasonic last topped the ratings table in 2014.

“Panasonic is a pioneer of air conditioning innovation, with its broad range of products coming equipped with a number of highly impressive features,” said Head of Canstar Blue, Megan Doyle. “No doubt these features are impressing consumers, but Panasonic is also still delivering on the basics – namely that its air conditioners are easy to use and reliable, while also representing good value for money.

“This year’s result means Panasonic has joined an elite group of brands which have achieved our award for air conditioners twice since the category was launched in 2011. These ratings should give consumers who buy a Panasonic air conditioner confidence that they are getting a quality product.”

Joe De Bella, Product Marketing Manager, Air Conditioning, Panasonic, said: “Panasonic Australia is delighted that its air conditioners have received a five star rating across the board from Australian consumers. Canstar Blue is a gold standard in customer satisfaction ratings in Australia, and this award is a great recognition of consumer confidence in our brand.

“Panasonic prides itself on the products that it launches in all categories, and air conditioning is no exception. Our air conditioning products are put through a stringent array of tests for comfort and durability before being released into the market.

“This, along with a host of features which give great benefits to the consumer, and our dedicated after sales service, have contributed to winning this award in such an emphatic way.”

Consumer behaviour

The Canstar Blue survey, of 635 Australian households who have purchased a new air conditioner in the last three years, found an average spend of $1,900. It also revealed a strong focus on energy efficiency, with 44% of respondents declaring it their number one purchase decision factor, compared with 42% who were driven by price. In addition, eight out of ten households (82%) who were replacing an old system said their new one is more energy efficient.

However, it seems that not everyone is getting the best possible results from their air conditioners, with many households failing to clean their units, which could result in increased power consumption. Four out of ten (41%) survey respondents admitted they have never cleaned the internal filter of their air conditioner, while 37% have never cleaned in or around the external unit.

About this research

Canstar Blue commissioned Colmar Brunton to survey 3,000 Australian consumers. The customer ratings for air conditioners are based on the responses of 635 adults who have purchased a new system in the last three years.

About Canstar Blue

Canstar Blue was launched in July of 2010 by CANSTAR – Australia and New Zealand’s premier researcher of retail finance information for more than 350 institutions across the finance sector. Canstar Blue measures and tracks Australian and New Zealand consumer satisfaction across over 100 different categories to help consumers make the best purchasing decisions for their needs.

What are the Canstar Blue ratings?

Canstar Blue researches, compares and rates products and services according to customer satisfaction across categories including banking, telecommunications, appliances, electronics, utilities and FMCG. Results are freely available to consumers who are encouraged to use the ratings as a guide to product excellence. The full range of results can be seen on the Canstar Blue website at www.canstarblue.com.au.

Panasonic unveils LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm/F1.4 ASPH. (H-X012) 24mm* Ultra Wide-Angle F1.4 High-Speed Single Focal Length Lens

June 15, 2016

Lumix Cameras & Lenses

Meeting professional needs with high image quality, durability and style

*35mm camera equivalent

Panasonic has unveiled the LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm/F1.4 ASPH. (35 mm camera equivalent: 24 mm) – the latest addition to the company’s range of powerful and compact interchangeable lenses for LUMIX G Micro Four Thirds system cameras.

Doug Campbell, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic, said:

“The new H-X012 is a precisely engineered lens that will be a joy to use. It delivers the exceptional imaging capabilities you’d expect from a LEICA lens, and this attention to quality is also reflected in the construction and styling. Weather sealing with a splash and dust-proof design, plus a metal lens mount, barrel and hood ensure long-term durability and performance.”

The F1.4 large aperture supports low-light and astrophotography as well as demanding video applications, and produces an impressive, natural defocusing effect. The 24mm wide angle has appeal from dramatic landscape shots to architecture and drone photography. An aperture ring provides direct, intuitive control.

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm/F1.4 ASPH. will be available in Australia in August, priced at RRP$1,799.

With an inner focus drive system and a stepping motor, the new LEICA DG SUMMILUX 12mm/F1.4 ASPH. is capable of smooth, silent operation together with Panasonic’s high-speed, high-precision Depth from Defocus (DFD) technology for both photo and video recording. DFD supports the precise focusing essential for recording 4K video.

Integrating two aspherical lenses, two UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses and an ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lens, the lens system comprises 15 elements in 12 groups. The adoption of five special lenses makes it possible to clear the stringent LEICA standard for exceptional image quality with high resolution and minimum distortion. Nine blades give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings.

For further information, please visit www.panasonic.com.au.