Panasonic DMC-G2 Press Release

February 7, 2010: Panasonic is pleased to announce the new DMC-G2 from Lumix G Micro System as the world’s first interchangeable lens system camera with touch-control shooting*1. The LUMIX G Micro System has been sparking revolutions in the market as its name “New-Generation System Camera” suggests.

Ever since the release of DMC-G1, the first interchangeable lens system camera based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard with dramatic downsizing of the body adopting the mirrorless structure. The GH1 realized 1920×1080 full HD (High Definition) movie recording and the GF1 brought an innovation even in the viewpoint of design with a flat, slim profile.

To develop the new DMC-G2, Panasonic focused on the operability and elevated it even higher by adoption of touch-screen that connects the sight and action most intuitively. Just a touch on the subject in the LCD lets you set AF even to release the shutter. Various advanced AF functions taking advantage of high-speed, accurate contrast AF are now as easy and comfortable as it never was with a combination of touch-screen operation. Yet the camera body is compact enough to be the world’s smallest and lightest*2.

The double Live-View function offered by the large and bright 3.0-inch 460,000-dot free-angle Intelligent LCD and 1,440,000-dot 1.4x (0.7x*2) Live View Finder makes it possible to see how settings results in the picture in advance to the shooting. The 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor and the new Venus Engine HD II integrating Intelligent Resolution technology assure high image quality in both photo and movie recording.

The DMC-G2 records high quality movie in AVCHD Lite in addition to the motion JPEG even with advanced flexibility of cutting out a high quality still image thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. The camera has an HDMI output capability so that the dynamic movies and photos can be played back on the large HDTV via the optional HDMI mini cable.

For stimulating the creativity of photo/videography, the popular My Color mode is succeeded from the predecessors to offer 7 color settings and 1 custom setting for both photo and movie recording. In addition, the Movie P mode lets you change the aperture to expand the expressiveness in movie recording. The DMC-G2 is also compatible with the optional external stereo microphone DMW-MS1 for high quality audio recording.

On the other hand, the iA(Intelligent Auto)mode which is popular in both Lumix system cameras and compact cameras supports easy shooting with automatic optimization according to the scenes in both photo and movie recording. It can be directly activated with the newly added iA button without trouble of setting using dial or menu.

The DMC-G2 with HD movie recording capability offers an abundance of advanced functions with an unprecedented ease of use realized by a touch control. It brings users from entry level to high amateur and even to professionals, a different surprise and joy of shooting commensurate with their photographic stage. Choose the body color that sound most right to you from three colors – black, red and blue.

The intuitive touch-control shooting- world’s first in an interchangeable lens system camera*1

To elevate its operability even higher, the DMC-G2 adopts touch-control shooting for the first time in the world as an interchangeable lens system camera. AF is immediately set to the subject by just touching it on the large, 460,000-dot LCD and you can even release the shutter.

Once you lock on the subject by a touch, the camera tracks the subject even it moves with the AF tracking function. Just a touch on the screen lets you select the part and the size of AF area with the 1-area AF and the 1-area AF in Face Detection even allows you to set finer focus on the eye while capturing human face bright and clear. The Multi-area AF allows to set a group of AF point according to the composition.

With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject touched, for example, a touch on a human face switches to the portrait mode and the a touch on the background or a scenery to the scenery mode while a touch on the subject close to the camera to the close-up mode. In the manual focusing, you can enlarge the part by just a touch to select 1x, 5x or 10x and smoothly move the part by dragging it on the screen. The touch operation dramatically shortcuts the action of setting in the menu, too.

The touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting but also for playing back images with outstanding visibility. You can play back the image you want out of hundreds of stocks by touching on the one in the thumbnail. To play back images one by one in order, you can drag the image across the screen with a finger to browse the collection of photos as you flip over the pages of the book. Max.16x of enlargement is also easy with touches.

The large, high resolution LCD with wide viewing angle rotates 180° from side to and tilts 270° up and down offers approx.100% of field of view. The free-angle LCD with a touch-screen operation makes both monitoring and touching at any physical position.

Despite the incorporation of high-performance LCD, the DMC-G2 is the world’s smallest and lightest to offer excellent portability*2.

The LUMIX G Micro System identity

With the LUMIX DMC-G1, Panasonic has developed an entirely new concept in digital cameras that comply with the Micro Four Thirds System standard by taking even greater advantage of the compactness and light weight that are made possible by eliminating the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit. By increasing the number of electrical contacts between the camera body and the lens, the camera’s expandability is also dramatically increased to maximize future potential.

The LUMIX G Micro System’s large, bright 1,440,000-dot equivalent Live View Finder retains the outstanding viewability of an optical viewfinder and can also display information about camera settings that the user can see without taking his or her eye from the subject.

A clever built-in eye sensor automatically switches on the viewfinder when the user looks into it, then switches it off and turns on the free-angle 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD (which boasts a wide viewing angle) when the user looks away from the viewfinder.

The 60-frames-per-second Live View is made possible by the Live MOS sensor, which takes signals directly from the image sensor and sends them continuously to the LCD, in real time. Both the Live View Finder and LCD provide approx. 100% field of view. This allows the user, when composing a shot, to check the framing accurately from corner to corner.

The contrast AF system*4 adopted by the LUMIX DMC-G2 is not only accurate and easy to use, but also very fast. Users can choose from a wide range of AF modes, including AF Tracking, 1-area AF, Face Detection AF/AE and 23-area area.

High image quality as an interchangeable lens system camera

While achieving breakthroughs in advanced functions and compactness of design, Panasonic also refined its comprehensive digital imaging technologies for every cameras of LUMIX G Micro System to raise the level of image quality that rivals or even surpasses D-SLR cameras. The 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor featured in the DMC-G2 offers the best of both worlds — the superior image quality of a CCD sensor, and the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. Advanced technology that makes it possible to read 4 channels of data simultaneously also helps the G2 deliver 60 frames-per-second Full-time Live View images, while faithfully reproducing high-resolution images with fine detail and rich gradation.

The new Venus Engine HD II features exceptionally advanced signal processing capabilities. This sophisticated LSI separates chromatic noise from luminance noise and applies the optimal noise reduction to each, so you capture clear and beautiful images even when shooting at high ISO sensitivity levels. The Venus Engine HD II also provides independent gradation control for each of the R, G and B colors, so even delicate color nuances are reproduced faithfully. Linking smoothly with the Live MOS sensor, the Venus Engine HD II records stunning high-resolution 12.1-megapixel images with exceptional accuracy. Signals containing a large amount of image data are sent from the Live MOS sensor to the Live View Finder at 60 fps, resulting in clear, smooth live view.

The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD has been re-engineered to compile the new image processing technology “Intelligent Resolution”. It enables the recording of beautiful photo and high-definition movie with higher quality signal processing. With the Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas — outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clearness while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed.

To the soft gradation part, superior noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to make it smoother. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way for it. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and movie recording.

Cameras of LUMIX G Micro System are equipped with highly efficient Dust
Reduction System. If dust or other foreign matter gets inside the camera when you’re changing lenses, it could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in your photos. The Dust Reduction System in the G2 helps eliminate this possibility by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles effectively.

Take motion picture recording to the next-level with new generation AVCHD Lite

The DMC-G2 can record 1280 x 720 high-definition motion picture in AVCHD Lite that features long recording time and high compatibility with audio-visual equipments. Users can enjoy recording HD motion images taking maximum advantage of lens’ descriptiveness and interchangeability or the large sensor size.

The action starts at a single press of a dedicated button on the top while most of the settings for photo recording are succeeded, which is convenient when you record the same subject at the same situation in both photo and movie. HD Motion JPEG in 1280 x 720 can also be selected as an alternative movie recording format in addition to QVGA, VGA and WVGA, which is more compatible with PCs. High quality sound can be recorded with Dolby Digital Creator and optional accessory Stereo Microphone (DMW-MS1) can be attached to the G2. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.

Even video beginner can record excellent movies with DMC-G2 because the popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in motion image recording. Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it so it always turns out beautifully. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. And Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Portrait, Scenery, Close-up and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.

The G2 also provides a My Color mode, Film mode and carries over a variety of scene modes from photo scene modes in movie recording. Motion picture P mode that lets you change the aperture for more creative HD movie recording. You can try professional-like movie recording with these variety of options like you do with photo recording.

Now the DMC-G2 can take photo while recording movie by just pressing a shutter button. Plus you can save a frame of movie as photo during playback. Newly added Video Divide function lets you split a video into two at the point you desire. This makes it possible to delete the unwanted part by cutting it off.

A pallet of options to stimulate photographers’ creativity

The DMC-G2 is artistic not only in form, but also in function. It provides an array of features that let users either capture precisely true-to-life images or create their own beautifully expressive images. The G2 features My Color mode with a total of seven preset effects — Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette while inheriting the previous Custom mode, which lets users manually set the color, brightness and saturation levels.

With the Full-time Live View function, users can see how these settings will affect the images before they shoot, making it easier to capture the exact mood or atmosphere desired. For even more elaborate effects, users can choose from a total of nine Film modes, and set the contrast, sharpness and saturation levels for each. A custom function lets users store their favorite settings in memory. The G2 also provides a total of 26 Scene modes including the Peripheral Defocus mode. Most of these modes can be used when shooting motion images too, letting users create movies with dramatic, theatrical effects without having to edit after they shoot.

The exposure meter can be displayed in the P/A/S/M shooting modes. The correlation between shutter speed and aperture is shown, with a color-coded warning that alerts users when the settings are not in the proper range. For newcomers to system camera photography, this makes it easy to learn proper settings both visually and logically, enhancing their photography skills.

Great photography is not only from a professional photographer — iA (Intelligent Auto) mode

The DMC-G2 has advanced functions that will satisfy experienced photographers, yet is easy enough for beginners to use comfortably. It’s ideal for compact camera owners who want to step up to higher-quality photos — but without having to worry about the need of technique. Panasonic achieved this superb ease of use by continuing to improve iA mode — with its shooting assist functions that have proven extremely popular in LUMIX compact cameras — and adding it to the LUMIX G Micro System’s advanced imaging technologies. iA mode is available not only in photo but also movie recording.

With AF Tracking, the G2 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves — making it easy to get beautiful, clear shots when a great photo opportunity suddenly arises. Simply aim, lock, and shoot. The Face Recognition*5 function remembers registered faces to give an appropriate AF/AE on the people. In playback, you can choose to display only photos that contain a specific registered face using Category Playback.

In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include MEGA O.I.S., which helps prevent blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights and helping ensure that gradation and details are reproduced beautifully. It also features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects the subject is in backlight. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically detects the most common shooting situations — Portrait, Night Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery, Close-up and Sunset — and switches to the appropriate Scene mode. The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by simply selecting iA mode.

Enjoy watching high quality photos and movies on large HDTV – VIERA Link networking

Both still images and motion images in AVCHD Lite recorded on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV with dynamic HD resolution. The user simply inserts the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on a VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player*6 to play the content. Alternatively, an optional mini HDMI cable can be used to output still and motion images recorded with the DMC-G2 directly to the TV for easy VIERA Link operation. This makes it possible to take maximum advantage of the camera’s playback functions, including slideshows in which both still and motion images are played sequentially, or calendar displays and so on. All control is possible using only the TV’s remote control.
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.

Rich options for expandability

The Micro Four Thirds System products are joining today’s Four Thirds System products to provide customers with even higher levels of performance in a digital interchangeable lens camera. In addition to LUMIX G lenses, the LUMIX DMC-G2 and LUMIX G Micro System can use any interchangeable lens that complies with the Four Thirds standard via an optional mount adaptor DMW-MA1 and with the prestigious Leica M/R Lenses via DMW-MA2M or MA3R. This gives the user access to the unlimited number of lens properties.

With the LUMIX G Micro System and the growing assortment of lenses becoming available, the expressive possibilities are unlimited. The LUMIX DMC-G2 system camera offers a wide variety of options to choose from to match every shooting situation and shooting style. Some accessories are not available in some countries.

* Mount Adaptor: DMW-MA1, DMW-MA2M, DMW-MA3R
* External Flash: DMW-FL220 (GN22) / DMW-FL360 (GN36) / DMW-FL500 (GN50)
* PL Filter: DMW-LPL52
* ND Filter: DMW-LND52
* MC Protector: DMW-LMC52
* Stereo Microphone: DMW-MS1
* Battery Pack: DMW-BLB13
* DC Cable: DMW-DCC3
* Remote Shutter: DMW-RSL1
* Soft Case: DMW-CG1
* Soft Case: DMW-CG2
* Soft Bag: DMW-BAG1, DMW-CZ18
* Leather Bag: DMW-BAL1
* Shoulder Strap (Stylish): DMW-SSTG1-A/C/R/K
* Shoulder Strap (Woven): DMW-SSTG2-W
* Shoulder Strap (Leather): DMW-SSTG3-T
* Shoulder Strap (Leather): DMW-SSTL1
* HDMI mini Cable:RP-CDHM15/RP-CDHM30

Included software

With the DMC-G2, PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition for easy organization of photos and movies and the SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.1 SE for RAW file development come bundled.

The PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos not only of those newly taken but also of those stored in your PC with quick start-up and fast read-in of images. The Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the picture to automatically sort the photos by the registered faces without picking out each photo one by one when you only want pictures of a specific person.

You can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music and burn it onto a DVD disc in MPEG2. Motion pictures can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader even in HD quality. It also lets you create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in MOV, which is especially easy if Panorama Assist mode in the camera is used. The software is of course compatible with the Windows 7.

The original image data in RAW file format recorded with the G2 allows images to be developed according to your intention using highly advanced functions of the SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.1 SE software utility. It features unique combination of high resolution and extraordinary color separation performance.

*1 For an interchangeable lens system camera with movable LCD as of March 7, 2010
*2 For an interchangeable lens system camera with movable LCD as of March 7, 2010. There are some limitations to other functions depending on the lens to attach.
*3 35mm camera equivalent.
*4 Lenses that are not compatible with the contrast AF function can be used with manual focusing.There are some limitations to other functions depending on the lens to attach.
*5 Turn Face Recognition item ON and register the person with full-face portrait on the shooting menu in advance. Some functions in iA mode may not be available depending on the lens that is mounted.
*6 AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD cannot be played on a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.

Panasonic DMC-G10 Press Release

March 7, 2010: Panasonic is pleased to announce the new DMC-G2 from Lumix G Micro System as the world’s first interchangeable lens system camera with touch-control shooting*1. The LUMIX G Micro System has been sparking revolutions in the market as its name “New-Generation System Camera” suggests.

Ever since the release of DMC-G1, the first interchangeable lens system camera based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard with dramatic downsizing of the body adopting the mirrorless structure. The GH1 realized 1920×1080 full HD (High Definition) movie recording and the GF1 brought an innovation even in the viewpoint of design with a flat, slim profile.

To develop the new DMC-G2, Panasonic focused on the operability and elevated it even higher by adoption of touch-screen that connects the sight and action most intuitively. Just a touch on the subject in the LCD lets you set AF even to release the shutter. Various advanced AF functions taking advantage of high-speed, accurate contrast AF are now as easy and comfortable as it never was with a combination of touch-screen operation. Yet the camera body is compact enough to be the world’s smallest and lightest*2.

The double Live-View function offered by the large and bright 3.0-inch 460,000-dot free-angle Intelligent LCD and 1,440,000-dot 1.4x (0.7x*2) Live View Finder makes it possible to see how settings results in the picture in advance to the shooting. The 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor and the new Venus Engine HD II integrating Intelligent Resolution technology assure high image quality in both photo and movie recording.

The DMC-G2 records high quality movie in AVCHD Lite in addition to the motion JPEG even with advanced flexibility of cutting out a high quality still image thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. The camera has an HDMI output capability so that the dynamic movies and photos can be played back on the large HDTV via the optional HDMI mini cable.

For stimulating the creativity of photo/videography, the popular My Color mode is succeeded from the predecessors to offer 7 color settings and 1 custom setting for both photo and movie recording. In addition, the Movie P mode lets you change the aperture to expand the expressiveness in movie recording. The DMC-G2 is also compatible with the optional external stereo microphone DMW-MS1 for high quality audio recording.

On the other hand, the iA(Intelligent Auto)mode which is popular in both Lumix system cameras and compact cameras supports easy shooting with automatic optimization according to the scenes in both photo and movie recording. It can be directly activated with the newly added iA button without trouble of setting using dial or menu.

The DMC-G2 with HD movie recording capability offers an abundance of advanced functions with an unprecedented ease of use realized by a touch control. It brings users from entry level to high amateur and even to professionals, a different surprise and joy of shooting commensurate with their photographic stage. Choose the body color that sound most right to you from three colors – black, red and blue.

The intuitive touch-control shooting- world’s first in an interchangeable lens system camera*1
To elevate its operability even higher, the DMC-G2 adopts touch-control shooting for the first time in the world as an interchangeable lens system camera. AF is immediately set to the subject by just touching it on the large, 460,000-dot LCD and you can even release the shutter.

Once you lock on the subject by a touch, the camera tracks the subject even it moves with the AF tracking function. Just a touch on the screen lets you select the part and the size of AF area with the 1-area AF and the 1-area AF in Face Detection even allows you to set finer focus on the eye while capturing human face bright and clear. The Multi-area AF allows to set a group of AF point according to the composition.

With the Intelligent Scene Selector in the iA mode, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject touched, for example, a touch on a human face switches to the portrait mode and the a touch on the background or a scenery to the scenery mode while a touch on the subject close to the camera to the close-up mode. In the manual focusing, you can enlarge the part by just a touch to select 1x, 5x or 10x and smoothly move the part by dragging it on the screen. The touch operation dramatically shortcuts the action of setting in the menu, too.

The touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting but also for playing back images with outstanding visibility. You can play back the image you want out of hundreds of stocks by touching on the one in the thumbnail. To play back images one by one in order, you can drag the image across the screen with a finger to browse the collection of photos as you flip over the pages of the book. Max.16x of enlargement is also easy with touches.

The large, high resolution LCD with wide viewing angle rotates 180° from side to and tilts 270° up and down offers approx.100% of field of view. The free-angle LCD with a touch-screen operation makes both monitoring and touching at any physical position.

Despite the incorporation of high-performance LCD, the DMC-G2 is the world’s smallest and lightest to offer excellent portability*2.

The LUMIX G Micro System identity
With the LUMIX DMC-G1, Panasonic has developed an entirely new concept in digital cameras that comply with the Micro Four Thirds System standard by taking even greater advantage of the compactness and light weight that are made possible by eliminating the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit. By increasing the number of electrical contacts between the camera body and the lens, the camera’s expandability is also dramatically increased to maximize future potential.

The LUMIX G Micro System’s large, bright 1,440,000-dot equivalent Live View Finder retains the outstanding viewability of an optical viewfinder and can also display information about camera settings that the user can see without taking his or her eye from the subject.

A clever built-in eye sensor automatically switches on the viewfinder when the user looks into it, then switches it off and turns on the free-angle 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD (which boasts a wide viewing angle) when the user looks away from the viewfinder.

The 60-frames-per-second Live View is made possible by the Live MOS sensor, which takes signals directly from the image sensor and sends them continuously to the LCD, in real time. Both the Live View Finder and LCD provide approx. 100% field of view. This allows the user, when composing a shot, to check the framing accurately from corner to corner.

The contrast AF system*4 adopted by the LUMIX DMC-G2 is not only accurate and easy to use, but also very fast. Users can choose from a wide range of AF modes, including AF Tracking, 1-area AF, Face Detection AF/AE and 23-area area.

High image quality as an interchangeable lens system camera
While achieving breakthroughs in advanced functions and compactness of design, Panasonic also refined its comprehensive digital imaging technologies for every cameras of LUMIX G Micro System to raise the level of image quality that rivals or even surpasses D-SLR cameras. The 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor featured in the DMC-G2 offers the best of both worlds — the superior image quality of a CCD sensor, and the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. Advanced technology that makes it possible to read 4 channels of data simultaneously also helps the G2 deliver 60 frames-per-second Full-time Live View images, while faithfully reproducing high-resolution images with fine detail and rich gradation.

The new Venus Engine HD II features exceptionally advanced signal processing capabilities. This sophisticated LSI separates chromatic noise from luminance noise and applies the optimal noise reduction to each, so you capture clear and beautiful images even when shooting at high ISO sensitivity levels. The Venus Engine HD II also provides independent gradation control for each of the R, G and B colors, so even delicate color nuances are reproduced faithfully. Linking smoothly with the Live MOS sensor, the Venus Engine HD II records stunning high-resolution 12.1-megapixel images with exceptional accuracy. Signals containing a large amount of image data are sent from the Live MOS sensor to the Live View Finder at 60 fps, resulting in clear, smooth live view.

The high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD has been re-engineered to compile the new image processing technology “Intelligent Resolution”. It enables the recording of beautiful photo and high-definition movie with higher quality signal processing. With the Intelligent Resolution technology, 3 areas — outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation areas are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges more clearness while giving a moderate accentuation to the texture areas to look more finely detailed.

To the soft gradation part, superior noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to make it smoother. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way for it. As a result, images are naturally clear and crisp in both photo and movie recording.

Cameras of LUMIX G Micro System are equipped with highly efficient Dust Reduction System. If dust or other foreign matter gets inside the camera when you’re changing lenses, it could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in your photos. The Dust Reduction System in the G2 helps eliminate this possibility by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles effectively.

Take motion picture recording to the next-level with new generation AVCHD Lite
The DMC-G2 can record 1280 x 720 high-definition motion picture in AVCHD Lite that features long recording time and high compatibility with audio-visual equipments. Users can enjoy recording HD motion images taking maximum advantage of lens’ descriptiveness and interchangeability or the large sensor size.

The action starts at a single press of a dedicated button on the top while most of the settings for photo recording are succeeded, which is convenient when you record the same subject at the same situation in both photo and movie. HD Motion JPEG in 1280 x 720 can also be selected as an alternative movie recording format in addition to QVGA, VGA and WVGA, which is more compatible with PCs. High quality sound can be recorded with Dolby Digital Creator and optional accessory Stereo Microphone (DMW-MS1) can be attached to the G2. A Wind Cut function is also available to block out most of the noise from background wind.

Even video beginner can record excellent movies with DMC-G2 because the popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in motion image recording. Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) helps prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it so it always turns out beautifully. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. And Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Portrait, Scenery, Close-up and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.

The G2 also provides a My Color mode, Film mode and carries over a variety of scene modes from photo scene modes in movie recording. Motion picture P mode that lets you change the aperture for more creative HD movie recording. You can try professional-like movie recording with these variety of options like you do with photo recording.

Now the DMC-G2 can take photo while recording movie by just pressing a shutter button. Plus you can save a frame of movie as photo during playback. Newly added Video Divide function lets you split a video into two at the point you desire. This makes it possible to delete the unwanted part by cutting it off.

A pallet of options to stimulate photographers’ creativity
The DMC-G2 is artistic not only in form, but also in function. It provides an array of features that let users either capture precisely true-to-life images or create their own beautifully expressive images. The G2 features My Color mode with a total of seven preset effects — Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette while inheriting the previous Custom mode, which lets users manually set the color, brightness and saturation levels.

With the Full-time Live View function, users can see how these settings will affect the images before they shoot, making it easier to capture the exact mood or atmosphere desired. For even more elaborate effects, users can choose from a total of nine Film modes, and set the contrast, sharpness and saturation levels for each. A custom function lets users store their favorite settings in memory. The G2 also provides a total of 26 Scene modes including the Peripheral Defocus mode. Most of these modes can be used when shooting motion images too, letting users create movies with dramatic, theatrical effects without having to edit after they shoot.

The exposure meter can be displayed in the P/A/S/M shooting modes. The correlation between shutter speed and aperture is shown, with a color-coded warning that alerts users when the settings are not in the proper range. For newcomers to system camera photography, this makes it easy to learn proper settings both visually and logically, enhancing their photography skills.

Great photography is not only from a professional photographer — iA (Intelligent Auto) mode
The DMC-G2 has advanced functions that will satisfy experienced photographers, yet is easy enough for beginners to use comfortably. It’s ideal for compact camera owners who want to step up to higher-quality photos — but without having to worry about the need of technique. Panasonic achieved this superb ease of use by continuing to improve iA mode — with its shooting assist functions that have proven extremely popular in LUMIX compact cameras — and adding it to the LUMIX G Micro System’s advanced imaging technologies. iA mode is available not only in photo but also movie recording.

With AF Tracking, the G2 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves — making it easy to get beautiful, clear shots when a great photo opportunity suddenly arises. Simply aim, lock, and shoot. The Face Recognition*5 function remembers registered faces to give an appropriate AF/AE on the people. In playback, you can choose to display only photos that contain a specific registered face using Category Playback.

In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits fundamental functions users need in a good digital still camera. These include MEGA O.I.S., which helps prevent blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights and helping ensure that gradation and details are reproduced beautifully. It also features an automatic backlight compensation function that activates whenever the camera detects the subject is in backlight. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically detects the most common shooting situations — Portrait, Night Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery, Close-up and Sunset — and switches to the appropriate Scene mode. The user can activate all of these useful, convenient shooting-assist functions by simply selecting iA mode.

Enjoy watching high quality photos and movies on large HDTV – VIERA Link networking
Both still images and motion images in AVCHD Lite recorded on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV with dynamic HD resolution. The user simply inserts the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on a VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player*6 to play the content. Alternatively, an optional mini HDMI cable can be used to output still and motion images recorded with the DMC-G2 directly to the TV for easy VIERA Link operation. This makes it possible to take maximum advantage of the camera’s playback functions, including slideshows in which both still and motion images are played sequentially, or calendar displays and so on. All control is possible using only the TV’s remote control.
In addition, with the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, it is easy to view and edit your recorded contents. You may also choose to upload your videos to YouTube or burn them to a DVD disc for archiving.

Rich options for expandability
The Micro Four Thirds System products are joining today’s Four Thirds System products to provide customers with even higher levels of performance in a digital interchangeable lens camera. In addition to LUMIX G lenses, the LUMIX DMC-G2 and LUMIX G Micro System can use any interchangeable lens that complies with the Four Thirds standard via an optional mount adaptor DMW-MA1 and with the prestigious Leica M/R Lenses via DMW-MA2M or MA3R. This gives the user access to the unlimited number of lens properties.

With the LUMIX G Micro System and the growing assortment of lenses becoming available, the expressive possibilities are unlimited. The LUMIX DMC-G2 system camera offers a wide variety of options to choose from to match every shooting situation and shooting style. Some accessories are not available in some countries.

* Mount Adaptor: DMW-MA1, DMW-MA2M, DMW-MA3R
* External Flash: DMW-FL220 (GN22) / DMW-FL360 (GN36) / DMW-FL500 (GN50)
* PL Filter: DMW-LPL52
* ND Filter: DMW-LND52
* MC Protector: DMW-LMC52
* Stereo Microphone: DMW-MS1
* Battery Pack: DMW-BLB13
* DC Cable: DMW-DCC3
* Remote Shutter: DMW-RSL1
* Soft Case: DMW-CG1
* Soft Case: DMW-CG2
* Soft Bag: DMW-BAG1, DMW-CZ18
* Leather Bag: DMW-BAL1
* Shoulder Strap (Stylish): DMW-SSTG1-A/C/R/K
* Shoulder Strap (Woven): DMW-SSTG2-W
* Shoulder Strap (Leather): DMW-SSTG3-T
* Shoulder Strap (Leather): DMW-SSTL1
* HDMI mini Cable:RP-CDHM15/RP-CDHM30

Included software
With the DMC-G2, PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition for easy organization of photos and movies and the SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.1 SE for RAW file development come bundled.

The PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos not only of those newly taken but also of those stored in your PC with quick start-up and fast read-in of images. The Face Recognition function that recognizes the faces in the picture to automatically sort the photos by the registered faces without picking out each photo one by one when you only want pictures of a specific person.

You can also enjoy slideshows with a variety of effects and use your iTunes music library as background music and burn it onto a DVD disc in MPEG2. Motion pictures can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader even in HD quality. It also lets you create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in MOV, which is especially easy if Panorama Assist mode in the camera is used. The software is of course compatible with the Windows 7.

The original image data in RAW file format recorded with the G2 allows images to be developed according to your intention using highly advanced functions of the SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.1 SE software utility. It features unique combination of high resolution and extraordinary color separation performance.

*1 For an interchangeable lens system camera with movable LCD as of March 7, 2010
*2 For an interchangeable lens system camera with movable LCD as of March 7, 2010. There are some limitations to other functions depending on the lens to attach.
*3 35mm camera equivalent.
*4 Lenses that are not compatible with the contrast AF function can be used with manual focusing.There are some limitations to other functions depending on the lens to attach.
*5 Turn Face Recognition item ON and register the person with full-face portrait on the shooting menu in advance. Some functions in iA mode may not be available depending on the lens that is mounted.
*6 AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD cannot be played on a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.

Casio Exilim EX-G1 is a 12 megapixels shock-resistant, waterproof, dustproof digital camera features 3x optical zoom (Approx. 38 – 114mm), Advanced Dynamic Photo function, and a 2.5-inch TFT color LCD 230,400 dots (960 x 240). The camera measures 103.5(W) x 64.2(H) x 19.9(D) mm 4.01″ (W) x 2.53″ (H) x 0.78″ (D) and weighs Approximately 154g / 5.4 oz(Including battery and Memory card).

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars | Latest Price Info

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British gamers spent nearly £200 million on MMOs like World of Warcraft according to the latest research.

The Today's Gamers MMO Focus Report by TNS and Gamesindustry.com suggests that 1.5 million people in the UK spend an average of £10.50 a month on massively multiplayer online games.

The total of £195 million is more than Germany (£165m) and France (£145m) but a drop in the ocean compared to the US – where $3.8 billion (£2.55bn) was spent.

Subs, micro-payments and cheating

Around £79 million, 41 per cent of the total was spent in monthly subscriptions, £16 million in annual subscriptions and £24 million on buying games and expansion packs.

Micro-payments accounted for £38 million, the same amount spent by people buying up virtual currency (aka cheating).

"Micro-payments on the free-to-play games plus subscriptions for the rest make MMOs lucrative - if you can convince gamers to pick your MMO over the others," explained MSN's Jane Douglas.

"They only have so many hours to sink into games like these, so competition is tough."

UK ftw!

CVG's editor Tim Ingham believes that the UK's obsession with MMOs sends out a strong message, and is intrigued by the impact of the free-to-play Runescape .

"Okay,so this doesn't paint a picture of us as the globe's sexiest nation," he said, "but look on the bright side - at least, for once, we're top of a European league table that doesn't feature binge drinking, obesity or teenage pregnancy.

"Despite Lord Of The Rings Online's best efforts, there's really only One MMO To Rule Them All in Blighty: Warcraft's domination of the market is still colossal.

"However, it's very interesting to see Runescape rise through the ranks of WoW's wealthier pretenders to woo the British public.

"It's a free-to--play MMO: The perfect tonic for a skint nation with plenty of unemployed hours on its hands."

Google is to give users of Street View the chance to edit the service to make it that little bit more accurate.

An 'edit marker' feature has been added, which would allow you to change where businesses are.

So, if you look at Street View and find that the marker for a shop or pub nearby you isn't quite right, then you can lift it up and change its location.

"Sometimes you may find a place in Google Maps that isn't quite positioned where it should be," says the blog.

"Let's say you know that your favourite pizzeria is near the corner but the marker for it appears further down the block. You want all hungry pizza-cravers to be able to find this great spot, so you want to make sure the marker leads them directly to the storefront."

Move marker

The blog continues: "You could use our map editing feature (the 'move marker' edit) to move it to the right place, but moving the marker to the right location is not always that easy, especially in denser urban areas, if the only reference you have are maps or satellite images because you can only get a view from above.

"So now we have added one more very handy reference for making a map marker edit: Street View images. It makes the edit much easier."

This wiki approach is something that Google seems to be embracing more for its services like StreetView.

Just last week, Google also announced that you could also edit the information given to businesses flagged up on Street View.

Dell has explained to TechRadar why its Adamo XPS laptop is increasingly difficult to get hold off, insisting that the 'engineering marvel' should be considered a special edition.

According to the company, reports that the XPS had been axed just three months after launch are not entirely accurate, with Dell insisting that the high-end laptop should not have been considered a normal piece of stock, but a limited release.

Dell also confirmed that most of the supply of the laptop 'has been accounted for' and people still keen to buy one will need to look hard.

Selected stores

"In the UK, Adamo XPS will continue to be offered through select John Lewis stores and on johnlewis.com," said Dell's statement.

"The Adamo XPS is an engineering marvel and a decisive proof point to Dell's design and engineer capabilities.

"As such it is similar to a limited edition product, and most of the supply has been accounted for.

"The original Adamo is still available on adamobydell.co.uk with a starting price point of £1,099."

The US will also be able to get hold of the Adamo XPS with the statement confirming that it is "still available in the US at select Best Buy Stores and on bestbuy.com."

Of course, you can read into this what you will - spin or truth - but XPS lovers had better start raiding their piggy banks to buy one because special or not, this laptop is now a limited edition.

Sony has unveiled the prices of its 3D glasses and emitter package – an add-on which will make the latest batch of Sony Bravias 3D Ready.

Sony's latest Bravia TVs will be 3D compatible but only one of these will be 3D Ready, and that is the LX900.

The LX900 is Sony's flagship model of the company's Monolithic range, one which will have an emitter inside. The television will also come with two Sony active-shutter glasses.

The active shutter glasses can also be bought separately, although this is currently available in Japan.

3D add-ons

Each pair of glasses will set you back 12,000 Yen, which is around £90. Even though this is around about the price that we thought for the specs, it does mean that a family of four will have to fork out an extra £180 when buying a 3D TV.

As for the emitter, this will cost 5,000 Yen, which is £33. The emitter can be added to Sony's NX900, HX700, HX800 and HX900 to make the 3D-capable TVs 3D compatible.

Sony hasn't officially announced when its 3D TVs will be coming to the UK market. But, with Samsung and Panasonic's launching this month, we can only assume that a launch is imminent.

The television licence fee will go up by three pounds, with Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw laying a Parliamentary order to approve the increase from next month.

The rise in the licence fee, is just the latest in a six-year plan approved back in January 2007, but arrives in an inevitable storm of criticism and brings the cost of a colour television licence to £145.50.

The Department for Culture Media and Sport argue that the January inflation figure stood at 3.5 per cent, which means that the £3, or two per cent, rise is actually below the increase to cost of living.

Hard times

But with the country still reeling from the economic crash, and government departmental cuts, the increase has drawn disapproval.

The whole idea of a licence fee remains controversial, with advocates pointing to a uniquely funded public service broadcaster like the BBC that is the envy of the world, and critics pointing to a 500 pound gorilla that holds too much power and is funded by what, in essence, is another tax.

The debate has raged for years, and with a general election looming it seems likely that the debate over the fee will soon become a political hot potato once again.

For now, however, the opposition party - the Conservatives - decided not to contest the increase, although they have not ruled out a cut to the fee should they win the election.

The 'Interactive' part of the annual South by South West conference in Austin, Texas kicks off this Friday.

Known as SXSWi, and running through until Tuesday 16 March, the event brings together web designers, developers, content creators and more, to share ideas, network, announce new products and services, and then hang out in the evenings over barbeque and beer.

The conference features around 200 panels and evening events covering subjects such as social media, interface design, real-time web and much more. The evenings see parties such as the Bigg Digg Shindigg, events hosted by Microsoft, Mozilla and Mashable, and a tonne of film showings, since the SXSW Film Conference and Festival runs at the same time.

TechRadar will be reporting from SXSWi, bringing you the latest news, and in-depth interviews with the web's biggest players.

Here are some of the events to get excited about, but there are many more. The full schedule is on the SXSWi site.

Friday 12 March

The UX of Mobile – 2pm
This panel examines design principles for the creation of apps for iPhone, Android, and mobile websites.

Long Distance UX – 3:30pm
Alex Cook and Lisa Camm from Google explain how Google works with teams split across multiple locations.

Securing Web Behemoths – 5pm
Security engineers from Microsoft, Facebook and Twitter talk about the challenge of securing web apps.

Saturday 13 March

Can the Real-Time Web be Realised? – 11am
A panel including spokespeople from Microsoft, Google and ReadWriteWeb discuss what is needed to make the real-time web achievable.

iPad: New Opportunities for Content Creators – 11am
Experts in the interactive, book publishing, magazine, and videogaming industries talk about the impact of the iPad in regards to design and distribution of content.

Is WordPress Killing Web Design? - 3:30pm
Join magneticNorth's Brendan Dawes, Shane Mielke of 2Advanced Studios and others for a lively discussion hosted by our colleagues on .net magazine.

Mozilla party - 6pm
Mozilla is getting some attendee love this year – the Mozilla happy hour, which kicks off at 6pm at Cedar Door, is limited to the first 250 guests, and over 5,000 people have confirmed their attendance on the Facebook group.

Bigg Digg Shindigg – 7pm
Free to attend (you don't even need a SXSW badge), which means it'll be packed, so get to Stubbs BBQ early and expect to queue. Hosted by Digg and Revision 3.

Sun 14 March

Trials and Tribulations of the Pirate Bay – 12:30pm
The Pirate Bay's Peter Sunde reflects on the Pirate Bay's recent trial, its $7.8 million acquisition and looks to the future of peer to peer.

Gmail: Behind the Scenes – 5pm
Gmail engineers, user experience designers and product managers talk about how they work together and how they see online communication evolving.

Mashable's MashBash – 10pm
Mashable, Cliqset and Sony host the second MashBash SXSWi.

Mon 15 March

Evan Williams Keynote Interview – 2pm
Hear from Evan Williams, co-founder of Pyra Labs (creator of Blogger) and web 2.0 darlings Twitter. Follow the hashtag #evwilliams if you want to join in remotely.

Android: What We've Learned About Mobile in the Last Two Months – 3:30pm
In January 2010, Google launched the Nexus One in the US. This phone marked the first time Google had started selling its own consumer electronics. Senior Product Manager Erick Tseng talks about what Google has learned from the experience.

Tues 16 March

Is Canvas the End of Flash? – 12:30pm
HTML5 Canvas-based graphics, animation and interaction have some people claiming that it's a Flash killer. But is it really? Panel members include spokespeople from Palm and Adobe. We can pretty much guess what Adobe's response will be…

Daniel Ek Keynote Interview – 2pm
Now why would 26-year-old CEO and co-founder of online music service Spotify be in the US? Could it be that Spotify is announcing its US launch at this very time? Ek has previously said that a US launch is on the cards: "A Spotify launch in the US is absolutely part of our plans," Ek told TechRadar in February 2009.

SXSW Interactive Closing Party – 8pm
After a busy week, we'll be heading over to The Mohawk for the official closing party.

Google's plan to release its own mobile phone - the Nexus One - seems to have backfired as sales estimates have been slashed.

Such was the hype around the search giant's own phone that some analysts predicted that the Nexus One would sell 3.5m units in its first year.

But the lack of marketing around the phone (coupled with the fact the HTC Desire is essentially the same device with greater functionality) means that investment bank Goldman Sachs has dramatically reduced its estimates.

"We previously estimated that Google might sell 3.5 million Nexus One units in 2010," said the firm, according to ZDNet.

Disappointing data

"Initial data-points were disappointing, possibly due to limited marketing and customer service challenges. Flurry estimated (based on mobile traffic) that Google sold 20,000 in the first week, and 80,000 in the first month, both annualizing to 1.0 million.

"We forecast that Google sells 1.0 million Nexus One units in FY2010, benefiting from US carriers other than T-Mobile, and non-US carriers such as Vodafone, promoting the device too, but suffering from limited marketing activity."

Google is predicted to add to the Nexus range with companies like Motorola coming on board to create the devices - but even then the estimates only go up to two million phones per year.

The decision by Google to only offer the Nexus One online is an odd one - we're all waiting to see what tricks the company has up its sleeve to make this online portal into a real money spinner.

LG has announced the new Cookie Fresh GS290, another budget mobile phone to appeal to the masses.

We brought you news of this phone last week, when it was first shown off at CeBIT - and now it's been made official, which may not be the right way round for a new release.

But the good news is we've managed to sniff out a UK release date - it will be landing on our frosty shores at the start of April.

The LG Cookie Fresh will sport some basic specs - we're talking no 3G and a 2MP camera bolted on the back.

All about the media

However, there is a three-inch touchscreen and social networking integration to get excited about, and the UI seems to be large and easy to use.

And media is also catered for - despite likely coming with a sub £100 price tag, there's still a 3.5mm headphone port and an FM radio too.

The LG Cookie sold fantastically well two years ago when it was released - it still was top of the pay as you go charts in the UK last year.

Check out the Korean press release if you're into translated announcements - there's a picture of a girl holding some phones as well, if you need a reason to click.

Ricoh GXR is an interchangeable unit camera system in which lenses are changed by using a slide-in mount system to attach camera units to the body. The camera also features Built-in flash and accessory shoe, DMI connecto and a 3.0-inch 920,000 pixels transparent LCD. The camera measures 114 x 70 x 29mm (4.5 x 2.7 x 1.1 in) and weighs 160g (5.6 oz)

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars | Latest Price Info

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While the world is going gaga over the HTC Legend and Desire pair, the cogs at the Taiwanese HQ haven't stopped turning - and the HTC Supersonic seems next up.

A blurry web video has leaked out of the phone, which apparently boasts a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen and Android 2.1.

The video is pretty basic - all we learn is that it comes in white and has a dual LED flash to go with the unknown megapixeled camera.

Snappy power

Previous reports have stated that the HTC Supersonic will be packing the same 1GHz Snapdragon processor we've seen in umpteen phones these days - which we like for a phone with this size of screen.

After the HTC HD2 was launched, we've been waiting for an Android version to pop up, and this could be it.

The only downside - it's apparently going to be using 4G WiMax, which is very much a US-focused feature at the moment.

Here's hoping that changes before release and we get out own HTC Supersonic UK release date in the near future.

Google is testing its search algorithms for television, it has been revealed, with the trial of a new service in association with the Dish Network

The trial uses a Google search engine inside a set-top box, which helps users to find show on the web.

According to the WSJ, testing has taken place since last year and has been limited to people within Google.

Although unknown in the UK, the Dish Network has 14 million subscribers in the US. It hasn't commented on the trials and neither has Google but set-top box search would certainly be a viable option for Google – considering a similar technology has been employed in new TiVo boxes in the US.

Internet on the big screen

Web-enabled set-top boxes and TVs are becoming more and more present in homes and it with Project Canvas in the UK set to bring IPTV to the masses, some sort of organised search for programmes via a set-top box, which broaches satellite, terrestrial and internet would be more than welcomed.

You only have to look at the primitive search options of Sky's HD boxes to know that this is one are that could be greatly enhanced.

Couple this with Google's close ties with YouTube – which already houses a number of TV shows – and the potential for decent programme search is definitely there.

Asus has unveiled its Cine5 PC speaker, promising accurate 5-channel surround sound in small room.

The Cine5 is designed for what Asus terms 'personalized spaces' such as study rooms and to that end it is a all-in-one, compact speaker using Asus' "Embracing Sound Theatre HD" technology.

"This patented technology leverages on a discrete 5-channel output to deliver full audio surround, which users can experience whenever they are directly in front of the speaker," explains Asus.

FPS accuracy

"In a First Player Shooter game, the Cine5 provides precise sound location that improves shooting accuracy and heightens gaming thrills.

"The Cine5 also revives 5-channel audio from any down-mixed 2-channel source—for a high-fidelity, multi-channel sound during PC gaming or movie sessions."

The Cine5 apparently offers 15dB more than speakers of similar size and the multi-driver configuration should aid higher-frequency responses.

Asus has yet to announce a price, but the Cine5 has a UK release date of the end of March.

The premise of Wikipedia is laudable. A knowledge depository written and edited by the people, for the people.

The glue that keeps the site together is an evolving set of policies and guidelines, but, these guidelines are open to much interpretation and debate.

Here are 10 of Wikipedia's daftest discussions.

1. What's in a name?

Some of Wikipedia's denizens don't like the way academic researcher and well-known blogger danah boyd (legally) spells her name - without caps.

"Why is it OK for her to impose her nonstandard styling and the costs that come with it on the rest of us?" said R27182818 on the subject's discussion page. The argument continues to this day, and the Wikipedia article on danah boyd is still titled "Danah Boyd".

2. Though shalt not edit thy own biography

Even danah's own intervention couldn't sway the most hardline opposers, because Wikipedia has a rule that discourages living subjects from editing their own entries. Carl Hewitt, an associate professor at MIT was rather notoriously banned in 2007 - according to The Guardian - for editing his own biography and promoting his works.

Wikipedians said his activities were "disruptive". Professor Hewitt countered that his page "significantly misrepresents both me and my work". He was inspired by the incident to write a paper entitled The Corruption of Wikipedia on Google's rival user-edited encyclopaedia, Knol.

3. Goodbye, Larry

While Carl Hewitt got the boot, Jimmy Wales, the guy who founded - sorry, co-founded Wikipedia - got away with editing his own entry with little more than a war of words.

He stood accused of removing references to his former partner Larry Sanger. Amusingly, the whole episode is now detailed on Wales's own Wikipedia page.

SELF-EDITING: Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales deleted former partner Larry Sanger from his entry. The ensuing edit war spread through Wikipedia like a forest fire

4. RIP Swells

Wikipedians love arguing about whether entries deserve to be on Wikipedia. Why was there an argument about the notability of Steven Wells, journeyman music journalist and famous broadcaster when he passed away last year though? Cultural ignorance we suspect.

In this case, one Wikipedia editor voted to delete the entry, 24 hours after Wells died. The argument that ensued was brief and one-sided, but definitely whacky.

5. Fictionally famous

The question of notability grows feathered wings of insanity when the subject in question is fictional. This was such a contentious issue that the folks editing the actual guideline have had had several meltdowns over wording.

First mooted in 2006, four years later the Notability (Fiction) guideline is stalled at "proposal" stage. Referred to in Wikipedia itself as "the mother of all notability disputes", the archived discussion currently runs for 56 pages - most of them tetchy.

6. Happy Birthday, Jimmy Wales

Another guideline that trips up new Wikipedia editors is that all information should be based on "reliable sources". But what's a reliable source? For example, another edit war involving Jimmy Wales sprang up when the Wikipedia co-founder decided to remove his date of birth - saying it was incorrect.

Plenty of friendly Wikipedians were happy to "correct" the edit he made citing secondary sources, including Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Mr Wales's entry currently says his birthday is 7 August - with a note at the bottom saying that this is wrong... by one day.

7. Chicken Kyiv

One of Wikipedia's Five Pillars is "Wikipedia has a neutral point of view" or NPOV. But is there such a thing?

One chap's reasonable belief is another's fundamentalism. For evidence see slanging matches like the ongoing battle about Ukraine's capital city. The Ukrainian name is "Kyiv", but the article uses the Russian name "Kiev".

Proponents of the latter spelling say that it's more common, while champions of Kyiv say it's a hangover of Soviet rule.

THE RULES: Wikipedia's Five Pillars include "Wikipedia does not have firm rules" and "Wikipedians should act in a respectful and civil manner". Really

8. Hummus

Tasty chickpea dip or battleground for Middle Eastern politicking? On Wikipedia, it's both. Contributors couldn't make up their minds whether the dish was Israeli, Turkish or Lebanese in origin. Last time we looked at the discussion section, another six countries were laying claim to the garlicky entrée.

9. Big G

Religion and politics are perennial flamebait - but few arguments are as silly or circular as one in the discussion section of Wikipedia's Derren Brown entry.

It's not about the beardy mind fiddler - it is, rather, about whether the article should refer to God or god. Big G is, of course, the Christian God, Jehovah. In the context it was used, a TV special where Brown temporarily converted atheists into believers, there was an argument that the illusionist meant a generic god or gods. Small g. The argument raged for a good nine months. Just thinking about it makes our brains go "ouch".

10. Young Earth

Think that's whacky? You should have a gander at the discussion section of The Age of the Earth, where a battle between creationists and rationalists includes argumental gems like: "After reading the first paragraph, I nearly threw up. Since when were Creationist views on the age of the earth un-scientific?".

All in all there's plenty here to prove there are two sides to every internet argument, and both are usually wrong...