Wireless adaptor for Lumix cameras

Panasonic is to release the DMW-WT1, an adapter for its 3.2/4.0 megapixel Lumix FX1/FX5 digital cameras that will enable them to take an SD card-type PHS wireless data terminal. If you're using affiliate Matsushita Kotobuki's Picture Stage online photo album you can also have the pictures uploaded automatically as you shoot them. Photos can be tagged with geographical information supplied by the PHS base station and grouped by location using the included software.

Unfortunately--as with the Minolta DiMage A1, the other camera we can think of that is PHS-compatible--the only transmission format supported is circuit-switched 64kbps, even though the specified provider (DDI Pocket) also has a 128kbps packet transmission service. We suspect that may mean you have to pay for the call rather than being able to opt for an unmetered packet plan.

Nevertheless, PHS is probably the most realistic option for mobile data in Japan at the moment, given its cellphone-like coverage in urban areas (sometimes better-than-cellphone in buildings and underground, since the base stations are small and cheap enough to put anywhere) and the level of miniaturization that's been achieved with the terminals.

Out on March 12 in Japan; expected to cost around Y20,000.

[Via K-Tai Watch (Japanese)]