Panasonic has joined Olympus in offering a mirror-less, viewfinder-less interchangeable-lens camera with the big Micro Four Thirds sensor. The 12.1 megapixel sensor in the Lumix GF1 is the same one found in Panasonic’s tiny “DSLR” style G1.
The main differences between this and the Olympus EP-1 Pen are the looks (plain, black or colored aluminum instead of fancy faux-leather), a pop-up flash (the Olympus has none), size (the Panasonic is “artistically flat”). Other standard features include image stabilization, face detection and HD video recording and ISO of up to 3200.
But the best feature goes almost unmentioned in the press release: The camera can be fitted with Leica lenses out of the box. You’ll need an adapter to use older M and R lenses, just like the Olympus Pen, but there are a handful of great, fast lenses that can be popped right on and give full autofocus function. There will also fit the Pen, but these Leica lenses are made to work with Panasonic cameras.
Is there bad news, too? Of course. There’s always bad news. There will be an optional, clip-in viewfinder which connects to the hot-shoe, and it will be electronic. Yes, it will pipe the video in at a responsive 60fps, but why, Panasonic? Why? Why engineer a complicated electronic add on when a simple chunk of glass will do the job better?
The GF1 will be available in October for $900.
Press release [DP Review]
