It’s been nearly half a year since Panasonic’s Lumix series of cameras got any new members, but today the company is introducing three more shooters to the family. First up is the DMC-G5, the latest addition to the company’s Micro Four Thirds lineup. It’s the successor to the G3 and packs a 16-megapixel sensor capable of shooting 1080p videos at 60fps and stills in up to 6fps bursts at a max 12,800 ISO at full resolution. The G5’s LVF has a proximity sensor to automatically switch between it and the camera’s 920,000-dot capacitive screen depending on which one you’re using to frame your shots. When the G5 goes on sale next month, you’ll have your choice of black, silver and white models.
In addition to the G5, Panasonic’s also introducing a new superzoom camera, the DMC-FZ200 and a high-end DMC-LX7 point-and-shoot. The FZ200 replaces the FZ150 and pairs a 12-megapixel sensor with a 25-600mm constant f/2.8 aperture Leica Elmarit lens with nano surface coating to reduce flare and ghosting. It has a 24x optical zoom and shoots 1080p video at up to 60fps along with stills in up to 12fps bursts, though its max ISO is only 6,400. Meanwhile, the LX7 has arrived sporting a 10-megapixel sensor and a 24-90mm, f/1.4-2.3 Leica Summilux lens with the same nano surface coating as the FZ200. Like its Lumix brethren, it shoots 1080p video at 60fps, and shares the same maximum 12,800 ISO as the G5. It’ll be available in black and pearl white when it ships in August. We got to spend some time with all three, so join us after the break to learn a bit about what its like snapping pics with this trio of Panasonics.
Not everybody wants a full DSLR and not everybody is content with the camera on their smartphone. That’s a difficult segment to fill, but Panasonic believes it has the line-up necessary with its latest range of cameras. The LUMIX G5, FZ200 and LX7 each target different users with different needs, but they also all share a commonality of feel and function that we’ve come to expect from Panasonic. Read on for our hands-on first impressions.
Promising most flexibility is the Panasonic LUMIX G5, the company’s latest Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens camera. The G5 debuts a new 16.05-megapixel Live MOS sensor hooked up to Panasonic’s reworked Venus Engine, in a chunkier chassis than the smaller GF-Series we’re big fans of here at SlashGear. That mini-DSLR styling makes for a camera that’s easy to hold in both regular and portrait orientations, and there’s a new function lever that falls neatly under your shutter finger and allows easy zoom, exposure or aperture control during shooting.
Panasonic LUMIX G5
It also comes into play when you’re navigating through the menus or reviewing shots, though there’s also a turn-and-push dial on the back panel next to the tilting, swiveling 920k dot LCD display. The bigger-than-GF-Series body also leaves room for a live viewfinder, though, which increases the resolution to 1.44m dots and almost 100-percent field of view. It’s a great addition to a Micro Four Thirds model, and helps the G5 feel like a “grown-up” DSLR when framing shots, but Panasonic also uses it for its clever Eye Sensor Auto Focus system.
Panasonic LUMIX G5 sample shots
We had no real problems getting the G5 to lock focus swiftly, but in Eye Sensor AF mode the camera automatically starts focusing on likely subjects when it senses your eye is at the viewfinder. It’s a quiet shooter, too, thanks to a new Electronic Shutter mode borrowed from some regular DSLRs, though unlike the majority of those cameras there’s a range of integrated effects and even help tutorials for the more advanced features.
You lose a little of the pocketable convenience to fit all that in – along with a stereo microphone and Full HD video recording, no less – and the G5 probably isn’t the camera to take along on a night out, but it’s already shaping up to be an excellent compromise between the size (and sizable price) of a full DSLR and the sort of performance you’d only hope to coax out of a compact camera.
Still, while the G5 is the obvious photographer’s choice, that’s not to say we weren’t swayed some by the Panasonic LUMIX FZ200. At first glance, the two look surprisingly similar, but where the G5 allows for some lens swapping, the FX200 settles on a single lens with a huge 24x optical zoom. It’s paired up with a 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity MOS sensor and can deliver a consistent f2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range.
Panasonic LUMIX FZ200
Now, the FZ200′s Live View Finder is – at 1.312m dots – slightly lower resolution than that of the G5 (though still near 100-percent coverage) it does still have a folding, twisting display, and the creative potential of the optical zoom is not to be underestimated. The unit we were testing was pre-production, so we won’t take too much from the (already excellent) sample shots, but it’s clear to see that Panasonic’s engineers have been working particularly hard on cutting down camera shake when you’re at the higher limits of the zoom.
Panasonic LUMIX FZ200 sample shots
These photos were taken using a pre-production camera model and does not reflect final picture quality
There’s both optical and digital image stabilization, and they do an impressive job of keeping things level even when you’re super-close to your subject. In the two shots of the Audi TT, for instance, each of which were taken at full 24x zoom, the crispness of the images belie the fact that we were some distance away. It’s easy to fit a huge zoom to a camera and call it a day; it’s far harder to deliver a finessed balance of zoom and picture stability, and we’re already hugely excited to get our hands on a final production FZ200 to see just what sort of shots we can coax out.
Finally, there’s the Panasonic LUMIX LX7, looking for all the world like the original LUMIX GF1 but with a fixed 3.8x optical zoom lens. The most pocketable of the three – both in terms of bulk and price – it’s also our favorite design; we were big fans of the GF1 (and were a little disappointed that Panasonic gradually diluted the industrial aesthetic down for subsequent models) and a lot of that appeal has been carried over.
Panasonic LUMIX LX7
There are a sizable number of physical controls and dedicated buttons, given this is a compact camera. You get a proper mode wheel (when even the current GF3 uses a virtual selection carousel) and an AF/AE Lock key on the back as well as shortcuts for ISO and white balance. The camera as a whole nestles neatly into the hand; it’s easy to keep stable and, while there’s no Live View Finder, the 3-inch 920k dot LCD is bright enough for outdoor use. You don’t get a tilt/swivel hinge, but we’re content to trade that given how easy it is to slip the LX7 into a pocket; more missed is the touchscreen introduced on the GF2, which makes for very easy touch-to-focus control.
Sample video (make sure to select and watch 1080p HD)
In practice, it’s a great camera to pull out and grab an impromptu frame, though it does have its foibles. As with most compacts it loves light, and low-light shots – especially when there’s a section of brighter light, such as through an open door or window – can end up murky and grainy. Scenes with less disparity in lighting, though, are captured with good color accuracy, though whites could sometimes come out with a slight blueish tinge.
Panasonic LUMIX LX7 sample shots
Outdoors, the LX7 is in its element, and we particularly appreciated its macro abilities, with some beautifully delicate focusing possible on close-up subjects like flowers. The optical zoom obviously falls well short of the capabilities of the FZ200, but it’s a solid compromise between bulk and ability, and it shifts swiftly in response to the toggle that surrounds the shutter release. Interestingly, Panasonic’s iAuto mode doesn’t earn itself a dedicated button on the top panel; we’re pleased to see the LX7 prioritizes a dedicated video recording trigger. Footage is recorded at up to 1080p Full HD, and we were impressed by the quality the LX7 could pump out.
So, three very different cameras, for three relatively distinct segments of the marketplace. The LUMIX G5 is undoubtedly the most flexible option, but it’s tough to argue with the optical zoom capabilities of the LZ200 – outfitting the G5 with a Micro Four Thirds zoom of similar capabilities would make for an expensive package overall. Then there’s the LX7, which we could easily see those with regular DSLRs opting to drop into a pocket for more casual photography.
This week Panasonic has brought on the heat with a collection of cameras and lenses for those cameras that are set to bust of the market, not least of all with the LUMIX FZ200. This super-zoom digital camera is aiming at those looking for full range F2.8 aperture action with 24x optical zoom onboard, and it’s not messing around. With both full HD video and ultra high-speed response coming standard as well, this may very well be your next every situation shooter.
Processing and Lens
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ200 brings on the LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra-wide angle lens, a powerful beast with 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm) and full range F2.8 aperture at 600mm. That means the ability to capture even the fastest moving dogs chasing frisbees with a fast shutter speed even from one heck of a long distance away.
NOTE: Have a peek now at our hands-on experience with this and several other Panasonic devices released this as well!
This device works with a 12.1 megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor, Light Speed auto focus, and the LSI Venus Engine also onboard a couple other high-powered devices revealed today from Panasonic. The LSI Venus Engine is set up to bring you high sensitivity recording, fabulous image quality, and that high speed response we’ve been talking about. With this device’s Light Speed AF, you’ll have high speed burst shooting at 12 fps at full resolution tied to a 0.95 second startup time for the whole unit. That’s quick on one end and quicker on the other.
Zoom
Adding on to its ability to snap at distances quite far away, this device’s 24x optical zoom is able to be increased to a 48x equivalent with a so-called Intelligent Zoom function. With this device’s Intelligent Resolution technology, Panasonic suggests that we’ll be able to maintain picture quality as well.
Along with this, the FZ200′s POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) brings on correction accuracy and a minimization of blur, perfect for zoomed-in situations. This device also uses Active Mode to suppress handshake vibration for both still pictures and video, and has Nano Surface Coating technology in place to minimize light reflection at the entire zoom range, that being 380nm-780nm.
View Finder
With the FZ200′s ability to remain steady at a range, you’ll need to have quite the little set of view finders to back you up as well. With 100% field of view and 1,312,000-dot equivalent high resolution, this device’s 0.2-inch EVF (Electronic View Finder) is set to do the job well. You’ve also got a side lever made to smooth zoom functions as well, set in the stroke and locating position for high excellence and ease of use.
You’ve also got a lovely 3.0-inch, free-angle 460,000-dot Intelligent LCD screen as well. This beast has AR Coating and wide viewing angles so you’re able to monitor your shots from as many shooting positions as possible.
Video
This device is able to bring on full-HD in 1,920×1,080 60p videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4) and MP4 formats. You’ve got Dolby Digital Stereo Creator for sound, stereo zoom microphone for zoom noise reduction, and an Auto Wind Cut function to keep out the unwanted junk as well. You’ll be able to utilize Creative Video as well as Active Mode for manual shutter and aperture settings as well as point and record shooting.
Special Effects
You’ll be able to work with Photo Style to bring on the Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait and Custom options. You’ll also have POWER O.I.S. with Active Mode, Face Recognition, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Handheld Night Shot, Intelligent HDR, AF Tracking, Intelligent D-range Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, and of course Motion Deblur. Several more modes have been added to this creative suite as well including Miniature Effect, High Dynamic Range, Retro, Sepia, High Key, Expressive, Toy Effect, and Star Filter.
Pricing and Availability
You’ll have to wait for the final information on release and price for this unit, but Panasonic promises a 30 day window before it’s dropped in which you’ll know where and for how much you’ll be picking this device up.
Today Panasonic has introduced the latest in their G series of cameras, the LUMIX DMC-G5, complete with a newly-integrated 16.05 megapixel Live MOS sensor and their own Venus Engine for ultra high quality images and video. This camera brings all of the greatnesses of previous G series models with a lightweight, compact body, precision AF (Auto Focus), and a built-in flash. As with the rest of the LUMIX G series cameras, this model also uses Contrast AF, that allowing the focusing of the camera on subject matter to be controlled by the image sensor inside the device.
Processing and Controls
This model features a redesigned Venus Engine that will bring you next-level signal processing capabilities. You’ll have what Panasonic promises will be both crisp and clear images in both video recording and photos whenever you shoot. With the LUMIX G5′s precision AF working with its high-grade lens selection, you’ll have fabulous white balance as well as lifelike image rendering plus a perfect balance of high resolution with little to no noise across the grid – all of this equalling out to create highly faithful color reproduction for both photo and video.
NOTE: Have a peek now at our hands-on experience with this and several other Panasonic devices released this as well!
The LUMIX G5 doesn’t only have fancy gear on the inside, it’s got a slightly modified set of controls on the outside as well. You’ve got what Panasonic is aiming to be a stress free experience with user-tested controls made so that you can concentrate on shooting rather than flipping and flopping your way through an a future album. To start this party off right, Panasonic added a function level near the shutter released for direct adjustment of exposure, zoom, or aperture control. This level can also be used to magnify images in playback mode and flip pages in your menu.
This function lever is also available for use with the turn-and-push rear dial to allow you adjustments of major shooting settings as well. All of this, again, is set up so that you have a simple and quick-access experience.
Auto Focus
For those of you that aren’t a fan of the manual focus lenses of the world, the LUMIX G5 continues the G series’ legacy of Auto Focus greatness with Contrast AF, that again being focusing controlled by the image sensor. This system has higher accuracy, especially with a bright lens, than the Phase difference system AF. This unit also includes full-area Touch AF for focusing on any point in your field of view, and Speed AF with undeniable quickness in locking on to a subject.
And while we’re on the subject, capturing fast-moving objects will be much more accurately done with not only Touch AF control, but with bust shooting at six frames per second at anywhere up to 16.05 megapixel full resolution.
View Finders
The screen you’ll be looking at all this through is a a massive 1,440,000-dot equivalent LVF (Live View Finder) – quite bright and bringing you approximately 100% of your field of view. They say approximately because for all of science and engineering’s greatness, they still can’t guarantee perfection in real-world translation of images through screens – imagine that! NOTE: Panasonic didn’t tell us that, it just makes sense, science-wise.
This LVF works in combination with the device’s LCD screen and the G5′s built-in eye sensor to bring you automatic switching between the two. This system also works with Eye Sensor AF, automatically focusing in on a subject when you look into the EVF for “spur-of-the-moment shooting opportunities.” The screen on the back is that 920,000-dot high resolution LCD we just mentioned, with tilting 270 degrees up and down and, again, bringing you approximately 100% field of view. This panel is also a touch screen and you’ve got the ability to work with both the LVF and LCD simultaneously for what Panasonic encourages as “more intuitive shooting.”
Fun fact: the new Electronic Shutter mode added to this model allows silent operation for when you’re shooting subjects where silence is necessary.
Video
The LUMIX G5 is capable for picking up high-resolution full-HD 1,920×1,080 60p video in AVCHD Progressive (that being MPEG-4) or MP4 format. This unit of course utilizes Touch AF to focus in on subjects as the video is being recorded, and you’ve got a Extra Tele Conversion function as well that’ll extend your zoom range Max 4.8x with little to no deterioration of image quality. Just like past LUMIX G series cameras, you’ve got a dedicated video record button so you can record video while you’re snapping photos with your shutter button at the same time.
Sound quality for video will be high-quality with integrated Dolby Digital Stereo Creator and you’ll have noise reduction with the camera’s Wind Cut function as well.
Creative Control
There is a series of special effects you can implement on your shots in Creative Control Mode on the LUMIX G5. This camera has 14 filters – that being a bump up from the 5 included on the most recent G series unit. These include Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia, Hi Dynamic, Miniature Effect, Star Filter, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, One Point Color, Cross Process, Low Key, Toy Effect, and the always lovely Soft Focus.
These filter effects can be previewed in real time on the device’s LCD display with Live View mode, and the camera’s Intelligent Auto / iA Plus modes suggest filters that might look best in any situation if you ask them nicely. With Intelligent Auto Plus mode you’re also able to adjust the defocusing area in the background as well as have control over white balance and exposure compensation in your shots. Intelligent Auto mode will also bring you flexible control when you’re using such automatic shoot assist functions as the following: Intelligent D-range Control, Face Recognition, Intelligent Scene Selector, AF Tracking, and Intelligent ISO Control.
For the Newbies
Users who are new to interchangeable lens system cameras are going to have one whole heck of a lot easier time jumping in with the LUMIX G5 due to its Scene Guide feature. This system brings up 23 different sample photos captured with the device by professional photographers that can be selected by the user as it matches with the environment in which they’re about to shoot. When they select one of these 23 samples, the camera is set to the pre-selected parameters that best fit the situation. This mode also includes technical advice, recommended interchangeable lenses, and procedures for the user to learn their device as quickly as possible.
Pricing and Availability
You’ll be able to pick up the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G5 (aka the LUMIX G5) in black, white, or silver in a selection of kit combinations. Pricing and availability have not yet been revealed, though Panasonic promises 30 days warning before they’re ready to ship the product – you’ll know then!
Meanwhile have a peek at the gallery above and below as well as our hands-on experience with this device along with the rest of the Panasonic hardware revealed this week!
This week the folks at Panasonic have brought on the fury with a collection of cameras and accessories that will have your head spinning, hitting on a compact tip with the new LUMIX LX7. This camera has a 24mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX lens with 3.8x optical zoom. This lens brings on 11 elements in 10 groups with five aspherical lenses and nine aspherical surfaces – this including a dual-sided aspherical surface extra-low dispersion lens, a feature never before seen in a LUMIX piece of hardware.
Lens and Sensor
All of those guts in the lens of this camera allows you to create lovely photos with minimal distortion and a soft-focused background at high resolution. With Nano Surface Coating technology implemented in this device, you’ve got minimized light reflection across your whole visual range (380nm-780nm). The LUMIX LX7′s lens also minimizes distortion at wide end as much as possible for lovely true-to-life images at all times.
NOTE: Have a peek now at our hands-on experience with this and several other Panasonic devices released this as well!
Inside the LX7 you’ll find a new 1/1.7-inch 10.1-megapixel MOS Sensor that amps up your S/N ratio 1.5 dB over this unit’s predecessor. With this boost you’ll find that both high sensitivity recording as well as in low ISO situations you’ll have high resolution images with a much more clear result than ever before. This setup also brings on rich gradation and a wide dynamic range no matter what, even if, as Panasonic reminds us, the situation is highly contrasted.
Processing
This unit also utilizes the Venus Engine as you’ll also find featured on the LUMIX G5 camera revealed today. This engine revs up to bring you advanced signal processing while your Intelligent Noise Reduction system keeps your resolution high with an optimized NR process pushed to your entire image. The LG7′s Multi-process NR is able to detect brightness in each section of a picture, applying multiple steps of noise reduction for an optimal look in the end.
You’ve got high-speed digital signal output in this device to bring on high-speed consecutive shooting at 11 fps in full resolution with your mechanical shutter. You’ll also be able to shoot in 5 fps with continuous auto focus if you wish.
Focus
Again much like the G5, you’ll find that this device has both Intelligent Auto (iA) and iA Plus modes. With iA, you’ll be able to work with Intelligent HDR, Face Recognition, Intelligent ISO Control, AF Tracking, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent D-range Control, POWER O.I.S., Motion Deblur, and Intelligent Handheld Night Shot modes. With iA Plus, you’ll be able to adjust exposure compensation, white balance, and your defocusing area in the background of your shots.
Creative Control
Along these same lines is Creative Control Mode which allows a selection of 16 filter options. These options include One Point Color, Cross Process, Low Key, Toy Effect, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, Soft Focus, Star Filter, Expressive, Retro, High Key, Hi Dynamic, Miniature Effect, and of course Sepia. In addition to each of these that you’ve probably already heard of, you’ll also have Radial Defocus and Smooth Defocus modes, the first of which allows you to defocus radially from your light source while the second makes your defocus figuration smoother than ever.
With this device you’ll be able to take Time Lapse Shots over a long period of time, with Panasonic giving examples such as watching a flower come into bloom to let you know that they’re in it for the long haul with this feature. Photo Styles are included here as well, with Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Vivid, Portrait, and Custom configurations available.
Video
You’ll be able to record video as well in high resolution full-HD 1,920×1,080 60p resolution. These videos can be filmed with that resolution and speed in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format or at 30p in MP4. Like the rest of the LUMIX lineup, you’ve got a dedicated video recording button so that you’ll be able to take photos as you’re shooting movies, and you’ve got Dolby Digital Stereo Creator onboard to make sure your sound is tip-top.
This device brings a zoom noise reduction system with Auto Wind Cut so you can block out most of the background noise you’ve normally got from wind. Along the same lines as the time lapse feature mentioned above, you’ve also got a Creative Video mode that allows you to set the camera’s shutter speed as well as aperture, bringing on your creative side in a host of new ways with slow or fast motion and focus on a range of objects at different distances.
Format and Accessories
You’ll also be able to utilize the LX7′s ability to shoot in RAW or RAW+JPEG formats, HDR or Panorama Shot mode, or work in 3D Photo mode. You’ll be able to fix up your photos inside the device with Creative Retouch, and you’ve got the options of Aspect Brackets or White Balance Brackets while shooting as well.
The LX7 is bringing on a whole collection of accessories with it to keep you on top of every shooting situation. Your built-in hot shoe up top of your camera is the place where you’ll be connecting basically everything, this including the following:
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX7 will be popping up soon in two different colorways: black and white (as seen above and below). You’ll be able to see pricing and availability information 30 days prior to the release date, which we’re sure will be coming up extremely soon!
This week Panasonic has revealed a collection of devices that are made to blow your mind in many different ways, the LUMIX SZ5 being a web-connected camera also made to do just that. This device has a 10x optical zoom, brings on wi-fi connectivity for quick file sharing, and brings on connections to your smartphone for a three-for-one wallop. This may be just the social media machine you’re looking for. NOTE: also check our our hands-on with Panasonic hardware from this week’s big reveal session as well!
This device has the ability to connect to your smartphone by turning it into a wireless router. You’ll not need a wi-fi hotspot to make it all work, and with the LUMIX LINK application for iOS and Android devices, it’s easy as pie. You can also use this app to shoot photos and video remotely. This ability also works with live viewing at 30 fps via your smartphone as well.
This device is great on its own as well, of course, utilizing a 25mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with Intelligent Resolution Technology that allows Intelligent Zoom up to 20x the equivalent. Inside you’ve got a 14.1 megapixel CCD sensor as well as the Venus Engine you’ve seen on several Panasonic devices revealed today as well. You’ll also be working with Intelligent iA, Auto Retouch abilities, and a host of other in-camera effects and abilities.
You’ll also have access to the LUMIX CLUB, an online cloud service made specifically for Panasonic customers, connecting easily with Twitter, Facebook, Picasa, YouTube, and Flickr. This device is DLNA capable as well, and will be available soon! Just like the other Panasonic cameras revealed today, you’ll get a 30 day warning before this device drops, and it’ll be coming soon!
This week the folks at Panasonic have revealed several new cameras, one of the more fabulous of which is the Lumix LZ20. This device is a “super zoom” digital camera with 21x optical zoom and a 25mm ultra wide-angle lens. This lens’ 35mm camera equivalent is a 25-525mm lens, here though working with an Optical Image Stabilizer and the LZ20′s 16-megapixel high resolution CCD sensor – this unit also has advanced image processing LSI which supports both high quality video and photos.
This device is a super-compact and delivers what Panasonic describes as a “exceptional, high quality images.” Marc Sorkin, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America, noted also that, “the camera’s 21x optical zoom can be extended to 48.5x with the Extra Optical Zoom function to draw in distant subjects which is helpful in shooting dynamic landscapes.”
NOTE: Have a peek now at our hands-on experience with a whole collection of Panasonic devices revealed this week!
This camera’s Optical Image Stabilizer is said to prevent blur without deterioration of image quality at high zoom. It’s also able to produce high quality images even whilst recording at ISO 1600 and max. We’ll be trying out the fabulous ISO 6400 in High Sensitivity mode, of course.
You’ve got iA mode – that being Intelligent Auto mode – made specifically for those who want to use such bits as the Optical Image Stabilizer, Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure without taking the time to activate and calibrate each one. Six Scene modes are also available including Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery and Sunset.
You can record HD video in 1280 x 720p at 30 fps in Motion JPEG, you get bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.2 Lite Edition, and you’ve got a 3.0-inch 460,000-dot LCD on the back to make sure you see everything clearly. Pricing and availability coming soon!
In 2010 the Panasonic LX5 was a glorious pocket camera—it still is. It offers full manual controls for enthusiast photogs that want them, superb image quality, and beautiful Leica-styling to boot. Though it sticks with the slick look, the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 is more than a spec-bump; it’s a faster, more evolved iteration of its 2010 predecessor. More »
A selection of new Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras have leaked, with the G5 Micro Four Thirds leading the way. A 16-megapixel interchangeable lens camera, the LUMIX G5 will be offered with a 12-35mm f/2.8 Power O.I.S zoom and a 45-150mm f/4 lens, according to a hastily-yanked article at The Telegraph, with pictures to match courtesy of 43 Rumors.
The G5 also has a fold-out 3-inch display and, judging by the leaked image, a stereo microphone for video recording, which it can shoot at up to Full HD. According to the newspaper, it will use Panasonic’s Venus Engine VII for processing, and supports up to ISO 12,800.
As for the other cameras in Panasonic’s new range, the paper also outs the DMC-LX7 and DMC-FZ200. The LX7 is a new flagship compact, with an f1.4 Leica lens in front of a 10.1-megapixel sensor. On the back is a 3-inch display, and it can shoot Full HD video and up to 12,800 ISO stills, with availability in September.
The FZ200, meanwhile, is a flagship bridge camera, with a 25-600mm optical zoom lens and a constant f2.8 aperture. It will drop in late August or early September, the paper says, replacing the Panasonic FZ150 of last year.
Pricing is unknown for the LX7 and FZ200, though the newspaper reports that the G5 will start at £599 ($936) and rise to £879 ($1,374).
We’ve got a big, no, massive soft-spot for the GX1 around these parts. It was being reviewed during this year’s CES and our man behind the lens rapidly became the object of our envy. In fact the only thing that really made us wince when testing it was the $950 price for the kit model — otherwise we could feel our wallets opening obligingly. But how about those of you who did opt for one of these beauties? Does your experience match our own, or were there some unexpected bumps along the way? Now’s your chance to share them with us.
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