Panasonic announces New Accessories for Lumix G Micro System

Two new adaptors were announced, the M Mount Adaptor DMW-MA2M and R Mount Adaptor DMW-MA3R, to further enhance the photographic experience with cameras from the Lumix G Micro System.

The M Mount Adaptor and R Mount Adaptor are developed under support of Leica Camera AG, making it possible to attach Leica M lenses (DMW-MA2M) or R lenses (DMW-MA3R) on DMC-G1 and DMC-GH1. Users can enjoy outstanding image rendering offered by the combination of high quality Leica lenses and Lumix G cameras that are full of Panasonic's cutting edge digital technologies. These adaptors also allow users to use the movable MF assist function, which enlarges the selected area when focusing manually.

Via Panasonic UK news

Panasonic Announced Two New Micro Four Thirds Lenses

On March 3, 2009 Panasonic launched two new lenses for its LUMIX G Micro System – the innovative digital interchangeable lens camera system – the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. and the LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm/F4.0 ASPH. Both lenses are compatible with the newly announced LUMIX DMC-GH1 digital camera, which can record High Definition (HD) AVCHD 1080/24p video, and its award-winning sister camera, the LUMIX DMC-G1 digital camera.

The new LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S., available as part of the kit with the DMC-GH1, or separately, incorporates an inner focus direct-drive linear motor for focusing. This allows fast and accurate contrast auto focus (AF) to operate smoothly and silently – a necessity for video recording. Adopting the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the new LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. offers a long zoom of 14-140mm (35mm camera equivalent: 28-280mm), suitable for a wide range of shooting situations – from scenery to portraits to telephoto shots – all possible with a compact and lightweight lens.

The LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. uses four aspherical lenses and two ED lenses to achieves dramatic downsizing – despite its powerful 10x optical zoom – and still minimizes distortion and chromatic aberration. Panasonic's Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) is incorporated in the lens, making it easy to shoot clear shots even in telephoto shooting or in low-light situations – as this feature minimizes blur caused by hand shake.

Panasonic's other new lens, the ultra-wide-angle zoom interchangeable lens LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm/F4.0 ASPH features an astonishingly wide-angle zoom range of 7-14mm (35mm camera equivalent; 14-28mm). Its compact and lightweight size makes it easy for users to carry while they are on the go. Taking advantage of its 114-degree wide-angle view, users can fit more subjects in a frame – even when the shooting distance is limited, for example, while shooting indoors. This expansive view gives users great flexibility and a rich perspective when shooting photos or video.

The high-performing, yet lightweight LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm/F4.0 ASPH. achieves its compact size by incorporating two aspherical lenses and four ED lenses in a unit of 16 elements in 12 groups. The resolution of the images is high, even at its wide-end and features F4.0 brightness through its entire zoom range thanks to a large diameter glass-molded lens embedded within the body.

When both of these news lenses are mounted on the LUMIX DMC-GH1, users can take advantage of the advanced contrast AF system including Face Recognition, offering a variety of convenient and fun shooting. Seven aperture blades give the aperture a rounded shape that, when shooting at a larger aperture, produces an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas. Featuring highly-durable metal mounts, the new lenses use multicoated lens elements to reduce ghosting and flares, helping to deliver a positive user-experience – whether shooting HD videos or taking beautiful digital photos.

Via Panasonic press release

Buy a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Lumix G Vario 14-45 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS Lens (Black)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 review

Australian site Smarthouse has a review of the Panasonic DMC-G1, an entry level DSLR camera aimed at beginners in the single lens reflex camera world. Here's a bit from what they wrote:

The Panasonic Lumix G1 is a great camera for first time DSLR users - it functions and feels like a DSLR but has digital camera functions that will make shooting fun and easy. And with its small and light form factor, this camera can be taken in trips without being a burden to users.

Despite having the features of a DSLR, users will find that the G1 is easy to operate. The 3-inch LCD screen can be flipped and rotated, allowing a user to take pictures from various angles. The camera also comes with various scene modes (Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Macro, and Night) and a simple iA (Intelligent Auto) mode to further simplify camera use. Also available on the G1 are the usual advanced modes (Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, Manual exposure, Custom mode) found on other DSLRs in the market.

Read the full review here or buy a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit

Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm/F4.0 ASPH. Ultra Wide Angle

Taking advantage of its wide, 114-degree angle of view, users can easily fit subjects into the frame even when shooting indoors where the distance is limited. The world looks extraordinary when viewed through the new lens, allowing photos and movies to be recorded with a uniquely rich perspective.

This high-performance lens system achieves outstanding compactness by combining 16 lens elements in 12 groups, including two aspherical lenses and four ED lenses. Image resolution is high from corner-to-corner even at the wide-angle setting. It also features F4.0 brightness over the entire zoom range thanks to its large-diameter glass moulded lens elements.

When mounted on the DMC-GH1 Lumix G Micro System Camera, the new lens allows use of the advanced contrast AF system, which includes a Face Recognition function, for more convenient, more enjoyable shooting. Seven blades give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. The LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm/F4.0 ASPH lens also features a highly reliable metal mount, and uses multi-coated lens elements that minimize ghosts and flare to further enhance its optical performance. The optimally designed lens hood enables use even under strong sunlight.

From Panasonic press release/web

Panasonic DMC-GH1: D-SLR Photo Quality and Full-HD Movies

The new DMC-GH1 is called a CREATIVE HD HYBRID because it records not only high-quality photos but also high definition 1080/24p or smooth 720/60p HD (High Definition) movies in AVCHD* format. Continuous AF can be used while recording movies, to further boost operating ease. Taking advantage of its system camera design, the DMC-GH1 features the potential for unlimited photo expression by allowing the use of different lenses for specific shooting situations and subjects. High-quality sound recording with Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator and a host of other creative options, including manual settings, giving the DMC-GH1 even greater versatility.

In addition to its high levels of performance for both photos and movies, the DMC-GH1 incorporates the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode,** a hallmark of LUMIX cameras that now includes Face Recognition,*** a function that "remembers" faces once the faces are registered. When a familiar face appears in the frame, the camera will prioritize the focus and exposure to capture it beautifully. This clever function makes it easy to get sharp and clear photos of special subjects in a group of people. iA mode is also available in movie recording. It automatically selects the most suitable scene mode and helps to correct hand-shake, focus and brightness problems -- making it a one-stop solution for capturing beautiful photos and movies.*

Operating ease is an important element of the LUMIX G Micro System identity, and it is highly evident in the DMC-GH1. For example, the clever design of the DMC-GH1 helps to prevent missed shooting opportunities for both photo and movie recording. To start recording a movie during shooting photos, the user simply presses a special, one-touch movie recording button. Most of the settings used for photo shooting carry over to movie recording without requiring any additional setting.

Via Panasonic Press Release

Panasonic Lumix G Micro-System: Best Of Both Worlds

The Lumix G Micro-System combines the ease of use from ultrazoom and compact cameras and the interchangeability of lenses and power of DSLR cameras. The Micro Four Thirds standard offers a wide selection of lenses and good optical performance.

The models are based on the new Micro Four Thirds System standard that greatly reduces camera size and weight. The DMC-G1 with Full-time Live View LCD and Live View Finder bring you to the new horizons of creative possibilities.


Here is the list of compatible lenses:
"Even with their extremely small size, these high-performance lenses feature Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S. (optical image stabilizer), which makes it easy to shoot super-clear shots even in low lighting by suppressing hand-shake blur. Characterized by their compact size and light weight, both lenses bring out the full capabilities of the 4/3 image sensor, and support the Contrast AF function of the DMC-G1."

LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. (details)

• Minimum focus distance of 30 cm over the entire zoom range
• MEGA O.I.S. - Panasonic's advanced hand-shake correction technology
• Circular aperture diaphragm
• Multi-coated lens elements minimize ghosts and flare
• Contrast AF system support
• Utilizing a durable metal mounting

LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S. (details)

• 3 ED lenses for a superb optical performance
• MEGA O.I.S. - Panasonic's advanced hand-shake correction technology
• Circular aperture diaphragm
• Multi-coated lens elements minimize ghosts and flare
• Contrast AF system support
• Utilizing a durable metal mounting

About the Micro Four Thirds System

The Micro Four Thirds System is an interchangeable lens camera system that was designed and developed to optimize the characteristics of digital technology. It carefully preserves the image quality of the 4/3-type image sensor, while reducing the size of the camera body and particularly the size of wide-angle lenses. The Micro Four Thirds System also offers excellent expandability and adaptability to future functions.

Visit the Micro Four Thirds System standard website