The Panasonic Lumix LX100 and Panasonic Lumix GM5 can be pre-ordered now from Adorama. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until orders are shipped.
Panasonic Lumix LX100
Panasonic today introduced two new Four Thirds-sensor cameras. The big surprise? One of them—the Panasonic Lumix LX100—is NOT an interchangeable-lens camera. The Lumix LX100 is a compact, pocket-sized camera with a fast built-in 24-75mm (35mm equivalent) lens, a 16MP Four Thirds sensor, and one of the highest-resolution electronic viewfinders available.
Key features:
- 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor
- Built-in 24-75mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.7-2.8 zoom lens
- Eye-level EVF, 2,764k dot sensor
- 30p 4K Ultra HD Video/4K photos
- External flash
- Top ISO 25,600
- Multi Exposure possible
- Creative control on 22 filter effects
- WiFi
Let’s take a closer look at the Panasonic Lumix LX100
Big sensor, small camera: The Lumix LX100 is the first Panasonic point-and-shoot camera to feature a larger Four Thirds sensor. It’s the same 16MP CMOS sensor that can be found in the Lumix GM5, also introduced today. When shooting in 4:3 aspect ratio, resolution is 12.8MP; users can also choose 3:2 and 16:9 aspect ratios. The top ISO is 25,600, unusual for a pocket-sized camera.
Fast zoom lens: The other big news is the Leica DC Vario Summilux lens, which at a wide aperture of f/1.7-2.8 and with Leica’s quality control, should produce excellent images for a camera of this size. The lens is constructed of 11 elements in eight groups with five aspherical lenses, including two ED lenses. A nine-diaphragm aperture ring is said to produce smooth bokeh with circular specular highlights.
AF speed-up: Panasonic says they have improved AF acquisition time to 0.14 seconds, using a new Depth from Defocus technology. According to Panasonic, this technology instantly calculates distance to subject by evaluating two separate images with different sharpness levels, and this computation speeds up AF. The camera also offers Eye Sensor AF, which activates autofocus the moment you look into the eye-level viewfinder. That viewfinder, at 2,764k dot resolution, is one of the hightest-resolution EVFs currently available. The camera also has a 3-inch, 921k-dot monitor.
4K Video
For videographers, the LX100 offers 4K video capture at up to 30fps and 1080p Full HD video at up to 60p in AVCHD Progressive or MP4 format. 4K videos can be recorded for up to 15 minutes, while full HD videos can be recorded for just under 30 minutes, assuming you are using a large enough SDHC card. Sony recommends a UHS Speed Class 3 card for video. Users can grab 3840×2160 stills from 4K video footage for making prints, and you can adjust the aspect ratio to 4:3 or 3:3.
The Panasonic LX100 offers Aspect ratio brackets, simultaneously recording images in 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1 formats. It can also bracket White balance, recording three images with different WB settings at a single shutter press, and can shoot up to four exposures in a single frame for a multiple exposure. Black and white photographers will like the camera’s Monochrome filter, which can emulate the effect of a yellow, orange, red or green filter on a black-and-white image.
The Lumix LX100 has 22 filter effects (Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Color, Sunshine).
Finally, WiFi and NFC—which are becoming a standard feature on most advanced digital cameras these days—is available on the LX100. This lets you Geotag your images, upload and share photos on social media via smartphone or tablet, and let you control the camera via your mobile device.
The Panasonic Lumix LX100 will be available in late October and cost $899 from Adorama.
Panasonic Lumix GM5
Panasonic also announced the Panasonic Lumix GM5, a small, lightweight MILC designed for snapshooters who want the flexibility of interchangeable lenses. The camera comes kitted with a 12-32mm lens that gives an equivalent 24-70mm range.
Key features
- 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor
- Micro Four Thirds lensmount
- 1,166k dot EVF
- Magnesium alloy body
- Built-in WiFi
- Hotshoe for external flash
- Silent Mode
- Focus Peaking
- 5.8fps burst rate
The GM5 is built around a 16MP Four Thirds 16MP Digital Live MOS (CMOS) with a top ISO of 25,600, powered by a Venus Engine that Panasonic says will produce high-quality images. The camera offers a Silent Mode, which switches the shutter from mechanical to digital and turns off all sounds and disables the AF assist lamp and flash. This is a great mode for street photography and other candid photography situations where you don’t want to call attention to yourself.
Fine-Tuned Focus
The camera offers Focus Peaking, which indicates the area in focus, aiding in manual focus. Focus Peaking can also be active during AF mode, and can be used when operating the camera remotely via a smartphone or tablet using the camera’s built-in WiFi.
If you prefer to use the camera’s Autofocus, the GM5 has Eye-Sensor AF: AF is activated the moment you bring the EVF up to your eye. Digital signals are exchanged between camera and lens at up to 240fps, and the Contrast AF is said to be extremely fast. Low-Light AF is said to offer accurate focus in extremely low light, down to -4EV. Face and eye detection AF adjusts focus to a subject’s face, especially the eyes. This is great for portrait photography, where focusing on the eyes is key. Pinpoint AF lets you magnify the live image up to 10x for precision focus setting.
The Panasonic Lumix GM5 will be available in late October and sold with a 12-32mm kit lens and will be available in Black and Red for $899 from Adorama.
Panasonic G Vario 35-100mm f/4-5.6 ASPH Mega OIS
The final announcement today is a new telephoto zoom, the Pansonic G Vario 35-100mm f/4-5.6 ASPH Mega IOS, available for $399 from Adorama, with a 35mm equivalent angle of view of 70-200mm. Designed for casual users and enthusiasts, this Micro Four Thirds-mount lens has 7 circular diaphragm blades for pleasing bokeh, focuses down to 3 feet, and accepts a 46mm filter. It is a lightweight 4.8 ounces and measures a short 2 inches. The lens will be availabe in early November.
