The LUMIX G1 is as easy to use as a compact digital camera, with the stunning photo quality of a digital SLR camera. It's a new-generation digital interchangeable lens camera that does away with the mirror box and complies with the new Micro Four Thirds System standard. In short, the G1 writes an entirely new chapter in the evolution of the digital interchangeable lens camera.

Product Features

• A Pleasure to Own, a Joy to Use
  Designed for easy, creative shooting, and high-performance in low-light conditions, the DMC-LX3 features a F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, 10.1 megapixels and an ultra-sensitive 1/1.63-inch CCD developed specifically for this model. By combining a high-quality lens and sensor ready for a variety of shooting conditions with a wide-range of accessories and manual controls, the DMC-LX3 is ideal for professional photographers and serious amateurs looking for a compact digital camera that furthers their creative photography.
• More than Just a High Pixel Count The Highest-Quality Images Ever from a Compact Digital Camera
  At the heart of the DMC-LX3, is its 1/1.63-inch CCD. Making the intentional choice to limit the number of megapixels to 10.1 on its CCD, Panasonic was able to give more space for each pixel and also redesigned the peripheral circuits and other components to further minimize noise generation. As a result, sensitivity is almost 40 percent higher and saturation is increased by 35 percent, when compared to Panasonics 10 MP digital cameras*, giving the DMC-LX3 outstanding image quality and a wide dynamic range, and meeting the demand for a camera that works optimally in low-light environments. The CCD is also capable of reproducing images in three aspect ratios 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9. The new Multi Aspect mode allows the camera to take an image in all three aspect ratios simultaneously, allowing you to choose the version that best suits their needs.
• Large Aperture F2.0, 24mm Wide-Angle
  Another major upgrade to the DMC-LX3 is the F2.0 24mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens. The F2.0 is about twice as bright as a F2.8 lens and can shoot at higher shutter speeds to capture clear, blur-free images in dimly lit environments. In addition, the 24mm lens captures approximately a 213% larger viewing angle than a normal 35mm camera and 136% larger compared to a 28mm wide-angle lens. The lens unit consists of eight elements in six groups with four aspherical lenses with four aspherical surfaces. As a result of the F2.0 lens, the DMC-LX3 produces high resolution and minimal distortion and artifacts such as chromatic aberrations, ghosting and flaring.
• Shooting Functions that Invite Creativity
  The DMC-LX3 features a Film mode with six color types and three types of monochrome selections. Much like selecting from different film types, this function gives you the flexibility and creative freedom to take more expressive digital photos. Also, when using the Multi-film mode, the DMC-LX3 produces a maximum of three images from a RAW file for you to compare the different textures. Another new feature is the multiple-exposure feature, which lets you create artistic photos by overlaying up to three consecutive images; while still viewing the last image on the 3.0-inch LCD screen. The LCD on the DMC-LX3 is new and improved with a 460,000-dot high resolution.

*Compared with Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX35 with 1/2.33 CCD.

Product Specs

Megapixels	12.1 megapixels
LCD Monitor	Free-angle 3.0” Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD (460K dots) 3:2 Aspect/Wide viewing angle Field of view: approx. 100%
Power Source	Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1250mAh)(Included) Battery Charger/AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Optional DC cable (DMW-DCC3) is required)
Zoom	Digital zoom: 2x, 4x Extra optical zoom: Max. 2x (Not effective with full pixel recording. Magnification ratio depends on the recording pixels.)
Dimensions	4.88” (W) x 3.29” (H) x 1.78” (D)
Weight	13.6 oz
Sensor	1/1.63” 11.3 Total Mega Pixels CCD Primary Color Filter
Storage Media	Built-in Memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard (Still image only)
Focus System	Type: Contrast AF system Mode: AFs/AFc/MF AF Detective Range: EV 0-18 (ISO100) AF mode: Face detection AF Tracking/23-area-focusing/1-area-focusing
Lens	Mount Micro Four Thirds mount Closest Focusing Distance 0.30m at all focal lengths, Maximum Magnification Approx. 0.17x / 0.34x (35mm film camera equivalent) Diagonal Angle of View 75° (W)~27° (T), Filter Size φ52mm / 2.05 in Max. Diameter Ø60mm / 2.36 in Overall Length (Lens only) Approx. 60mm / 2.36 in (from the tip of the lens to the base side of the lens mount), Weight (Lens only) Approx. 195g / 6.88oz

Panasonic DMC-G1’s Review

blogs.consumerreports.org

09/12/08

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1: A new kind of digital camera

Panasoniclumixdmcg1 Is it an SLR, a point-and-shoot, or neither? Panasonic’s new Lumix DMC-G1, introduced today and available in mid-November (price hasn’t been announced), defies neat categorization. In fact, it may well define a new class of digital camera.

What differentiates the DMC-G1 from all other cameras is that it combines key SLR features—a large image sensor and interchangeable lenses—with the smaller size and weight of a point-and-shoot. No, the DMC-G1 won’t fit in your pocket or purse, but it is considerably smaller and lighter than the smallest SLRs out there—even when outfitted with a lens (details below). So if you’ve been considering an SLR for its superior performance and flexibility, but have held back because you’re put off by the typical SLR’s size and weight, the DMC-G1 (and the similar cameras that are sure to follow) may resolve your dilemma.

The DMC-G1 uses an innovative design, developed by Panasonic and Olympus, called Micro Four Thirds that allows for both a smaller body than an SLR and smaller interchangeable lenses, but which makes the DMC-G1 something other than an SLR.

Here are some highlights of this fascinating new camera:

• A large, SLR-style sensor. This type outperforms the smaller ones typically found in point-and-shoot cameras, especially at rendering details and colors in challenging lighting without introducing image artifacts and color casts. So, you’re more apt to nail the shot.
• Smaller and lighter body and lenses. Panasonic really thought outside the box on this. In fact, they removed the box altogether. The mirror box, that is. An SLR’s mirror box, the internal component that makes a Single-Lens Reflex camera an SLR, also makes it larger and heavier. Removing drastically reduced the DMC-G1’s size. Compared with two of the smallest SLRs, the Canon Rebel XSi and Olympus E-420,the DMC-G1’s body was about 25 percent smaller. And, yes, its lenses and external flash are smaller and lighter too.
• Considerable versatility. To make this camera as versatile as an SLR, Panasonic will offer a system of interchangeable lenses. There will also be a lens mount adapter that lets you tap into the array of existing Four Thirds lenses designed for SLRs like the Olympus E-420 or Panasonic Lumix L10. The Lumix G1 will also offer a myriad of features and functions found on SLRs, such as RAW-file capture, complete manual settings, custom white balance settings and others.
• Design breakthroughs and compromises. In designing the DMC-G1, Panasonic made some tough choices that critics might call compromises. We’ll get into these in a later post, but I predict heated debates on how robust G1’s autofocus will be and if the camera’s reliance on live-view functionality can really compete with the quality of an SLR’s through-the-lens viewfinder. When the camera is available, we’ll get one in our labs and put it to the test.

Panasoniclumixg1back_2The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 will come in several colors (red, blue, and black). Initially, two interchangeable lenses, the Lumix G Vario 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega O.I.S. kit lens and the Lumix G Vario 45-200mm f/4-5.6 Mega O.I.S. lens, will be available separately. Panasonic may also be offering the camera as a two-kit package and as a body-only camera. Pricing hasn’t been announced.