Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic today announced the Lumix DMC-G2, a digital interchangeable-lens camera with a movable touch-screen LCD, as well as the DMC-G10, a lightweight interchangeable-lens model with a viewfinder and a host of advanced digital camera functions, including HD video recording.

Lumix G2. The successor to the DMC-G1, the world’s first Micro Four Thirds digital camera, the G2 offers a 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, 720p HD video recording using the AVCHD Lite format, and intuitive touch control to elevate its operability. Users can adjust autofocus (AF) by touching the subject on its 3.0-inch 460,000-dot LCD and even snap a photo by touching the screen. Touch-screen operation also works during playback, and users can touch one thumbnail viewed among many to see the full size of the desired photo. And to view images one by one, photos can be dragged across the screen to browse as though flipping the pages of a book.

The LCD has a wide-viewing angle and rotates 180 degrees and tilts 270 degrees, providing approximately 100% of field of view. The free-angle LCD makes it possible to both view and touch the screen from any angle. And, a double live-view function and live-view finder allow users to see a setting’s results before pressing the shutter. The G2 is said to deliver 60-fps full-time live-view images.

“With the Lumix G2, Panasonic is pleased to continue to lead the evolution of the Micro Four Thirds platform and also be the first in the industry to offer a touch-screen interchangeable-lens system camera,” said David Briganti, senior product manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics. “Touch operation is a user interface with which many consumers are both familiar and expect, and we think the Lumix G2’s touch operation makes it easier and quicker to take photos and videos that have professional-like effects.”

Once a user locks onto a subject using the touch screen, the G2 enables AF tracking and will track the subject as it moves within the frame. With a touch on the screen, users can select the part and size of AF area with the 1-area AF. The multi-area AF sets a group of AF points according to the composition. While using manual focus, users can enlarge a subject by touching it and choosing to enlarge it by 1x, 5x or 10x and then moving the part by dragging it on the screen. Menu settings can also be changed with touch operation, but all setting changes can still be done using the control pad.

Also featured is a dedicated video record button for 1,280x720 HD video recording in the AVCHD Lite format, which increases recording capacity and is compatible with audio-visual equipment. To complement this, the G2 provides advanced audio options: sound is recorded with Dolby Digital Creator and an optional accessory stereo microphone can be attached. A wind-cut function further enhances the sound as it helps reduce noise caused from background wind.

Other features include: “P” mode, where users can change the aperture; my color mode with a total of seven preset effects (expressive, retro, pure, elegant, monochrome, dynamic art, silhouette); custom mode; iA mode, an easy-shooting mode with automatic optimization in either photo and video recording that automatically engages features and settings by detecting the shooting environment; and dust reduction.

The Panasonic Lumix G2 will retail as a kit with the newly announced Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Asph/Mega OIS lens (28-84mm equivalent), but it can be used with any Four Thirds standard lens via the optional mount adapter DMW-MA1 and with Leica M/R lenses via DMW-MA2M or MA3R. The G2 will be available in red, blue and black models.

Lumix DMC-G10. Dubbed the world’s lightest digital interchangeable-lens camera with a viewfinder, the G10 records 720p HD video in Motion JPEG, QVGA, VGA and WVGA formats. Its compact form factor is due to the elimination of a number of components that are found in a conventional interchangeable-lens camera, including the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit.

Key specs include: a 12.1MP Live MOS sensor; a 1.04x live-view finder that retains the viewability of an optical viewfinder and displays information about settings users can see without removing their eye from the subject; 60-fps live view; a 3.0-inch high-res LCD that automatically controls the brightness; AF tracking; dust reduction; and Panasonic’s iA mode for both stills and video. iA includes shooting-assist functions such as Mega optical image stabilization, intelligent ISO control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves, intelligent exposure, intelligent scene selector and intelligent resolution.

Additional features include my color mode; 26 scene modes, including peripheral defocus mode that lets users take a photo where the foreground is in focus and background is blurred; and exposure meter displayed in the P/A/S/M shooting modes.

Available in black, the Lumix G10 will come equipped with the new Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Asph/Mega OIS lens and can also be used with any Micro Four Thirds system lenses and Four Thirds standard lenses via an optional mount adapter as well as Leica M/R lenses.

Pricing and availability for the Panasonic Lumix G2 and G10 will be announced 30 days prior to their shipping dates. panasonic.com