Panasonic announces the brand new LUMIX G Micro System

Announcing the world's first full-time Live View Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera Adopting New-Generation Micro Four Thirds System Standard DMC-G1 from LUMIX G Micro System, Panasonic has made it even harder for the consumer to decide which system to adopt when moving up from compact digital cameras.

Based on the Four Thirds System, it remains compatible with it, meaning that lenses for the larger system can be used utilising an adaptor. The DMC-G1 is the first model released.



Specification (brief):

    * Full-time Live View both for LCD and LVF
    * Advanced AF featuring iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode such as AF Tracking
    * 4/3-type 12-megapixel Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine HD
    * Bundled with LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.
    * Dust reduction system - Supersonic Wave Filter
    * Unique color variation [Some colors may not be available in some countries]

The reason Panasonic has developed the GI is to counteract the perception that DSLR's are all bulky and heavy. Funnily, I thought that was the reason they developed the original Four Thirds System, but who am I to bring that one up! To quote them: "Combining a downsized body and advanced camera features that realize the operational comfort even as easy as that of compact cameras, the super-mobile G1 shatters the old notion that all digital SLRs are bulky, heavy and hard to use."

Whether this will bring any greater success than the original Four Thirds System has failed to achieve is yet to be seen. With the growth in the DSLR market there is obviously an incentive to capture a greater share than they have managed so far. However, one reason for the lack of success with the original Four Thirds System was its poor signal to noise performance  which meant that it falls behind larger sensor sized DSLRs.

Oh, and why, if Panasonic see the future lying with the Micro Four Thirds System, why have they just released the LUMIX LX3?

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