eK-gadgets info

A little over a month ago, Panasonic made big waves in the digital camera world with their announcement (along with Olympus) of the Micro FourThirds standard. Today, the first camera to use the m4/3 standard has arrived: the Lumix DMC-G1. Since it doesn’t have a mirror, it can’t be called a digital SLR. Instead, Panasonic is calling it a digital interchangeable lens camera.

I had a chance to use the G1 a few weeks ago, and I’ll share my impressions with you, right after I go over the specs:

Lumix DMC-G1

• 12.1 effective Megapixel Live MOS sensor; same size as on a regular FourThirds camera
• Micro FourThirds lens mount, with 2X focal length conversion ratio
  • First two lenses to be announced are the F3.5-5.6, 14 - 45 mm and F4.0-5.6, 45 - 200 mm lenses; both have image stabilization
  • Lenses coming in 2009 include: F4.0, 7 - 14 mm, F1.7, 20 mm, and F4.0-5.6, 14 - 140 mm OIS
  • Supports regular FourThirds lenses via the optional DMW-MA1 adapter
• World’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera (according to Panasonic)
  • Body is 4.9 x 3.3 x 1.8 inches in size, weighs 385 g; compare that to the Olympus E-420, which is 5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 inches and 380 g
  • Will come in three colors: black, blue, and red
• Venus Engine HD image processor
• Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system
• Since there’s no mirror inside the camera, it’s live view only on the DMC-G1
  • You get 100% field-of-view, customizable displays, and preview of shutter speed and aperture adjustments
  • Flip-out, rotating 3-inch LCD display has 460,000 pixels
  • Super high resolution electronic viewfinder has an unbelievable 1.44 million pixels and 1.4x magnification
  • Shooting info is displayed on the main LCD when you’re using the EVF; when you put your eye to the viewfinder, the LCD shuts automatically
• Full manual controls, plus Intelligent Auto Mode (complete with face detection and auto scene selection)
• 23-point contrast detect autofocus system with speeds that rival traditional phase difference AF
• Camera can take 7 RAW and an unlimited number of JPEGs at 3 frames/second
• Hot shoe for external flash
• SD/SDHC memory card slot
• Ports include USB 2.0 High Speed, HDMI, and remote control
• Uses DMW-BLB13 lithium-ion battery; 350 shots per charge with the EVF, and 330 with the LCD
• Will ship with the 14 - 45 mm lens this November; pricing to be announced next month

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