Panasonic unveils new range of compact cameras

By Stephen Fenech On Oct 10, 2014

Panasonic has revealed three new products that show yet again the company’s commitment to 4K video and innovation across its range of cameras.

The new line-up includes two compact cameras, the DMC-GM5 and DMC-LX100.

These offer some intriguing new features, not least of which is the LX100’s aspect ratio switching with 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 options. No big deal? It is when the physical switch is on the lens.

It’s clear once you see this feature that Panasonic is pitching to the serious user with this camera.

In the hand, it’s a very light, diminutive shooter that, with its old-school rangefinder-style design and controls layout, may well become a darling of the street photography scene.

CHECK OUT CHRIS OATEN’S GALLERY OF IMAGES SHOT WITH THE NEW PANASONIC CAMERAS

It has a Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24-75mm f1.7-f2.8 lens capturing to a Micro Four Thirds sensor.

In our brief hands-on test shots, even shooting in JPEG, the images were crisp and well-detailed.

Also appealing was the camera’s 4K video with 4K photo mode, which enables you to shoot action in 4K video and later extract an 8MB JPEG still from the video.

This is a pretty good workaround to address the challenge of capturing action with a camera of this type.

Panasonic boasts the GM5 as being the world’s smallest interchangeable lens camera with a Live View Finder.

One of its key features is “snap movie mode”, which plays off the popularity of short-duration video sharing (think Vine) by enabling recording and snap editing for quick sharing.

That you can build a system around this camera from wide range of dedicated lenses built for G series cameras should not be overlooked.

While this sounds like a lot of fun for those who have embraced that trend, I didn’t get to try it out but the stills off this camera were pretty damn good with excellent dynamic range and impressive shadow detail.

The GM5 is priced at $1099 bundled as a kit with the 12-32mm lens or $1399 if you add the 35-100mm lens to your purchase. I’d say that extra $300 is totally worth it.

The LX-100 is priced at $1199. Optional accessories include an auto lens cap, be sure to check that out when you visit a store, and two external flash models. Both cameras will be available next month.

The third item announced today, the HC-X1000 is a 4K camcorder that, at $3999, hits the mark for semi-pro and pro shooters looking for an affordable 4K camera.

There was no opportunity to shoot with the X1000 but the feature list ticks a lot of boxes: Full HD or 4K (3840 x 2160) and 4K Cinema (4096 x 2160) formats; 4K at 60p/50p; 20x Leica Dicomar lens; 1/2.3in BSI sensor; Crystal Engine Pro 4K image processing; 4K Photo mode; Dual SD card slot with switchable capture options; 2-Channel XLR audio input; illuminating LED ring to indicate recording operation; and all the capture controls you’d expect such as triple manual rings, 3.5in LCD with touch operation, ND filter and focus assist functions.

Also announced was the addition of 4K Photo Mode to the GH4 and FZ1000 models. The new feature is enabled via a firmware update.

An interesting feature listed in the press release was a Loop Recording mode for the GH4.

This enables the saving of the five newest two-minute 4K clips so that you can capture something you know is going to happen but don’t know when without worrying about running out of space on your memory card.

* Chris Oaten is a professional photographer from www.insightvisuals.com.au

Panasonic reveals 2014 home entertainment range of 4K and LED TVs

Panasonic unveils Lumix GH4 that can shoot 4K video