Panasonic Lumix GX1 made Official – Latest Micro Four Thirds HD Camera

Panasonic has come clean and have finally unveiled their new, professionally equipped, Lumix GX1 Micro Four Thirds camera this very morning.

The words ‘top end’, ‘professional’ and ‘flagship’ not only means that this smart snapper is going to be loaded with enough toys to keep most lens-monkeys happy – it probably means that this Lumix GX1 is not going to be cheap.

The Lumix GX1 does indeed have an impressive list of specs squeezed into that DSLR-esque body. If you’re looking for something more pocket-sized there’s always the Pentax Q 😉

Let’s start with the fact that the new GX1 is loaded with a 16 megapixel sensor and ISO that can be turned up to 12,800 – that basically means that your pics will look good no matter what the lighting conditions are. Looking to get some speedy snaps off but want them all to be in focus? Well, how does a 0.09 second autofocus function grab you?

Around the back of the handsome Panny-cam you’ll find a 3-inch touchscreen panel which enables you to blur or focus the background with a simple tap of your digit. Granted, it’s not the sharpest screen out there it does make accessing the controls easy as well as handing you the opportunity to customise Fn controls to get to the features you want quickly – but not quite as responsive as you’d expect from the smartphone in your pocket.

The controls are split between the touchscreen mentioned above and the more familiar realm of the physical mode dial. The dial offers the expected shooting modes with the Panasonic iA granted its own button.

The one thing that might split opinions is the lack of a video capture position on the mode dial. Video has also been awarded with its own button on the top of the DMC-GX1 and for those that grab candid vids this will be a boon as it sets the recording rolling straight away; however, those of you out there that take more considered moving pictures would perhaps appreciate the more deliberate selection of the video capture mode and then be offered the chance to choose the settings before filming. On the plus side what you are getting is full 1080 HD video recording.

Now, here’s the touchy subject of cost. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 is not bargain basement. Expect the body to cost you £499 and you’ll need to add another £100 to purchase it with a standard lens. £729 is the magic number should you want the DMC-GX1 with Panasonics 14-42 pancake zoom lens.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 will start to appear by mid-December.