Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX 16 MP ($395)

Panasonic is running one of their one day specials on a camera I think is worthy of consideration: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX 16 MP for $395 (its typically $500-600 dollars).

I have been a fan of the small pocket digital Panasonic Lumix cameras with the Leica lenses. If you are a more serious photographer, you wind up looking at Canons and Nikons, and you pay up for the privilege.

The new GX line creates a space between the two, and with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX 16 MP body on sale for $395, its a very reasonable price point.

This body is without lens, and you have two choices of lens kits:

• The basic lens 14-42mm Kit adds $100 to the cost.

• The full 14-42mm Power Zoom Kit  tacks on another $500 to the body.

Here is what Digital Photography Review had to sat:

“By creating a separate product line for the GX, Panasonic has made clear distinctions in its G-series offerings. The GF line is positioned as entry point for compact-camera upgraders. The GH2 is designed for users who shoot a lot of video and the G3 is aimed for (primarily) still shooters who desire a built-in EVF and articulated LCD. The GX1 then is rather sensibly positioned as an enthusiast offering for those who want the highest image quality from a Micro Four Thirds camera, in a form factor that comfortably accommodates a range of zoom lenses and does not skimp on external controls.”

 

Full specs after the jump

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX 16 MP Micro 4/3 Compact System Camera with 3-Inch LCD Touch Screen
Black, Body Only

 

Superb Image Quality and Performance Combined with a Premium Design

Panasonic is pleased to announce the addition of the DMC-GX1 interchangeable lens system camera as part of the LUMIX G Micro System as part of the new premium mirror-less line up – DMC-GX1 featuring high image quality and stunning performance in both response and function.

LUMIX G Micro System realizes high-quality photo images with real-to-life details through excellent resolution, image rendering and color reproduction. Taking full advantage of the 16.0-megapixel Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine, images to be shot in low-lit situations at max. 12800 high ISO sensitivity setting is stunningly clear with highly sharp resolution.

Precision Contrast AF system of LUMIX G Micro System gains even higher speed realizing approx. 0.09 second of Light Speed AF.* Consecutive shooting is also improved for 4.2 fps in 16.0-megapixel full resolution.

The DMC-GX1 records 1920 x 1080 full-HD video with stereo sound in AVCHD format which is superior in both compression efficiency and friendliness with AV equipment for playback. Advanced AF system including practical full-time AF and tracking AF is available in video recording so that every photographer can enjoy high quality video recording with minimum ease.

As a camera from the new premium line of LUMIX G Micro System, the external design of the camera has been developed with no compromising on grip, dial, coating – everything to detail. The hot shoe on the top lets you attach the optional tilt-shift Live View Finder (DMW-LVF2) of approx. 1.4x (approx. 0.7x**), 1,440,000-dot equivalent, 100% field of view. It is now compatible with UHS-I standard for the SDXC/SDHC Memory Card taking its advantage to extend performance.

Available in silver and black, the DMC-GX1 offers luxurious comfort in shooting experience with a stunning performance and a host of functions, to be a great partner that is always in your sight, in your mind.

* The time for focusing on the subject is measured with LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S (H-PS14042) to move the lens position to “2m” from “infinity” position. The zoom position is in wide end. Panasonic measurement method

** 35mm camera equivalent

High Image Quality for an Interchangeable Lens System Camera
LUMIX G Micro System realizes high-quality photo images with real-to-life details through excellent resolution, image rendering and color reproduction; high-grade lens and precision AF achieves high resolution, optimal balance of resolution and noise reduction achieves lifelike image rendering and high precision auto exposure and white balance with live light metering results in the faithful color reproduction.

The 16.0-megapixel Live MOS sensor plays a big role in high quality image rendering. With the dedicated circuit which reads out signals with minimum noise, the level of noise is significantly suppressed by more than 66%. Notably max. ISO 12800 is available with DMC-GX1. In shooting at high ISO setting, S/N value is improved by approx. 200% compared with the conventional 12.1-megapixel sensor. The sensor performance improves by 6db at ISO 3200 and max. 9db at ISO 6400, resulting in the dramatically flawless picture without noise.

Full review: Digital Photography Review

 

Price (with 14-42 mm kit lens) • $799.99
• £599.99
Price (with X 14-42 mm power zoom lens) • $949.99
• £729.99
• €829.99
Price (body only) • $699.99
• £499.99
• €599.99
Body material Metal
Sensor • 4/3 type MOS (‘Live MOS sensor’)
• 17.3 x 13.0 mm
• 16.6 million total pixels
• 16 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array
• Supersonic wave filter
Image sizes • 4592 x 3448 (4:3)
• 3232 x 2424 (4:3)
• 2272 x 1704 (4:3)
• 1824 x 1368 (4:3 – With 3D lens)
• 4576 x 3056 (3:2)
• 3232 x 2160 (3:2)
• 2272 x 1520 (3:2)
• 1824 x 1216 (3:2 – With 3D lens)
• 4576 x 2576 (16:9)
• 3232 x 1824 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
• 1824 x 1024 (16:9 – With 3D lens)
• 3424 x 3424 (1:1)
• 2416 x 2416 (1:1)
• 1712 x 1712 (1:1)
• 1712 x 1712 (1:1 – With 3D lens)
Image sizes (Motion) NTSC TV Regions:
• AVCHD:
1920 x 1080, 60i (from 30fps sensor output) FSH – 17 Mbps
1280 x 720, 60p (from 30fps sensor output) SH – 17 Mbps
• MP4:
1920 x 1080 (30fps)
1280 x 720 (30fps)
640 x 480 (30fps)
PAL TV Regions:
• AVCHD:
1920 x 1080, 50i (from 25 fps sensor output) FSH – 17 Mbps
1280 x 720, 50p (from 25 fps sensor output) SH – 17 Mbps
• MP4:
1920 x 1080 (30fps)
1280 x 720 (30fps)
640 x 480 (30fps)
Aspect ratios • 4:3
• 3:2
• 16:9
• 1:1
File formats • RAW
• RAW + JPEG Fine
• RAW + JPEG Standard
• JPEG Fine
• JPEG Standard
• MPO + Fine (when used with 3D lens)
• MPO + Standard (when used with 3D lens)
File formats (Movie) • AVCHD
• MP4
Focus modes • AFS
• AFF *
• AFC
• Manual
AF modes • Face Detection
• AF Tracking
• 23-Area-Focusing
• 1 Area Focusing
• Pinpoint AF
• Touch AF
• MF Assist (4x picture-in-picture, 5x, 10x)
AF assist lamp Yes, dedicated lamp
Image stabilization Available only on lenses with built-in stabilization
Extended optical zoom Yes
Digital zoom • Up to 4x
Exposure modes • Program AE
• Aperture priority AE
• Shutter priority AE
• Manual
• Auto
Scene modes • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Scenery
• Architecture
• Sports
• Peripheral Defocus
• Flower
• Food
• Objects
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Illuminations
• Baby 1
• Baby 2
• Pet
• Party
• Sunset
Scene modes (movie) • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Scenery
• Architecture
• Sports
• Flower
• Food
• Objects
• Low-light
• Party
• Sunset
If movie shooting is initiated from a scene mode without a movie shooting equivalent, the camera will select an appropriate mode based on shooting conditions.
Sensitivity • Auto
• Intelligent ISO
• ISO 160
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200
• ISO 6400
• ISO 12800
ISO steps 1/3 steps
Metering range 0 to 18 EV
Metering modes 144-zone multi-pattern sensing system
• Multiple-Weighted
• Center-Weighted
• Spot
AE Lock • With Fn1 button set to AEL/AFL
• With shutter release half-press
AE Bracketing • 3, 5, 7 frames
• in 1/3 or 2/3 or 1EV
Exposure compensation • -5.0 to +5.0 EV
• 1/3 EV steps
Shutter speed • 60 -1/4000 sec.
• Bulb (up to approx 2 mins)
• Flash X-sync 1/160 sec.
Shutter speed (Movie) • 1/6000 -1/30 sec. (NTSC)
• 1/6000 -1/25 sec.
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Incandescent
• Flash
• Custom 1
• Custom 2
• Kelvin temp (2500 – 10,000 K, 100K steps)
WB fine tuning Yes (blue/amber bias, magenta/green bias)
WB Bracketing • 3 shots
•+/-1 to +/-3 in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis
Color space • sRGB
• Adobe RGB
Image parameters • Photo Style (Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait, Custom)
Each with the following options and the ability to save a variant as ‘Custom’
• Contrast (5 levels)
• Sharpness (5 levels)
• Saturation (5 levels)
• Noise reduction (5 levels)
Drive modes • Single
• Continuous SH (20 fps at 4MP)
• Continuous H (4.2 fps)
• Continuous M (3 fps with Live view)
• Continuous L (2 fps with Live view)
Continuous buffer • 9 RAW images
• Unlimited JPEG images with a fast card
Self-timer • 2 sec.
• 10 sec.
• 10 sec., 3 images
Flash • Manual pop-up
• TTL auto / manual
• Guide no. 7.6 (ISO 160, m)
• Auto, Auto/Red-eye, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye, Forced off
• 1st/2nd curtain sync
• Flash power: Up to +/- 2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Flash X-sync speed 1/160 sec.
External flash • Hot shoe
• TTL Auto with FL220/FL360/FL500 (Optional)
Orientation sensor Yes, including non-OIS lenses*
Viewfinder Optional (LVF2*)
LCD monitor • 3.0″ TFT touch LCD monitor (3:2 aspect ratio)
• 460,000 dots
• Approx 100% frame coverage
• Auto Power LCD (optional) adjusts brightness in bright light
• Brightness (7 levels), Contrast and Saturation (7 levels), Red tint (7 levels), Blue tint (7 levels)
Playback functions • Single
• Magnify (2 – 16x)
• Thumbnail display (30,12)
• Slide show
• Title Edit
• Text Stamp
• Video Divide
• Resize
• Cropping
• Aspect Conversion
• Rotate
• Rotate Display
• Favorite
• Print Set
• Protect
• Face recognition Edit
Microphone • Internal, Stereo. With Wind-cut (On/Off) and rec level (4 levels)
Speaker • Monoaural
Connectivity • USB 2.0 (High Speed)
• Video Out (NTSC / PAL)
• Wired remote control DMW-RSL1 (optional)
• HDMI
Print compliance • PictBridge
• DPOF
Storage SD / SDHC / SDXC
Power • 1010 mAh 7.2v Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
• Supplied charger / AC adapter
Dimensions 116mm x 68 mm x 39 mm (4.58 x 2.67 x 1.55 in)
Weight (camera body) Approx. 272 g (9.59 oz)
Weight (inc 14-42mm lens, card and battery) Approx. 413 g (14.59 oz)
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