Panasonic today announces pricing for the Panasonic LUMIX G2 and
LUMIX G10 – the latest additions to the company’s award-winning LUMIX G
Series Digital Singles Lens (DSL) Micro Four Thirds cameras. Both
available in late-May 2010, the LUMIX G2, which will come in red, blue
and black models, will have a suggested retail price (SRP) of $799.95,
while the LUMIX G10 will have an SRP of $599.95.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G2 is the world’s first* digital
interchangeable lens system camera with a movable LCD that allows for
touch-control, and the successor to the award-winning and revolutionary
LUMIX G1, which was the world’s first DSL Micro Four Thirds digital
camera. The intuitive touch-control shooting elevates the camera’s
operability, letting the user adjust auto focus (AF) simply by touching
the subject on the large 3.0-inch 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD. The
LUMIX G2 also shoots 720p High Definition video using the AVCHD Lite
format.
With the touch-screen operation, users can even snap a photo
by touching the LUMIX G2’s screen. Additionally, the touch-screen
operation excels not only for shooting but also during playback. Users
can touch one thumbnail viewed among many to quickly and easily see the
full size of the desired photo. Also, to view images one-by-one, photos
can be dragged across the screen to browse as though flipping the pages
of a book. Once a user locks onto a subject, the LUMIX G2 enables AF
Tracking and will track the subject as it moves within the frame. Then,
with a touch on the screen, users can select the part and the size of AF
area with the 1-area AF. The Multi-area AF sets a group of AF points
according to the composition. With touch operation, menu settings can be
changed quickly; cutting the time it takes to navigate using standard
cursors. However, all setting changes can still be made using the
control pad, if preferred.
The LUMIX G2 records 1280 x 720 HD videos in the AVCHD Lite
format, which increases recording capacity and is highly compatible with
audio-visual equipment. With a dedicated video record button, users can
easily start recording a video. To complement its high-quality video
capabilities, the LUMIX G2 features advanced audio options, as sound is
recorded with Dolby Digital Creator and an optional accessory stereo
microphone can be attached. A Wind Cut function further enhances the
sound as it helps reduce noise caused from background wind.
For entry-level users wanting to step-up to a digital
interchangeable lens camera, the LUMIX DMC-G10 is an affordable,
high-performing and compact option. The LUMIX DMC-G10 is the world’s
lightest* digital interchangeable lens camera with a viewfinder, which
packs a host of advanced digital camera functions designed to be
easy-to-use for users new to system cameras. The new compact and
portable LUMIX G10, can also record 720p HD video in JPEG, QVGA, VGA and
WVGA formats. Users can enjoy recording HD videos while taking
advantage of the high-quality lens and the flexibility to change to
other lenses.
The LUMIX G10, with its incredible compact body and portable
design, uses a mirrorless structure as part the Micro Four Thirds System
standard, eliminating a number of components that are found in a
conventional interchangeable lens camera, including the mirror box and
optical viewfinder unit. Also, Panasonic designed the LUMIX G10 to be
easy to use and offers iA (Intelligent Auto) – an easy shooting mode
with automatic optimization according to the scene in either photo and
video recording. This feature is helpful to beginner users unfamiliar
with an interchangeable lens system camera, as the settings engage
automatically. With the new dedicated iA button, which illuminates in
blue when engaged, activating this mode is even easier.
Both the LUMIX G2 and LUMIX G10 will come equipped with the
LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens. The new lens
offers a versatile zoom range of 14-42mm (35mm camera equivalent:
28-84mm), making it suitable for shooting a wide-range of scenes, from
dynamic landscape to portrait. Furthermore, both models are compatible
with all LUMIX G-Series DSL Micro Four Thirds system lenses, allowing
users even higher levels of performance in a digital interchangeable
lens camera. In addition to LUMIX G lenses, the LUMIX DMC-G10 and LUMIX
DMC-G2 DSL Micro Four Thirds digital cameras can use any interchangeable
lens that complies with the Four Thirds standard via an optional mount
adaptor DMW-MA1 and with the prestigious Leica M/R Lenses via DMW-MA2M
or MA3R.
