Panasonic Lumix GX1

Panasonic announced the DMC-GX1 interchangeable lens camera on Monday, November 7, a new addition to the LUMIX G Micro System mirror-less range that features significant sensor and autofocus improvements.

The GX1 is fitted with a 16 MP Live MOS sensor with circuitry that improves S/N at high ISO setting by a whopping 200%, allowing for a max ISO of 12,800! It support burst rates still photography at 4.2 fps (16.0-megapixel) and 20 fps (4-megapixel).

Focusing

Pansonic continues to rely on contrast detection autofocus, unlike some other compact camera manufacturers who are experimenting with hybrid contrast / phase-difference auto focus systems. Panasonic says phase-difference AF system is susceptible to mechanical margin of error, while contrast AF is more accurate, especially when shooting with bright lens with small F value; at F1.4, for example, Contrast AF accuracy is 90% accurate as compared to 60% for Phase difference AF.

The GX1 features 0.09 sec autofocus, achieved by doubling Live MOS Sensor drives speed from 60 fps to 120 fps. Panasonic's DMC G3 released in June featured autofocus speeds of 0.1 sec.

An Auto Focus (AF) tracking feature lets you lock focus to the subject by touching it on the LCD panel, the Lumix G3 tracks the subject, even if it moves.

The newly added focus mode AFF (AF Flexible) locks on the focus when shutter button is half-pressed, however, if the subject moves, the focusing is reset to get the best results.

The GX1 additionally comes with full-area focusing, which makes it possible to set focus on any point in the field of view. Frame composition is free and intuitive combining the touch-screen operation.

The touch-control system of DMC-GX1 immediately lets users to set focus to the subject by just touching it on the large, 460,000-dot wide-viewing angle LCD and you can even release the shutter. Once you lock on the subject by a touch, the camera tracks the subject with the AF tracking function even if it moves.

Video

The camera shoots full HD video - 1080p, 30fps (JPEG) or 1080i, 60/50fps (AVCHD) - with stereo dolby recording.

Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion on it. The Intelligent D-range Control optimizes exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights and helping ensure that gradation and details are reproduced beautifully including the blue color of the sky.

And Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Portrait, Scenery, Close-up and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize various parameters for higher visual quality.

View Finder

The GX1 is the first camera compatible with Panasonic's brand new tilt shift, 1.44m dot LVF2 viewfinder, sold separately. The 1.4x viewfinder has a 100% field of view and fits on the hotshoe.