Panasonic introduces slew of new cameras
Panasonic has refreshed its G series line-up, replaced its premium compact and top-of-the-line bridge camera and revealed a new set of compacts.
First up, the G5 slots into the range alongside the G3, and is intended as a "step-up" camera for the line-up.
It features a newly designed 16 million pixel Four Thirds sensor and the latest Venus processing engine, which Panasonic claims means that it is capable of delivering the cleanest images of any G series camera.
Other changes include a new grip, an additional "Function Lever" at the top of the camera and the ability of use the LCD screen as a "touch pad" for controlling AF points when the EVF is being used.
Also announced today is a new 45-150mm lens, which is almost exactly the same size as the standard 14-42mm Panasonic kit lens. Designed as an ultra portable carry around travel lens, it will be available on its own and with the G5 as part of a twin lens kit.
Premium compact
After two years, Panasonic has also introduced a new premium compact to sit in its LX line.
Although many expected the LX7 to feature a larger 1-inch sensor, as seen recently on the Sony RX100, Panasonic has stuck with the same sensor size as its predecessor, the LX5.
One advantage of this, Panasonic points out, is that the camera is able to maintain a maximum aperture of f/2.3 at the telephoto end of the lens. At the widest end of the lens, an aperture of f/1.4 is available, making it the joint brightest compact camera on the camera, alongside the recently announced EX2.
Bridge camera
The third big announcement comes in the shape of the FZ200, a bridge camera.
It features a 24x optical zoom Leica lens which is able to maintain an f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom length. In 35mm equivalent terms, the zoom ranges from 25mm at the widest point, to 600mm at the telephoto end.
Other specs include a 12 million pixel MOS sensor, a Venus engine, a maximum sensitivity of ISO 6400, full HD video recording and 12fps shooting.
Panasonic has also introduced three new compact cameras, the SZ5, LZ20 and FZ62.
The Panasonic G5 price will be around £599 body only, £699 with the standard 14-42mm kit lens, or £829 with the 14-42mm "X" power zoom lens. The G5 is expected to be available from mid-August. Meanwhile, the 45-150mm lens price will be £279 and is expected to be available from September.
The Panasonic LX7 price will be around £449, and it will available from September.
The Panasonic FX200 price will be £499 and will be available from the end of August or early September.