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New Lumix Point-&-Shoot Adds 4K, Four Thirds Sensor

Newark, N.J. – Panasonic continued to build out its arsenal of Ultra HD video recording cameras for this week’s Photokina in Cologne, Germany, by introducing the Lumix LX100.

The company also added a new smaller Micro Four Thirds compact system camera in the DMC-GM5.

The high-performance LX100 point-and-shoot is aimed at Sony’s popular RX100 Mark III, and is priced on the B&H photo e-commerce site at an $899 suggested retail, with an expected November ETA.

Different in this LX-series camera is a new, larger 16.8-megapixel Micro Fourth Thirds-sized MOS image sensor, equivalent to the sensors used in the company’s compact system camera, and significantly larger than the 1/1.7-inch variety that is typical in other Lumix cameras in the LX classification.

The Panasonic model is also larger than the 1-inch sized sensor found in Sony’s RX100, and some other recent competitive challengers to the camera class.

Like some other recent higher-end offerings in the Lumix line, the LX100 will shoot 4K Ultra HD video, which is playable on the new class of Ultra HD TVs hitting the market, including a few from Panasonic.

Other features in the camera include a built-in 2.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder; Leica DC Vario-Summilux f/1.7-2.8 (24-75mm equivalent) zoom and manual controls including an aperture ring, a shutter speed dial, and an exposure compensation dial.

Other features include a 2,764,000- dot live viewfinder, 3-inch 921,000-dot rear LCD, the same AF system found in the high-end Lumix GH4, Wi-Fi with NFC capability, in-camera RAW-to-JPEG conversion, and an included external flash.

In addition, the new 4K video mode will capture MP4 format movies at 30/24fps or FullHD video at 60 fps in MP4 or AVCHD. The 4K video system is said to be able to capture 8-megapixel stills at up to 30 fps.

The larger sensor and relatively low 16.8-megapixel gives the camera the benefit of better depth of field, and enhanced low-light shooting capability too. In addition the camera has boosted the maximum ISO capability to 25,600.

Panasonic also unveiled the Lumix DMC-GM5 compact Digital Single Lens Mirrorless (DSLM) GM-series camera, with a compact profile, slated for a mid-November delivery.

The GM5 features a magnesium-alloy body and a 1,166,000-dot-equivalent live viewfinder with 100 percent field of view.

Other features include a 16-megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine, maximum 25,600 ISO sensitivity, and a contrast AF system that exchanges a digital signal between the camera and the lens at a maximum of 240 fps for greater speed and accuracy.

AF functions include a new Face/Eye Detection AF, low light AF, pinpoint AF and one-shot AF.

The camera has a 3-inch, 921,000-dot touchscreen with a high-resolution monitor in 16:9.

It has FullHD 1080/60p video recording in AVCHD progressive and MP4 with stereo sound; full-time AF and tracking AF available for video recording; cinema-like 24p video with a 24Mbps bit rate; P/A/S/M mode; and a new Snap Movie mode that records short (2-/4-/6-/8-second) clips, as they shoot “moving photos.”

The camera includes built-in Wi-Fi and can be linked with a Panasonic Image App. A Creative Control mode offers 22 filter effects in addition to Time Lapse Shot, Stop Motion Animation or Clear Retouch.

The maximum shutter speed is 1/16,000. Other features include Focus Peaking, Silent Mode, Highlight/Shadow Control and Level Gauge.

An External flash unit is bundled with the camera in black or silver. Accessories include a new hand grip, model DMW-HGR1 (black/silver, sold separately), to enhance strength of gripping.

The GM5 is being offered in a bundle with a 12-32mm lens. B&H Photo has the camera listed at an $899 retail.

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