DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS

Panasonic Announces Pricing for Lumix DMC-G1 - The World's First Micro Four Thirds System Camera

Secaucus, NJ (October 16, 2008) – Panasonic today announced pricing for the world’s first Micro Four Thirds System camera, the LUMIX DMC-G1 – available in mid-November for a suggested retail price of $799.95, which includes the LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. kit lens.

Also available in November, the LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S. telephoto Micro Four Thirds lens has a suggested retail price of $349.95.

The LUMIX G1, available in black, blue and red models, is the first interchangeable lens camera to offer consumers a choice of colors.

Weighing about half as much as a standard digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera (1.28 lbs)*, the LUMIX G1 is loaded with features that both entry-level and more experienced DSLR users will appreciate.  The LUMIX G1 introduces a new Contrast AF (Auto Focus) system that is accurate and fast.  Additionally, the LUMIX G1 features Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode found across the LUMIX line of cameras, which includes AF Tracking, Intelligent Exposure, MEGA O.I.S., Intelligent ISO, Intelligent Scene Selector, and Face Detection.

“The LUMIX G1 provides the power of a DSLR with many of the easy-to-use features from our point-and-shoot digital cameras,” said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With the LUMIX G1, we’re able to provide manual controls and professional-quality images, while also making the camera much more compact and with intuitive features easy for those new to DSLRs to learn and use.”  

The LUMIX G1’s electronic Live View Finder, with a high-resolution 1,440,000-dot equivalent, allows the user to shoot the exact image seen, while also displaying information about the camera’s settings. The LUMIX G1 also features a free angle 3.0-inch LCD, enabling the user to see the adjustments as they are being made, a valuable learning tool for users new to manual controls, as the effects can be confirmed visually before snapping the shot. 

Panasonic will expand its Micro Four Thirds System cameras and lenses in 2009, including a new model that builds on the LUMIX G1’s portability and style, while incorporating High Definition video capabilities.  More details to be released in 2009.  For more information about the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1, please visit www.panasonic.com/dsc.

*Compared to the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-L10.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. In its commitment to provide consumers with extensive imaging resources, Panasonic LUMIX established the Digital Photo Academy, a series of nationwide workshops designed to instruct consumers how to optimize the features on their digital cameras and produce high-quality photos.

Panasonic is honored to support OUR PLACE – The World’s Heritage, a project that will create the world’s largest photographic collection of UNESCO World Heritage sites, with acclaimed photographers exclusively using LUMIX digital cameras to capture all images. Information about Panasonic LUMIX digital still cameras and its affiliated programs is available at www.panasonic.com/dsc <BLOCKED::outbind://773/www.panasonic.com/dsc> .