Panasonic unveils video-capturing Lumix G prototype

We just barely got our unsteady mitts on the upcoming Lumix G1, yet already Panasonic is teasing with something of a successor, currently dubbed the "G." It uses the G1's same micro four thirds body design, ditching the mirror and optical viewfinder in favor of case slimness, but adds a stereo microphone on top and record button on back for high-def video capture -- rare stuff on a consumer digi-cam with a replaceable lens. No word on price or availability, but given the G1 isn't slated to hit Japan until October we wouldn't expect this one until sometime next year. Meanwhile, if you tend to prefer pictures of the non-moving variety, LetsGoDigital also has some test images taken by a pre-release G1. The 640x480 snaps themselves aren't anything to get too excited about (unless you're a Formula One fan), but do prove that the camera can indeed take pictures.

Read - Panasonic Lumix G
Read - G1 Test Photos

[Zinger314 @ Sep 21st 2008 8:02PM]

I'm going to laugh once someone makes a camera that can, indeed, play Doom.

[steven @ Sep 21st 2008 8:09PM]

You mean a cell phone?

[hungry @ Sep 21st 2008 8:22PM]

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[White @ Sep 21st 2008 9:09PM]

oh snap!

you got me there

[steven @ Sep 21st 2008 9:53PM]

"oh snap"

I see what you did there...

[El Taco @ Sep 21st 2008 10:24PM]

really? i don't. I'm completely confused. please fill me in

[steven @ Sep 22nd 2008 4:31PM]

A camera... snap...

[tekdroid @ Sep 21st 2008 8:24PM]

I am a fan of Four Thirds and generally the quality of lenses, features and customization on offer at the prices Olympus sell their stuff for (E-510 with dual lens kits are a bargain, IMO), but this micro Four Thirds stuff still has me wondering who will buy it.

I see small niches being filled, but not much else.

[gad get @ Sep 21st 2008 11:44PM]

The thing about Micro Four Thirds is that it won't "fill" a niche, it will actually create a niche, and that niche could become quite significant.

[jorvay @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:28AM]

Just like mechanical components are disappearing from video cameras, they'll fade with time in still-shot cameras as well. This could be the next step in moving away from mirrors and prisms. It'll at least give a push to the development of technology that bypasses mechanical systems.

[hungry @ Sep 21st 2008 9:37PM]

you do realize that that makes no sense retard
And is it me or engadget being really slow today

[HOOPER @ Sep 21st 2008 9:43PM]

uh

no

[Shane @ Sep 21st 2008 10:34PM]

It's Klack...Of course his comment doesn't make sense. Just look at his comment history. Nothing like completely irrelevant iPhone comments in multiple stories...

[Anand D @ Sep 21st 2008 11:45PM]

I am a Formula 1 fan and the picture are great!

[Robert @ Sep 21st 2008 11:55PM]

The picture are good?

Nuff' said.

They should totally do away with Micro Four-Third's. I mean, no mirror? No real optical viewfinder???

Fail. Unless you're in the ridiculously small niche this is made for...

[jorvay @ Sep 22nd 2008 11:33AM]

But I WANT a real camera with no mechanical shortfalls. I don't take photographs in a padded room. Besides, ever read the reviews of the FZ30 and FZ50. They come dangerously close to the consumer DSLR offerings. The G1 gets a lot closer even.

Sure these things aren't ready for prime time yet, but do you seriously see, ten years from now, archaic mechanical components in digital photography?

[gad get @ Sep 21st 2008 11:46PM]

I think clak has gained a bit of a fanboy/troll following around here. Seriously, Klack?

[Anand D @ Sep 22nd 2008 12:33AM]

obviously you know nothing about formula 1 and didn't understand my comment

[Ian @ Sep 22nd 2008 12:33AM]

That niche will be huge.....big enough for it to not be called a "niche".


Anyone who has sense wouldn't buy the G1 after seeing this thing. Even if you don't use the video feature of your digital camera, you'd want to at least have the option. Why offer a glimpse of what is essentially a G1, but better? This doesn't really help Panasonic at all. Besides, the video feature should have been there at the beginning.

[Michael @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:00AM]

But what is the video quality/resolution?

[Jimbo Jones @ Sep 22nd 2008 2:37AM]

When are they going to use the micro four thirds in a camera body design that would make sense like a Canon G9/10???

Compact body + large sensor = the god camera

Enough already with the megapixels, and the pictures that come out looking more like paintings than photos on every recently released compact.

This Panasonic and the G1 are neat, but they're still at such a size that they're neither discreet nor compact.