Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 coming in November at $799 according to booth rep

Last we heard from Panasonic, the DMC-G1 super-light was tentatively priced at $799 for US markets. Turns out this is fact, at least if the officials at Panasonic's booth here at CEATEC are to be believed. What's more, they say the G1 will hit stateside shores in November, so if you're in the market for a new camera, start saving now. In related news, we got our hands on the G1 again, this time in red (the camera, not our hands). The digital viewfinder is still a bit disorienting, but the proximity sensor that turns off the big display when you're up close is a nice little trick. Pics and what-not below.

Gallery: Panasonic DMC-G1 in Red

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[Rob Bourne @ Sep 30th 2008 3:44AM]

So this is loaded with Android, yeah?

[Rob Bourne @ Sep 30th 2008 5:24AM]

I guess everyone is stuck in serious mode at this time of the morning...

[Jack @ Sep 30th 2008 3:49AM]

"...but the proximity sensor that turns off the big display"

I thought most Sony dSLRs have that feature?

[Jukka @ Sep 30th 2008 4:45AM]

Most dSLR's have that feature... Both Canon EOS 450D and Nikon D60 that are within my reach distance at least have it.

[Plothole @ Sep 30th 2008 5:22AM]

"Most dSLR's have that feature"

Actually while the feature is found on most entry level DSLR now, it's rather uncommon to see it on a higher end bodies. Of course since most of their settings can be adjusted in either the viewfinder or top-mounted LCD, these cameras also aren't as dependent on their color LCDs in the first place

[TrueDis @ Sep 30th 2008 3:51AM]

Can you elaborate on the "disorienting" part?

[Plothole @ Sep 30th 2008 3:59AM]

He's most likely referring to the slight video lag you get with an electronic viewfinder (compared to the instant "response time" of an optical one).

[sb @ Sep 30th 2008 4:58AM]

Any word on the G1 with video capability?

[jorvay @ Sep 30th 2008 9:26AM]

This is my big question as well. Sounds like it won't be on the G1 from the start, but Panasonic has been a little vague, saying only that it'll be available in the future. not sure if they mean on future models (like the G) or as some sort of firmware upgrade for the G1 as well. I really hope it's the latter.

[Wwhat @ Sep 30th 2008 5:19AM]

Seeing those sturdy double-thick rings for the strap I wonder how heavy this thing is.

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Sep 30th 2008 7:12AM]

I think it is "optical illusion." Probably this are standard strap rings, but since camera is relatively small, the rings look big.

[Wwhat @ Sep 30th 2008 8:16AM]

I dunno about that.
Not that I won't accept one if you give it to me though
But they do draw the eye somehow, those rings, even in the other shots they look very, perhaps overly, sturdy.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/09/p1020558.jpg

Manly might be the word.

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Sep 30th 2008 7:15AM]

$799? So I gather the price was already adjusted to falling USD. Otherwise it is bit too expensive.

Even optical in-lens IS doesn't justify the price.

At this price it might become "toy camera of choice" for professionals, but I wouldn't expect it to have any significant impact.

[Karl Hackswell @ Sep 30th 2008 9:06AM]

Im sorry I just find this to be the fugliest thing, im looking forward to olympus's micro 4/3 camera but this one is just soo ugly.

[mayhem85 @ Sep 30th 2008 10:03PM]

according to my panasonic rep this is actually a olympus camera in disguise... from what he told me it actually can/does use olympus lenses...

dont know how true this is but it might be a pretty similar camera...

also on a side note my proximity sensor on my nikon d60 seems to work just fine...

[Viator @ Sep 30th 2008 9:06AM]

The people who influence opinions with regards to photography, i.e. serious photographers, already have so much vested in standard mounts. They need to get this price point lower, and introduce some serious loss leader glass to lure ppl away from 35mm mounts to micro 4/3.

It's a bad choice for someone just getting into the more serious end of photography because the fate of the format is unknown. It's a bad choice for serious photogs cause none of their glass will work.

Panasonic has a *huge* hump to overcome with this, and so far it doesn't seem like the project has enough backing to make it. IMHO it will be just a side note in the evolution of photographic technology.

[y3k.nik @ Sep 30th 2008 9:14AM]

Is it me, or a D-SLR which is not black, doesnt really look like a camera that wants to be taken seriously?

[jorvay @ Sep 30th 2008 9:26AM]

It's avaible in black, but also in other colours, has full dslr functionality (save the optical view finder) and has no sensitive and heavy mechanical SLR components. For someone like me who wants to take their camera camping, canoeing, and mountain biking, this is the first "dslr" I've ever seriously considered...specifically because it's not technically a dslr.

[eric f. @ Sep 30th 2008 12:04PM]

@jorvay, it is an SLR in every way I can imagine. just because the image you're seeing through the viewfinder is digital rather that reflected off a mirror, that changes things for you? the form factor is exactly the same...

and yes, that color is hideous.

[jorvay @ Sep 30th 2008 1:27PM]

No, this camera is NOT a DSLR. DSLR stands for "Digital Single Lens Reflex: the mirror /prism combo that allows you to see the optical image directly through the lens to the eye piece. This camera does not contain a single lens reflex system. That's the whole point of micro-four-thirds cameras.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Those sensitive, moving optical components that make a camera an SLR are exactly what I want to avoid in a high-end, take-anywhere camera.

[Rusty @ Sep 30th 2008 9:17AM]

I just don't like the idea of lugging around a camera, bag full of lens, flash etc. I currently use a Panasonic FZ-50, 35-420, has a hot shoe. Yes, it has a little noise, in low light conditions, but I can fix that with photoshop. I only shoot 1-2000 photos a year, so I don't really "need" a D-SLR at this point. I lugged around a heavy camera & bag back in the 80's, SLR, lens, flash, do-dads etc. a "superzoom" is about all I need these days.

[jorvay @ Sep 30th 2008 9:26AM]

Dude, get a macro lens for this camera. My old man uses one with his FZ30: best macro results out there. The crazy depth of field makes macro shots so much easier. I'd argue that you have the most under-appreciated digital camera ever made.

[Dave @ Sep 30th 2008 9:46AM]

Isn't $800 a bit expensive for an unproven format that could go the way of the Kodak Disc, APS, and many other "new" formats before it.

It's a nice concept, but I would rather buy a low end Canon or Nikon for the money.

[Zzephyr @ Sep 30th 2008 10:31AM]

Despite the picture of camera in-hand, I'm still having difficulty imagining the size of the camera. Also, what is the purpose of the fugly threads on the end of the lens?

[threefingeredlord @ Sep 30th 2008 4:30PM]

For the use of filters...like all removable lenses have them.

[Plothole @ Sep 30th 2008 4:33PM]

That's where you mount this lenses hood and filter...

[Plothole @ Sep 30th 2008 4:34PM]

*lens's

[futurepastnow @ Sep 30th 2008 2:28PM]

Some sweet specs, but... why is it red?

[Y.Li @ Dec 11th 2008 10:51AM]

Panasonic upgraded their game in the field of SLR. This camera is close to the Canon G1 and Nikon DLSR. This camera is a is very light compared the regular ones and this one comes with a additional lens and it's very tradional.