Panasonic unveils video-centric G100 Micro Four Thirds camera
Panasonic has announced the Lumix G100, which looks to offer a compelling package for vloggers and a solid competitor to Sony's recently launched ZV-1.
The new Micro Four Thirds camera has several features specifically geared towards video content creators, and has one major advantage over Sony's camera - you can use it with different lenses.
The camera is based on the G95, and inherits the same 20.3MP MOS sensor that can shoot 4K/30p video, but gains a much smaller and lighter body - it's just 345g without a lens, compared to 533g for the G95.
Unlike the G95 however, this camera is all about video, and as such it includes some rather nifty features including the ability to switch the aspect ratio of the recording on the fly without the need for post-processing.
The other major video feature is found in the combination of three internal microphones and Nokia's Ozo tech. This allows the G100 to analyse audio spatially and track voices throughout a scene, and works in tandem with the G100's face recognition.
The video features don't end there, with the addition of a new Slow and Quick, “S&Q,” feature on the mode dial. This allows the G100 to record FHD footage in 4x slow motion at up to 120 frames/30p, or you can double the speed to 30 frames/60p.
Other features include an electronic viewfinder that Panasonic says is 2.8x brighter than the one in the Lumix G90, an articulating display which can automatically trigger a video selfie recording mode when it’s flipped out to the side, and adjust the depth of field automatically, a Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy connection and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) allowing images to be geotagged, and the ability to use a smartphone as the camera’s remote control.
A new ergonomic Tripod Grip - both a handgrip and mini tripod - has also been released. The optional DMW-SHGR1 grip connects via USB to start/stop video recording, release the shutter and enable/disable Sleep mode.
The G100 starts at $1099 (Body Only), and in a Lumix kit with a 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens for $1299.
You can find out more at Panasonic.