Panasonic introduced a new interchangeable lens; Micro Four Thirds camera today. It’s essentially the G1 with a HD movie mode and new sensor which can take pictures at 12 megapixels, no matter what aspect ratio you choose (instead of cropping downwards from a fixed resolution). Practically, everything else remains the same as the old Lumix G1. For now, there also seems to be just one color – black – available for the Lumix GH1.

Panasonic Lumix GH1
(Interchangeable lens camera)

• 14 megapixel LiveMOS sensor
  12 effective megapixels – pictures at any aspect ratio are taken at 12 megapixels
• Dust reduction
• 3 inch rotating LCD; super high resolution EVF
• Full manual controls and Intelligent Auto Mode
• 1080p (1920 x 1080 at 24 FPS) movie mode with stereo sound and continuous autofocus
  H.264 AVCHD codec, wind filter and external microphone available
• Takes SD/SDHC memory cards
• Uses a lithium-ion battery
• Availability and price to be decided

Panasonic also announced two new Micro Four Thirds lenses today. The 14 – 140 mm, f4.0 – f5.8 OIS lens is a super-zoom lens which will supposedly come as a kit option with the Lumix GH1. Next is the 7 – 14 mm, f4.0 ultra wide-angle zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds. Finally, an option for landscape and wide-angle lovers.

The best part is that both the new lenses are native Micro Four Thirds lenses… meaning you can use autofocus when attached to the Lumix G1 or GH1.

Related articles:

• Olympus E-P1 interchangeable lens camera
• Panasonic Lumix GF1 now official
• Olympus E-P2 Micro Four Thirds camera; now official!
• Samsung mirrorless NX system concept
• Panasonic Lumix GF1 and normal SLR… size comparison!