The camera features a 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor with a built-in self-cleaning sensor unit, a immensely improved electronic viewfinder, an eye-catching free-angle 3-inch LCD monitor with 460K dots and an advanced AF featuring Intelligent Auto Mode. Furthermore, the camera is available in a range of three different colors – black, blue and red – which is already an indication for the intended target market.
The camera is not meant as a replacement for a DSLR, but it’s targets the “upgrade” segment of digicam users who want a little bit more from their camera without the size and weight constraints of a DSLR. According to Panasonic this market segment can grow to 20% (total) over the next few years and being the first is obviously a good idea.
The Panasonic DMC-G1 sells for around ~600€ with the dwarfish Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH OIS, a lens with an average to good optical quality.. A double lens kit with the Lumix G Vario 45-200mm f/4.5-5.6 OIS is also available for around 1000€. Panasonic has announced 2 more lenses for June/July 2009 – the Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm 4.0-5-8 OIS and the Vario 7-14mm f/4.
