Panasonic Has a Little Something for Everyone at Photokina 2016

September 19, 2016

By Laura Brauer

Panasonic is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its Lumix camera business in appropriate fashion, by introducing three new cameras.

Let’s have a look at them, shall we?

The G85

Like the GX85, the G85 features a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter for sharper images. It also features an updated version of the GX85’s dual image stabilization system for a CIPA-sanctified 5 stops of image correction. According to Panasonic, while the dual stabilization platform corrects for image shake at both the wide and tele ends of the zoom, it’s maximum impact can be seen at the telephoto end.

Panasonic G85 copy

The camera has a 49-point AF system. You’ll hit 9 fps in continuous shooting with AF fixed on the first frame or up to 6 fps with continuous autofocus engaged. The G85 is weather sealed and has an economy battery mode that can deliver up to 900 shots per charge—impressive for mirrorless cameras, which typically struggle to deliver half that endurance. An accessory battery grip (DMW-BGG1) will also be available to deliver up to 640 shots in normal mode and up to 1,800 in power save mode.

The G85’s shutter mechanism has been engineered to dampen vibration so it’s not only able to deliver sharper images but it’s fairly quiet as well.

Like other Panasonic cameras, the G85 offers 4K video recording with Panasonic’s 4K Photo Modes and Post Focus capabilities. Alongside Post Focus will be a new focus stacking feature which combines dozens of images all with different AF points selected and compiles them into a single, in-focus image. The final focus-stacked image will have a resolution of 8.3-megapixels.

It will also offer a new live cropping mode that lets you zoom and pan in on a 4K video during playback to create a 1080p final video file with those cinematic effects. The G85 can output an 8-bit, 4:2:2 video through its HDMI output while simultaneously saving a 4:2:0 copy to an SD card. While Panasonic didn’t include its V-Log color profile in the G85, it will let users change luminance settings for video shooting.

Finally, you’ll have a 3-inch free angle LCD, a high-res OLED EVF, Wi-Fi and a 3.5mm mic input.

The G85 goes on sale in October for $899.

LX10

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The LX10 is the latest advanced compact from Panasonic with a fixed 24-70mm equivalent Leica lens. It’s a fast lens with an aperture range of f/1.4-2.8 throughout the zoom range. You’ll enjoy 5-axis hybrid image stabilization and a minimum working distance of 3cm for super-close focusing.

The camera employs a 20.1-megapixel sensor with a maximum ISO of 12,800. The camera can clip along at 10 fps with focus fixed on the first frame or at 6 fps with continuous AF engaged.

The touch screen display supports touch focusing and touch shutter release. It can be tilted 180-degrees.

The  LX10 records 4K videos in 3840 x 2160 resolution at either 24 or 30 fps. Full HD recording is available to 120 fps. Like the G85, the LX10 features Panasonic’s 4K Photo modes, Post Focus, Focus Stacking and Live Cropping. In-camera RAW development is also available as is Wi-Fi.

Ships in November for $700.

FZ2500

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Finally the new FZ2500 packs a built-in 20x optical zoom Leica lens  (26-520mm f/2.8-4.5) with an inner zoom structure that Panasonic says zooms more like a camcorder than still lens. Another camcorder-like addition: built-in ND filters that are accessible viable a direct switch (-2EV(1/4), -4EV(1/16), -6EV(1/64) and AUTO).

The camera features a 1-inch, 20-megapixel MOS sensor with a native ISO of 125-12,800 (extendable to 80 and 25,600).

The FZ2500 is one of the few still cameras that can record 4K video to the capacity of the card (most cameras cap 4K recording at 30 minutes). It also hits the “true” 4K resolution of 4096 x 2160 at 24 fps alongside 3840 x 2160 at up to 30 fps. High bitrate (200 Mbps) full HD recording is also available without limit. The camera includes Panasonic’s 4K Photo Modes, Post Focus and Focus Stacking features.

In still shooting, you’ll enjoy a burst rate of 12 fps with AF fixed on the first frame or 7 fps with AF engaged.

The FZ2500 features an OLED EVF and a free-angle 3.0-inch touch display. Additional features include Wi-Fi, NFC,  It will ship in December for $1,200.

Image_GH5

They also gave a few details on the GH5, which will ship next year. The GH5 will record at up to 6K at 30p. It will have an 18-megapixel sensor that can also record 4K video at 60p at 10-bit 4:2:2. Three new lenses–an 8-18mm, 12-60mm and 50-200mm–are also coming. They’ll all have variable apertures of f/2.8-4.0.