Panasonic spoils new MFT cameras early

Panasonic has inadvertently revealed its plans for next week by briefly posting details of two new Micro Four Thirds cameras on its own website. The Lumix G2 and G10 together would both keep to the DSLR-style body of the G1/GH1 and would have 12-megapixel sensors, 3-inch swivel LCDs and 720p recording much like their predecessors. The primary additions so far appear to be touchscreen input on both as well as stronger movie recording on the G2, which records at 60FPS in AVCHD Lite (H.264) while the G10 is limited to 30FPS.

Some of the specifications obtained by Photo Rumors appear to be incomplete. SDXC card support is mentioned only on the G10, but an "N/A" for the G2 suggests the data is simply missing. Similarly, it's unclear if both or only one would have mini HDMI out. Panasonic won't officially confirm any details but has said the specifications are at least partially inaccurate.

Both do show ISO sensitivity up to 6,400 and an electronic viewfinder; hot shoe accessories have appeared that included a boom-like microphone and a large flash.

The cameras could have their official launch as soon as the Focus on Imaging show in Birmingham, UK on March 7th, as Panasonic has sent notices for the event. At least one of the cameras is likely to reach the US.

By Electronista Staff