Panasonic GF2 starts reaching retail stores
updated 10:50 am EST, Fri January 28, 2011
Panasonic Lumix GF2 hits retail
Panasonic on Friday began shipping the Lumix GF2 to retail stores. The extra-compact Micro Four Thirds camera should be on store shelves now, although it hasn't said to what extent this includes the US. UK online retailers currently list the camera as in stock, but major American sites such as Amazon, B&H and J&R so far say it remains unavailable.
The camera has been touted as the lightest and one of the smallest cameras with an interchangeable lens and does so through a significant redesign that moves some of the physical controls on to the three-inch touchscreen display. It still keeps the pop-up flash and 12-megapixel sensor, albeit with more advanced 60FPS 1080i and 720p AVCHD video recording and slightly improved visual quality.
We tried the GF2 at CES and were impressed most with a form factor smaller even than some fixed lens prosumer cameras, though the verdict wasn't yet clear on the interface.
In the US, the GF2 is known to sell for about $700 with the 14mm, f2.5 pancake lens, but 14-42mm kit, 14-140mm kit and body-only prices aren't yet available.
