Panasonic today launched two new cameras in their compact digital and interchangeable-lens lines, respectively. The Panasonic Lumix ZS200 is a compact digital camera with a 15x optical zoom lens that focuses down to about an inch; the Panasonic Lumix GX9 is a Micro Four Thirds interchangeable-lens compact camera designed for travel and street photography. Both cameras offer electronic viewfinders, 20MP resolution, 4K video capture, and 5-axis optical image stabilization. Each camera represents an evolution of an existing camera line.
Panasonic GX9
Superseding the GX8 in the Panasonic lineup, the GX9 uses the same 20MP Four Thirds Sensor as its predecessor, and is compatible with all Micro Four Thirds mount lenses, but with improved optical image stabilization that Panasonic claims will let you shoot at up to 4 stops slower in low light. Because of its small, thin design and classical rangefinder-like layout, the GX series has become a favorite of many aspiring and established street photographers.
Key Features:
- 20.3MP Four-Thirds Sensor
- 5-axis Optical Image Stabilizer claimed to enable up to 4-stop slower shutter speeds
- No low-pass filter
- 2760-dot Tilt-Up Live EVF
- Custom Multi AF mode uses touch-enabled LCD monitor for focusing
- 4K video at 30p. Live crop, photo burst and Light Composition Modes
The Panasonic GX9 incorporates 5-axis Dual I.S.2 (Image Stabilizer), which they claim will more effectively suppress blur. Combining an O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer, 2-axis) and a B.I.S. (Body Image Stabilizer, 5-axis), the 5-axis Dual I.S.2 compensates for a wider range of movement for both still and video shooting. An electromagnetic drive in the shutter unit reduces the shock created by the movement of shutter diaphragm by approx. 90% compared with its predecessor, while also minimizing shutter sound.
Instead of the flip-out monitor found on the GX8, the 4-inch 1240k touch monitor tilts up 80 degrees and down 45 degrees for both high and low-angle shooting. As with its predecessor, the GX9’s viewfinder can be tilted up to 90 degrees.
Panasonic uses what it calls DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology, which they say instantly calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness levels, and achieves ultra-high-speed AF. The company also says following moving objects and dim lighting AF has been improved and made more precise. They claim AF speeds of approximately 0.07 seconds.
Also new to the GX9 is a new L. Monochrome D feature in Photo Style, which simulates highly popular pre-digital era B&W film stocks. Along with Monochrome and L. Monochrome, it gives you the several B&W choices. In addition, each of these modes can be combined with Grain Effect at Low, Standard, or High level.
The camera is Bluetooth 42 and Wi-Fi enabled.
The Panasonic Lumix GX9 will be available in a kit with the 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 Power OIS Lens in Black or Silver from Adorama for .
Panasonic ZS200
The ZS200 replaces the Panasonic Lumix ZS100, boasting a 50% longer zoom range than the previous model’s 10x zoom. Other new features include the ability to capture macro shots at as close as 3cm, and a new L.Monochrome mode in Photo Style that is said to emulate the rich gradation of black-and-white film.
Key features:
- 1-inch 20.1MP MOS Sensor
- ISO range 100-12,800
- 5-Axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization for Photo and Video
- 2,330k-dot EVF
- 24-360mm (35mm equivalent) f/3.3-6.4 Leica DC zoom lens
- 4K video with 4K photo burst, 30p frame rate
- In-Camera RAW Processing
- WiFi
Fronting the ZS200 is a Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens that starts at a wide 24mm setting (35mm equivalent) and zooms out to 360mm. To keep lens size down, the maximum aperture range is f/3.3 at the widest setting and f/6.4 zoomed all the way out. 5-Axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization helps to improve low-light performance and make up for the slower maximum aperture.
The ZS200 replaces the Panasonic Lumix ZS100, boasting a 50% longer zoom range than the previous model’s 10x zoom. Other new features include the ability to capture macro shots at as close as 3cm, and a new L.Monochrome mode in Photo Style that is said to emulate the rich gradation of black-and-white film.
The ZS200 uses the same large 1-inch sensor as its predecessor. Used in combination with the Lumix Venus processing engine is said to achieve a level of detail and image quality that exceeds the limits of typical digital compact cameras, and follows a growing industry-wide trend towards using larger sensors in compact cameras. A top native ISO of 12,800 can be extended to 25,600.
In addition to capturing 4K video, the camera offers a 4K Photo Sequence Composition mode: Catch the trajectory of a dynamic action in a single photo. Then simply choose the frames that you want from the 4K PHOTO file to compose an action-packed shot. You can also set the camera to automatically mark the best action sequence using 4K Photo Auto Marking. Set video for a lower resolution and you can record high-speed video at up to 100fps and play back in dramatic slow motion.
5-Axis Hybrid O.I.S.+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) detects and compensates for the camera’s 5 types of movement to suppress blurring. The Level Shot Function detects the image’s horizontal line and maintains it even if the camera is tilted.
Other features include an intuitive touch-control monitor with 1240K resolution that they say is visible even in sunny outdoor shooting. Depth from Focus technology is designed to help capture fast-moving action: It instantly calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness levels, and achieves ultra-high-speed AF and 6 fps burst shooting with AFC. 10 fps burst shooting with AFS is also available.
As with its predecessor, the ZS200 can shoot images in RAW and develop them inside the camera, allowing the following adjustments: Color Space Setting (sRGB / AdobeRGB), White Balance, Exposure Compensation, Photo Style, Intelligent D-Range Control, Contrast, Highlight / Shadow, Saturation, Noise Reduction, Intelligent Resolution and Sharpness. Battery life is said to have been extended around 1.23 times the ZS100’s mileage.
Pricing and Availability:
The Panasonic Lumix ZS200 Digital Camera will be available in Black and Silver bodies for from Adorama.
