Panasonic G1 gets $800 price, HD in spring

Panasonic's Lumix G1 Micro Four Thirds camera will carry the price of a full entry-level DSLR when it launches in the near future, company executive Yasunori Takase says in an interview with Adorama. Although Panasonic has publicly said it would only expand on its launch details next month, Takase now says the camera plus its 14-45mm kit lens will cost nearly $800 in the bundle when they reach US shores. Pricing for the optional 45-200mm lens isn't available.

The official also confirmed production plans for an HD video version demonstrated this week at the Photokina expo. The new device will ship in spring and will ship along with a special lens just for video capture; the lens motor will be quieted to avoid affecting video capture and will also have its own controls, though what these involve is unclear. Takase describes this upcoming model as a potentially ideal hybrid for amateur photographers who don't want to buy a separate device just for video.

"People don’t want to have to carry a DSLR and a camcorder, so why not expend the market by giving them what they want," he says.

The update makes the unnamed G1 refresh the third DSLR-level camera to support video capture, with the 720p Nikon D90 and the 1080p Canon EOS-5D Mark II already having launched ahead of Photokina.

Filed under: gadgets, digital imaging
Other story tags: Panasonic, Canon, Nikon, Lumix, Micro Four Thirds