Panasonic has just introduced its latest LUMIX family member – the DMC-GF1, where it is touted to be the smallest and lightest system digital camera in the world to feature a built-in flash. What makes the LUMIX DMC-GF1 different from its predecessors would be an elegant, compact design that does hark back to the older days of classic film cameras, although it boasts state of the art innards by building upon Panasonic’s success with the revolutionary LUMIX G Series of digital interchangeable lens system cameras based on the Micro Four Thirds system standard.

Boasting a lightweight body, the LUMIX GF1 is able to offer a platform for experienced photographers to carry this with them all the time, in addition to a DSLR, of course. The pentaprism has been removed here, making this mirror-free structure much smaller and lighter in size and weight, respectively, without lacking in other important and essential features. Don’t be surprised to see the LUMIX GF1 pack in the ability to record high definition video at 1,280 x 720 resolution in AVCHD Lite format for longer recording times, apart from QVGA, VGA and WVGA resolutions to maximize on your storage space. The special Movie Program Mode enables budding directors to adjust the depth-of-field while shooting in HD video, allowing the background and foreground to be blurred just like how to professionals do at a fraction of the cost.

Another feature found on the LUMIX DMC-GF1 would be the new My Color mode that offers seven preset effects – Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, Silhouette and Custom. These allow users to set the color, brightness and saturation levels manually. Live View function provides the opportunity for one to see how the photo will end up like with the effect before it is actually shot – handy for weeding out bad photos before they even happen. Other tools to help one snap better images would be the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization), Face Detection and Intelligent Exposure among others. Expect to see the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF1 arrive sometime early next month for $899.95 in two kits.

Press Release