Matsushita launches world's smallest DSLR

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 12 Sep 2008 at 11:24

Matsushita has launched the world's smallest DSLR camera in the hope of luring away compact camera users who want higher quality images without extra bulk.

The new DMC-G1 weighs just 385g, far lighter than even the smaller end of the traditional DSLR range such as the 530g Nikon D40x.

The size of the camera has also been reduced drastically by eliminating the reflex mirror system found in other SLR cameras, halving the distance from the lens mount to the sensor to just 20mm.

The camera is being released by Lumix, a brand actually owned by the Japanese firm Matsushita. Confusingly, Matsushita is also to change its name next month to Panasonic, itself a brand name under which the company has previously released many electronic products.

SLR cameras are the fastest growing segment of the digital camera market, but sales of compact cameras remain strong because of the convenience they offer.

"With the LUMIX G1, we are filling a void that has existed for a long time in the digital camera market, because consumers wanted the power of an SLR, but previous models were bulky and inconvenient," says David Briganti, national marketing manager of imaging at Panasonic.

The camera is expected to launch in the UK in November as a kit with a 14-45mm lens. No word has yet been revealed on pricing, but the model will cost 90,000 yen in Japan, which currently converts to just over £470.