Lumix
Lumix is Panasonic's brand of digital cameras, ranging from pocket point-and-shoot models to digital SLRs.
Compact digital cameras DMC-LC5 and DMC-F7 were the first products of the Lumix series, released in 2001.
Most Lumix cameras use differing releases of the Panasonic Venus Engine for digital image processing; the original version was followed by II, Plus, III, IV, HD, V and VI, HD II, FHD.
Some Lumix models are branded with Leica lenses, although Leica does not manufacture the lenses. Others are rebranded as Leica cameras with different cosmetic stylings.
Panasonic showed a prototype of a planned 3D Lumix camera in September 2011, saying that it would have twin 4x zoom lenses with folding optics and optical image stabilization for both video and still images.
Panasonic collaborated with Sigma and Leica to form the L-mount Alliance on 25 September 2018, and licence the L-mount system for their own lines of lenses and cameras. in 2019 Panasonic announced the release of its new S-series line of mirrorless cameras.
Model lines
Some cameras are available in a choice of color, indicated by a suffix letter: K is black, S silver, A blue, R red, W white. Most lower-priced models have small sensors of about 10.2 mm / 1/2.5". More expensive ones often have sensors of about twice the area, 14.1 mm to 15.4 mm / 1/1.65" to 1/1.8". dSLRs and Micro Four Thirds system cameras have much larger sensors. Larger sensors produce a better image signal-to-noise ratio and better dynamic range. The GH series of Micro Four Thirds cameras, and the LX100, have a unique "multi-aspect" sensor, that is larger than the lens image circle. This allows three different aspect ratios, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9, to be used natively. As a result, the image diagonal remains the same in all three aspect ratios and provides full coverage of the sensor, and a larger field of view with higher resolution than one would get by simply cropping the 4:3 aspect to the narrower ratios.Current
- : ultra-compact high-end, relatively typical cameras. Unlike most of the other Lumix lines, the FX series tends to have a more stylish look, targeted at social photography. The FX30 was announced as the world's slimmest camera with a 28 mm equivalent wide-angle lens. The FX500 is the first Panasonic to feature a touch-screen interface.
- DMC-FZx : compact ultra-zoom higher-end cameras. These cameras are described as compact but are relatively large, have extensive controls, and long zoom ranges, typically 12x with extending zoom lens.
- DMC-FZxx: bridge digital cameras, resemble digital SLRs in many ways, but have a non-interchangeable, non-extending zoom lens. The FZ70/72 bridge camera is as large and heavy as a medium-sized DSLR, has a 1/2.3" sensor, a very wide zoom range and extensive manual controls, including fully manual focus, and zoom rings on the lens. The FZ200 has a 25–600 mm lens superzoom with f/2.8 light sensitivity through the whole range and shoots 12 MP stills and full HD video with 24/30/50/60 fps and 120 or 200 fps for slow motion. FZ1000 uses a 1" sensor. Compared to the RX10, the FZ1000 can shoot 4K video, is priced considerably lower and has double the optical zoom, but no built-in ND Filter and no fixed aperture.
- DMC-G: Micro Four Thirds system line, advertised as a "reinvented DSLR" without mirror.
- * DMC-G: standard mirrorless line.
- * DMC-GF: distinguished from the DMC-G line by the lack of an integrated electronic viewfinder.
- * DMC-GH: marketed as their higher-end mirrorless line, also with increased video capabilities.
- * DMC-GM: marketed as the smallest interchangeable lens camera.
- * DMC-GX: enthusiast camera with capabilities between the DMC-GF line and the standard DMC-G line.
- DC-S: full frame mirrorless line using the new L-mount. The S1 was released in 2019 as the world's first full frame camera capable of internal 4K/60p recording, in addition to external recording in 4K/60p. The S1R was released at the same time. Marketed towards stills photographers with the highest resolution full frame mirrorless camera at 47.3MP. In fall of 2019, Panasonic launched the S1H. Marketed as a "cine camera", it's the world's first full frame camera capable of 6K video recording, and internal 10-bit 4K/60p recording. In the future, the S1H will also be capable of external RAW with Atomos recording monitors.
- DMC-L: DSLR line. It uses the Four Thirds system lens mount and, along with the Olympus E-330, was one of the first DSLRs capable of displaying a live image view on the LCD screen.
- DMC-LS: cheapest line, budget plastic compact cameras powered by two AA batteries.
- DMC-LX: compact high-end camera line, with full manual exposure and focus controls, and RAW recording, unusual in compact cameras.
- DMC-LZ: budget, but more advanced and with more user control than many other digital compact cameras. The most notable feature is a 6x optical zoom range.
- DMC-SZ: mid-level compact superzoom cameras. SZ-series stands for "style zoom". Introduced in January 2012, these cameras use the 25 mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, have a 10x optical zoom, and shoot high definition video. Models include the SZ1, SZ5, SZ7 and SZ9.
- DMC-TS / DMC-FT: waterproof, shockproof and dustproof point and shoot cameras.
- DMC-TZ: compact, point and shoot zoom cameras with image stabilization. The TZ1 uses folded optics, with a prism. TZ1's successors use a traditional design without folded optics, hence the barrel extends further out during operation. The TZ series stands out against other compact digital cameras by achieving a 30x optical zoom with a 24 mm wide angle lens in a small, compact body.
- DMC-ZS: alternative names for certain DMC-TZ models, used for marketing in North America.
Discontinued
- DMC-FS: ultra-compact mid-range, relatively typical cameras. The FS range was launched in January 2008.
- DMC-LC: medium-compact-size, mid-range, but also included high-end models.
Product development highlights
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- Year 2005
- 2006
- 2007DMC-FX 100
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2019
Model history
Note: The Venus engine of the S-series full frame cameras is only referred to as "the new Venus Image Processor" by Panasonic.