Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH1 launches

Micro Four Thirds camera capable of shooting high def movies

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3 March 2009 17:23 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Panasonic has introduced the LUMIX DMC-GH1, the latest member of its G Micro System of interchangeable lens cameras.

A Micro Four Thirds offering, the GH1 is dubbed a "creative HD hybrid" as it records not only pics but also high def movies at the press of one button.

The GH1 can shoot either 1080/24p or 720/60p HD movies in the AVCHD format with continuous autofocus action from the lens, recording sound with Dolby Digital Stereo Creator.

With a 12.1-megapixel high-speed Live MOS sensor and the Venus Engine HD image processor, with two CPUs, the camera offers a LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S, 10x zoom interchangeable lens and a 3-inch LCD as well as a "live" view finder.

As well as the hardware side of things, the GH1 offers a whole host of in-camera trickery, including Panasonic's "Intelligent Auto" mode, for simple shooting including such features as face recognition, scene selection and all the rest you'd expect.

For those of you already reaching for your wallets - the GH1 will be available in black or red - but we're waiting for pricing and availability to be confirmed.