2009

Equipped with a
dedicated video format

DMC-FT1/TS1

DMC-TZ7/FT1
DMC-FT1/TS1

Following the expansion of its compact digital camera lineup designed for easy enjoyment of wide-angle shooting and powerful zoom for anyone, Panasonic focused on the video recording function. The DMC-TZ7/ZS3 and DMC-FT1/TS1 released in 2009 were equipped with an AVCHD Lite format (1280x720) video recording performance. While the conventional Motion JPEG format uses a compression system originally developed for still image recording, AVCHD Lite was developed for high-definition video recording. Therefore, these models recorded higher-quality motion pictures using about half of the data storage size previously required. They marked the first step toward the advent of today’s standard hybrid photo/video cameras.

Hybrid-DSLM as a new trend

DMC-GH1

DMC-GH1

Six months after the DMC-G1 was presented, Panasonic came up with an attractive new model for all photographers demanding high-quality video solutions in addition to still images: the DMC-GH1, the pioneer in the LUMIX GH series which was always extremely popular with videographers, was launched in March 2009.

The LUMIX DMC-GH1 is hybrid Digital Single Lens Mirrorless (DSLM)  model which not only offers innovative photo properties but also caters to for the requirements of video recording on a professional level.

The DMC-GH1 was the world's smallest interchangeable lens system camera with full HD resolution (1920x1080) and with up to 25 frames per second (PAL area) / 24 frames per second (NTSC area) – all with stereo sound and in the modern AVCHD format.

The DMC-GH1 also features a 14-megapixel Live MOS sensor (camera effective pixels: 12.1-megapixels) which was designed as a multi-format sensor and therefore always provided the same angle of view even with different aspect ratios.