Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

(Credit: John Chan/CNET)

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 is the company’s latest Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens camera (ILC), and the first in its new GM series. This new range of ILCs focuses on cameras that are compact, and sure enough, the GM1 is the company’s smallest yet, measuring just 98.5 x 54.9 x 23.5mm. This makes it smaller than the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II, an advanced compact which measures 101.6 x 58.1 x 38.3mm.

(Credit: John Chan/CNET)

Here’s another image comparing it with an Apple iPhone 5.

(Credit: John Chan/CNET)

Of course, if you add the camera lens, the GM1 becomes a lot less pocketable. Here, you see it with the new Lumix G Vario 12-32mm/F3.5-5.6 kit lens that will be bundled with the camera. It gives a versatile 35mm-equivalent focal range of 24 – 64mm, and can be retracted into a neat package when not in use. It comes in either black or silver, depending on the color of the camera.

(Credit: John Chan/CNET)

(Credit: John Chan/CNET)

Because it’s so small, you don’t get as many buttons on the back compared with other ILCs from Panasonic. In fact, the rear controls look more like that of a compact camera. Do note that the display is a touchscreen, so you can change settings from there, too. The screen is a fixed non-articulating version, most likely due to size constraint.

(Credit: John Chan/CNET)

Another way Panasonic managed to make the GM1 smaller was to change how the built-in flash pops out. Instead of simply flipping forward, a vertical motion was also added. So compared with the earlier Lumix ILCs, less width is needed to accomodate the flash unit. Even then, the mechanism is familiar, and you can still tilt it upward so light can be bounced off the ceiling rather than fired directly at the subject.

(Credit: John Chan/CNET)

The front of the GM1 has a fake leather finish. This comes in black, white or orange, though not all colors may be available in your country. The leatherette finish feels good to the touch, and gives a better grip thanks to its textured surface.

(Credit: John Chan/CNET)

For a better hold, Panasonic is also selling an optional grip that adds a metal shaft to the front-right of the camera.

(Credit: Panasonic)

I didn’t get to test the image quality of the new camera, but it’s good to know that the innards are very similar to the GX7, Panasonic’s latest ILC before the GM1. It features a new 16-megapixel sensor and has been widely praised when it comes to image quality. Our CNET Australia counterparts gave it an Editors’ Choice award — it’s a good bet that the GM1 will give similar image quality when paired with a decent lens.

Though Panasonic Singapore did not reveal the price for Asia, the camera will be going for US$750 in the US. That’s very close to the price of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II advanced compact, possibly a calculated move by Panasonic — tempting users to get an ILC at the price of an advanced compact. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 will be available in Asia Pacific by December.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1