Update: The Panasonic Lumix GX7 is indeed real, as Panasonic has officially announced it for the U.S. market. The camera will go on sale in September for $999 or $1,099 with a 14-42mm kit lens. Pop Photo has more info and the press release, although it looks like the leaked specs were accurate.
Leaked images from Japanese site Digicame Info (in Japanese, via Engadget via 43 Rumors) show what could be a new high-end flagship shooter from Panasonic. From the image of the front of the camera, we can tell that it’s an interchangeable lens, Micro Four-Thirds compact system camera (CSC) called the Lumix DMC-GX7, with what looks to be a fairly large sensor. Like cameras following the retro styling trend (such as the new Olympus PEN E-P5), the GX7 has a magnesium alloy body and leather surfaces, with a mode dial on top. Digicame Info says that the leaked info is from a trusted source.
On the back, the GX7 shows a viewfinder that can be tilted up 90 degrees, allowing you look down it from above. Digicame Info says this is an electronic viewfinder with 2.76-million dot resolution. Besides images, Digicame Info dropped a list of other specs. The GX7 will have a 16-megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor that can shoot 1920 x 1080 videos at 60p, with a shutter speed of 1/8000th of a second. The GX7 is also purported to have an ISO range of up to 25,600; a 3-inch, 80-degree tilting LCD rated at 1.04 million dots; a silent shooting mode; an image stabilization system inside the body; focus peaking; 22 creative controls; and, like recent new Panasonic cameras, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC. Digicame Info says the specs exceed those of Panasonic’s current high-end model, the $1,300 (body only) Lumix GH3.
According to 43 Rumors, the GX7 is slated to arrive in August for 999 Euros, of course this doesn’t mean it’ll arrive stateside during the same time. The camera in the photos looks like the real deal, but we’ll have to wait for Panasonic to make its official announcement.
(Images via Digicame Info)