Panasonic will release two new Micro Four Thirds System lenses offering electric powered zoom operation in late October.

 

August 30, 2011: Panasonic will release two new Micro Four Thirds System lenses offering electric powered zoom operation in late October.
The new Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S (H-PS14042) and Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-PS45175) will be available in black and silver, with the 14-42mm lens offered as a kit lens with the DMC-GF3 LUMIX G Micro System camera. Pricing will be announced closer to the release date.
The Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm lens features a new Multi-Actuator Floating Inner Focus System which controls three lens groups separately. This enables the lens to be smaller in both size and weight while delivering high resolution and contrast throughout the zoom range (35mm camera equivalent: 90-350mm). Two aspherical lenses enable it to be as small as approximately 90.0 mm in length and approximately 210 grams in weight. The zoom lever allows stable zooming.
The Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm lens consists of nine elements in eight groups and includes four aspherical elements plus two ED elements to optimise imaging performance. Adopting an inner focus system driven by a stepping motor, this lens enables users to take advantage of the Contrast AF system on Lumix G Micro System cameras, offering faster focusing and 40% less shutter lag than its predecessor. With a minimum focus distance of 20 cm, it provides a maximum magnification of 0.34x.

Using the zoom at the push of a button provides a similar feel to shooting with a compact camera but advanced users will appreciate the smooth zooming when shooting video. When using the 45-175mm zoom, activities such as shooting when using an underwater housing are easier as there is no external movement of the zoom.
Panasonic has also announced a firmware update program for the DMC-GH2, DMC-G3, DMC-GF3 and DMC-GF2 cameras to enhance functionality when the cameras are used with the new power zoom lenses. It will be available worldwide from the beginning of October at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/.