The Lumix camera - history

Lumix digital cameras are manufactured by Panasonic, the brand name of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd., Japan. Its first model, the LUMIX DMC-LC5 camera appeared in 2001. It used a special CCD sensor with CMYG filtration and was fitted with a Leica DC Vario-Summicron 7-21mm, f/2-2.5 ASPH lens designed for Panasonic and assembled at their Yamagata plant in Japan.

The Leica/Panasonic technology partnership allowed the famous German camera company to rebadge and sell certain Lumix models. The first was the Digilux 1 based on the DMC-LC5 first shown at PMA in 2002. The next model, Lumix DMC-LC1 was shown at CEATEC JAPAN 2003. A 5 megapixel CCD based camera fitted with a wide-angle f/2.0, 28-90 mm Leica DC Vario-Summicron (equivalent to 35-mm film camera) 3.2x optical zoom and was sold by Leica as the Digilux 2.

The Lumix LC1 camera was widely acclaimed but the market wanted an easy-to-use high image quality semi professional camera with interchangeable lenses. Panasonic's chief camera designer Makoto Nakamura produced the Lumix L1, first seen at PMA in 2006. It was a departure from conventional design with a sleek low profile body using the new Four Thirds image format and Panasonic's LiveMOS sensor. The shape was made possible with a ttl optical porro-flex system of mirrors supplied by Olympus Optical Co Ltd., as used in the Olympus E-300 camera. The combination of Panasonic's Venus Engine LSI firmware and Leica zoom lens, produced excellent image quality.

The Lumix-L1 was launched by Leica as the Digilux 3, both camera models employing the popular SD (Secure Digital) flash media for image storage. Smaller compact digital cameras are also produced by Panasonic and made for sale under the Lumix brand and by Leica as the D-Lux, C-Lux and V-Lux models. The most popular Lumix cameras for digital photography enthusiasts are the LX-3 and LX-2 with three formats including 16:9 widescreen compatible with Panasonic HD Veira plasma tvs. Lumix DMC-FX37, FX150 and FZ28 are also available.

Following the launch of the 4/3rds Lumix DMC-L10 slr with Leica D Vario-Elmar f/3.8-5.6 14-50mm ASPH and a new D Summilux f/1.4 25mm ASPH, Panasonic launched its first venture into the Micro Four Thirds digital system.

The Lumix G1 was announced in the summer of 2008 and soon became a cult camera. Smaller than conventiional 4/3rds single lens reflex cameras, the G1 uses an electronic viewfinder and large swivelling LCD monitor. Interchangeable lenses are smaller than conventional slr objectives and other branded lenses can be fitted to the G1 with special adapters. A few months after the G1 was launched, Panasonic announced the GH1 at PMA 2009; based on the body design of the G1, the Lumix-GH1 incorporates HD Video (1080 AVCHD) capability and four different still picture formats. It uses a new Venus image processing engine to achieve even higher quality than its predecessor. All Panasonic digital cameras and lenses are fitted with the company's Mega O.I.S. (optical image stabiliser ) system.