Panasonic's Lumix DMC-G2 is a digital, interchangeable lens system camera with a movable LCD that allows for touch-control, and the successor to the award-winning and revolutionary Lumix G1, which was the world's first Micro Four Thirds digital camera. The intuitive touch-control shooting elevates the camera's operability, letting the user adjust auto focus (AF) simply by touching the subject on the large 3.0-inch 460,000-dot high- resolution LCD. The Lumix G2, also shoots 720p High Definition video using the AVCHD Lite format, and joins the Lumix G10 as part of the Lumix G Micro System.

With the touch-screen operation, users can even snap a photo by touching the Lumix G2's screen. Additionally, the touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting but also during playback. Photographers can touch one thumbnail viewed among many to quickly and easily see the full size of the desired photo. Also, to view images one-by-one, photos can be dragged across the screen to browse as though flipping the pages of a book.

Using the touch-screen operation, once a user locks onto a subject, the Lumix G2 enables AF Tracking and will track the subject as it moves within the frame. Then, with a touch on the screen, users can select the part and the size of AF area with the 1-area AF. The Multi-area AF sets a group of AF points according to the composition. While using the manual focus, users can enlarge a subject by touching it and then choosing to enlarge it by 1x, 5x or 10x and then smoothly moving the part by dragging it on the screen. With this touch operation, menu settings can be changed quickly; cutting the time it takes to navigate using standard cursors. However, all setting changes can still be done using the control pad, if preferred.

The Lumix G2 records 1280 x 720 HD videos in the AVCHD Lite format, which increases recording capacity and is highly compatible with audio-visual equipment. With a dedicated video record button, users can easily start recording a video. To complement its high-quality video capabilities, the Lumix G2 features advanced audio options, as sound is recorded with Dolby Digital Creator and an optional accessory stereo microphone can be attached. A Wind Cut function further enhances the sound as it helps reduce noise caused from background wind.

The 3.0-inch touch-operation LCD has a wide-viewing angle and rotates 180° from side to side and tilts 270° up and down, providing approximately 100% of field of view. This free-angle LCD with a touch-screen operation makes it possible to both view and touch the screen from any angle. The double Live-View function offered by the high-resolution, 460,000-dot free-angle Intelligent LCD and 1,440,000-dot 1.4x (0.7x) Live View Finder allows users to see the settings' results before pressing the shutter.

Touch AF mode

The 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor featured in the Lumix G2 offers the best of both worlds--the outstanding image quality of a CCD sensor, and the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. Advanced technology enables it to read four channels of data simultaneously, helping the Lumix G2 to deliver 60 frames-per-second Full-time Live View images, while faithfully reproducing high-resolution images with fine detail and rich gradation. Plus, with the high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II, which has been re-engineered to further improve image quality.

Venus Engine HD II

The new high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II supports the new image processing technology Intelligent Resolution, which enables the recording of beautiful photo and HD video with high quality signal processing. With Intelligent Resolution technology, three areas--outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation--are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges increased clarity, while simultaneously giving a moderate accentuation to the textured areas so they look finely detailed. For the soft gradation areas, the improved noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to achieve a smoother effect. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way, resulting in images that are naturally clear.

For users looking for additional creative options for both photos and videos, the Lumix G2 delivers. While shooting HD video, users can set the camera in "P" mode--to change the aperture for professional-like movie effects where the images blur into focus. For still photos, the Lumix G2 features the My Color mode with a total of seven preset effects: Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette while also keeping the Custom mode, which lets users manually set the color, brightness and saturation levels and save their favorite settings into memory.

On the other hand, for beginner users not yet ready for manual modes, the Lumix G2 features iA (Intelligent Auto), a popular setting in the Lumix point-and-shoots that automatically engages features and settings for optimal image quality by detecting the shooting environment. Panasonic iA is available in both still photo and video recording settings and a new dedicated iA button, which illuminates in blue when engaged, makes it even easier to use this handy feature.

Panasonic Lumix G2 Highlights

Touch-screen Operation with 3.0-inch Free-angle LCD Featuring Full-time Live View and Contrast AF System
The DMC-G2 features a touch-screen operation with 3.0-inch free-angle LCD featuring Full-time Live View and high-speed Contrast AF System. While shooting, auto focus can be set at the desired part of the frame by simply touching the subject to activate the AF in both photo and movie recording. In manual operation, aperture and shutter speed can be set to the desired value by moving the slider. While playing back, you can quickly select an image to view by scrolling images. The DMC-G2 has a 1,440,000-dot equivalent LVF (Live View Finder), too.

Detect the SCN of a touched subject in Touch IA mode

12.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor and Intelligent Resolution Technology with Venus Engine HD II
The 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor is advantageous for photo and movie recording with its high S/N, thanks to a circuit structure that is unaffected by the noise generated in each of the circuits. The Intelligent Resolution Technology, incorporated in the Venus Engine HD II, determines the subject's contours and color edges, and emphasizes them during image processing. This lets you capture stunning images with details. The Dust Reduction System helps maintain image quality by placing a Supersonic Wave Filter in front of the sensor.

Artistic Images with My Color Mode, Peripheral Defocus Mode and Motion Picture P Mode
My Color Mode makes it easy to customize color effects to match your favor for both photos and movies. In still image recording, the Peripheral Defocus Mode automatically adjusts the focus to match the AF area you positioned while gently defocusing the foreground and background to emphasize the subject. In movie recording, the Motion Picture P Mode makes adjustment the aperture easily. The iA Mode, featuring Face Recognition function, serves as a combination of functions that makes it easy for anyone to get beautiful photos and movies.

Choose from a variety of My Color modes.

HD Movie in AVCHD Lite and HDMI Compatibility Featuring VIERA Link
The DMC-G2 can record HD movie of 720P in AVCHD Lite with high sound quality of Dolby Digital Creator. Just press the Motion Picture Button, and shooting begins. The iA Mode can also be activated in movie recording. Still image recording is available during movie recording and can cut out a still image after shooting thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. When the DMC-G2 is connected to a Panasonic VIERA via an optional mini HDMI cable, the TV's remote control unit can be used to enjoy playing back with greater convenience.

Lumix G Vario 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. Based on the Micro Four Thirds System Standard Suitable for a wide range of scenes from portrait to landscape photography, the Lumix G Vario 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. offers a zoom range of 28-84mm (35mm equivalent) while featuring its compact size and light weight. It incorporates Panasonic's MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), which makes it easy to shoot clear shots even in low-lit situations without hand-shake blur. When the lens is mounted on the DMC-G2, you can use the contrast AF system, which is implemented in the DMC-G2 to offer a variety of convenient functions.

Other features of the Lumix G2 include:

Panasonic's Dust Reduction System

• Dust Reduction System: If dust or other foreign matter gets inside the camera when you're changing lenses, it could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in your photos. The Dust Reduction System in the G2 helps eliminate this possibility by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles effectively.
• Included Software: PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos. Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader--even in HD quality. It also lets you create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in .MOV files. The software is compatible with the Windows 7.

What's in the Box

1. Lumix G2 body
2. Lumix G Vario 14-42mm lens
3. Battery Charger / AC Adaptor
4. Battery Pack
5. Body Cap
6. AV Cable
7. USB Connection Cable
8. AC Cable
9. Shoulder Strap
10. Stylus pen
11. CD-ROM.