Panasonic has announced a new addition to its line of LUMIX G series cameras: the LUMIX DMC-G5.  The newest digital single lens mirrorless camera offering features a newly integrated, 16.05-megapixel live MOS sensor and redesigned Venus Engine to render clear, crisp images in both photo and video recording. 

The the LUMIX G5 sports a compact, lightweight body with built-in flash. The 3DNR feature detects smooth areas or edges in photos and adjusts the strength of noise reduction (stronger for smooth portion, milder for edge portion) to maintain object descriptiveness. The Multi-process NR detects brightness in each part of a picture and applies optimal noise reduction in multiple steps. The HDR (High Dynamic Range) allows for several pictures consecutively shot at different exposure levels to be overlaid, producing a single composite picture to eliminate over-exposure or under-exposure. 

Like all cameras in the LUMIX G series, the LUMIX G5 adopts Contrast AF (Auto Focus), so focusing is controlled by the image sensor. It sports a 920,000-dot, high resolution LCD screen with wide-viewing angle that rotates 180 degrees to the side, tilts 270 degrees up and down and offers approximately 100% field of view.  Touch screen operation on the LCD screen allows for shooting or playback of images, and the new Touch Pad function enables the use of both LVF and LCD simultaneously.

In addition to still images, the LUMIX G5 records high quality video. It has the ability to record high-resolution full-HD 1,920x1,080 60p videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4) or MP4 format.

The LUMIX DMC-G5 will be available in black, white and silver in various kit options.  Pricing and availability will be announced approximately 30 days prior to shipping.  For more info go to http://www.panasonic.com/lumix .