Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GM1 with Lens Kit Under $600

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GM1 is not only the smallest Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens camera, it is also the smallest system camera in the market today.

Despite of it minuscule size, you don't need to make any compromise with image quality.  The DMC-GM1 is powered by the same MFT sensor that is much larger than what's inside most point and shoot sized cameras.

In fact, the Panasonic GM1 shares the same platform with its bigger brother, the GX7, featuring many of the same specs and performance capabilities. Even the AF capabilities is the same as the Panasonic's flagship compact system camera, GX7,

Panasonic claims that the GM1 has the same still image and video quality as the GX7.  The company has built GM1 from the ground up instead of attempting to simply shrink the form factor from GX7.

Due to the smaller size, issues with heat dissipation become much more critical, and as such more sensor- and processor-intensive features had to be dialed back.   As a result GM1 lost a few of high end image and video processing technology such as bulb exposure mode, and 1080/60p video resolution (comes with 1080/60i).

The great news is that you can now order this black version with 12-32mm lens for $560 from Amazon.  The shipping is also free for Prime Members.

Feature Highlight

• 16MP Live MOS sensor
• 3.0-inch, 1036K dot touch-sensitive LCD
• 1080 HD video recording at 60i/30p
• Built-in pop-up flash
• 1/16,000 maximum shutter speed (with all-electronic shutter)
• Focus peaking
• Picture-in-picture magnification for manual focus
• Micro HDMI output
• Magnesium-alloy shell with aluminum top and bottom plates
• ALL BLACK (black body + black lens)
• MPEG 4 (16:9): [Full HD] 1,920 x 1,080, 25fps (sensor output is 25p, 20Mbps)
• AVCHD (16:9): [Full HD] 1,920 x 1,080, 50i (sensor output is 50p, 17Mbps)/(sensor output is 25p, 24Mbps)
• Built-in WiFi Connection