Panasonic Lumix

Panasonic Lumix goes full frame mirrorless by adopting the Leica L-mount

For us, this was the biggest headline of Photokina 2018. We had been expecting Panasonic to be celebrating the tenth anniversary of its invention of the digital mirrorless system camera. But all the focus has been on the brand new full frame Lumix S mirrorless system and the technological collaboration with Leica and, surprisingly, Sigma.

Back in 2008 this heralded the Micro Four Thirds system, with Panasonic joined soon after by Olympus. I was one of a small number of privileged journalists to preview the secret prototype mirrorless camera, the Lumix DMC-G1.

I was immediately convinced that the mechanical fragility and complexity of reflex mirror mechanisms in DSLRs compared to the mirrorless concept meant that the days of the DSLR would be now be numbered.

It’s taken ten years but it now seems certain that DSLRs really are in their twilight years. For some, this nay be a controversial view; it even reminds me of the old film versus digital debate.

Before we look at the Lumix S system, let’s not overlook Micro Four Thirds:

 

Panasonic has been a Leica partner for nearly 20 years. It designs and manufactures its own lenses that have earned Leica branding through agreed technical considerations. In return Leica has re-branded selected Panasonic camera models with light alterations to appearance and some specifications. So it’s a surprise that the camera technology transfer is flowing the opposite way this time. However, it makes perfect sense.

Leica’s L-mount is a completely up to date full frame and APS-C mirrorless system launched in the guise of the Leica T (Typ 701)  APS-C mirrorless camera in 2014 and the Leica SL (Typ 601) full frame mirrorless almost 3 years ago.

The mount is slightly wider in diameter than Sony’s E-mount, but not as wide as the new Nikon Z-mount, nor the Canon EOS R mount. The electronics technology required to create the L-mount is much more Panasonic’s game, of course. Who knows, maybe Panasonic and Leica planned this all along? That’s just speculation, of course.

Leica has traditionally only sold gear to those content to pay a hefty premium for the brand and all its associated qualities. But this means it can’t easily tap into the lucrative tier of photographers who aren’t Leica fans.

Panasonic has witnessed Sony’s success with its full frame mirrorless efforts and is Sony’s natural competitor. But developing a completely new system when an eminently suitable one was available from Leica would have made no sense. By working together and including independent lens marque, Sigma, all three benefit.

 

 

 

Panasonic has already been successful in attracting professional photographers who value the big portability advantages of Micro Four Thirds, plus technical advantages like Panasonic’s specialist video expertise, particularly in 4K, as well as Dual IS and more. But if it is to attract mainstream press, studio, wildlife and sports/action photographers it needs a support service to rival what Canon and Nikon have provided their pros for a long time. Lumix Pro is designed to be just that.

It’s going to be a pleasure to bring you further insights into the Lumix S evolution as they happen!