Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S.

Panasonic is proud to unveil a new cutting-edge interchangeable lens LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-PS45175) with electric-powered zoom operation from the new premium lens brand “X” for LUMIX G Micro System, complying with the Micro Four Thirds System standard.

Crystallizing Panasonic's optical technologies, the “X” lens features superb image rendering for life-like textures, crisp edge-to-edge contrast, a unique Nano Surface Coating for minimal ghosts and flaring and natural atmospheres with remarkable transparency.

The industry’s first adoption of Multi-Actuator Floating Inner Focus System* which controls 3 lens groups separately by the individual actuator achieves a downsizing in both size and weight. It also achieves a high descriptive performance for resolution and contrast at entire zoom range 45-175mm (35mm camera equivalent: 90-350mm) without changing the overall length.

Although the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. covers a long zoom range from standard to telephoto, it boasts an outstanding compactness with approx. 90.0 mm in length and approx. 210g in weight for ultra-high mobility. Notably, the astonishingly short overall length is made possible with the inclusion of 2 aspherical lenses. The zoom lever allows stable zooming with ease even when shooting a moving subject.

The new LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. lens offers a versatile zoom range of 45-175 mm (35 mm camera equivalent: 90-350 mm). High levels of contrast and resolution are assured for images shot at its wide-end, making it suitable for portrait-taking. In addition, subjects that are a distance away, such as sports or wildlife animals, can be captured sharply even at tele-end.

The lens system features the inclusion of 2 ED lenses which suppress chromatic aberration, contributing to a high descriptive performance within an entire zoom range.

In addition, Panasonic's Nano Surface Coating technology minimizes the amount of reflection that is experienced within the entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) by applying the extra-low refractive index coating with nano-sized structure on the surface of the lens. This results in a super clear picture with a dramatic reduction of ghost and flare.

The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) which is newly integrated in the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. makes it easy to shoot super clear shots even in low-lit situations, such as night time or indoors. With the improved sensitivity of the gyro sensor that boasts up to 2x more effective stabilization**, the new POWER O.I.S. suppresses large, slow movements while small, fast movements are compensated by the conventional MEGA O.I.S.

When mounted on the cameras of the LUMIX G Micro System, users can take advantage of the contrast AF system and the convenient functions that comes with the camera. Adopting an inner focus system driven by a stepping motor, the superior optical design delivers outstanding smoothness to support the Light Speed AF of approx. 0.15 second***. By increasing the speed of the aperture control, shutter time lag is also shortened by approx. 20% compared with the LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm /F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S..****

Seven aperture blades with a circular aperture diaphragm produce an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas even when shooting at a large aperture.

The new LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. will be available in two colors, black and silver, with the date of availability and pricing to be announced at a later date.

*For a digital interchangeable zoom lens as of August 26, 2011.
**Compared with the conventional MEGA O.I.S..
***The time for focusing on the subject is measured with the DMC-GF3 to move the lens position to "2m" from "infinity" position at wide-end. The firmware of the GF3 must be updated to Ver.1.1 or later. Panasonic measurement method.
****Measured with DMC-GF3. The time required to start exposure after the shutter button is fully pressed after the lens position is moved from “infinity” to “2m” at wide-end. The firmware of the GF3 must be updated to Ver.1.1 or later. Panasonic measurement method.