By Patrick Avenell

SYDNEY, NSW: Panasonic Australia has used the 2011 PMA conference to launch two new compact system cameras and four new mini-camcorders.

Aimed at the enthusiast and prosumer market, the new G3 is a 16-megapixel Micro Four-Thirds camera with a built-in live view finder. Called a “real evolution in the G Series”, the G3 has Full HD AVCHD recording, LCD touch control and the ability to capture stills within video recording. To appeal to users who do not want to lug around  a the weightier bodies of system cameras, the G3 has been downsized by 25 per cent from the G2.

The G3 will be available in black only in July 2011 for RRP $899 for the body only, RRP $1,099 for the single lens kit (14-42mm) and RRP $1,399 for the twin lens kit (14-42mm and 45-200mm).

For consumers looking to take their first step out of point-and-shoot and into interchangeable lenses, the GF3 is an ideal solution. Priced just about a high-end compact, the GF3 totally overcomes the size and cumbersome form factor hurdle of DSLR, weighing only 222 grams.

The GF3 has both Intelligent Autofocus (iA) and iA Plus modes for ease-of-use, plus a full range of scenery and colour modes for users to optimise their photography. The GF3 has touch control shooting, touch autofocus and tracking, improved noise reduction, Full HD AVCHD video and a 16-megapixel MOS sensor.

The GF3 will be available in August 2011 in black, red and white for RRP $899 (choice of two single lens kits: 14-42mm or 14mm) or RRP $1,049 for the body and both these lenses.

In the multimedia camera market, Panasonic has two new ‘chocolate bar’ models: the tough TA20 (RRP $299) and the TA2 (RRP $249): both available in August 2011.

Both these new models feature Full HD recording, still image capture at up to 8 megapixels, automatic social network uploading and in-built USB terminal for convenient file transfer. The TA20 is also waterproof to 3 metres, shockproof to 1.5 metres and dustproof.

Finally, Panasonic has two new vertical compact Full HD camcorders: the water-, shock- and dustproof WA10 (RRP $499) and the less tough DC1 (RRP $299). The tough unit is available in orange and black, whilst the non-tough DC1 is available in pink and grey: both from August 2011.

The new Panasonic G3.

The Panasonic GF3 weighs only 222 grams.

The tough new Panasonic TA20.