Panasonic has unveiled a new Micro Four Thirds lens, called the Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH. Equivalent to a 30mm lens on a 35mm camera, the new Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 Asph. features 9 elements in 7 groups, including 3 aspherical elements. Panasonic's Nano Surface Coating technology is adopted to minimise reflections. The lens will be available separately for £549.99, or in a kit with the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 compact system camera, priced at £999.99. Availability is slated for June.

Panasonic first announced the development of this lens in October 2013.

Press Release

Panasonic Announce New F1.7 High Speed Leica Summilux 15mm Lens to Allow Photographers to Capture Fashionable Defocused Reportage Pictures

Lens to be included in new GM1 kit, DMC-GM1L

24th March 2014 - Panasonic has unveiled a new digital interchangeable lens, the H-X015 LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. (35 mm camera equivalent: 30 mm) for the LUMIX G range, based on the Micro Four Thirds standard, which is both compact and lightweight.

The new LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. allows photographers to capture supreme daily life pictures with beautiful bokeh.  Exceptional optical performance is assured with certification granted from the world-renowned LEICA.

The new lens system comprising of 9 elements in 7 groups uses 3 aspherical lenses. The aspherical lenses suppress spherical aberration and distortion effectively while enabling the lens unit to be made smaller.

Panasonic's Nano Surface Coating technology is adopted to minimize the reflection at entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) resulting in the super clear picture quality by avoiding ghost and flare.

The lens incorporates a superior inner focus system, which enables excellent resolution and contrast from close-up to infinity. The inclusion of a newly developed stepping motor makes the focusing action smooth, silent and quicker for use in both photo and video recording.

Notably the performance of AF is by far superior to the phase-difference AF when fast lenses with a smaller F value are used. It is also compatible with the sensor drive at max.240 fps to take maximum advantage of the high-speed AF of LUMIX G cameras.

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. comes equipped with aperture ring and AF/MF switch for direct, intuitive operation.  Furthermore, the robust metal design of LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH., including the hood, is highly reliable and durable for repeated exchange of the lens.

New GM1 kit, DMC-GM1L

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. is the perfect companion for Panasonic’s recently released LUMIX DMC-GM1 and will be available with this camera in a new kit (DMC-GM1L) giving the photographer a sophisticated style with the ‘Got To have It’ camera enabling creative high quality photography.

The GM1 kit will be available in black from mid June priced £999.99 while the lens only will be £549.99 arriving early June. The lens will be available in black and silver.

• LEICA is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.

• SUMMILUX is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and engineering of electronic technologies and solutions for customers in residential, non-residential, mobility and personal applications. Since its founding in 1918, the company has expanded globally and now operates over 500 consolidated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.30 trillion yen (68 billion euros) for the year ended March 31, 2013. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company strives to create a better life and a better world for its customers. For more information about Panasonic, please visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/

Your Comments