Panasonic is the latest camera maker to bring out a model designed for vloggers.
The Lumix G100 is a Micro Four Thirds camera, based around a 20-megapixel sensor. Weighing just 345 grammes, or 412g with the kit lens, the new Lumix is smaller than the already compact GX9, and significantly smaller than a GH5.
The G100 has been designed from the ground up for vloggers and other self shooters. It has a fully tilting rear screen, and a 5-axis hybrid image stabilisation system (4-axis in 4K video mode).
The AF system supports face detection AF and face detection auto exposure, face selection – to pick out the main subject from a group – and face tracking.
Self control
The camera has a red frame indicator to show when it is recording, and a frame marker for the various crop modes for social media. Usefully this works in stills and video mode. The G100 supports vertical video, for smartphone delivery, a portrait mode, and automatic background blur.
Like the Sony ZV-1, which is aimed at a similar market, the G100 has a range of audio features designed to improve in-camera sound. Developed with Nokia, the camera has three microphones providing front, back, surround and tracking audio modes as well as an auto option. There is also a 3.5mm mic jack.
Recording formats run up to UHD at 30 or 25fps, at 100Mbps, with up to 120fps in HD mode for slow motion. The G100 also has a 30fps, 4K photo mode. The recording time, is limited to 10 minutes per take in 4K (29m59s in HD 25fps/30fps).
The Lumix G100 does, though, feature a full Micro Four Third mount, so unlike its fixed-lens Sony competitor, will work with the majority of M43 lenses. As expected for a camera aimed at the Vlogging market, it also has a comprehensive smartphone control app, and a combined grip-mini tripod.
The G100 costs £589.99 body only, £679.99 with a 12-32mm kit lens and £719.99 with the lens and tripod grip.
