Panasonic launches Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm F4.0-5.6 ASPH OIS

Panasonic has revealed the Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm F4.0-5.6 ASPH Power OIS power zoom. The telephoto zoom carries the company's 'Lumix X' branding that it will be using to denote premium quality lenses. Along with the PZ 14-42mm, it features a quiet variable-speed power zoom for smooth zooming during movie recording but, unlike the collapsible standard zoom, the 45-175mm also features 'by-wire' dials for direct control of zoom and focus. The lens features a compact, lightweight design and uses an internal zoom mechanism, meaning it stays the same length at all times.
UPDATE - We've asked Panasonic for clarification on compatibility, and have been informed "The lenses are compatible and will work with all Micro Four Thirds cameras."

Panasonic announces brand’s first digital interchangeable power tele-zoom lens

Panasonic’s New Premium LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm Lens Offers State-of-the-Art Design to Achieve Increased Functionality and Spectacular Image Quality

SECAUCUS, NJ (August 26, 2011) –Today, Panasonic announced the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-PS45175), the company’s first cutting-edge digital interchangeable lens with electric-powered zoom operation.  This marks the launch of the company’s premium lens brand “X” which is compatible with the Panasonic LUMIX G Series and complies with the Micro Four Thirds™ system standard.  This lens introduction accompanies another LUMIX X lens announced today, the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./ POWER O.I.S.
The new LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. lens features superb image rendering for lifelike textures and crisp, edge-to-edge contrast.  A unique Nano Surface Coating technology minimizes reflections at entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) for a dramatic reduction of ghosts and light flare, resulting in outstandingly clear picture quality. 
Using a Multi-Actuator Floating Inner Focus System to control three lens groups separately the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. achieves a reduction in both size and weight without compromising picture quality.  Boasting outstanding compactness, the lens is approximately 90mm in length and 7.4oz in weight, resulting in ultra-high mobility.
Offering a versatile zoom range of 45-175mm the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. allows distant subjects to be captured sharply at the tele-end.  Also notable, the lens is extremely suitable for portrait and landscape shots, as its high contrast and resolution helps images shot at the wide end maintain exceptional quality, and the zoom lever allows for quick and stable zooming, even while shooting a moving object.
The new lens system features two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lenses which suppress chromatic aberration and contribute to high descriptive performance across the entire zoom range 45-175mm.  The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) integrated into the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. makes it easy to shoot sharp images even in low-lit situations.  With improved sensitivity of the gyro sensor, the new POWER O.I.S. also suppresses large, slow movements two times more effectively** while small, fast movements are compensated for by the conventional MEGA O.I.S. 
LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. contains seven aperture blades to help produce an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas even while shooting at large aperture.  Adopting an inner focus system driven by a stepping motor, the lens’ superior optical design supports Light Speed AF of approximately .15 seconds and fast aperture control results in a shortened shutter time lag of approximately 20% when compared to the LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S.
The Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-PS45175) will be available in black and silver starting September 2011 with a suggested retail price of $449.99.  For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras and lenses, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

Specifications

Price	• $tbc (US) • £tbc (UK)
Manufacturer's product code	H-PS45175
Maximum format size	Four Thirds
Focal length	45-175mm
35mm equivalent focal length	90-350mm
Diagonal Angle of view	27º - 7.1º
Maximum aperture	F4.0-5.6
Minimum aperture	F22
Lens Construction	• 14 elements / 10 groups • 2 aspherical elements • 2 ED glass elements
Number of diaphragm blades	7, rounded
Minimum focus	• 0.9m (3.0ft)
Maximum magnification	0.2x
AF motor type	• Micromotor
Focus method	Internal focus
Zoom method	Internal zoom
Image stabilization	• Yes (Power OIS)
Filter thread	• 46mm • Does not rotate on focus
Supplied accessories	• Front and rear caps • Lens hood • Storage bag
Weight	210g (7.4oz)
Dimensions (retracted)	62mm diameter x 90mm length (2.4 x 3.5 in)
Lens Mount	Micro Four Thirds

 

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