Perhaps some of the biggest news to come out of Photokina so far this year is the announcement of the Panasonic Lumix CM1 - an Android equipped smartphone with a powerful sensor and even more powerful lens. Showing off it's 1 inch sensor, the CM1 has taken the crown for the largest sensor found in a phone, a size typically found inside the Sony RX100 and Nikon's 1 series. However, the big talking point comes from Leica, with their f/2.8 monstrous lens mounted to the back.
This 1-inch sensor allows for some impressive features, including 4K video functionality, and a resolution of 20 MP when shooting stills. The Lumix CM1 also sports a hardware shutter button, to give it more of a camera feel, as well as a slider that switches it between smartphone and camera modes. The Leica DC Elmarit lens, shows off its f/2.8 functionality, as well as a manual ring on the lens, allowing you to tweak the aperture, ISO and shutter speed like a photographer.
The phone side of this didn't skim either. With a 4.7-inch full HD screen, 2GB of RAM and a 2.3 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, the Lumix CM1 is expected to be fast. 16GB of internal memory will help store your apps and photos, but the microSD slot will accommodate up to 128GB in SD size, a necessity if using the 4K video features. Other features include NFC technology built in, as well as a 2,600 mAh battery. As for it's operating system, the CM1 is expected to run Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box.
Panasonic has made mention that they expect the CM1 to be limited to France and Germany, but certainly unlocked versions will be able to find their way into the states as well. The Panasonic Lumix CM1 is slated for the Holiday season, for 900 euros.
[via Panasonic]
So, basically, it's a CAMERA with a phone, not other way around!?!?
Anyway, being iphone 5s user (and quite possibly iphone user with least usage of iphone in the world, ... EVER!), which have, ...well, ok camera (and that (with fast processor) is the only reason why I bought it), I am definitely very interested in this one.
How to marry a big sensor with a ridiculous lens
Interesting, not sure how I feel about this yet.
Now, I want it curved, on my wrist, with a bigger display and a tele-zoom...
Maybe i next from when my iphone will die ! Enthousiast about a good pocket camera !
Woah! This is crazy. I have looked into jumping to Android for the better camera sensors and overall camera settings but just can't get away from my iPhone just yet. This seems pretty damn tempting though. Get this thing in the USA!