Panasonic launches Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS pancake: Digital Photography Review.

The new Lumix “X” series lenses is an important development for shooting video on DSLRs.

DSLRs have had 3 limitations on their use for many types of video photography:

1. lack of power zooms
2. lack of audio controls
3. limits on video recording time

The new lenses feature built-in zoom motors and controls. Panasonic has also announced a firmware update to several of its micro-four thirds cameras that will presumably add more zoom feature support to the cameras.

At this time, the demo video I saw showed a fixed zoom speed. I presume the firmware update will add a speed control to the cameras.  The zoom motor was audible in the camera’s built-in mic. This is yet another reason why we need to remember that audio is half the video experience – and should be using an external mic when sound is important.

Regarding audio, the lack of sound controls on DSLRs still demands use of BeachTek or other external audio mixers to get the sound right.

Related articles

• Why I like the micro 4/3ds format on the Lumix GH-2 (coldstreams.com)
• DSLR Versus Point and Shoot (moneysupermarket.com)
• Unique Micro Four Thirds (m43) Lenses (coldstreams.com)
• Panasonic’s New X Lens Takes Micro Four Thirds Closer to Murdering the Point and Shoot [Cameras] (gizmodo.com)
• Panasonic updates Lumix line with 3D, Wi-Fi, ans power zoom lenses (digitaltrends.com)
• Panasonic tackles big interchangeable lenses with Lumix G X (electronista.com)
• Panasonic unveils two cameras and two SLR-like lenses (news.consumerreports.org)
• Panasonic power zoom lenses: hands on video (techradar.com)