Panasonic is looking to boost its appeal to high-end shooters with a new line of super-fast Leica lenses, starting with a 42.5mm f/1.2 model that was introduced Monday at CES.
The debut model in the newly dubbed “Nocticron” (was he a good Transformer or an evil Transformer?) line of glass is pitched as a portrait-friendly lens (35mm equivalent focal length of 85mm) for MFT Lumix cameras.
Notable features include a new design of stepping motor — which ensures fast, accurate autofocus even at big apertures — and enhanced optical image stabilization to deal with the low-light shooting those apertures invite.
The lens is built from 14 elements in 11 groups with two aspherical lenses, an extra-low-dispersion unit and an ultra-high-refractive index lens to ensure edge-to-edge sharpness and uniform color rendition. It also boasts all-metal construction, including the lens mount for those who think that makes a difference.
Also note: There’s an actual aperture ring on the lens barrel! The lens goes on sale in the next couple of months priced at $ 1,600 (pre-order here).
Also new from Panasonic are a herd of Lumix compacts, all price and release date TBA, because Lord knows you wouldn’t want to include something like that in a press release:
For more info on any of the above cameras or the new Nocticron lens, head over to Panasonic’s Press Room by clicking here.
[via PetaPixel]
[via PetaPixel]