Digital cameras are having a rough time of it. The average consumer just pulls out their smartphone these days, which lets them snap pics, edit them, and send to friends in a matter of seconds. That’s hard to beat, but Panasonic is trying a new tactic: The Lumix CM1 smart camera.
The “smart” part of the CM1 comes from its social and call features, but this extra-slim camera also includes a powerful lens for amateurs who want to add some zing to their photos. You can snap 20-megapixal shots and record 4K video from this tiny little guy, and the f/2.8 Leica DC Elmarit lens can also be zoomed and focused by hand for a more authentic camera feel. Panasonic is quick to note that its camera sensor is “seven times larger than a standard camera phone” and “usually only found in the higher spec compact cameras.”
So far, so good for smart camera image quality, but this probably isn’t enough to catch the interest of many consumers. The social features, however, are a different story. After users snap a photo, they can catch up on emails, send texts, and even get calls thanks to the Android OS hiding within the camera and the 4.7-inch touchscreen on the back of the camera. You could also bring up Google Maps and Panoramio to scout the nearby area for any popular places to take pictures.
The phone-like functions of this smart camera put it in an odd place in the market. Does Panasonic want you to take it with you on a trip instead of your smartphone? (Who would do that?) Are you supposed to use it as a supplement to your phone? (In which case, why the calling and texting features?) While it is nice to see a company trying to extend the life of digital cameras, this phone seems most suited for the niche market that wants some extra resolution and image power behind their photos.
The big question, naturally, is pricing, but Panasonic has not yet released the phone in North America so the U.S. MRSP is still up in the air, although reports say that it will probably cost $1,000.
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