Panasonic's Lumix CM1 is a phone and a high-end camera with complete manual controls

Panasonic’s Lumix CM1 is a phone and a high-end camera with complete manual controls

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January 06, 2015

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2 min read

Very few people nowadays purchase a point and shoot camera. Reason? The smartphones. People carry their phones wherever they go, and if your phone has a camera that can perform on par with your good ol’ point and shoot than why bother going around with two devices. However, for the even slightly professionals among us, the smartphone camera often fails at taking good shots that an otherwise high-end point and shoot camera would do with just fine.

Panasonic has filled that gap between a high-end point and shoot and a smartphone with the Panasonic Lumix CM1. The device boasts a 20MP camera on its back, specifications for which goes as follows: 1-inch sensor, f/2.8 28mm Leica lens and complete manual controls. Combined with the software part of the device, Lumix CM1 makes up for a great camera that is also a phone.

For the smartphone part, Lumix CM1 features a 4.7-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB RAM and 2600 mAh battery. The device weighs around 204 grams.

Lumix CM1’s build is solid, but easily reminds of a point and shoot camera’s design. The device has a leather back for firm grip and there is a dedicated toggle on the right side to put the device in camera mode, plus there’s also a dedicated camera shutter button alongside the toggle.

Thanks to the 28mm Leica lens and 1-inch sensor on Lumix CM1, you’ll have great low light performance and with sharp images. The device comes with full manual controls, Aperture, ISO and shutter speed can all be manually

The 1-inch sensor is several times larger than any average smartphone, which enables great low light potential and overall crisp images. The Leica lens will definitely help, too, as will the full manual controls. Aperture, ISO and shutter speed can all be controlled manually from the screen or with the ring that surrounds the camera on the back.

Panasonic Lumix CM1 was first announced in September 2014, and was made available for purchase in some parts of the world starting December, 2014. And now the device is coming to America as well. Although there’s no official word on the pricing, Gizmodo reports that it’ll be sold unlocked for $1000.

Panasonic Lumix CM1