With what could be coined a “connected camera,” Panasonic jumped back into the phone game after unveiling its Lumix DMC-CM1 at Photokina. Touting an image sensor on par with a point-and-shoot camera, it breaks away from the average smartphone. The 1-in., high-sensitivity MOS sensor helps produce better photos even in low light conditions. It’s about seven times larger than image sensors used in conventional smartphones.
The CM1 runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 2.3-GHz quad-core processor and the latest version of Android. A 2,600-mAh battery powers the device, which features a 4.7-in., 1080p full HD display. It comes with 2 Gbytes of RAM and 16 Gbytes of storage that’s extendable to 128 Gbytes via a microSD card. Equipped with 20-Mpixel resolution, the CM1 combines an f/2.8 Leica lens, a mechanical shutter, and a manual control ring to make the capture of 4K video possible.
The Verge’s Vlad Savov says “Interestingly, the lens extends out of the body, but is not a zoom lens; its adjustments are purely for focusing purposes.” Savov goes on to say that although “the CM1 is twice the thickness of a regular Android smartphone, [the] imaging prowess contained within it feels well worth the physical tradeoff.” A physical shutter button adds to the “more than just a smartphone” feel as well.
The phone comes with the standard LTE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC capabilities. A Lumix Gallery app enables the editing and sharing of photos. Panasonic will reportedly use France and Germany as test markets for the phone to gauge the potential of a wider release. Watch the video from Panasonic above to see more about some of the CM1’s features.