Lumix Anniversary: What'amp;s next for Panasonic – goodbye MFT? Hello APS-C? Only S series?
[11:00 Wed,12.August 2026 � by blip] ���
Panasonic is celebrating a milestone anniversary of its Lumix camera brand this year, which was launched 25 years ago with its first models. However, any celebrations have hardly manifested themselves in the form of new Lumix cameras; so far, only a new premium compact camera, the L10, has been unveiled. This is remarkable given that in 2022 Panasonic explicitly withdrew from this market - stating at the time that they no longer wanted to develop cameras that could be replaced by a smartphone, and that the focus in the future should instead be exclusively on mirrorless system cameras for ambitious and professional users.
Arriving with (almost) empty hands for the Lumix anniversary?
Meanwhile, younger generations are suffering from smartphone fatigue, and "point-and-shoot" cameras are practically hip again, which has obviously prompted Panasonic to change its strategy. We actually found the aforementioned Lumix L10 quite interesting in our review, and it is also said to be in high demand. But a premium compact as the only new release in the anniversary year, could that really be all?
Lumix L10
Currently, however, the rumor mills have no concrete clues as to what might come next - and when. Instead, it was noticed some time ago that Panasonic is phasing out a whole range of MFT lenses without releasing improved new versions. For example, Panasonic has officially marked several Micro Four Thirds lenses as "Discontinued Production" in Japan, including the Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F2.8-4 standard zoom and the Lumix G 42.5mm F1.7. It is not yet known whether Panasonic is discontinuing these lenses without replacement or if successors are still in preparation.
Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F2.8-4
What initially sounds like another verse in the swan song for M43 (Panasonic has been one of the last manufacturers to stick with this format) could, however, also be the beginning of something new. For instance, the latest episode of the
(Geeky Nerdy Techy Podcast speculates) that Panasonic might indeed say goodbye to Micro Four Thirds, but in favor of APS-C. (Thanks to Cantsin for the tip in the forum.)
L-mount lenses, which Panasonic already needs for its S-series, could be attached in front of the slightly larger sensor - other manufacturers like Sony and Canon have paved the way by unifying their mounts. And anyone who already owns a Lumix S camera might prefer to opt for a secondary APS-C model if this does not also entail further lens purchases. However, anyone coming from a GH camera would have to invest in new glass - and could then, of course, just as well switch camps entirely.
Now, the anniversary year would be a great time for a fresh start with a bang. Yet, we can&t quite imagine that Panasonic is setting the course for an advance into such completely new territories. But with a bit of luck, a new Lumix S will still join the small L10.
It would be even nicer (though admittedly also less likely) if Panasonic were to suddenly pull a Lumix competitor to the Sony FX3 out of its sleeve, which was rumored last year - such a surprise presentation in the fall would, in any case, be a more than fitting anniversary camera.
