Selected journalists, photo retailers and staff were invited to the official opening of the Panasonic Lumix Life exhibition last night, an initiative launched by Panasonic Australia in August this year. The event was also the official launch of the much anticipated Panasonic GF1 Micro Four Thirds System camera.

The launch was a chance for Panasonic Australia to celebrate and congratulate the photographers that made it into the exhibition, the top 50 collections from over 180 submitted online, will be shown in the Global Gallery in Sydney's Paddington over the next four weeks. World renowned Australian photographer and Panasonic Lumix ambassador Ken Duncan and Australian journalism veteran Ray Martin were present at the event, both with personal images on display.

GF1 to hit stores in October

Panasonic Australia director of consumer electronics, Paul Reid took the opportunity to introduce the new GF1 and two new interchangeable lenses to the Lumix line-up, which include a macro and pancake lens. The company is excited about the launch of this new product and the future of Lumix- with the range clocking up record sales in volume and value.

"We at Panasonic are excited about the future of Lumix, you don't need to take our word for it anymore- just look at quality of the images that Lumix users around the world have produced," Reid said.

"The GF1 delivers DSLR quality with the freedom and versatility of a compact camera and appeals to both experienced photographers and market newcomers," Reid added.

Putting the fun back into photography

Duncan said that while he always loved photography, he came across Panasonic Lumix later in his professional career while on a photography tour in Africa. He was jealous of the ease that others on the tour were taking extremely high quality photos and now carries a Lumix compact camera in his pocket everywhere he goes for that spontaneous moment.

"It allows you to get those decisive moments easily, and I've told Panasonic they should use this as a tag line but Lumix really puts the fun back into photography," Duncan said.

"It's making photography simple and getting back to basics. It allows me to tell my story," he added.

Duncan's selection of images features landscapes and wildlife from around the world, with some beautiful shots from around Australia.

5MP camera captures tsunami devastation

Martin told www.connectedaustralia.com that photography has been a passion of his for over 30 years and when the 2004 East Asian tsunami hit and he had to travel to Aceh, he picked up a Lumix by chance, and hasn't put it down since. He now owns four Lumix's.

"I needed a camera quickly so I could jump on the plane to Aceh and I was recommended a Panasonic because the salesperson said people never bring them back. I didn't have time to think about it so I bought it and when we got there I was also with a professional camera man who was taking fantastic shots but when I took some of these (photos at the exhibition) I was amazed how good images a 5 megapixel camera could produce," Martin said.

Martin's selection of images comprise shots from Aceh after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, Italy, France, the NSW south coast and some touching personal photos.

The Lumix Life season is open for viewing from September 15- October 10, 2009 at Global Gallery, 5 Comber St, Paddington NSW. Opening hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 12-4pm.