Panasonic is bringing its 1-inch sensor, 4K-shooting CM1 cameraphone to the U.S.

 

 

Panasonic has announced its Lumix-branded DMC-CM1 camera will be sold in the United States by summer’s end. Released Fall of 2014, Panasonic’s CM1 ‘compact camera with smartphone technology’ was originally only sold in only France and Germany.

Citing increased demand, Panasonic is expanding the market to the US. For those who didn’t catch the news first time around, here’s a brief rundown of the Panasonic CM1.

It’s a 4.7” Android-powered phone with a 20-megapixel one-inch sensor, capable of shooting 4K video through its Leica-branded lens. As of its initial release, the phone runs on Android Kit Kat, with no further news on whether it will support Lollipop before its US release date later this summer.

Early reviews of the device showed it was an interesting idea, but fell short in practice. Most often a clunky interface, lack of stabilization and high pricing were to blame for the negative reviews.

Despite the initial reviews, it appears as though the device has gone over well with consumers. The CM1 cameraphone will arrive this coming summer as an unlocked GSM phone for $1,000.

This means you’re looking at AT&T and T-Mobile for providers if you want to get your hands on one. That is, unless their talks with other providers bear fruit prior to the launch date.

(via Gizmodo)