It seems like every time you turn around a new camera with a big image sensor and fixed lens has come to market. These models, which are generally more compact than a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera or D-SLR with comparable glass, appeal to pros who don't want to carry a big camera and lenses all the time as well as and the huge segment of consumers who buy an interchangeable lens camera and never move beyond the kit lens.

The Panasonic DMC-LX100 is another in this class of camera, sporting the same size sensor that you'll find in Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras like the GX7 and a 10.9-34mm (24-75mm equivalent) f/1.7-2.8 zoom lens with optical stabilization. The lens covers a similar field of view to the kit zooms included with SLR and mirrorless cameras, but is much brighter than the f/3.5-5.6 zooms that ship with most cameras.

The sensor is a 16-megapixel CMOS chip with a multi-aspect ratio design (so 16:9 photos are actually wider than 4:3 images, rather than just cropped), and 4K video recording is supported. But because of its multi-aspect design, the highest resolution that the camera is capable of recording is 12.8-megapixels. There's a built-in EVF (the same 2,764k-dot LCD used by the GX7) and a 3-inch 921k-dot LCD. The rear display does not support touch input, which is atypical for a Panasonic camera, but there are a number of physical controls, including an aperture ring and shutter speed dial.

In addition to 4K video, there is a 4K photo mode. This mode changes the dynamic range to that of still capture rather than video, and gives you control over the shutter speed when recording video. It's a great choice for capturing fast-moving subjects like birds and sports as it allows you to extract a sharp 8-megapixel still from a video clip that captures action at 30 frames per second.

We had some brief hands-on time with a pre-production model and found that the DFD contrast detect autofocus system, the same one used by the GH4, was quick to lock focus. The LX100 can fire off images at 11fps, but slow to half that speed when tracking subjects with continuous AF. The lens can focus to 3cm at the wide end and 30cm at the telephoto end, so you'll be able to capture images with a shallow depth of field when working close at a wide aperture.

The LX100 can capture images in Raw format, but of course there's also a JPG mode. Panasonic has extended its art filter functionality by supporting full manual controls while using filters. It's got a lot of functionality, but there are some things missing; the LX100 isn't weather sealed, doesn't have a microphone input, and doesn't include an internal ND filter. There's no built-in flash, but there is a hot shoe and Panasonic is including a compact external flash with the camera.

The LX100 will go one sale on November and will be available in silver or black. It's priced at $899.

The image sensor is a 16-megapixel CMOS chip. It can fire shots at 5.8fps with locked focus or at 5fps with tracking. The rear 3-inch 921k-dot LCD is touch sensitive, and the creative filters work in manual control modes, just like the LX100.

The GM5 doesn't have a built-in flash; instead it ships with the same compact strobe as the LX100. It has an electronic shutter that can capture photos at 1/6,000-second and supports 1080p60 video acquisition.

Panasonic is selling the GM5 in red or black. It will go on sale in November for $900. The 12-32mm zoom is included at that price, Panasonic will not be selling the GM5 as a body only.

Two new Micro Four Thirds lenses are also coming in November. There's a new 35-100mm f/4-5.6 telezoom that's quite compact for $399, and there's a new version of the 14mm f/2.5 for the same price. The new 14mm lens only differs from the older version cosmetically; optically they are identical.

Finally, Panasonic is releasing new firmware for the GH4 and FZ1000 in October. Both are going to get the 4K photo mode and 4K/23.98fps video in MP4. The GH4 is also getting ISO upper level control and flash compensation control via the front dial, as well as remote-controlled tether support via the third-party Promote Control device. The FZ1000 is getting new shutter sounds, including one that's meant to match the quiet click of a Leica rangefinder.

Panasonic is also releasing an Android powered camera, the DMC-CM1, with a 1-inch image sensor and a fixed 28mm f/2.8 (full-frame equivalent) lens, but that's only going to be available for purchase in European markets.

If you're in the market for a digital camera, take some time to peruse our product guide, or our list of the 10 Best Digital Cameras.