Though they don't yet have a camera to use it with, Panasonic announced yesterday that it's developing "the world's first interchangeable 3D lens" for cameras.

This "twin-lens" will be released "before the end of the year," according to Panasonic, and it will be part of the company's Lumix G Micro System, which includes cameras such as the G2 and GF1.

Nope, not much more info than that for this 3D product in development but stay tuned.


PRESS RELEASE

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF WORLD’S FIRST INTERCHANGEABLE 3D LENS FOR LUMIX G MICRO SYSTEM

SECAUCUS, NJ (July 27, 2010) – Continuing its record of 3D technology leadership, Panasonic today announced the development of the world's first digital interchangeable twin-lens, making it possible to shoot 3D with an interchangeable lens system camera. As a new member of Panasonic’s powerful lineup of interchangeable lenses as part of the LUMIX G Micro System, the twin-lens will allow high-quality shooting in 3D. Panasonic plans to release this new lens for sale before the end of the year.

“This year will be remembered as the ‘First Year of 3D Era’ and Panasonic has already taken the lead by launching 3D-capable VIERA™ televisions and Blu-ray 3D Disc Players,” said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “With Panasonic’s development of a twin-lens capable of 3D shooting, the company is providing consumers with a way to capture their own 3D content, which they can then enjoy watching in the comforts of their own home. Panasonic is dedicated to evolving the 3D ecosystem, letting consumers create and display lifelike 3D images in their homes.”

Currently, 3D shooting with an interchangeable lens system camera is possible only by using panorama systems or by combining two lenses and two CCDs.  However, these systems are not ideal and have difficulty capturing moving objects.  Panasonic's new 3D lens for the LUMIX G Micro System features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses that are then processed with a 3D image processing system. Thanks to Panasonic's advanced technologies in optical technology, image processing systems, and lens barrel design, the 3D lens will be compact in size.

This new compact 3D-capable interchangeable lens will be easy to handle and allow instant 3D shooting, without distortion or time lag between left and right images – even when shooting moving objects.