In a recent announcement, Panasonic said that it will, by the end of the year, add 3D imaging capabilities to its Lumix G interchangeable-lens cameras with the launch of a digital 3D interchangeable lens for the Micro Four Thirds system.

The lens, a prototype of which was recently unveiled by the company, will be the first 3D interchangeable lens for a digital system. It will essentially comprise two optical paths that will project a pair of left and right images onto the camera sensor. The merging of the two images will later help provide a single 3D image using Panasonic’s 3D image processing system.

The compact new 3D-capable interchangeable lens, which will enable users to capture images in 3D, to be viewed back at home using Panasonic’s 3D-capable VIERA televisions, will allow an increasing convenient handling and instant 3D shooting. The 3D images produced using the lens will be sans any distortion or time lag between left and right images, even for moving objects.

The new 3D lens reflects Panasonic’s efforts to respond to demands of consumers who want to enjoy 3D shooting as well as expand Panasonic’s range of 3D products.

With industry analysts noting that the 3D industry is bound for a steady growth over the coming years, Screen Digest said that 3D TVs will likely be “in around a quarter of households in major developed markets by the end of
2014.”