I purchased a Panasonic LUMIX digital camera and noticed it’s made in China. I thought Panasonic Lumix was made in Japan. Is this a gray market item, and how can a gray market item be identified?

Panasonic’s cameras are designed in Japan, and many are manufactured by Panasonic in their factories in China.

If you have purchased from an authorized LUMIX Professional dealer, you do no need not be concerned that it is a gray market product.

If the camera was purchased from other independent sources, it is possible that you have purchased a version of one of our cameras that was not intended to be sold in the Canada or the USA. Check to see if the documentation includes a Canadian / USA warranty.

Foreign LUMIX versions are not inferior to the North American models we sell. However, the AC charger may not be compatible to local power sources, operating instructions may be in other languages, and the video format might not be compatible with the North American NTSC standard. In addition, service may not be available or, If service is available it would normally be charged as an out of warranty repair.