GS 400 Water Proof Housing?
 

Any news if Panasonic will offer one of those watertight housings like the ones offered for the GS 100K or the MX 5000. As understand it the PV 953 could not control the functions of the water proof box for the MX 5000 even though it fit. If such a box is offered, will the North America version have full functionality? This was one of the main attractions of the GS 100K. If such a box is offered for the GS 400 at a reasonable price it would be a real deal maker for me.

In Japan, Yes. Model no. is VW-SPGS400. Exactly the same price as that of GS100, MX5K, GS70/200/120. 39,900 Yen. Waterproof/tight up to a depth of 10 meters. I wonder what the tolerance is :-))

You could try asking Pana US. It would be interesting to learn their reply. So far Pana has not made a lot of accessories for its consumer cams available for sale here. Stripped models is one issue that would explain no housings. But why no lenses or waist pack battery? In another thread in this forum, it's clear Pana lenses are available in Europe. Wonder what it is about the American market?

>>>Wonder what it is about the American market?<<<

I doubt there's anything wrong with the American market. It's the decisions made by Pana that seem off. Sony and Canon consumer cams come with a lot of optional accessories here, making them more popular than Pana's. It's bad decision making on Pana's part, in my opinion.

Pana US seems pretty reactive rather than proactive. Witness their handling of the announcement of the gs400. Nobody available to answer questions the day of the press release? No updated web site on the day of the release? (The gs400 was still shown in the "shop" section as having a 2.5" lcd, etc.) Lame. May be the same issue as far as US marketing. Okay, gotta bring in new managers.

They first have to hire translators from Japanese to English with good technical background. Part-timers should do :-))