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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
  • Manufacturer: Panasonic (www.panasonic.co.uk)
  • Pros: Lightweight yet feels sturdy with lens attached; good image quality; fast and responsive; electronic viewfinder or angled LCD for composition and review
  • Cons: No HD video; may frustrate experienced users; whole new camera system
  • Min specs: Digital interchangeable lens system camera; SD memory card, SDHC memory card, Multimedia card; image sensor size: 17.3x13mm; Micro Four Thirds mount; Live Mos Sensor; 13.1 Megapixel sensor; 4:3 aspect ratio; Primary color filter; Supersonic wave filter; Jpeg, RAW; sRGB, Adobe RGB; Live View Finder; Magnification: Approx 1.4x / 0.7x (35mm film camera equivalent) with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1; autofocus; exposure control; white balance; focal-plane shutter: 1/4000 ~ 60 and Bulb (up to approx. 4minutes); TTL Built-in-Flash, GN11 equivalent (ISO 100m), Built-in Pop-up; 3in low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD; 124x83.6x45.2mm; 385g
  • Price: 499
  • Star rating: 4

Panasonic’s 12-megapixel G1 looks like a mini DSLR from the outside, but technically it isn’t – it has done away with the traditional SLR mirror mechanism to bring lens and sensor closer together, making it more compact. This new(ish) system goes by the name Micro Four Thirds, the next generation of Four Thirds – the system used by the E-600 here – co-developed with Olympus.

Available in black, red or blue, the G1 further differs from the norm, omitting an optical viewfinder in preference for full-time Live View. So shots are composed using an extremely clear high-resolution electronic viewfinder or the 3in LCD below that, which you can flip and rotate to get just the right shot.

While the G1 couldn’t claim to be a pocket camera, with kit lens attached it feels considerably lighter than competing starter models. The 14-45mm lens can be swapped in use, and due to the size of the sensor it’s married with, it provides the equivalent of 28-90mm on a 35mm film SLR. This means it’s adept at shooting landscapes and group portraits at the wide-angle end, and individual portraits and character studies at the telephoto (maximum zoom) end.

Delivering user-friendliness, the G1 boasts the same Intelligent Auto mode found on Panasonic’s compacts, recognising common subjects and switching settings to produce optimal results. Pictures are not only consistent – they’re better than those traditionally offered by an entry-level DSLR and have a different, more filmic look. Auto modes work well in delivering correct exposures, and even if there’s some pixel fringing on close inspection, there’s a surprisingly high level of detail, thanks to the combination of sensor and lens. Results at maximum ISO 3200 are as free of noise as those delivered at ISO 1600 by competing cameras.

If HD video is a must, look to the GH1, which is almost identical in every other way, but much more expensive with the addition of HD video. Ultimately, if you’ve ever been put off DSLRs by the bulk and weight, the G1 means it’s time to reconsider.

This product is part of our Budget DSLRs group test group product review. Other products in this group are:

 

Canon EOS 1000D

  • Star rating: 4

 

Nikon D3000

  • Star rating: 4

 

Olympus E-600

  • Star rating: 4

 

Pentax K-x

  • Editors ChoiceStar rating: 5

 

Sony A230

  • Star rating: 3

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