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Product Description
Product Description
Lumix G Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System
Developed in 2008, Micro Four Thirds revolutionised the photographic market. The MFT system removed the reflex mirror and replaced it with a high quality electronic viewfinder that reads the image coming through the lens as it is focussed directly on the image sensor. The mirror-less system allows the sensor to be mounted much closer to the back of the lens, which in turn allows both the camera body and lenses to be smaller and lighter without compromising the image quality.
Large LIVE MOS Image Sensor
The size and type of sensor was a critical part in the development of Lumix G. 8x larger than the sensor used in a typical compact camera, and large enough to capture all the light coming through the lens without bending or distortion. The Micro Four Thirds sensor is almost as large as a Digital SLR APS-C sized sensor, but is designed to match the lens mount aperture perfectly, allowing the light to enter the camera in a straight line.
Supersonic Wave Filter Self Cleaning Sensor System
Dust particles on the image sensor have been a common problem with interchangeable lens cameras. It is important to take care not to allow particles to enter the camera body when swapping lenses. Panasonic have a Supersonic Wave Filter built in to our Lumix G models. The filter sits directly in front of the image sensor, preventing dust particles from adhering to the sensor directly. Every time the camera is powered up, the filter vibrates at such a high frequency that dust particles are literally shaken off.
A Growing Range Of Compatible Interchangeable Lenses
Whatever photo opportunity arises, the growing number of creative lenses available for the Micro Four Thirds System ensures that you won't miss out. Over 30 models from manufacturers such as Olympus, Sigma, Leica and, of course, Panasonic are already available with more being added regularly.
Mount Adaptors Available for Leica M, Leica R and Four Thirds Lenses
The Micro Four Thirds system also supports the range of lenses available for the original Four Thirds standard, by way of the MA1 adaptor ring. Also for Leica enthusiasts, adaptor rings are available for the Leica M and Leica R lenses.
Photo Quality
16MP LIVE MOS Sensor
The 16 Mega Pixel Live MOS sensor delivers a high-speed readout. It not only delivers highly detailed images but also improves signal to noise ratio over our previous sensors by 100% in the ISO3200 range and 200% in the ISO6400 range.
Ultra High Speed 0.09 sec Auto-focus Capability
Our fastest ever auto-focus speed can be obtained when combining this camera with the H-PS14042 power zoom lens. The combination of this lightning fast sensor and lens control means you get the action in focus more of the time.
Full Area Focusing
Lumix G cameras can focus across the entire area of the image sensor. Conventional DSLR cameras only allow focus points across a limited area of the picture, but with the full area focus system even subjects close to the edge of the frame can be chosen as a focus point. With Touch-screen focusing also offered on the LCD, this makes it even easier to choose the focus point by just touching the subject on the LCD screen.
Manual Focus Assist
A very useful feature when using manual focus is the ability of the camera to display an enlarged focus area of up to 10x normal size in order for you to check the accuracy of the focus point.
Pinpoint Accurate AF
Focus accuracy down to a tiny area is possible with Pinpoint Focus mode, enabling focus to be pinpointed to exactly where you need it.
Full HD Video Mode With AVCHD
When shooting video for playback on a Full HD TV, AVCHD offers amazing high quality recording. 50i is supported at FHD 1080 resolution and 50p at HD 720 resolution.
MP4 Video Recording Mode For High Compatibility
Also offered in video record mode is MP4 (H.264) format recording. High Definition video including 1920x1080 can be shot at 25 Progressive frames per second.
Full-time Auto Focus Available during Video Recording
Due to the mirror-less design and Contrast Auto Focus system, auto focussing is continuously available during video recording.
Functionality & Ease of Use
High Resolution 3.0 Inch, Wide Viewing Angle, Touch Screen LCD
The wide viewing angle of the large 3.0 inch, 460,000 pixel LCD offers greater flexibility when getting the camera in position to take the shot. In addition Panasonic have also made it a smart touch screen so that you can enjoy features like Touch Shutter, Touch AF Tracking and Touch Zoom (when Power Zoom lens is fitted).
iA (Intelligent Auto) Shooting Mode
iA mode is a feature of all Lumix models and it lets you take the picture without you having to worry about what settings to use. The camera intelligently works out the type of scene that you are trying to capture.
New iA Plus mode
iA+ allows an element of fine tuning to the focus, colour and brightness settings allowing you to easily experiment with the overall look of the shoot before you take the picture.
4.2fps High speed burst shooting with full resolution
Two high-speed burst modes are offered. At full resolution (16MP) it is possible to capture up to 4.2 frames per second. Also when the action is mega fast, there is the option of super high speed which shoots 20 fps at a resolution of 4 Mega Pixels.
Enhanced Shooting Assist Function - Level Gauge
A handy Level Gauge is provided on the display that helps you to correctly align the camera. Whether shooting in a landscape or portrait orientation, the camera's internal gyro sensor always knows the angle of the camera and displays guide lines on screen to help you hold the camera level.
Enhanced Shooting Assist Function - 4 Function Buttons
The GX1 has up to 4 function button options, two on the body of the camera and two on the LCD screen. Each FN button can be assigned to your favourite feature so that you always have those preferred settings to hand.
Enhanced Shooting Assist Function - Multiple Scene Shooting Guide
To help you learn to shoot like a pro photographer, Panasonic have introduced a scene guide that shows you what your pictures could look like with the correct settings. 23 professionally shot photographic scene examples are pre loaded in the camera. You select the one that you wish to try and emulate and the guide explains how to do it.
8 Creative Effect Filters
Up to 8 creative filter effects can be selected before taking your shot: Expressive, Retro, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, High Dynamic, Miniature and Toy Photo.
New Graphical User Interface With Customisable Settings
A new graphics processor has been added to the Venus Engine that enables high quality graphics for the menu system and allows the menu to be customised by the user with their preferred wallpaper or background image.
Optional Tilt-able Electronic Live Viewfinder
The GX1 supports an interface for the optional Live View Finder DMW-LVF2. This highly-spec'd electronic viewfinder is easily attached to the hot-shoe connector supplying power for the 1.44M dot display. It offers a 100% field of view and a 1.4x magnification of the image from the sensor. It also usefully tilts through 90 degrees allowing for low angle shooting.
Built-in Pop-up Flash (GN7.6)
Despite the compact body size of the camera, a pop-up flash is provided for those occasions when you need a little extra light. The guide number of 7.6 means the flash will illuminate objects up to approximately 7.6 feet from the camera when using the kit lens.
High Quality Kit Lens Supplied
LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.
Supplied as a high quality kit lens, the H-FS014042 is a standard zoom lens offering a zoom length of 3x. Aspherical lenses contribute to the high resolution and performance, making this lens a cut above most other kit lenses.
Product Description
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Customer Reviews
The image quality compared to the new OMD Olympus is about x1 ISO less, but still excellent- remember the GX1 body is half the price of the Olympus offering. If you later decide to get an Olympus body all the lens will fit it. The GX1 body is small enough to carry two bodies to cut down a bit on lens changing in the field.
What about the touch screen - I don't list it as an improvement because I'm not sure it is. It is a bit better in direct sunlight, compared to the old screen, but still low resolution compared to what is on offer on most DSLRs, the EP-3 and the new OM-D. Panasonic is only now starting to introduce a 920k dot LCD panel on its micro four thirds cameras and I guess we will see that kind of panel on the GX2, but for now we are stuck with a 420k panel. My major problem with it is that when you magnify the playback view to check focus is achieved, it's sometimes hard to tell. It's actually more accurate, due to the greater resolution, to check focus using the LVF-2 add-on viewfinder. Somehow I found the screen on the GF1 a bit easier in this respect, even though it is the same resolution - I think these touch screens that we see here on the GX1 just seem a bit less sharp and contrasty. One big advantage of the touch screen is the ability to touch the screen for focus and shutter release, though to be honest any serious use of this technology will probably require a tripod to steady the camera. And once you are into the realm of tripod mounted macro work, which is where this touch screen feature is really beneficial, you would, to be honest, most likely be better off with a swivel LCD such as that offered by the Panasonic G3.
So, in summary: Fast autofocus (but not for moving subjects), strong build, nice new grip, lots of manual control, good 16MP sensor with good high ISO performance and good DR. Better colours and JPEGS than previous Panasonic models. The only real downside is the low resolution LCD and the high cost of the LVF-2.
What about the Panasonic G3 - isn't that better value and virtually the same or better than the GX1? Well I own a G3 and it is a great camera. It is only a bit bigger than a GX1, offers a built in EVF, the same sensor, same touch screen and almost the same focus speed. However, the GX1 has better build quality and is smaller if you detach the LVF-2 viewfinder. The G3 does have a tilt and swivel LCD, which is damn useful for macro. Overall I like using the GX1 more, because I am happy to carry the LVF-2 viewfinder in one pocket and the GX1 body in another pocket - some moan about detaching, re-attaching the LVF-2 but at least it doesn't keep sliding off the camera like Olmpus' VF-2 does off my EP-2 !
I heartily recommend the GX1 to GF1 users thinking about an upgrade - try one out a local camera store if you can. To be fair, you should also look at the Olympus EP-3 and the new Olympus OM-D, though these excellent offerings from Olympus are more expensive. If you are a macro shooter and don't mind more plasticky build quality, also check out the Panasonic G3 as it is good value for money and offers most of the features of the GX1 in a more DSLR shaped body.
Now, as for the LENS - the power zoom lens included in this deal sounds great on paper, but a number of users and review sites (e.g. Imaging Resource) reported some quality control problems with this new lens, creating blurred images at certain settings - it seems to be shutter speed dependent. My own advice, for what it's worth, is to buy the GX1 body only, and pair it with the superb Panasonic 14-45 micro four thirds lens instead. The 14-45 is a better lens in my view - it's a superb kit lens that performs very well, though it is not a power zoom and it is bigger than the power zoom lens as it is not collapsible. But the IQ of the 14-45 lens is superb.
I already have a Canon EOS 450D DSLR, but wanted a smaller, good quality camera which would be more portable. You cannot escape the maxim "the camera you use is the one you carry with you". So after much research and some excellent advice from a professional photographer who owns a GF1, I opted for the GX1. You will find the Sony NEX variants fair marginally better in reviews on several counts, but to be honest I fell for the styling and retro feel of the GX1. It covers all the bases adequately and feels / looks solid with its metal construction and tight dials. Would opt for the power zoom (PZ) kit lens which is approx £120 more expensive than the basic zoom package. Also, shop around as Amazon is way too expensive at time of writing (Feb 2012). You can pick up the PZ kit elsewhere for about £600, which is only £20 more than Amazon are selling the more basic package for.
The advantage of the PZ is it compacts to the size of a pancake lens, so it will truly fit in your pocket or a stylish body case, rather than a great big bag in order to fit the cheaper non collapsible zoom lens kit.
Also, up to end of March 2012, some online dealers are supporting the Panasonic offer for free Adobe Lightroom 3, which is approx £100 retail. So appears a no-brainer. Go spend your cash !
Ideal for on the move and travel. Small but chunky to
feel,can take a full range off lenses, with excellent... Read more
My wife has a GF1 I have always liked and the GF2, 3, etc just haven't done it for me in... Read more
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