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Product Description
Manufacturer's Description
LUMIX G Micro System Digital Camera GF1 - The World’s Smallest, Lightest Interchangeable Lens Camera with Artistic Flat Design
By using the Micro Four Thirds System standard and developing a camera body that eliminates the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit, the DMC-GF1 was able to achieve the world's smallest, lightest body as a system camera with a built-in flash. It also features classical, but new, artistic flat design. This new-generation system camera features Full-Time Live View, high-speed Contrast AF, HD movie recording, and more. It is small enough to take anywhere, yet sophisticated enough to take you as far into photography and movies as you want to go.
The DMC-GF1's 4/3-type Live MOS sensor with 12.1-megapixels gives you extremely high image quality. It also adds a high-speed readout for HD movie recording. The Dust Reduction System helps maintain image quality by placing a Supersonic Wave Filter in front of the sensor. An image processing LSI, Venus Engine HD, incorporates two CPUs. This not only boosts image processing speed, it also helps achieve exceptional noise-reduction, and allows long-time movie recording in AVCHD Lite while maintaining low power consumption.
The DMC-GF1 can record HD movie of 720P in AVCHD Lite with the high sound quality of Dolby Digital Creator. Motion JPEG format is also available (1,280 x 720 pixels). Just press the Motion Picture Button, and shooting begins. In the Motion Picture P Mode, the aperture can be adjusted easily. The iA Mode can also be activated in motion picture recording. When the DMC-GF1 is connected to a Panasonic VIERA via an optional mini HDMI cable, you can watch and control playback via the TV's remote control unit.
The 3.0-inch 460,000-dot LCD gives you a Full-time Live View of what you're shooting, with approximately 100% field of view. In addition, versatile creative functions are possible with the DMC-GF1. The My Color Mode makes it easy to customize colour effects, which the Peripheral Defocus Mode automatically adjusts the focus to match the AF area, while gently defocusing to emphasize the subject. The iA Mode, featuring Face Recognition function, serves as a combination of functions that makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos.
The bright F1.7/20mm (35mm camera equivalent: 40mm) fixed focus lens, based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard, produces bright photos with a dramatic soft focus even in dimly lit locations. Its compact, easy-to-carry size is also ideal for capturing everyday scenes and snapshots. This lens uses a lens drive system to enable a compact and bright F1.7. As a result of this, operating sounds are recorded when autofocusing during motion picture recording
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 63 people found the following review helpful
By rossrossross
A fantastic little camera. Have owned one for over a month now and have been delighted with the results. Having previously owned Canon Ixus / Powershot cameras I had decided to upgrade to an SLR but was intrigued by the Micro 4/3 system - I think that an SLR would have spent too much time unused in a box, I wanted something small enough to carry around in a pocket. Having checked out a lot of reviews for the Olympus EP1 and the GF1 I decided on the Panasonic.
Overall I think that the camera is excellent -
* very solid (& heavy!), good build quality - lots of metal not plastic, all marked "Made in Japan" NOT China, gold plated usb connection, lens fitting is excellent
* fantastic picture quality compared to my earlier cameras
* superb menu system & hugely customisable
* excellent colour modes
* ISO performance up to ISO800 (1600 & 3200 not great but you can still get an arty b&w to come out OK).
* 20mm lens performs brilliantly for something so small & light
* Interchangeable lenses are an obvious advantage over compacts & superzooms - as well as the 20mm I bought a 2nd hand 45-200mm zoom which has performed well
* HD video is an excellent bonus - compared with some reviews I have been very impressed. There is an option for HD `Lite' (for TV playback) or HD JPEG (for PC / YouTube etc.) and the image quality is fantastic. You need to play about a bit to get best results and don't expect camcorder quality obviously.
A few drawbacks - I would have preferred inbuilt IS on the camera body. The 20mm is excellent even in poor light but IS would have made it outstanding. As another reviewer has noted, Panasonic need a firmware update to stop the camera defaulting to f1.7. It has an annoying habit, aprticularly in Aperture Priority mode, of defaulting to f1.7 at 100ISO with 1/30sec exposure time. Without stabilisation I cannot take a sharp picture handheld at 1/30 & need to manually adjust the ISO to a higher setting which I think the camera should be doing automatically. It can also default to f1.7 at 1/1000 exposure on bright days in Auto mode - again easily adjusted manually but a bit annoying. Keep an eye out for firmware updates from Panasonic, I imagine there will be more to come
Overall though I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
My recommendations for accessories:
* Lowepro Rezo 60 Digital Camera Pouch - Black is an excellent case for the camera + 20mm. Lowepro Apex 120AW Shoulder Bag For Digital Cameras/Camcorders - Arctic Blue is a good case for the camera + additional lenses.
* You'll need at least a Class 6 SDHC card of at least 16gb (1 minute of HD recording can be 250mb). I use a Transcend 16GB SDHC Class 6 Memory Card works very well in the camera.
* This is very light compare to an SLR, even with a 45-200mm lens. I use a very lightweight Manfrotto tripod (either this one: Manfrotto Modo Tripod or something very similar).
Overall I think that the camera is excellent -
* very solid (& heavy!), good build quality - lots of metal not plastic, all marked "Made in Japan" NOT China, gold plated usb connection, lens fitting is excellent
* fantastic picture quality compared to my earlier cameras
* superb menu system & hugely customisable
* excellent colour modes
* ISO performance up to ISO800 (1600 & 3200 not great but you can still get an arty b&w to come out OK).
* 20mm lens performs brilliantly for something so small & light
* Interchangeable lenses are an obvious advantage over compacts & superzooms - as well as the 20mm I bought a 2nd hand 45-200mm zoom which has performed well
* HD video is an excellent bonus - compared with some reviews I have been very impressed. There is an option for HD `Lite' (for TV playback) or HD JPEG (for PC / YouTube etc.) and the image quality is fantastic. You need to play about a bit to get best results and don't expect camcorder quality obviously.
A few drawbacks - I would have preferred inbuilt IS on the camera body. The 20mm is excellent even in poor light but IS would have made it outstanding. As another reviewer has noted, Panasonic need a firmware update to stop the camera defaulting to f1.7. It has an annoying habit, aprticularly in Aperture Priority mode, of defaulting to f1.7 at 100ISO with 1/30sec exposure time. Without stabilisation I cannot take a sharp picture handheld at 1/30 & need to manually adjust the ISO to a higher setting which I think the camera should be doing automatically. It can also default to f1.7 at 1/1000 exposure on bright days in Auto mode - again easily adjusted manually but a bit annoying. Keep an eye out for firmware updates from Panasonic, I imagine there will be more to come
Overall though I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
My recommendations for accessories:
* Lowepro Rezo 60 Digital Camera Pouch - Black is an excellent case for the camera + 20mm. Lowepro Apex 120AW Shoulder Bag For Digital Cameras/Camcorders - Arctic Blue is a good case for the camera + additional lenses.
* You'll need at least a Class 6 SDHC card of at least 16gb (1 minute of HD recording can be 250mb). I use a Transcend 16GB SDHC Class 6 Memory Card works very well in the camera.
* This is very light compare to an SLR, even with a 45-200mm lens. I use a very lightweight Manfrotto tripod (either this one: Manfrotto Modo Tripod or something very similar).
119 of 126 people found the following review helpful
By A. armstrong
Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased my GF1 from Amazon in November 2009, I have been a working photographer for several years, and the purchase was to replace a Canon G10 which had served me exceptionally well.
The GF1 itself is simply a gem, its low light capability is at least 3 stops better than the G10, and while not as compact offers greater flexibility. It has been my in the bag take everywhere camera since purchase for the moments that a large SLR are just to cumbersome.
Now the bad news, in early january went to turn the unit on, and nothing on the LCD screen, nor the accessory viewfinder. Camera still powers up, focuses fine and captures images, but both viewing options are dead. I contacted Panasonic and shipped the unit to them under warranty to have it repaired. I have just received their response telling me the damage is the result of impact, and will not be covered. Having now trawled the interweb I have discovered Panasonic are renowned for their denial of responsibility dating back to the FX7 / 8 and 9 models. A lengthy tirade is readable on photo.net from the dozens of disgruntled customers.
This has left a very very bitter taste in my mouth, the quote of repair £312 plus VAT. Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't baby my equipment, it is a tool to be used, but I can categorically state this camera has never suffered from impact outside of normal use, if its not capable of withstanding normal day to day use then their are issues to be addressed.
So while I endorse the product for its image quality, I'd give panasonic the biggest thumbs down for product support.
Buy at your own peril (and check your insurance paperwork for cover)
On the upside, camerasure insurance ... I cannot speak highly enough of, they paid the bill without question.
The GF1 itself is simply a gem, its low light capability is at least 3 stops better than the G10, and while not as compact offers greater flexibility. It has been my in the bag take everywhere camera since purchase for the moments that a large SLR are just to cumbersome.
Now the bad news, in early january went to turn the unit on, and nothing on the LCD screen, nor the accessory viewfinder. Camera still powers up, focuses fine and captures images, but both viewing options are dead. I contacted Panasonic and shipped the unit to them under warranty to have it repaired. I have just received their response telling me the damage is the result of impact, and will not be covered. Having now trawled the interweb I have discovered Panasonic are renowned for their denial of responsibility dating back to the FX7 / 8 and 9 models. A lengthy tirade is readable on photo.net from the dozens of disgruntled customers.
This has left a very very bitter taste in my mouth, the quote of repair £312 plus VAT. Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't baby my equipment, it is a tool to be used, but I can categorically state this camera has never suffered from impact outside of normal use, if its not capable of withstanding normal day to day use then their are issues to be addressed.
So while I endorse the product for its image quality, I'd give panasonic the biggest thumbs down for product support.
Buy at your own peril (and check your insurance paperwork for cover)
On the upside, camerasure insurance ... I cannot speak highly enough of, they paid the bill without question.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a truly marvellous camera from Panasonic. It has most of the functions of a SLR but none of the bulk or weight. With the 20mm lens fitted it is ideal as a "take it anywhere" camera but it has a larger sensor than most compacts and, therefore, handles low-light scenes much better. Most of the common functions are available without delving into menus and Panasonic's "intelligent" setting is useful if you're not too experienced. The zoom lenses that fit it are not large and a whole outfit could be easily carried in a small photo bag. Highly recommended if you want high quality images without the hassle of a large SLR.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
gf1 with 20mm 1.7 lense
I bought this a few years ago now and despite being satisfied overall, there are some things I wish were better:
1) the low light performance has disappointed me; anything... Read more
1) the low light performance has disappointed me; anything... Read more
Published 16 months ago by R. Gibson
5.0 out of 5 stars
GF1 with 20mm f/1.7
i have been using cameras for a long time and i have been using digital professional cameras for a few years. Read more
Published on 13 Dec 2010 by android man
5.0 out of 5 stars
Met Expectations
I bought this to take better photos of my kids. I read a lot about the pluses and minuses so I knew what to expect. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2010 by Rob Fog
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great little camera
I spent weeks trawling all of the reviews and comparison sites reading everything I could about the GF1. Read more
Published on 11 July 2010 by Mr. T. Gundry
4.0 out of 5 stars
GF-1 Excellent
Good looking little camera and general operation is nippy such as autofocus and shutter lag.
Well built but handling is slightly slippery hence a decent wrist strap is needed... Read more
Well built but handling is slightly slippery hence a decent wrist strap is needed... Read more
Published on 18 April 2010 by Sn Baines
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent combination
This camera is a DSLR that you will actually take with you. It's still a fairly big piece of kit - it reminds me of the 35mm range finder that I had when I was a kid (an Olympus... Read more
Published on 14 April 2010 by Keith Henry
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Peach of a camera!
I love this camera! I read numerous positive reviews before buying it and even then, it surpassed my high expectations. Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2010 by Ian Gervais
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent camera
How do I rate this camera? Well, once I had it for a few weeks I sold ALL of my DSLR gear as it was redundant for my needs. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by Porrig
3.0 out of 5 stars
Warning to potential buyers.
A word of warning for all potential purchasers. I ordered this camera on 2nd December 2009 and paid for next day delivery. Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2009 by Reviewer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Panasonic's GF-1 - some flaws, but still a diamond.
The GF-1 is as small as you could reasonably expect and pleasing to use. The 20mm lens is as sharp as they say, though personally I find it noisy in use after Canon's USM lenses... Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2009 by I. A. Crammond
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