69%
Highly Recommended
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69%
Highly Recommended
Reviewed:
Oct 2009
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When it was released in 2009, Panasonic billed the Lumix DMC-GF1 as 'the world's smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera with a built-in flash'. Sporting a new 'artistic flat' body design similar to that of the (then) recently released Olympus E-P1, the GF1 is 35% smaller than earlier G models like the G1 and GH1. Headline features include the same 12.1Mp sensor as the DMC-G1, 1280 x 720 HD recording in AVCHD Lite format, an optional hot-shoe mounted electronic viewfinder, and a 3 inch LCD with 460k dots.
As far as image quality is concerned, JPEGs are good, though (at its default settings) the GF1 produces relatively muted and subtle output that's better suited to post processing than immediate printing. At a pixel level it's good, but not great, and you'll need to switch to raw to really appreciate what the GF1 is capable of. Overall, the GF1 was one of our favourite digital cameras when it was released, and it still is, even after the arrival of the GF2.
| Quick links: | Announcement | Review | Sample gallery 1 | Sample gallery 2 | Forum |
| Announced: | Sep 2, 2009 |
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Average rating:
4.38
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Opinion: Have been reading a thousands of reviews and comparisons during last two months and eventualy sold may Canon 40D with all the lenses, just because of mobility.
I really like the concept of the micro 4/3 because if you don't have miror system, it doesn't clicks and isn't supposed to shake, it is quiet, it is discrete, and mirror systems of DSLR usualy have limited life span.
Great that Panasonic implemented fast contrast detect focuss - by theory it is even more precise than phase detect systems, though not as fast. Olympus much worse, though have built in stabilisation.
However, I still haven't bought this system, because Canon S90 is even more compact and the noise is the same (Panasonic should improve sensor, it's a shame to be in one league with much smaller S90). And Pentax K-x is small DSLR with tremendous image quality and not as big with pancake lens, especialy with exceptionaly high quality 40 mm f 2.8. You can buy this set for the same price as GF1.
Problems: Panasonic has made just one BIG mistake - it produced 20 mm 1.7 lens without stabilization.
Why should I choose GF1 ? Because of small size and great HD video. But video needs stabilization for sure. That is a must! With lens 14-45 it's not anymore small.
So, every time you want to take video, you have to change you lenses and put the 14-45 on just for video. And then vice versa, because 20 mm is better for photo. And then again. And that is not any more small size and no more convenient at all!
shame shame shame for such an important wrong decision.
I hope Panasonic will adress this issue and make another 20 f 1.7 lens with stabilisation. Then I will buy this GF1 without thinking twice.
However, I am positive about concept of micro 4/3
Opinion: I have been testing and using the GF1 for five months, comparing it with my Nikon D90 and D200 and various Sigma and Nikon lenses. I consider this camera to be a good replacement for the D200, though not quite for the D90. Image sharpness (especially with the 20mm pancake) can match any glass I've ever tested on either SLR. The three zoom lenses I own (7-14, 14-45 and 45-200) can match my Nikon and Sigma zoom lenses in the centre, though generally about 10% softer (measured on lens chart) in the corners, not generally a concern. High-ISO noise is roughly equal to that of the D200 up to ISO 1600, is about one stop below that of the D90 (e.g., GF1 at 1600 produces same or slighly more noise than D90 at ISO 3200).
The camera controls are well laid-out and very useful, also very similar to my LX3 which is handy when using the latter as a backup. The GF1 takes much better photos at high ISOs than the LX3.
Compact size and weight, including all the zoom lenses, is a big plus for travel especially if you want to avoid checked luggage and go only with cabin luggage, which isn't practical with an SLR system. The GF1, all four lenses, a battery charger and the lower-powered auxiliary flash will all fit comfortably in a bag the size of a purse and can be carried on-board in addition to regular carry-on case, on most airlines. No way of doing that with any SLR kit I've ever seen.
The camera is an absolute joy to work with. The optional EVR, while not very high-res, is good enough for my purposes and is a major bonus for shooting in bright light (LCD screen hard to see), for right-angle viewing, and helps keep the camera stable in your hands (hard to do when using LCD screen on any camera, holding camera away from head with little or no elbow bracing, much easier to do with camera pressed to face while viewing through EVR and tucking elbows into torso for stability).
Problems: In addition to other points mentioned in some other reviews on this forum, there are a couple of relatively minor complaints.
The OIS on the 14-45 and 45-200 is, in my hands at least, only worth about 2 EV of shutter speed, versus 3-4 EV with my Nikon and Sigma stabilized lenses. I find the same 2 EV effect with my LX3. Panasonic's OIS could stand some improvement.
One big drawback for HDR shooting, especially hand-held, is the painfully slow auto-bracket burst. I can get a +2 to -2 burst on either the D200 or D90 in about one second, which is satisfactory for hand-held shooting as long as the shutter speeds aren't too slow. With the GF1, getting a +2 to -2 burst in the same light takes 6-7 seconds, which is not a problem if the camera is on a tripod, but I hate tripods and this is NOT a camera for hand-held HDR work unless you have very steady hands or can brace your elbows on somethng. As long as the image registration can hold, it does produce very good HDR results though. (These timings are all based on RAW capture, which I use for all my photography.)
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Opinion: Interesting conclusion.
I bought the Canon S90 as my pocket camera to replace the bulky P80 And TZ
Panasonic for everyday use.
Have considered the G11, GF1, LX3 or update to TZ10 but came back to this tiny
S90
I'm still not satisfied with all the results to what I want.
My Nikon D300 with 50 F 1.4 and 17-55mm 2.8 are actually my standard reference.
Purchasing a D700 is still another option, but maybe wait for a later version.
Leica M9 is far too expensive for the keen photographer and why would a Pro buy a
Leica if all it's work is been finished with Photoshop or whatever software they use.
Must admit that the results I saw and read from M9 is perfect, color, sharpness and
all that. Leica have reach all the Max in what the optical technology could reach and
yet keeping its size compact.
Accept; for the latest electronic technology update and the price !!
One day,... maybe not Panasonic another company will surprise them with a lower
price tag and similar quality.
The western industry has fallen asleep or gone into elderly homes I assume.
Nothing is so called "not possible" in today's world.
I just have to settle for what I have until GF2 arrives with Leica lens f 1.4 aperture or
my Nikon lens with an adapter.
Don't understand why no major camera manufacturer dare to produce a similar
camera body with a 36x24 sensor.
Wake up Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Panasonic!
When crisis hits harder, people get more inventive.
Problems: Lousy color and unsharpness, with most/all compact cameras.
APS size sensor should be the minimum for all kind of compact cameras.
Smaller sensors belongs to mobile / camera phones.
Consumers are driven & cheated by manufacturers instead of Quality.
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