Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Review
It’s hard not to notice the retro styling of the Lumix DMC-G1. While still a DSLR camera, it brings a new feel to the line. That is probably one of the reasons why it has garnered so much press as well as high marks in its review with some authorities going as far as to naming it the best camera of 2008.
So in case you want to know whether it’s as good as it sounds, read on.
DESIGN
The first thing you will notice about the G1 is that it does not look as frightening as most DSLR. The Lumic DMC-G1 follows the Micro Four Thirds design which fits between EVF’s and DSLR. If you’ve always wanted the quality of a DSLR but was frightened at their size than the Lumix DMC-G1 is a viable alternative.
Although the camera is small it includes a full sized DSLR sensor and has interchangeable lens as well as an electronic view finder.
The camera is available in blue, red and black and sports a 12.1 megapixel CMOS. The only drawback to the camera that we noticed was the fact that it had very few lenses at our time of review. This of course will change as more companies join the Micro Four Thirds platform. The other problem we had was the noisy ISO at very high speeds.
Other than that we had few complains with the camera’s design. The camera features a 3-inch viewfinder that can swivel making it a lot easier to take self portraits without the aid of anyone.
PERFORMANCE
The G1 sports some nice features. The DMC-G1 is a full fledged DSLR but Panasonic says that full HD video shooting capabilities will be in the next version.
Controls for the camera are well placed and easy to access. The controls were logically placed and easy to access. The menu system was also a well designed.
Picture quality is good. Thanks to the camera’s 12.1 megapixel camera, you can get high quality photos. While they might no be as crisp as more expensive units, it’s still perfect for those who are interested in getting into the DSLR experience.
Images are stored on SD/SDHC cards, and can be stored in JPEG, RAW or RAW + JPEG format. The burst rate is 3fps at full quality for JPEG’s and 3fps for RAW at up to 7 images. The ISO range is not too shabby either as it can go as low as 100 and as high as 3200.
The built in flash worked good though we could recommend using the horseshoe for bigger rooms. Images can be downloaded to the computer VIA Hi-Speed USB 2.0 or can be output VIA HDMI (mini-type) with NTSC/PAL support. Pictures can also be printed directly from the camera via PicBridge.
CONCLUSION
Although the camera failed to put up serious competition for any of the higher class DLSR’s on the market, we were still amazed with its ease of use and the fun learning curve. Getting used to the DMC-G1 was easy and within a few hours you’ll be using it just as good as you would any digital camera. Hopefully this will provide the long needed step for those who are interested in transitioning from EVF to DSLR.
UPDATE: This camera is now available from Amazon for $651.87 with free 2 day shipping
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Nice to see some Panasonic cameras getting recognition. They make some great models, but somehow they seem to be overlooked for the most part. Almost no one I know owns a Panasonic camera – most opt for Casios, Kodaks and Canons.
Nice digital SLR Camera