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The concept of a compact with a reflex SLR sensor and interchangeable lenses was born in the market research departments of Panasonic and Olympus. Here is a simple fact: out of 100 digital cameras that are sold, only 10 are SLRs. Many users of compact cameras are disappointed by the image quality, but don’t dare plunge into the universe of reflex SLR cameras because of restraints that are more or less true – most often received ideas, such as:
- it is too bulky
- it is too heavy
- it is complicated to use
- there are too many functions
- it is exaggerated, pompous
In order to convince the huge market of potential buyers of reflex cameras who are holding back for all these reasons, Panasonic has created the G1. Challenge met? We’ll see … below
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Formfactor is more compact thanks to lenses
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The design itself of the new "micro four-thirds" mount, derived from the standard 4/3 mount, allows downsizing by reducing optical circle. Therefore, the body can be a lot thinner and the size of the lenses can be greatly reduced. So is the G1 truly a compact camera? Well, it has a volume of exactly 565 cc, when that of the four-thirds SLR Lumix G1 is of 950cc. So yes, compared with a 2- or 3-year old SLR, the G1 is indeed compact. But we must admit we were expecting an even smaller camera. A second generation of micro 4/3 cameras is underway, with a much thinner design than this first sketch.
However, as one can see on these images, the Lumix micro four-thirds lenses are really compact - this gives them a little “gadget” aspect which is nice. In any case, your tote bag will be delighted with the G lenses.
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A successful design
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The design is a real success. We were seduced by its colored satin-finished body, very pleasant to the touch, with a slightly "rubberized" aspect – this makes the G1 fit well in the hand. It might even have been less pleasant to use if it had been smaller. This ergonomy is greatly helped by the handle on the right-hand side and the room to put your thumb. All in all, with its very pleasant - and not that ‘flashy’ - colors (black, red, blue), black parts and its overall style, the G1 is a very appealing camera. The design allows to play down the pompous or “technology-monster” aspect of a DSLR – the Lumix G1 is anything but pompous!
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LiveView and WYSIWYG electronic viewfinder
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Naturally, the G1 has a Live MOS sensor. The screen is actually an LCD that rotates, which is great news as this had become less and less frequent – despite the fact that it is terribly handy (duet self-portrait, framing at ground level or over the crowd: it has numerous uses). This rotating screen is a real good point in favor of the G1: it is a nice 3-inch 460,000-dot TFT LCD.
Despite a resolution that is slightly lower than the current standards for such dimensions in advanced cameras, we found the screen very pleasant to use – so that one may eventually use the electronic viewfinder very seldom. Indeed, the concept of the micro 4/3 mount gets rid of the mirror in the reflex chamber, and the compromise that must be made about the comfort of coverage, given the compactedness, is the absence of real TTL coverage of a reflex type. Here, we have to be satisfied with an electronic viewfinder. Of course, Panasonic has boosted the resolution (1.44 megapixels!) and of course, it is the best electronic viewfinder on the market, but some people may miss a true reflex coverage – incomparable (unless you have never used one).
However, the viewfinder displays the image as it will actually be according to your settings – not bad! This is truly WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), which will come in handy for beginners. The Live View Finder has a refresh rate of 60 fps that is very smooth so you barely perceive the slight discrepancy – which is usual with this type of viewfinder – between reality and what you see in the viewfinder.
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Integrated SWF and image stabilization
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‘Interchangeable lenses’ mean that you have to change them – but while you do so, specks of dust which are attracted by static electricity of the sensor cling to the sensitive surface. You then get dirty spots on your pictures, which will become more and more visible. Olympus has launched a few years ago the first sensor cleaning system: the SWF (Supersonic Wave Filter).
Today, these vibrations that repel any particle from the sensor still represent the most efficient system on the market – and that is the system retained by Panasonic to protect the G1. However, the G1 is not stabilized internally so you will have to use stabilized lenses with the Mega O.I.S. system.
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The Lumix G lenses
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The double kit ensures, for a reduced size, a focal range of 28-400mm, even stabilized! That is interesting. Panasonic has understood that the keys to success on our market are: wide-angle lens, powerful telephoto lens and large focal range (remember the success of the TZ5 with its 28-280mm or of the FZ28).
But as regards lenses, the best is yet to come as 3 beautiful pieces should be released in 2009:
- the ‘HD’ lens of 14-140mm F4-5,6 Mega O.I.S., which will give a stabilized 28-280mm (just like the TZ5!)
- the super wide-angle lens of 7-14mm F4 will be an equivalent 14-28mm with constant aperture
- the Wafle-type lens, ultra thin, prime lens of 20mm i.e. 40mm, rather luminous with its F1.7 aperture
As mentioned above, you should count on lens stabilization – as the G1 is not stabilized internally.
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G1 lenses: the best is yet to come
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By the way, let’s mention the lens offer of this Micro Four Thirds mount. As a reminder, the crop ratio is of 2x to find a 35mm equivalent. As of today, the G1 is available in double kit with the following lenses :
- 14-45mm F4-5,6 ASPH Mega O.IS. : stabilized 28-90mm equivalent lens
- 45-200mm Mega O.IS. : 90-400mm equivalent
Using the existing lenses for the usual 4/3 mount isn’t really handy: an adaptor is required, some functions are lost, besides you lose the main asset of the Lumix G lenses, their compactedness. However the future lens offer is rather appealing: imagine a second-generation G, more compact, with a 20mm pancake prime lens mounted on it!
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Photo functions: a very complete compact camera
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As regards photo functionalities, the G1 provides all the up-to-date technological offer of Panasonic with face detection, automatic scene detection, Intelligent ISO Control that detects the subject’s movements and increases sensitivity accordingly to better freeze them, or shades that are illuminated as with a D-Lighting system initiated by Nikon.
These automatic systems are now well-tried and reliable: they are a real help, more efficient than market research arguments. However, being a compact camera, the G1 only has a contrast-detect AF, which we naturally found slower than a standard SLR autofocus. As regards focusing, it is quite quick compared to some other compact cameras, but still it is slower than an SLR and tracking of the subject is not that great.
By the way, to use it you must be careful to select the right mode. Didn’t we mention that the G1 should be extremely easy-to-use?
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Is it really easier to use than a DSLR ?
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This is indeed the point where users could get a bit confused: the G1 is hardly easier to use than a DSLR. There are numerous possible settings (we cannot complain!) and the menus may frighten the neophytes. The G1 would be more user-friendly than a DSLR for beginners – thanks to its automatic modes? But a digital SLR, be it at 450 or 7 500 euros, also has an automatic mode which is as efficient.
The G1 has a good ergonomy. The place to rest your thumb is extremely comfortable, and stabilizes the whole thing. The small size of the camera is a mild inconvenience for its ergonomy.
The general ergonomy of the Lumix G1 can hardly be criticized, except for this front dial which is stupidly placed where you put your middle finger. You end up inadvertently clicking on it continuously, and disturb exposure. That is exactly the type of little details that get annoying.
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Image quality with the Panasonic Lumix G1
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Image quality is truly what one looks for with the G1 – being all disappointed by our digital compact cameras which have so much noise in high sensitivity, and have such tenuous dynamics that high lights consistently lose all their details. And logically, the G1’s 12 megapixels on the sensor in four-thirds format, as can be found on the Olympus E-420 and E-520, work wonderfully.
Processing is well-performed for a crisp result, regarding the apparent sharpness as much as the colors1 rendering. An amateur who will move from any compact camera to the G1 will be delighted! Hurra for the compact camera with a SLR-type sensor!
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Controlled depth of field
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One of the G1’s main assets will be the ability to better control the depth of field and to have the subject stand out better from the background: this is ideal e.g. for a portrait. This type of picture, which is hard to make with a compact cam, is possible with the G1, using a rather large lens and a good aperture.
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The sensitivity of a small 4/3 SLR
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Another asset of the G1’s "large-framed" sensor is sensitivity. Indeed, compared to a compact camera, the difference is clear-cut: you can go up to 800 ISO easily. However, we all know that compared to standard digital SLRS, the G1 sensor is a bit less sensitive. With an equal sensitivity, a Nikon D60 or a Canon EOS 1000D (to name but 2) will be 1 to 2 EV better than the G1.
An amateur who will blindly trust the automatic settings is likely to be a bit disappointed. It is best to read through all the menus and to limit the ISO sensitivity of the G1.
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When a compact camera makes up with RAW mode
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For those who want to go any further, the G1 also offers the advantages of the RAW mode. The RAW mode, or raw format, allows to develop one’s pictures oneself and, most often, to better retrieve fine details in highlights, to refine the white balance, to better control noise, etc. Of course, the famous solutions editor such as Adobe are a bit reluctant to develop codecs for Panasonic cameras, but they are getting to it little by little (the LX3 has just been ‘Adobized’ with Lightroom 2.2 !).
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The G1 video mode... red card !
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The video mode of the Lumix G1 is surprising: it is indeed conspicuous by its absence – while there is absolutely no technical or software-related reason for this absence. It is only a matter of bridling the camera – which is awful, given that the G1 is predisposed to have video and it is offered by any DSLR at 90.
We know that a Panasonic G2 is on its way. It should be called ‘Lumix HD’ and record videos, but then why wait before implementing this function?! How frustrating, for those who will buy a G1 at a high price, to see the same camera released with video in addition! Let’s hope that a firmware update will give the G1 its video capabilities, because for now this only deserves a red card !
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Is the G1 price justified ?
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The price of the G1 is another handicap which the amateur will be facing: paradoxically, it is nearly twice more expensive than an entry-level SLR which would give more convincing pics and would be as easy-to-use in automatic mode than a G1. The G1 is sold on the internet around 670-700 Euros, in kit with the 14-45 Mega O.I.S., and in double-kit nearly 1000 Euros. That is a long bill, and Panasonic forgot that one thing which restraints buying an SLR is also its price!
As a comparison, a Nikon D60 which is also very compact and easy-to-use can be found on-line at 430-450 Euros (for an official price of 499 Euros VAT incl.). A Sony Alpha 200 is around 390 Euros VAT incl. with a 18-70mm lens. In double kit, the base price for a Pentax k 2000 (K-m in Europe) is 599 Euros VAT incl., and it can be found at 559 Euros VAT incl.!
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Panasonic G1 review: conclusion
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So what do we have to think about the G1? That the concept of micro 4/3 mount offers an interesting compromise about image quality, which is almost similar to that of an SLR while keeping the assets of a compact camera. The segment created by Panasonic is very promising and large volumes can clearly be expected, because the concept meets various needs of amateur photographers.
But the G1, the first micro 4/3 camera in the history of photography, is only a partial succes: it is not that miniaturized (for the body anyway), not that easy-to-use (barely easier than an SLR), video is missing in an inexplicable and unforgivable way – but the Lumix G1 dares showing a high price.
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Lumix G: the best is yet to come
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So in the end, with such a promising concept and a perfectible first specimen, it seems clear that the best is yet to come in Micro 4/3 cameras. Wouldn’t it be wiser to wait for the PMA ?
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