More on the Panasonic Lumex G1

May 3, 2009 

Additional Reviews of the Panasonic Lumex (Lumix) G1

So, perhaps the biggest news in the camera world last year was the invention of the Micro Four-Thirds standard, the first SLR quality system without a mirror (removing the “R” from “SLR”, actually, and leaving most of us with no idea what to call this new camera type.). m4/3 (as it’s commonly abbreviated) promised small bodies, smaller lenses, and all-around niftiness.

And so we waited.

And, first out of the gate was a Panasonic digital camera calling itself the “DMC-G1,” or jst the “G1.” The G1 was (and, as of now, still is) the first of its breed: no mirror, interchangeable lenses, EVF, contrast auto-focus, SLR-sized sensor (the same size sensor used in my beloved Olympus digital cameras, and which I think gets entirely more criticism than real-life performance merits). And all of that is a very technical way of saying the following:

Buy Panasonic Lumix G1          Camera Leasing and Financing          From the Manufacturer

If you’re wanting better quality than a point-and-shoot can offer, but don’t want to have to deal with the hassle a traditional DSLR brings with it (I know my friends give me odd looks when it takes me three minutes and some off camera-flash to nab a shot), this is your camera. Intherchangeable lenses mean you’re no longer stuck with the limited 3x, 4x, or maybe 5x zoom your camera came with. You can go wider, you can go longer. It focuses just like your point-and-shoot, but faster. It’ll simulate shutter blur for you, it has focus zoom.

The reviews are starting to come in. Popular Photography named it the 2008 camera of the year, stating “The reason? In a contest where the criterion is “the camera that best refined or redefined photography,” the debut of the G1 represents a re-defining moment.” DPReview just today finished its exhaustive (and exhausting to read) review, finally concluding that this camera is “Highly Recommended” and stating that “In use the G1 does indeed offer the ease of use of a compact camera – especially if you stick it on fully automatic and ignore the wealth of options and pages of menus. If you’ve been using a Panasonic FZ series – or any advanced compact camera – you’ll feel right at home with the G1. There’s a good selection of external controls as well as Panasonic’s useful on-screen quick menu, giving the best of two worlds combined.”

It’s an innovative and, so far, unique product, and it’s worth considering if you’re looking to make the upgrade. Actually, I’d go so far as to say it is the ideal upgrade. (Please note, I’m not calling it the best camera ever ever, but it certainly bridges the point-and-shoot/DSLR gap better than anything else going.)

Cnet Video Review of the Panasonic Lumex G1