Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

Latest - Review at PhotoReview (added 21 November’08)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 is a 12 megapixel Four Thirds Live MOS sensor DSLR and features a high resolution electronic viewfinder, a new Venus Engine HD processor, 3 inch TFT LCD, and an ISO range from 100 to 3200. Camera dimensions are 124 mm x 84 mm x 45 mm and it weighs approx. 380 g (camera body) and approx 630 g with lens, card and battery.

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Reviewers Conclusions & Verdicts - (updated 21 November’08)

PhotoReview
“With no other cameras for comparison, we have been unable to consider this camera for an Editor’s Choice nomination. However, it’s worth noting that in the G1, Panasonic has produced a camera that looks like a DSLR and supports the same range of user-adjustable controls but has a smaller, lighter body.”
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Gizmodo
“I am optimistic about Micro Four Thirds, but there’s just no reason anyone should buy a G1. Less money could get you a real DSLR that is, for all practical purposes, the same size.”


Digital Camera Review
“Serious shooters may be turned off by the system’s lens and flashgun limitations, and in light of the fact that most of the G1’s competition in the entry-level DSLR space is somewhat less expensive, general consumers may find the camera’s price tag hard to come to terms with.”


CNET
“As with its performance, the G1 displays excellent photo quality that rivals or bests similarly priced dSLRs. The kit lens we tested with it produces sharp images across almost the entire frame, with absolutely zero fringing or bleed.”
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Imaging Resource
“And it takes a pretty darn good picture too. Because the sensor is smaller than modern APS-C-sized digital SLRs, you’d expect image quality to be slightly lower, but printed results really show surprising parity.”


Digital Camera Info
“We wonder if Panasonic didn’t over complicate matters for a camera that’s presumably designed for point-and-shooters looking to upgrade their photographic experience. There is a lot to like for this audience, but there are also a baffling array of choices staring them in the face.”
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ePhotozine
“Noise control is very good on the DMC-G1 at low to mid range ISO settings. It doesn’t become a problem until ISO1600 but when it does get there it really fails badly.”
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CNET Asia
“As the G1 is using a Four Thirds-sized sensor, the area which light falls on is significantly larger than the sensors used in conventional point-and-shoots. This also means the pixel density is lower and this gives better detail reproduction with lesser noise.”
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DCResource
“Photo quality was very good. The G1 took well-exposed photos with pleasing, accurate colors. As with digital SLRs, images are a bit soft straight out of the camera, but that can be fixed easily enough with the Film Mode feature.”


MeMobility (Hands-on Preview)
“In operation, the camera felt slightly slower than my Nikon D40X- especially in burst mode. Then again, the cameras were set to iA mode as Panasonic wanted us to test this particular feature so maybe all that intelligent calculation was what was making the camera feel a bit sluggish.”


The New York Times
“The pictures look wonderful. The color is rich and true. The low-light abilities put compact cameras to shame. And all of the effects that would be impossible with a typical small camera — trailing car lights, frozen splashes, eight-second star-trail exposures — are easy to dial up with this one.”


Pocket-lint (First Look)
“So what are the pictures like? On the whole very good. Unfortunately we can’t share any shots we took at outside in the stadium at Wembley due to licensing rights (crazy we know), however what we saw, considering the technological leap in design over performance was very good.”



DPReview (Hands On Preview)
“On the inside of course it is indeed radically different to every SLR on the market; the mirror and pentaprism/pentamirror viewfinder is gone, replaced by a live view-only system using either the newly-developed high resolution electronic viewfinder or the large articulated rear screen (which, interestingly, has a 3:2 aspect ratio - not the 4:3 ratio of the sensor).”

Actual Owner Feedback

“Coming soon…”

Sample Photos

[Sample Photos at Gizmodo]
[Sample Photos at CNET]
[Sample Photos at Imaging Resource]
[Sample Photos at Digital Camera Info]
[Sample Photos at CNET Asia]
[Sample Photos at DCResource]

Specifications & Camera Profile

[Camera Profile]

Press Excerpt

Secaucus, NJ (September 12, 2008) – Panasonic today announced the world’s first Micro Four Thirds system camera, the LUMIX DMC-G1, the world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens camera, weighing in at approximately 385 grams (0.85 lbs).* Based on the new Micro Four Thirds System standard, the LUMIX G1 eliminates the internal mirror structure that defines digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, thus reducing the size and weight by nearly half.** With the mirror-less system, the G1’s flange back, which is the distance between the mount and the image sensor, has been reduced from 40 mm – as specified in the Four Thirds System – to approximately 20 mm.

The new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1 will enhance the advanced photo quality and flexibility made possible by the Four ThirdsÔ System, and with its innovative design, consumers will appreciate the portability of a smaller camera body and lenses. The G1 will be available in mid-November as a kit with the new LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S lens. Also available in November, and announced today, is the LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S.lens.

“With the LUMIX G1, we are filling a void that has existed for a long time in the digital camera market, because consumers wanted the power of an SLR, but previous models were bulky and inconvenient,” said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “The LUMIX G answers this challenge as consumers can benefit from the flexibility of changing lenses; a quick Auto Focus; and a sensor that produces high-quality photos. By packing all those powerful assets into an extremely compact body with easy-to-use features familiar to point-and-shoot users, we are excited about G, as it brings new possibilities to the consumer.”

The LUMIX G1 is also the world’s first interchangeable lens camera that will come with color variety – with availability in black, blue and red models – allowing consumers to personalize their style through color, something very popular with point-and-shoot camera models.