Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 non-DSLR hands-on preview

[DPNow]

Here is a summary or excerpt from an article that has just been published on DPNow:

It looks like a DSLR, it has interchangeable lenses, but it's not a DSLR - Panasonic Lumix introduces the DMC-G1 system camera, a new category of camera that is a hybrid of a DSLR and a bridge camera and the first example of the recently annoucned Micro Four Thirds system. We've been following the development of the G1 for three months and have some unique hands-on preview images of the camera.

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[Ian]

Originally Posted by DPNow

Here is a summary or excerpt from an article that has just been published on DPNow:

It looks like a DSLR, it has interchangeable lenses, but it's not a DSLR - Panasonic Lumix introduces the DMC-G1 system camera, a new category of camera that is a hybrid of a DSLR and a bridge camera and the first example of the recently annoucned Micro Four Thirds system. We've been following the development of the G1 for three months and have some unique hands-on preview images of the camera.

More...

No mirror, tiny lenses (especially wide angles), the best electronic viewfinder yet.

So whaddya think?

Ian

[Barr1e]

Originally Posted by Ian

No mirror, tiny lenses (especially wide angles), the best electronic viewfinder yet.

So whaddya think?

Ian

Hi Ian -

It looks a great compact camera - and portable to boot. Imagine two pockets, one for the camera and the other for the lens - smart.
Panasonic and the other 4/3rds manufacturers ie Olympus etc could have a sure fire winner in this new format.

Regards. Barr1e

ps I forgot to mention the swivel screen is a tremedous bonus - especially for those who shoot at ground level and for macro shooters too.

[Rodbender]

When these two pedigree companies hopped into bed together it was obvious that something special would be born. I think this is what the digital world has been waiting for. This time next year, I feel this will be the standard most other manufacturers will be producing cameras in. Bring it on, this technology just gets better each day. Who said digital would never replace film?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Barr1e

Hi Ian -

It looks a great compact camera - and portable to boot. Imagine two pockets, one for the camera and the other for the lens - smart.
Panasonic and the other 4/3rds manufacturers ie Olympus etc could have a sure fire winner in this new format.

Regards. Barr1e

ps I forgot to mention the swivel screen is a tremedous bonus - especially for those who shoot at ground level and for macro shooters too.

I wonder whether this might be the camera to persuade Audrey (aka Autumn) to go for an interchangeable lens camera, as I know she's not that keen on DSLRs.

ian

[carman]

This camera is the most important in the last 10 years. It takes digital photography into the digital era. No more clanking mirrors, I hope the EVF is as good as the reviews suggest. The next redundant item is the shutter with continuous view electronic timing is the next step.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by carman

This camera is the most important in the last 10 years. It takes digital photography into the digital era. No more clanking mirrors, I hope the EVF is as good as the reviews suggest. The next redundant item is the shutter with continuous view electronic timing is the next step.

I think it's very interesting that the lack of legacy baggage has helped Olympus (who originally developed the all-digital Four Thirds system) and Panasonic (Micro Four Thirds) deliver new systems that are unconstrained by the past.

The Panasonic EVF technology is borrowed from their professional quality video camera products. You can, if you squint, see the 1.4 million pixels - just, but in normal use they are invisible. In normal conditions the view is very good - far better than any previous EVF in a consumer still camera. In dark conditions, the frame rate begins to drop, so the view starts to flicker. As you it gets darker, the frame rate continues to drop, noise starts to appear and eventually the colour goes from the finder. This may sound alarming, but at those brightness levels you would be hard pressed to see anything at all through an optical reflex finder.

Ian