Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic Lumix G1 Digital System Camera Kit - Black (12.1MP)

I have been a keen photographer for the past 40 or more years and used to carry around with me a massive bag of SLRs and lenses which very often I could not be bothered to lug around and so missed many a good photo. Since digital came in I have been avoiding the big name DSLRs because I knew the same problem would arise. All of the conventional DSLR are pretty bulky and even more so if you include their lenses. So I have been using compact and 'bridge' type digital cameras for the past few years which are easy to carry around. Unfortunately they also have small sensors so the image quality is not so good when enlarged. All that changed when the G1 came out. This is what I had been waiting for i.e. a DSLR size sensor with interchangeable lenses but without the massive bulk. I have now had this camera for 3 months and am most delighted with it. The image quality is fantastic and advanced features such as the flip out screen, the image stabilisation and many others make it great fun to play with and tweak. The lens quality is excellent as tested by the dpreview site, they show that it is as good or better than similar entry kit lenses from Canon. At present there is a shortage of lens options (although you can use the range for the Olympus DSLRs) but more are coming out in the next month or so. The size and weight saving goes for the lenses as well as the body so if you compare e.g. a Canon, Sony or Nikon DSLR kit each with a couple of lenses you would be looking at a considerable weight and bulk saving.

First of all, let me get things straight - this is NOT a DSLR camera. A conventional DSLR camera (digital single lens reflex camera) has a mirror inside the camera body which reflects images to a pentaprism that eventually goes to your eye. Basically, what the lens 'see' is exactly what you get in a DSLR's viewfinder. The Lumix G1 takes away that mirror and instead replaces the viewfinder with an electronic one, hence the smaller size. Of course, the G1 is being compared to DSLR cameras because it has a DSLR-sized sensor, which is much bigger than the typical compact cameras' sensors (which also means better resolution and image quality).

Who is the G1 for? Honestly, die-hard DSLR fans will not welcome the EVF because they perceive them as grainy and low in resolution. This one, however has a >1 million pixel EVF, which is probably the best in the market by far. Coupled with full-time live view and shutter-speed preview, you have a killer here. Not to mention the swivelling 2.5" screen which is a joy to use. Of course, the downside: the lag and apparent noise in low-light situations. Like other EVFs, the viewfinder does not view well at night but please take notice that the image quality is not affected.

The micro four-thirds format is an all new format for digital cameras. Due to that, there is currently only 2 lenses in the market - the 14-45mm and the 45-200mm zooms. With a crop factor of 2x, you get a reach of 400mm at the telephoto end which is REALLY sweet. While there aren't any other lenses in the market, that's actually not a bad thing because both of these lenses would blow you away. Both these lenses have built in image-stabilisation (Panasonic's MEGA-OIS) which allows you to take sharp handheld photos at low shutterspeeds, even at 1/8s! Furthermore, they have little or no chromatic abberation and lens distortion is at a bare minimum. You'll have to try them for yourself to believe! In fact, DSLR lenses of this quality (with VR/IS) would set you back more than what this camera costs if you're considering to go the DLSR way.

Of course, the main feature of this camera is undeniably its size and performance. Without a mirror/prism, its obvious that this camera would be less bulky and lighter than its DSLR counterparts. Being a person who emphasizes on build quality and 'feel', this camera surprisingly ticks all the boxes. It has a very luxurious feel to it due to the unique rubber coating, compact yet large enough to be used comfortably with larger hands, and feels very solid. Build qualilty is impressive and you get the 'Made in Japan' sticker rather than the 'Made in Thailand' one which you get in Nikon DSLRs (even the D90!). The weight? Lovely - I had this camera strapped comfortably around my NECK for the whole day. Some DSLR-fanatics tried to point out that it weights the same as the Olympus E-420, but please understand that the M4/3 lenses are much lighter/compact than the standard 4/3 lenses, plus the G1 outperforms the E-420 in so many aspects. Lastly, the size of both the camera and lenses means that you could easily fit your equipment into a small backpack and travel light. Travellers, do note this.

The price for this camera is rather steep if you actually compare it to entry-level DSLRs and would make the big guns look like a good bargain. Then again, let me remind you once more that the kit lenses (both 14-45mm and the 45-200mm) are EXCELLENT lenses. By getting them, you can literally stay off from buying any new lenses because both of them would easily have your needs covered. Furthermore as you all know, good DSLR lenses would easily set you back >500 quid per piece, and the tack sharp ones way beyond that. The G1 lenses' 52mm thread rings also means that you can swap filters between both lenses and just use 1 set of them, which is already darn cheap compared to a set of >70mm filters.

I wouldn't want to blab on about the the technical bits, because you can just watch the video from Panasonic's website. This camera is what it is - a hybrid compact camera with interchangeable lens. Another downside - it lacks the ability to capture video (I don't know why Panasonic has left this out, but apparently a HD version of the G1 with video capabilities would be released soon enough, so opt for that one if you really need it). Anyway, let's finish this review with a bit of talk on the prospective buyers.

This camera is well suitable for:
1) Enthusiasts currently using bridge/compacts who are looking to upgrade to a camera with better fexibility, resolution and image quality.
2) DSLR users who find having a full DSLR kit (lenses and camera) too bulky and heavy to go around, but do not want to compromise on quality.
3) Entry-level DSLR users who have few lenses and can easily afford to swap over to the M4/3 format.
4) Travellers (I am one).
5) People looking at DSLR alternatives and would not care to buy 1000 quid lenses, but rather stick with VERY GOOD kit lenses that would cover the range of everyday needs.

This is definitely not for:
1) Professional DSLR users or pixel-peepers with a huge selection of top-class(expensive) lenses.
2) Stubborn people who cannot accept a modern format but rather, stick with a 60-year old technology. DSLR snobs, in short.
3) People who regularly prints at >A3 sizes.
4) People with gorilla-sized hands.

To conclude, the G1 would easily put a smile on the faces of people who have handled it. It is a fun, compact and easy-to-use performer which would be more than enough for the enthusiasts, yet powerful and flexible enough to cope with the needs of semi-pro users. This camera WILL not fail to impress, and the potentional of the M4/3 format is intriguing.

I have been looking to upgrade to a DSLR but put off by the size of the things!So when this came along which is no bigger than very old but dependable SLR Cosina CSR I was sold.
It does everything my SLR does and for someone starting out in the digital format has all the standard features Aperture/Shutter priority,Manual plus plenty of more like Intelligent Auto Mode, which means point and shoot and let it do all the work.
Certain reviews moan that it doesn't have movie mode but I bought this to take pictures and I'll leave movies for my digital compact.
Yes a little pricey but that's coming down fast!

I brought this as my first DSLR,the main reason I wanted to buy a DSLR was to avoid the delay after pressing the button to taking a picture. After much consideration I was finally convinced to go for this for the following reasons.

1. This is probably the most compact DSLR on the market.

2. The Live view with adjustable screen is a fantastic addition and useful for taking pictures in crowds(ie hold the camera above your head) or awkward places.

3. I tried the Nikon D60, D5000, Canon 450 and 500 with tamron 55-300mm lenses as part of a package, I found pictures hard to take with these lenses due the lack of Vibration reduction. After trying the G1 with zoom lens 45-200mm (the lenses have a panasonic version of Vibration Reduction built in called Mega OIS) I was convinced this was the camera for me.You can buy a Nikon D60 with an equivalent lens package cheaper however the D60 does not have live view. Most people changing from a compact to DSLR will want live view. You can buy the Canon 450 with an equivalent lens package cheaper but the camera is not as compact and the screen is not adjustable.

4. My wife used it easily and will never read the manual.

I might add I am a complete novice to the world of DSLR and have managed some great photo's. This purchase has convinced me I want to learn more about photography. The Kit lens and the additional lens came with good lens bags and lens hoods (Lens hood is a plastic piece that fits to the end of the lens to give shade from bright sunlight). If your in doubt go and look at them before purchase and ask to try different lenses with different cameras. I have learnt the world of DSLR is very much a personal choice in respect of equipment and you are best off trying them in a shop to see which suits your requirements.

I've been using a Lumix for about 6 years now, having traded up 3 times during that period. This camera has not let me down. The viewing LCD is huge and flexible - they should all be made like this! The ability to preview manual settings is a fabulous tool for those wanting to learn the effects of various settings and learn to use Manual - i.e. white balance. The drop in size (from the FZ series) is also welcome!