The GF1 adopts the micro four thirds system standard, which was developed as an extended version of the four thirds system standard for digital camera systems. By using this standard and developing a camera body that eliminates the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit, Lumix was able to achieve a dramatic reduction in both size and weight compared with conventional digital SLR cameras, to create a new-generation system camera that features full-time live view, high-speed, high-precision contrast AF, HD movie recording, and more. The GF1 is small enough to take anywhere yet sophisticated enough to take you as far into photography and movies as you want to go.The 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel live MOS sensor featured in the GF1 offers the best of both worlds the superior image quality of a CCD sensor, and the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. This sensor is also advantageous for photo and movie recording with its high S/N, thanks to a circuit structure that is unaffected by the noise generated in each of the circuits. It results in clear images even when taken at high ISO sensitivity.The hybrid GF1 lets you take both high-quality photos and HD movies. You can shoot breathtaking HD movies in AVCHD Lite format (MPEG-4/H.264) backed by the high sound quality of Dolby Digital Creator. And you can record for a longer time without running out of memory because AVCHD Lite stores data more efficiently than Motion JPEG while maintaining stunning image clarity and detail. A dedicated “movie record” button on the top lets you instantly start recording movies while shooting photos, so you don’t miss a second of the action.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Best point and shoot ever
As a point and shoot, this is the best I’ve seen. I don’t have experience with the EP-1, which I understand is similar – but this is definitely the point and shoot to have to make a little better images that are normally possible.
I was shooting with the Leica R8 with its digital back, and its pretty bulky. This is much more portable. I got the adapter for the R lens as well, since its not looking good for Leica to come out with an R10. Using the R lenses is cumbersome, but works and if you have the patience, the results are… well, ok. You lose a lot on the conversion (2x, I believe), so my 180 becomes a 360…
This is not a Leica. The image quality is quite good, but at low light still leaves a lot to be desired. The video is awesome. Its so great to, with a point and shoot camera, just push a single button and its on, you are shooting HD video. The compression scheme is a problem, though. So far I was only able to use it with the software that came with the camera, which is horrible. I want to marry the videos to sound I capture with Cubase, and haven’t been able to do that quite yet.
All and all, again, for point and shoot pics, this is the best. For high quality high def pics, not so, even with great lenses (woouldn’t it be nice if Panasonic could do a full frame camera using the same format?). And for HD video, this is also pretty good, although it does not have the stabilizer.
5 Stars A wonderful camera for a happy father
I bought this camera mainly to shoot pictures and video of my 1-year-old baby boy. So far, I have shot a couple thousands of pictures and a couple hundred video clips. My wife and I are very pleased with the performance of the camera.
What I like about this camera:
1. The size is compact enough to fit it into my jacket pocket or hang it around my neck for all day long. Every time I travel with my baby boy, I need to carry a lot of baby care stuffs with me. I need a camera lighter and smaller without creating too much burden.
2. The camera provides decent low light performance up to ISO 800 and ISO 1600 is still usable. My baby is still young and most time stays home. I, therefore, took lots of indoor pictures. The camera handles low light environments very well.
3. Shooting HD video give us plenty of fun. As far as I know, this is the only dSLR (except GH1) in the market that offers HD video feature with Auto Focus feature and limited but enough controls. Babies grows fast and they make lots of funny movements. I could not ask my baby to repeat a good movement when I miss one. The camera allows me to switch video mode easily when I catch the moment. It is nice to have both video and camera features in one machine.
4. The camera offers fast and accurate auto focus. Babies move constanly and hardly stay still. Occasionally, I missed a couple shots but most of time the camera gives pretty good results.
Of course, with the cost of $900, you can buy an entry level dSLR with cheaper price and better image quality due to the bigger sensor size as opposed to four-thirds standard. It all depends on what you need. I have no regrets with the purchase because it fulfills all my expectations.
Check the link below.
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You find some really good pictures and video clips taken by GF1
4 Stars An excellent compromise
Sometimes it’s a chore dragging along the Canon 5D Mark 2 with attached 24-70mm L lens.
I’ve been waiting for a “grab-and-go” small camera with DSLR-like image quality for a long time.
Panasonic has come to the rescue with the GF1. What a FUN camera!
PRO: Lightweight- no deadweight on your shoulder or around your neck, beautiful image quality from a small camera ( I shoot exclusively in RAW ), fast auto focus, great “pancake” f/1.7 fast lens companion (don’t let the lack of OIS chase you away from this setup; my 24-70mm walking-around lens on the
5D2 doesn’t have OIS and that’s seldom a problem), noise isn’t a consideration up to ISO 800 (if you’ll consistently shoot high ISO than get NIK’s Dfine 2.0 noise reduction software). Battery lasts a LONG time.
Between me and my wife, we have owned many small/point and shoot cameras (Canon SD1100, Canon G6,G9,G10,A650IS) and NONE were as enjoyable as the GF1 is.
CON: Optional EVF dull in comparison to the LCD screen or if you’re spoiled by bright DSLR viewfinders,
Mono sound recording, LCD screen easily smudged since it’s so big.
Really Right Stuff makes an L-plate for the GF1. Team that with a light monopod with quick release, and you have a VERY light weight combination to take along without dragging you down.
In the past, it was usually a disappointment for me to take a “small” camera along since image quality was always a compromise, so I stopped doing so. This GF1 may not be as great as my 5D2 DSLR, but I’m not disappointed with my images from my “small” camera any more. Don’t miss this gem.
3 Stars Disappointed – Not a great P&S, Not a great DSLR
I was hoping for the performance of a DSLR in the package of a (somewhat large) point & shoot. Unfortunately the image quality is not up to par of a DSLR (like my Nikon D80). Furthermore my Canon S90IS beats the Panasonic in terms of image quality, is smaller to boot, and has IS built-in. The movie quality is nowhere near a dedicated AVCHD camcorder. So in the end, it’s mediocre at lots of things, not really great at anything. Being returned, unfortunately.
5 Stars raw files are not supported by Aperture
If you don’t shoot RAW files and don’t use Aperture to process your pictures than this review will have no significance to you. This isn’t a problem with the Panasonic Lumix GF1, but with Apple’s Aperture software which I use. My main camera is the Canon 5D which I pair with fast Canon prime lenses. I also have a Nikon D50 paired with the Nikon 35mm f/2 for my lightweight kit. After trying my friends Panasonic GF1 and 20mm f/1.7 combo, I was sold. A great wide fast lens on a body that takes great images in a light compact package with a relatively low price tag. I have second thoughts about toting around a heavy slr combo worth $2-3k. I’m more likely to take the GF1 almost anywhere.
But the problem is that I use Aperture to process and manage all of my photos. Aperture does not support the RAW files from this camera. I either have to use lower quality jpeg files on Aperture, buy Lightroom and manage two image databases, or review and edit each RAW file via Photoshop which is terrible for image management. Even if I purchased Lightroom, than I still cannot softproof like I can with Aperture. This means it will be tougher to match prints with what I see on my monitor. So you can see that for those that shoot RAW and use Aperture, this can be a deal breaker. Apple, please get moving on this! If you use Aperture, send feedback to Apple from within Aperture: Aperture>Provide Aperture Feedback.
