Lumix GF1 or something else?
Discussion
Since my beloved Canon S90 was stolen from me last month, I've been considering suitable replacements. I loved the S90 because it was totally pocketable (I carried it everywhere with me), had full manual controls and took wonderful photos.
It did however have three shortcoming (in my eyes); the telephoto was lacking, the video quality was very average and (most importantly) I could never get that shallow depth of field look in my photos, despite having an f2.0 aperture. I suspect the latter is down to the physical size of the lens and aperture.
So, the obvious thing to do now would be to get a proper dSLR, as they'd offer everything I'd want and more. However, my lifestyle is very much "on the road". I live out of a suitcase (seriously!) so the thought of lugging a full dSLR setup with a couple of lenses puts me off a bit.
I've been reading a fair bit about the newish Micro Four Thirds system and see the GF1 body with a couple of lenses could be just what I've been looking for. I'm thinking 20mm pancake and 45-200m telephoto lenses. Before I go for it, I have a few questions though
Does anyone here have a GF1 or another 4/3rds system camera? Care to comment on it's good/bad bits? Can you get the shallow depth of field look in portraits etc? And is there anything else I should be considering? I still keep thinking for the same price I could get an entry level dSLR....
It did however have three shortcoming (in my eyes); the telephoto was lacking, the video quality was very average and (most importantly) I could never get that shallow depth of field look in my photos, despite having an f2.0 aperture. I suspect the latter is down to the physical size of the lens and aperture.
So, the obvious thing to do now would be to get a proper dSLR, as they'd offer everything I'd want and more. However, my lifestyle is very much "on the road". I live out of a suitcase (seriously!) so the thought of lugging a full dSLR setup with a couple of lenses puts me off a bit.
I've been reading a fair bit about the newish Micro Four Thirds system and see the GF1 body with a couple of lenses could be just what I've been looking for. I'm thinking 20mm pancake and 45-200m telephoto lenses. Before I go for it, I have a few questions though
Does anyone here have a GF1 or another 4/3rds system camera? Care to comment on it's good/bad bits? Can you get the shallow depth of field look in portraits etc? And is there anything else I should be considering? I still keep thinking for the same price I could get an entry level dSLR....
Edited by Moose. on Wednesday 15th September 12:48
Hi Moose
I've had a GF1 for nearly a year now and love it. You are able to control everything in manual mode and the controls are quite intuitive.
The only two drawbacks I have found are: 1) the lcd screen is not good with the sun behind you as you can't see anything. 2) the video record button is just by the shutter button and can be depressed by accident.
Neither of these issues would stop me from recommending the camera - it’s great.
I've had a GF1 for nearly a year now and love it. You are able to control everything in manual mode and the controls are quite intuitive.
The only two drawbacks I have found are: 1) the lcd screen is not good with the sun behind you as you can't see anything. 2) the video record button is just by the shutter button and can be depressed by accident.
Neither of these issues would stop me from recommending the camera - it’s great.
Hi Moose,
I have one, and to be honest it is a cracking camera. Got it with both the 20mm, and the 14-45mm.
My only major drawback for it would be that it is just too big to be pocketable with the 20mm on - large jacket pocket is OK, but anything smaller, I find it a bit too large. With the 14-45mm this is obviously even more of a restriction.
I bought it for those times when I didn't want to lug around the DSLR - particularly for me, when snowboarding. On my last trip, it came out with me once, in the jacket pocket. Was too bulky and restrictive when bending over to fasten my bindings.
I've actually been looking at alternatives for this reason - LX/5 or S90 etc.
Cheers Bradders.
I have one, and to be honest it is a cracking camera. Got it with both the 20mm, and the 14-45mm.
My only major drawback for it would be that it is just too big to be pocketable with the 20mm on - large jacket pocket is OK, but anything smaller, I find it a bit too large. With the 14-45mm this is obviously even more of a restriction.
I bought it for those times when I didn't want to lug around the DSLR - particularly for me, when snowboarding. On my last trip, it came out with me once, in the jacket pocket. Was too bulky and restrictive when bending over to fasten my bindings.
I've actually been looking at alternatives for this reason - LX/5 or S90 etc.
Cheers Bradders.
bradders said:
Hi Moose,
I have one, and to be honest it is a cracking camera. Got it with both the 20mm, and the 14-45mm.
My only major drawback for it would be that it is just too big to be pocketable with the 20mm on - large jacket pocket is OK, but anything smaller, I find it a bit too large. With the 14-45mm this is obviously even more of a restriction.
I bought it for those times when I didn't want to lug around the DSLR - particularly for me, when snowboarding. On my last trip, it came out with me once, in the jacket pocket. Was too bulky and restrictive when bending over to fasten my bindings.
I've actually been looking at alternatives for this reason - LX/5 or S90 etc.
Cheers Bradders.
That's exactly why I have a proper DSLR and a P&S.I have one, and to be honest it is a cracking camera. Got it with both the 20mm, and the 14-45mm.
My only major drawback for it would be that it is just too big to be pocketable with the 20mm on - large jacket pocket is OK, but anything smaller, I find it a bit too large. With the 14-45mm this is obviously even more of a restriction.
I bought it for those times when I didn't want to lug around the DSLR - particularly for me, when snowboarding. On my last trip, it came out with me once, in the jacket pocket. Was too bulky and restrictive when bending over to fasten my bindings.
I've actually been looking at alternatives for this reason - LX/5 or S90 etc.
Cheers Bradders.
Those micro two thirds are just not small enough so you end having to take a bag anyway.
Thanks for the comments guys
I think I can handle the lack of pocketability, as it's small enough to keep in my flight bag. The main thing is it's not too heavy to lug between different bases that I'm always moving between every few weeks.
The screen could be an issue though. The S90 had an excellent screen than I had no problem with using in sunlight (which we get a lot of out in Indonesia!). I guess I'll have to get me to Singapore and check on out in the sunshine properly.
Anyone got any photos demonstrating the shallow depth of field look though? This is important to me and something I will want any future camera to do. I'm hoping this can be achieved without the need to get a dSLR!
I think I can handle the lack of pocketability, as it's small enough to keep in my flight bag. The main thing is it's not too heavy to lug between different bases that I'm always moving between every few weeks.
The screen could be an issue though. The S90 had an excellent screen than I had no problem with using in sunlight (which we get a lot of out in Indonesia!). I guess I'll have to get me to Singapore and check on out in the sunshine properly.
Anyone got any photos demonstrating the shallow depth of field look though? This is important to me and something I will want any future camera to do. I'm hoping this can be achieved without the need to get a dSLR!
Moose. said:
Thanks for the comments guys
I think I can handle the lack of pocketability, as it's small enough to keep in my flight bag. The main thing is it's not too heavy to lug between different bases that I'm always moving between every few weeks.
The screen could be an issue though. The S90 had an excellent screen than I had no problem with using in sunlight (which we get a lot of out in Indonesia!). I guess I'll have to get me to Singapore and check on out in the sunshine properly.
Anyone got any photos demonstrating the shallow depth of field look though? This is important to me and something I will want any future camera to do. I'm hoping this can be achieved without the need to get a dSLR!
Here you goI think I can handle the lack of pocketability, as it's small enough to keep in my flight bag. The main thing is it's not too heavy to lug between different bases that I'm always moving between every few weeks.
The screen could be an issue though. The S90 had an excellent screen than I had no problem with using in sunlight (which we get a lot of out in Indonesia!). I guess I'll have to get me to Singapore and check on out in the sunshine properly.
Anyone got any photos demonstrating the shallow depth of field look though? This is important to me and something I will want any future camera to do. I'm hoping this can be achieved without the need to get a dSLR!
Moose. said:
Bumping this back to the top as I was wondering if anyone knows if/when the GF2 will be released? The GF1 is now over a year old, so surely due a replacement?!?
I would think that most of the imminent camera releases,or announcements of releases, would have been made today at Photokina.
Hi Moose,
I'm interested in this too. Have you bought the GF1 ? Any feedback if you did ?
I'm looking to buy a decent small camera and although the new Canon G12 or Nikon P7000 probably fit my requirements better I can't help but keep reading reviews about the the GF1 with the 20mm pancake, seems it's really well regarded.
clk55pete - your comment about the sun is something that might be a big factor for me. I used to have a Sony-Ericsonn phone where I couldn't read the screen in the sun and it drove me nuts, ended up buying a different phone. Your description makes the GF1 screen sound pretty bad, any way to get around it ? Rather than the EVF which is £££
The other 4/3rds system camera that the GF1 seems to get compared to is the Olympus E-PL1. Anyone with experience with that ? It's a lot cheaper and I've read that the olympus JPeg's are very good but slow AF ?
ta.
I'm interested in this too. Have you bought the GF1 ? Any feedback if you did ?
I'm looking to buy a decent small camera and although the new Canon G12 or Nikon P7000 probably fit my requirements better I can't help but keep reading reviews about the the GF1 with the 20mm pancake, seems it's really well regarded.
clk55pete - your comment about the sun is something that might be a big factor for me. I used to have a Sony-Ericsonn phone where I couldn't read the screen in the sun and it drove me nuts, ended up buying a different phone. Your description makes the GF1 screen sound pretty bad, any way to get around it ? Rather than the EVF which is £££
The other 4/3rds system camera that the GF1 seems to get compared to is the Olympus E-PL1. Anyone with experience with that ? It's a lot cheaper and I've read that the olympus JPeg's are very good but slow AF ?
ta.
Edited by mids on Sunday 26th September 13:20
mids said:
Hi Moose,
I'm interested in this too. Have you bought the GF1 ? Any feedback if you did ?
clk55pete - your comment about the sun is something that might be a big factor for me. I used to have a Sony-Ericsonn phone where I couldn't read the screen in the sun and it drove me nuts, ended up buying a different phone. Your description makes the GF1 screen sound pretty bad, any way to get around it ? Rather than the EVF which is £££
The drawbacks I mentioned haven't stopped me using the GF1 and I usually just cup the screen to see if the sun is a problem. However that's because the other features (size and weight especially) are more beneficial to me. I'm interested in this too. Have you bought the GF1 ? Any feedback if you did ?
clk55pete - your comment about the sun is something that might be a big factor for me. I used to have a Sony-Ericsonn phone where I couldn't read the screen in the sun and it drove me nuts, ended up buying a different phone. Your description makes the GF1 screen sound pretty bad, any way to get around it ? Rather than the EVF which is £££
Edited by mids on Sunday 26th September 13:20
You could go the G1 or GH1 route – I considered it but like the size of the GF1 too much to want to change.
mids said:
Hi Moose,
I'm interested in this too. Have you bought the GF1 ? Any feedback if you did ?
Not yet! I'm still in the wilds of Borneo at the moment. I should be in Singapore on Thursday though, so will have a play with one there. If it's as good as I'm hoping, I'll probably buy it and report back I'm interested in this too. Have you bought the GF1 ? Any feedback if you did ?
I can't be arsed to wait for a GF2, as I need a new camera yesterday!Yeah, I've had a quick look online to see if I could find out anything about the GF2 but there isn't much out there so presume it's a fair way off.
I did watch a couple of videos of the new Lumix GH2 launched last week at photokina which looks impressive but quite a bit larger than the GF2 and a lot more expensive. Supposed to be coming out in November.
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcgh2/
I did watch a couple of videos of the new Lumix GH2 launched last week at photokina which looks impressive but quite a bit larger than the GF2 and a lot more expensive. Supposed to be coming out in November.
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcgh2/
Do a search on GF1 pics and vids. Some fantastic results have been obtained. I bought mine six months ago and still love it. With the 20mm lens ( F1.7 ) I never need the flash indoors. Also you can catch some very discreet shots as people don't notice you taking shots so beautifully natural
results are obtainable. The size allows it to fit easily in coat pocket too.
results are obtainable. The size allows it to fit easily in coat pocket too.
Edited by honestbob on Wednesday 29th September 22:11
+1 on the GF1. I have been a committed Canon DSLR user for many years, culminating in the wonderful 5D2 and a few l series lens.
Thing is the 5d2 and glass weighs a bit too much for easy portability. The Panasonic is a good compromise of quality and portability. IQ is comparable to at least entry level dslr's, I like it a lot.
Thing is the 5d2 and glass weighs a bit too much for easy portability. The Panasonic is a good compromise of quality and portability. IQ is comparable to at least entry level dslr's, I like it a lot.
The more I read about the GF1, the more I want one (with the 20mm prime). I think I'm going to wait until the G12 turns up just to go look at one but pretty sure I'll end up with the GF1. Saying that, if the GH2 is also released soon that's pretty tempting too.
I read a good thread about the GF1 yesterday and according to the camera price buster site, Currys/Dixons have just reduced the price to £500.
I read a good thread about the GF1 yesterday and according to the camera price buster site, Currys/Dixons have just reduced the price to £500.
mids said:
The more I read about the GF1, the more I want one (with the 20mm prime). I think I'm going to wait until the G12 turns up just to go look at one but pretty sure I'll end up with the GF1. Saying that, if the GH2 is also released soon that's pretty tempting too.
I read a good thread about the GF1 yesterday and according to the camera price buster site, Currys/Dixons have just reduced the price to £500.
Are you in London?I read a good thread about the GF1 yesterday and according to the camera price buster site, Currys/Dixons have just reduced the price to £500.
http://www.gumtree.com/london/70/66487070.html
To ME that ad. is not clear ..... what's being sold for what price?
With the optional standard zoom lens (Panasonic????) 14-45 at £260 it's a steal.
But the ad. then goes on to talk about selling with an Olympus 14-42 lens at £370.
The Panasonic 14-45 with VR is reckoned to be a very good kit lens (better than its newer 14-42 Panasonic replacement).
I don't know about the Olympus 14-42 but it probably does not have VR if that's important to you.
With the optional standard zoom lens (Panasonic????) 14-45 at £260 it's a steal.
But the ad. then goes on to talk about selling with an Olympus 14-42 lens at £370.
The Panasonic 14-45 with VR is reckoned to be a very good kit lens (better than its newer 14-42 Panasonic replacement).
I don't know about the Olympus 14-42 but it probably does not have VR if that's important to you.
rottie102 said:
mids said:
The more I read about the GF1, the more I want one (with the 20mm prime). I think I'm going to wait until the G12 turns up just to go look at one but pretty sure I'll end up with the GF1. Saying that, if the GH2 is also released soon that's pretty tempting too.
I read a good thread about the GF1 yesterday and according to the camera price buster site, Currys/Dixons have just reduced the price to £500.
Are you in London?I read a good thread about the GF1 yesterday and according to the camera price buster site, Currys/Dixons have just reduced the price to £500.
http://www.gumtree.com/london/70/66487070.html
Wording of that ad is eerily similar to this one : http://www.gumtree.com/london/70/66066870.html
I recently bought an Olympus E-PL1 for my wife (and as a backup for my D700 when I didn't feel like lugging it around). I paired it with the Panasonic 20mm 1.7 pancake and I've been pretty impressed with the results so far:
I was also considering the GF1 but what swung it towards the Olympus was In-Body IS, better JPEGs straight out of the camera (for a "casual" use camera I didn't want to have to use RAW to get the best image quality) and the fact my wife preferred the look of the Olympus which was a pretty big point as she was going to be the main user.
I was also considering the GF1 but what swung it towards the Olympus was In-Body IS, better JPEGs straight out of the camera (for a "casual" use camera I didn't want to have to use RAW to get the best image quality) and the fact my wife preferred the look of the Olympus which was a pretty big point as she was going to be the main user.
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