Panasonic GF1 Micro Four-Thirds Camera
The Panasonic GF1 is a new micro four-thirds camera that sports a 12 megapixel sensor, 720p HD video mode, and 3-inch LCD screen. This gorgeous little camera appears to be a crossover between the retro-chic Olympus E-P1 and the Panasonic G1 digital SLR. If you’re in the market for a carry-me-everywhere camera then you better take a look at the GF1…
The new Panasonic GF1 Micro Four-Thirds Camera
Top view of the GF1 with the new 20mm pancake lens
Back view of the GF1, including the 3 inch LCD screen
Panasonic Lumix GF1 Specifications
- 12.1 megapixel Four-Thirds Live MOS sensor
- 720p HD video @ 30 fps (AVCHD or AVI format)
- ISO 100 – 3200
- 3.0″ LCD screen with 460k pixel resolution (60 fps preview)
- 3 frames per second continuous drive (up to 7 RAW files, JPEGs till card is full)
- Pop-up flash with guide number of 6m (at ISO 100) + TTL hot-shoe
- 119 x 61 x 36.3mm dimensions
- Weighs 285g (camera body only)
The Panasonic GF1 will be available in black, red, and silver
The reason we’re excited about the new GF1 is because Panasonic have made massive leaps and bounds in the compact camera ‘for photographers’ arena. The Panasonic LX3 is widely regarded as a superb casual camera for photographers who primarily use a DSLR. Panasonic have blended their successful compact camera formula with technology from the G1 digital SLR, to produce the GF1.
Think of the Lumix GF1 as a combination all the best bits from the Panasonic armoury: The 12 megapixel Live MOS sensor & 144-zone metering system from the G1, and the 460k pixel 3-inch LCD screen found in the LX3 to name a few. Even the styling from LX3 has had deep influences on the new GF1 and that’s no bad thing!
Panasonic LX3 and GF1
The Lumix GF1 is launched alongside a new 20mm f1.7 pancake lens (weighing just 100g), plus you can use the full line-up of micro Four-Thirds lenses from Olympus and Panasonic. The Panasonic 20mm f1.7, 7-14mm f4, 14-140mm f4-5.8, & 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 lenses should cover most bases; or if you already own standard Four-Thirds lenses they can be mounted to the GF1 via an adapter (DMW-MA1) – just check for autofocus compatibility.
If you prefer to use a viewfinder rather than a screen to compose images then the GF1 has you covered with an optional Live View Finder, the DMW-LVF1. The Live View Finder is attached via the hot-shoe, provides a 100% field of view, and has a 202k pixel resolution.
The GF1 with DMW-LVF1 Live View Finder attached
Panasonic GF1 v Olympus E-P1 Comparison
In a nutshell the key difference between the Panasonic GF1 and Olympus E-P1 are:
- The GF1’s 3.0” LCD screen has a 460k pixel resolution (E-P1 = 230k).
- Pop-up flash (EP-1 only has a hot-shoe).
- GF1 movies can saved as AVCHD or motion-JPEG (.AVI) files, the E-P1 records motion-JPEGs.
- E-P1 offers ISO 6400, where as the GF1 stops at ISO 3200.
- GF1 offers 144-zone metering; the Olympus E-P1 metering has
49-zones324 zones. - E-P1 has sensor-based image stabilisation, the GF1 doesn’t.
Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1
Overall the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1 are very similar, but the GF1 specifications just edge ahead. We’ll have to wait and see the results from a side-by-side shootout…
(6 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
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It looks fantastic, the micro four thirds standard is really starting to look very attractive to buyers. If the price is right I think it could be the camera to have. Very exciting to a camera nerd!
Matthew@Matthew – yup the GF1 is exciting. Just imagine if it had beaten the E-P1 to market too, it might have shared more of the micro four-thirds fanfare!
Oliver (author)@Oliver-I have seen a few reviewers who say a similar thing, that although this camera seems like it may be more useful it has much less attention than the EP-1! I already have a superzoom, a DLSR and am in the market for a small camera. I was looking at the LX3, but for a slightly larger body I think this may be the one.
MatthewHaving already used the GH-1 and the E-P1 I would not bother with the GF-1.
I by far prefer the ergonomics of the E-P1.
Though I’m glad to see my main issue with the front control wheel is resolved by moving it to the rear. I still find the menu system and quick menu on the GH-1 cumbersome in comparison to the E-P1.
I will be interested to see how they’ve changed it in the GF-1.
The add-on viewfinder is only an electronic viewfinder and in action I know how the GH-1 EVF lacks in performance in dark conditions, lagging well behind the real world.
But it looks like the EVF socket needs a cover, even if only to stop pocket fluff getting in.
It is a very neat design though, putting in the power and data feed for such a small finder seems simple after they’ve done it
The 20mm pancake looks close to the Olympus 17mm pancake lens, and I’m not sure which I’d prefer. I haven’t bought the Olympus pancake yet, because of the relatively compact locked design of the 14-42 kit lens.
I am glad that they have provided an alternative to AVCHD video format, as using those files (particularly making copies to hard disk) is a rather fraught process. Though since it’s AVCHD Lite I’m not sure quite what that means.
I like the move of the video button from the back panel to the top, it’s been far too easy to push the button by accident on the GH-1.
If they’ve worked around the lock-up issue I ran into with the E-P1 it could be a winner.
PAulI’m extremely excited about this camera. Looks like the perfect option for me: extremely compact, quick autofocus (according to http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09090205panasonicgf1preview.asp ) and a good size sensor. I’m going to get one as soon as I can and sell my G9 and 40D.
RichardDear ladies and gentlemen. I regognized a mistake in your article. The metering of the E-P1 has not 49 zones but 324.
MichaelMichael
Thanks Michael – it’s fixed now!
Oliver (author)[...] was launched with a great fanfare – an exciting new segment of cameras had arrived. Then the Panasonic GF1 arrived and dethroned the Digital PEN. The response from Olympus, less than 5 months after the E-P1 [...]
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