Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

Many years ago I owned a Sony F828 and loved the ability to swivel the lens. Eventually, I wanted to get into DSLRs so I could use different lenses. Ever since then, I have missed the swivel feature. I started to see some really good reviews about the G1 so I decided to give it a try. So far, I love it. The kit lens is a very useful focal length. After I got the camera, I read some more reviews about the lenses that are available for it. I got the 20mm F1.7. When you attach this lens to the camera it looks like a little toy. This is good thing because it doesn't intimidate people like a huge DSLR with a huge lens does. Also, you can take this camera into places that won't allow any pro photographers with their gear. It may look like a toy but this little camera is capable of creating some very nice pictures.

Likes

Noisy at high ISO (fine up to 800)
Very small-easy on the neck
Superb resolution (especially in raw files)
Swivel screen (helps to get shots that would almost be impossible with a DSRL.
You can take ground level and over the head shots effortlessly. Also, you can take pics while the camera is ion your lap. It will look like you are viewing your pics or changing some settings. This gives you much better candids. You can also take pics around corners if you want to be really sneaky!! :)
Fast focus-as good as entry level DSLRs.
Shutter speed simulation (you can the exact effect the shutter speed is going to have on the picture-Running water, moving trains, moving cars (headlight & tail light trails, etc...)
When you adjust the manual focus ring the camera zooms in the image so you can be sure focus is exact. You can't do this through a viewfinder using a DSLR
Movable live histogram (so it isn't blocking an important part of the photo)
Intelligent auto mode for when you have to take a pic in a hurry and don't have time to set all the settings. Also handy for when you hand the camera to a another person to have them take a photo. It great enhances your odds of getting a good photo.
2 programmable white balance settings
Very flexible AF-system with movable AF-area and very effective AF tracking-you can lock in on a subject and the camera will stay with the subject as they move closer of farther from you. It works very well!!
Excellent electronic viewfinder (Hi def.) You can display a rule of thirds & center of photo grid. This is visible in the viewfinder and the 3 inch screen. This really helps to align your shots.
Max of 7 shots for auto bracket! Great for HDR!!!
On bright days you can view your pics in the viewfinder (when it is really hard to see the screen)

Dislikes

Although the kits lens is very useful, I didn't like being forced to get it. I would have preferred to buy the body only and then pick the lenses I wanted.
Proprietary cable to tranfer pics from camera to computer.
Buttons are very small. Easy to accidentally push the wrong button
Lenses are so in demand and are often out of stock. So, you end up paying a lot more for them. I paid $100 dollars more than I should have for the 20mm F1.7. Once more lenses are made available the prices should come down.

Don't like the software that comes with it. It works OK but I find it a little bit odd to use. I just purchased Lightroom 2. It reads the G1 & Canon raws so I will be able to use one program for all of my editing.

Bottom line: This camera is a lot of fun to use. It does so many things right!! I am very happy with my purchase. I am really enjoying the ability to take pictures from very different angles. That is the main reason I got it. Finally, I can take pics of children, dogs, cats, and other small animals at eye level without having to get on the ground or lay on the floor. Also, I am able to shoot up on flowers now with very little effort. With my DSRL I always had to guess when I was pressing the shutter button. Now I can frame my subjects exactly how I want to and I can also ensure the focus is correct.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

This is my second G1 and I bought it as a backup to my original G1. It is physically smaller than most dSLRs and I really like the way it fits into my hand. It is very easy to use and most controls are easily accessed. I also love its overall build and balance.

The G1 has only a few lenses available for it and I have both the 14-45mm and the 45-200mm lenses which cover the equivalent range of 28-400 with a 35mm camera. That keeps me pretty well equiped and it weighs comparatively little.

The electronic viewfinder works well. In low light it seems to me to be brighter than the view through a mirror box reflex system.

I really love the "live view" articulated arm LCD monitor. It lets me frame in difficult settings where I can't get my eye to the viewfinder.

The proof of course is in the pictures and my clients love the very sharp 13"x19" prints I've made for them.

I've been a photographer for a long time. I've seen the photographic world change many times. Over the years, the way I've dealt with buying cameras was on the basis of whether or not they did the job I bought them for.

And the G1 does that job.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

I'm very happy with the Lumix G1.

I've been a hobby photographer on and off for 25 years (mainly 35mm and a home darkroom). About 5 years ago I jumped into digital with a Nikon D50. But I was a bit disappointed. It seems every digital photo I took (whether from the Nikon or from a cheapo cellphone cam, or even a photo scanner) had to be somewhat "enhanced" with PC Software. I'm on the computer all day long, the last thing I wanted to do was auto-enhance every one of my photos.

Along came my new Lumix - I can't say enough how the pics straight off the camera are "printable quality". This is the first time I've ever used a PrintBridge to print directly to a photo printer from the camera. Output is great, it's like the auto-enhancing is builtin.

Now if you're a real post-production enthusiast, no problem. These pics are not 100% perfect (who is?), so there is still room left to tweak to your hearts content.

Two minor things I didn't like: 1.) The LCD is jumpy when you move the camera around fast or quickly spin the lens zoom. I guess that's more like a big "duh" on my part. I probably just have to get used to that. 2.) The photo editing software supplied with the camera is cumbersome to use. I found it quite difficult to figure out how to take a jpg or raw and just shrink it down in size so I can later use it on the web, email, it, etc. Atleast I have a zillion other photo apps on my PC.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

So far I have usaed it for daily family gatherings and some scenery shots. The camera is light to carry around. It is quite easy to use since I used other SLR cameras before. The photos come out very good although I am still learning to use the different capabilities. I did try the night view using long exposure. There were slight blur of image after enlarged a few times. I think it is due mainlky to forgeting to turn the image stability off when using the tripot. I do wish the lens has a longer reach.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

I had high hopes for the G1 but after using it for a weekend I returned it to B&H. My plan was that it would function as a "walk around" alternative to my D300; something lighter and more compact with decent IQ. Unfortunately it is either too complicated to access certain functions (WB, ISO) or the buttons are too small for my hands. The fact that RAW was not supported by Apple didn't help, although I knew that going in. JPG IQ was excellent, though.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

Pros
Great hiking and travel camera - light and quick to use. Love the viewfinder info and ability to configure display. Free angle LCD is extremely useful. Easy to use and navigate menu. Shutter is quieter then I expected after reading complaints. Comfortable to hold and use (but see cons below) and displayed grid helps with composition and keeping level. Camera is quick to operate no noticeable shutter or start-up lag.
Cons
Buttons are a bit small and cramped - easy to hit the wrong button. I usually need to take camera from eye to select ISO or menu - not bad but a little tight. Really needs a light weight grip to improve portrait handling.
Images have a bit more "digital" look than APS-C DSLRs but good resolution and color. Needs more fast lenses to expand usability in low light. Needs better exposure bracketing range to facilitate HDR to offset limited dynamic range- it works but not as easily as it should. Mostly small things here, look forward to next generation of camera from micro 4/3.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

I've had DSLR Nikon, Pentax and Sony, but I was tired of carrying heavy and bulky equipment.
I was looking for a discreet camera, small, beautiful, elegant and self performance. The first idea I had was the Leica M8, but as I am not stupid, nor have any money left, would not the madness of buying a Leica. Then I found the Lumix G1. It was love at first sight! I am very, very pleased with this equipment. Great image quality, charm and efficiency are just some of their qualities. The kit lens is the best in this category of basic lenses. Well, to tell the truth, is the closest you can get to a Leica lens without spending a fortune. Congratulations Panasonic / Leica! This is a camera suitable for use in art, photojournalism, documentaries etc.. Not suitable for action photography. It has excellent construction and finish, but should not be subjected to heavy use. I am so happy with this purchase, I carry this every day, for all the places I go! The concern that some have with the Live View Finder, I think it has more pros than cons. Besides being of excellent quality (but lower than the optic view finder), the best thing is to see the result of adjustments before making the picture.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

I bought this camera as a travel unit due to its size and features. I am not disappointed! It gives me all the control that I have with my full sized SLR without the bulk and the images are quite nice too! Some noise intrudes at elevated ISO, but its not bad by any means, actually better than I expected. Overall I am very, very pleased with this purchase.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

took a while to get the hang of this product, but i think im getting there. I wish the flash would pop up auto, sometime I forget. but delighted with my new camera...

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

Takes alittle time to get use to but the images are great!

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

I love this camera!
My favorite part is the flip out LCD screen, everyone thinks it is very cool.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 SLR-Style Digital Camera (Blue) with 14-45mm Lens:

Pros: Going traveling and I wanted to take high quality images without carrying too much weight and this camera is just perfect although you can't put it in your pocket. Bright sharp rotating LCD screen (end to awkward shooting position). Tons of auto and manual feature I like. Low light picture is very good when you use tripod and have a correct setting. I like shooting with LCD better than viewfinder (more close up than viewfinder). Know your ISO, Shutter Speed, White Balance, and Aperture then you can pretty much conquer anything. My 4th Panasonic camera but the previous is just casual point and shoot. I like this more than my Nikon d300 which is harder to configure. I've seen a lot of great review on the net about this camera and that also is my buying decision.Cons: Macro shot does not zoom close enough (but it's sharper than any point and shoot). Expensive for an entry SLR camera. Expensive lens, battery, etc... I use a 8gb Sandisk Extreme III so I get faster speed when recording but that SD card cost a lot. I'm not a Action shooting nerd so I won't complain about high ISO. I wanted the Panasonic GH1 model but that has a ridiculous price tag of $1,499.