Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

I bought this camera as an upgrade to a Cannon point and shoot. I needed to take higher quality photos for documentation purposes. I also wanted to use it for travel photography. I selected this model because I liked the size and features. It also had a classic look and feel. I find the newer, higher end SRLs too bloated for my taste. So far, I have mostly used the auto magic settings for short urban trips. For outdoor photography I have been playing with exposures and other pre set features. At this point, the camera has more features than my experience level can comment on. I wanted a camera that could extend my abilities, and I plan to work through the features over time to learn more. The quality is really amazing. It has been a big step up from my point and shoot. The screen on the back is large and clear. The video feature is easy to use an shoots really great quality video. I forgot to set the preset format for video and it took me a while to figure out how to convert the default video format to play on my Apple TV. I changed the default format so I can more easily do video conversions. The buttons and features are easy to use but I admit that the display has so many icons that I honestly forget what each represents. More time with the manual. Also, something I still need to figure out is why the shutter clicks super fast sometimes, but other times seems to take a while. I need to spend more time on the manual. Overall, totally happy with my purchase, and looking forward to growing into the camera over time.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

I do not think that the GF2 is a replacement (better not be!) for the GF1. The GF1 leans more towards the prosumer market while the GF2 has given in to consumer demand for touch screens and less buttons/knobs/switches. The mfg. quality of the GF1 is Leica level, the reputation that camera already has is unparallel, and the amount of control the user has in the field is overwhelming. The GF1 is an icon of the micro four-thirds movement and if you can get your hands on one now you should.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

This is finally the camera of my dreams. I've always been partial to SLR camera's and have had others. The problem with the others were that they were so heavy that I usually ended up taking my small point and shoot. I really love photography, and was not getting what I wanted with either my point and shoot or my big SLR. So after an exhaustive study, I bought the Luminix GF1 and it's perfect. Besides the wonderful picture quality, the camera is made so well, that everything seems to work easily and smoothly. I still have a lot to learn about the camera but I've had it for a short period of time and already have gotten some wonderful photographs.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

I was looking for something lighter and smaller than my 40d. The gf1 is a great camera to bring with me anywhere. It can go into my jacket pocket when paired with the 20 mm pancake lens. The focus is a lot quicker than I expected and the menu is easy to follow. The q menu makes it very easy to change settings at anytime.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

This is to replace my Leica M6 and R4s, love the style and compactness. Cant wait for more lens' to come around in the M4/3 mount

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

This camera has a very short learning curve, but the menus takes you very intuitively to all the settings you'd find if this were an SLR. The menu is all the easier to work withif you've already used just about any other Lumix. I bought this to completely replace my film gear and no regrets. The Panasonic (Leica) kit lens is amazing, and I have saved a few 35mm lenses to use on the "Shoot without lens" setting with a Novoflex mount adapter. Being able to use "old" lensdes certainly cuts down the cost of getting into this system. The built-in flash doesn't impress, but I don't use flash much.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

The size belies the features available to the user. Easy to use and has great ISO range.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

Easy To Use

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

Right up front, the GF1 is either very good, or not so good, depending on your expectations.

If you're looking for an image-quality upgrade from a pocket compact with added control, it is certainly that; but it's too big to be a compact (particularly with the necessary optional extra-cost EVF), and too small to be a DSLR replacement. Best to think of it as a second camera -- too large to stick in your pocket like a compact and hit the road, but too small to provide the handling of a small DSLR.

There are too many compromises of size that work against it being the best blend of both worlds: no viewfinder, so you really need the EVF to compensate for the LCD that washes out badly in bright sunlight; the very good 14-42 or 14-45 "kit" zoom lens are good but no better in image quality that the smaller, faster lenses on the Canon and Panasonic compacts that are truly pocketable, plus they add size and bulk to incorporate the image stabilization that isn't in the camera body; and the controls are too closely spaced, too small and too touchy (I kept accidentally switching settings, including the top mounted Drive Mode level that often ended up in "Timer" instead of "Bracketing").

In summary, if you really don't want/need a truly pocketable camera and are looking for a better sensor that produces very good images in a lighter and more compact package than a DSLR, this is for you. But if you want a DSLR replacement, this isn't it. It's good, but not as good for all around use asentry-level DSLRs that cost no more but have better performance / handling.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

I had a reflex Canon EOS Rebel forever and then went into digital photo with a Sony point and shoot. Until now, I hadn't found such a great happy medium between pro level photography and portability.
I'm an amateur with quite a bit of knowledge on manual photography and the GF-1 just delivers: great menus to get the perfect setting for ANY situatiuon. I really like the Image Stabilization being on the lens and not the body. All in all this is a GREAT camera.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

The packaging of the product is great.For me though, the camera was too slow (the time between trigger and snapping the photo). I have returned the product to B&H, and [...] I am now ordering the Pentax K-x or K-r instead (with 60 millisecond snap-to-photo time delay ... very good).

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

I bought this camera a few days ago, and had a chance to take it out a few times on a walk. It is a very sweet, very well built instrument. It reminds me most of my favorite rangefinder ever, the Leica CL, in portability and no compromise photographic performance. I hope I enjoy it as I did my CL years ago.

If you get this camera I strongly recommend getting the viewfinder, the display is not too impressive in the sunshine.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

I bought this as a more travel friendly alternative to my larger Canon SLR. The size really did make a difference in my choosing to bring it to more places and having in hand at more moments. The image quality is less than what you'd get with a larger image sensor but not by enough to really matter to a casual photographer.

The 14-45mm lens performed well enough in the situations I put it through. The focus was quick in most situations and the manual focus is good enough for more static subjects. I also purchased the 20mm lens. The zoom is good into the wide but expect some distortion (not a problem for me) and the telephoto is good enough to allow better framing of middle distance objects without moving. For wildlife or macro I would look for something with a bit stronger telephoto. But I did capture some OK macros of flowers and insects.

The LCD screen can be difficult to use in sunlight (and wearing polarized sunglasses will make it impossible to use when turned vertical as expected). And set the LCD screen to shut off automatically or you'll run through the battery very fast as I did before setting it to turn off after a short period. I did manage to take many great shots without the viewfinder in bright sunlight outdoors by trusting the focus and reviewing away from the sun. If you need manual focus you may have a much bigger challenge in direct sunlight. The manual focus' default mode is to zoom to the center of the image during manual focus which greatly helps fine tune the focus and even in direct sunlight you can sometimes get an OK idea of where it is at. I only used the manual focus for those situations where the subjects confused the autofocus and I could easily view the LCD.

Overall the images I've taken thus far, which I'm still going through, show the potential of this camera format. It really isn't a question of should I bring the camera anymore.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

Fun and easy to use point and shoot camera.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

So much more than the g9 I have been using
Debth of field and shooting in low light are two of my face things on this camera

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

The camera comes ready to use and so far has been quite fun. However, be careful to check the straps as they were not attached proporly to the camera. As such, upon picking it up by the staps, the loop came undone and the camera dropped to the floor.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

Got this camera a short while ago. Still getting used to it but very happy with the results so far. The camera is versatile and I have no complaints regarding perfrmance. Operation will be relatively simple once I get the hang of the menus (note: the manual is not exactly user friendly).
Biggest drawback: no decent viewfinder.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

I shoot mostly concerts (low light, fast moving) and this camera lens combo (along with the 20mm pancake lens) makes it easy. I don't consider my self a photographer, but with little effort I can get great shots with this trio. Battery life is great--I attended a concert a couple of weeks ago and shot over 1000 pictures and 7 videos (full songs) and in the end, I still had 1/3 battery life to spare. I love that its so compact, but still packs a big punch. I'm happy with the pictures it takes in low light; I can only imagine what wonders it can do if the lighting were right :). If i had one complaint, it would be that its pretty loud, louder than my Nikon D80.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

simple interface but very powerful. Love all the features of the SLR in a compact package. Reminds me of the half frame 35mm cameras that it is designed after. What drew me to this model was the interchangeable lenses, the compact but sturdy metal body, and full feature set. So far i love it!

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Digital Camera with 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

The small camera with big image quality allow you to shoot quality stills and video and is ideal for novice and experienced users with more experienced users getting the most of this camera.

My only gripe is the reflection of the lcd screen in sunlight, but there are workarounds there.