Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Buttons & Dials

Shooting with the original G1, we found the control dial was too sensitive, leading us to click it accidentally and change the exposure compensation settings. In the new model, there seems to be more resistance, which has resulted in the problem being erased entirely. We were also relieved to find that the video record button remains on the top of the camera, out of harm’s way, where it was directly above the thumb rest on last year’s GH1. We strongly prefer this design.

Effects, Filters, and Scene Modes

The G2 offers nine preset film modes, six in color and three in black and white. For color, these include Standard, Dynamic, Nature, Smooth, Nostalgic and Vibrant; for black and white there is Standard, Dynamic and Smooth. We have samples of the same scene shot in each of these modes in the Sample Photos section, under Film Mode Examples.

Each color preset mode can be adjusted for contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction, with five steps for each setting. The black and white modes work the same way, except there is no saturation control. Having noise reduction as a film mode setting rather than an overall camera setting is an odd choice, making changes less convenient than the more typical procedure. You’re also prevented from turning off noise reduction completely, as we often do when trying to tease out as much image detail as possible.

Multi Film bracketing is an interesting feature that lets you select two or three different Film Mode settings and take shots in each one consecutively. Unlike white balance bracketing, you don’t take a single shot and have it saved in different versions: in this case, you’d have to press the shutter repeatedly or set the camera to burst mode.

My Color Mode

My Color mode, a beginner-friendly feature found on previous Panasonic cameras, has the same upgrades as last year’s GF1. In the earlier version, the user gets to set color, brightness and saturation, each along an eleven-step scale, with the results previewed interactively on screen (as you’d imagine, this substitutes for Film Mode settings). These options are still available by choosing Custom when the mode dial is set to My Color, but there are also seven presets that work much like the artsy filters found on Olympus and Pentax cameras. The My Color settings can be applied to still or video shooting.

We’ve illustrated six of the My Color settings in the chart below, with Panasonic’s own explanation of the effect provided. The descriptions are helpful and also sometimes strangely poetic.

Silhouette

To better demonstrate the Silhouette preset we set up a different type of shot. As seen below, the photo on the left maintains some color and detail when shot in program mode. Switching to the Silhouette setting in My Color simplifies the image, emphasizing the geometric shapes by eliminating gradation between values.

Picture Effect Samples
Expressive Retro Pure Elegant Monochrome Dynamic Art Silhouette (left) More...

In-Camera Editing

Probably the most useful element of in-camera editing on the G2 is the ability to resize pictures to a lower resolution—convenient if you’re planning to email a photo to friends or family. Trimming is available, but the options are so limited that you’re much better off popping your photos into a simple editing program on your computer. There’s an aspect ratio conversion utility, but it can only be used to alter photos taken in 16:9 format.

The Title Edit and Text Stamp functions are one-letter-at-a-time, cumbersome ordeals. You can select text to display as you view them in playback or imprint the text, but we didn’t find that either was really worth your time. The Text Stamp can be used to imprint the time and/or date a photo was taken, the age of a recognized individual (if that’s been entered into the camera memory), or the travel date. These more automated functions are a bit more useful. Personally, we really like the ability to add an audio note to a photo. It’s much easier than adding text notes by hand.

There are no in-camera options to adjust color, brightness, or contrast of an already captured photo.

Menu

The G2 offers direct access to several key shooting controls, including ISO, white balance and focus mode, via buttons on the back of the camera. Most of the other frequently changed settings in record mode, including film mode, image size and flash control, are a single button-press away, via the Quick Menu system (which has its own dedicated button). The Quick Menu system makes the information overlay on the Live View screen interactive, navigable with the control dial or four-way controller. To change a setting, you press the Menu/Set button.

For the remaining settings, there’s a typical multi-part menu system. The menus are easy enough to read, color coded for quick identification, and settings include both icons and legible text, so you’re never stuck guessing what a line item controls. However, each menu can run up to five screens deep, meaning a lot of scrolling and searching before you find what you’re after.

Instruction Manual

The 220-page Operating Instructions manual isn’t bad, but there are some peculiarities. It’s certainly not a book intended to be read cover-to-cover, as some of the early information is a bit obscure for beginners. The index and table of contents, however, don’t list everything you would expect. Movie and video is referred to as ‘motion picture’ and some things just aren’t present. If you come across an option in the camera that you don’t understand, it’s very easy to look this up. If, however, you just want to know how to do something but you don’t know Panasonic’s term for it, you might be in trouble.

On the plus side, there are lots of illustrations and every specific setting is explained in excellent detail. You can download a pdf of the manual here.