Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Lens & Sensor

The list of Panasonic lenses compatible with the company’s Micro Four Thirds system is steadily increasing in size. There are about half a dozen lenses available (not including those you can use if you buy the lens converter). The kit lens that ships with the G2 is a 14–42mm, F3.5–5.6 LUMIX G VARIO lens.

The Panasonic G2 has the same sensor as last year’s GF1, with a gross resolution of 13,060,000 pixels and an effective resolution of 12,100,000 pixels (12.1 megapixels). There are upsides and downsides to the Micro Four Thirds format, but the sensor is one of the most obvious differences. The 17.3 × 13mm sensor is nearly 10 times as large as the typical point-and-shoot, but the camera body is a lot more compact than DSLRs. On the other hand, the Micro Four Thirds sensor doesn’t stack up well against the typical APS-C sensor found in most DSLRs. Image noise is likely to be higher with the Micro Four Thirds sensor and wide angle coverage won’t be as extensive, even with the same size lens.

For those of you that like to know the math, the image below summarizes the optics equivalencies of Micro Four Thirds versus the other sensors. With Micro Four Thirds, you want to double the millimeter measurements: a 14–45mm lens on the G2 is equivalent to a 28–90mm lens on a 35mm camera. In comparison, a 14–45mm lens on an APS-C sensor DSLR is equivalent to a 22-72mm lens on a 35mm camera. The APS-C sensor, therefore, captures more on the wide angle side of the range, but has a lower maximum telephoto.

The G2 has an automatic dust reduction system that kicks in whenever the camera is turned on. It can be performed manually by choosing Sensor cleaning in the Custom menu.

Viewfinder (7.00)

Unlike last year’s Micro Four Thirds cameras from Panasonic, the G2 is equipped with a viewfinder. The Gf1 was compatible with on optional EVF, but that meant dropping $200 on yet another accessory for your camera—an unnecessary expense, even though the detachable viewfinder was pretty awesome.

The color LCD viewfinder on the G2 has a resolution of approximately 1,440,000 dots with a field ratio of approximately 100%. On the side of the viewfinder is a diopter adjuster with a range of -4 to +4. To the right is a sensor, which automatically turns off the LCD when you put your eye up to the viewfinder.

Display(s) (6.30)

The LCD on the Panasonic G2 is the same as the 3-inch, 460,000-pixel screen that appeared on last year’s GF1. The big improvement this year is that the LCD is articulated, allowing the user to turn it around for safe storage (or when you’re using the LCD) or bring it out from the camera body and rotate it for more viewing angles. This is extremely useful if you’re doing any self-recording or trying to grab a high or low vantage point for shooting.

The image on the LCD looked fine when shooting in most lighting conditions, but the refresh rate did slow down in lower lighting. In those cases, or when glare on the LCD becomes a problem, it might be easier to use the built-in viewfinder.

There are two optional modes for adjusting screen brightness to fit the shooting environment: Auto Power LCD and Power LCD. The former reacts to detected light levels, while the latter turns brightness to full blast—very handy when shooting in bright outdoor lighting.

Secondary Display

The small monochrome LCD often found on the top of higher-end traditional SLRs to display camera settings is not present on the G2—as is to be expected. The compact body doesn’t offer enough real estate for this feature.

Flash (7.50)

Unlike the most of the Micro Four Thirds competition, Panasonic continues to tuck a flash into this compact little camera body. The built-in pop-up flash snaps up at the flick of a switch and is nestled right around the accessory shoe. It’s in a different position than the off-centered flashes on last year’s GF1, but Panasonic enthusiasts will recognize the clever design from the GH1.

The flash is located high above the lens when extended, to minimize red-eye and shadows from the lens. The autoexposure system never causes the flash to pop up on its own, which is just fine with us. (The G2 won’t volunteer its flash in unwanted shooting scenarios.) Maximum synch speed when shooting in forced flash mode is 1/160 of a second.

All the flash controls you’d expect in a well-outfitted SLR are included here, with different combinations of auto or forced flash, slow sync, and red-eye reduction.

When not using red-eye reduction, the flash can be set to second curtain sync, which produces a trailing light effect when shooting moving cars and similar subjects.

Flash output can be manually adjusted, in a ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV increments.

Connectivity (4.50)

Beneath a hinged rubber flap on the left side of the camera, there are two connectors: mini HDMI (a universal connection found on many high definition camcorders), and a proprietary AV connection. The G2 does not ship with an HDMI cable, but they are easily found in most electronics stores. It does, however, ship with an AV cable to fit the proprietary connection. Unfortunately, this is only a standard definition composite connection, so it won’t be good for viewing your HD video footage.

Above that compartment is a smaller covering, which hides the microphone input/wired remote terminal. The microphone input can come in handy for video recording.

As an extra bonus, if you own a Panasonic television, you can use the HDMI connection to view your videos and you can use the TV remote to control camera playback.