Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Lens & Sensor

As for Panasonic’s own Micro Four Thirds lenses. there are currently six options, including the two kit lenses available bundled with the GF1 body. We expect most users will opt for the DMC-GF1K package, priced at $899.95, which includes a 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens (equivalent to a 28-90mm on a 35mm camera). There’s another intriguing option, though, at the same price: a slender 20mm pancake lens at a speedy f/1.7 maximum aperture. This is a potent combination, particularly those of us who prize portability and low-light capability. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a pancake lens in for testing.

The GF1 offers two types of digital zoom, neither one of which is especially useful. Extended optical zoom increases magnification when shooting at small and medium image sizes by using only the center portion of the sensor. This doesn’t affect picture quality; it’s basically the same as cropping down to the center of a full-res image in a photo editing program (but with less creative flexibility). There are also 2x and 4x digital zoom settings, which are the usual quality-be-damned mathematical enlargements and best left unused.

The GF1 sensor has a gross resolution of 13,060,000 pixels and an effective resolution of 12.1 megapixels. The Micro Four Thirds sensor format is both a blessing and a curse. With a compact camera body like the GF1, the fact that the 17.3 × 13mm sensor is nearly 10 times as large as the typical point-and-shoot camera, enabling higher resolutions with lower image noise and wider dynamic range. Conversely, though, if you’re comparing a Micro Four Thirds camera against the typical APS-C sensor found in most digital SLRs, image noise is likely to be higher, and the wide angle coverage provided by the same size lens won’t be as extensive. When figuring the equivalent optics of a lens in Micro Four Thirds format, you double the millimeter measurements: that is, the 14-45mm lens provided with the GF1 is equivalent to a 28-90mm lens on a 35mm camera. A 14-45mm lens mounted on an APS-C sensor camera, on the other hand, has only a 1.6x magnification factor (roughly 22-72mm), a gain on the wide angle side of the range and a lower maximum telephoto.

The automatic dust reduction system kicks in whenever the camera is turned on, and can also be performed at will by choosing Sensor Cleaning in the Custom menu.

Viewfinder (0.00)

The GF1 doesn’t come with a viewfinder, but it is compatible with a slick optional electronic viewfinder, priced at $200. The DMW-LVF1 attaches to the hot shoe (a plug slips into a dedicated electronic connection on the back of the camera) and recreates the Live View display in miniature. The viewfinder can also be set at an angle (up to 90 degrees), a benefit of its unusual mounting. This contrasts with the Olympus E-P1, which offers only an optical viewfinder accessory, priced at $100, that displays the scene as it would be seen through the 17mm pancake lens.

Display(s) (6.30)

The LCD screen is a 3-inch 460,000-dot display that looks particularly sharp when reviewing your shots. It looks fine when shooting in well lit areas, but when the light gets low, the refresh rate gets slow, leading to stuttering and even some blurring as you pan.

The LCD screen (along with the optional electronic viewfinder) can be adjusted to one of seven brightness levels. In addition, there are two optional modes for adjusting screen brightness to fit the shooting environment: Auto Power LCD reacts to detected light levels, while Power LCD turns brightness to full blast, useful when shooting outdoors.

LCD color saturation and color reproduction (along a yellow-magenta axis) also offer seven settings.

Secondary Display

The monochrome LCD found on higher-end traditional SLRs to display camera settings when viewed from above is a rarity even on most consumer SLRs, and absent as expected on this slender Micro Four Thirds model.

Connectivity (6.50)

Beneath a hinged door on the left side of the camera are three connectors. The round one on top is used for the optional DMW-RSL1 wired remote control ($80). There is no wireless remote available for this camera.

For video output, there’s both a proprietary standard-def AV cable connection (at the bottom of the compartment) and a mini HDMI out port (no cable provided) above it. The HDMI output ordinarily switches to match the resolution of a connected TV automatically, but if necessary the user can manually choose from 1080i, 720p or 480p. Panasonic high-def TV owners get a bonus when connected via HDMI: the TV remote can control camera playback.