Panasonic DMC-G1

It is easy to be skeptical when you hear the term smaller interchangeable lens camera that is similar to a D-SLR -- but in actuality is not a D-SLR at all. When the Micro Four Thirds format was introduced this fall we waited until we got our hands on one to make a judgment.

The Panasonic DMC-G1 was the first camera released in Micro Four Thirds, while Olympus is currently working on a 2009 model, which they showed as a concept during the Photo Plus conference. The DMC-G1 is dramatically smaller than a conventional D-SLR, but the image sensor is the same size as other Four Thirds cameras.

So what makes this a “Micro” system? The DMC-G1 eliminates the reflex mirror and pentaprism to create an interchangeable lens system that uses the image sensor for everything (including autofocusing), instead of the mirror system that gives the modern D-SLR an optical viewfinder.

By eliminating the mirror, Panasonic was able to decrease the overall size and the weight (about 13.6-oz.) of the camera. Instead of using the mirror system, it has a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and contrast-based autofocus, which is different than a D-SLR that utilizes a separate AF sensor behind the mirror to judge focus through phase-detection.

The performance after using the camera is just like a D-SLR; you get full manual control, image quality with good clarity and tonal range, and the fastest AF of a contrast-based system we have ever used. It gives you 23-points of AF and 3 fps continuous shooting, which works fast while tracking moving subjects (while most point-and-shoots use contrast-based systems that are slow to focus and are unable to track moving subjects), and overall, the autofocus system worked quite well.

Our reservations about the camera have been rescinded. A lot can be said for traveling light, especially when you’re a nature photographer. After being able to tote it around without really feeling the burden of bulky lenses and heavy D-SLR bodies, and the ability to have total control in the field makes it as good as a D-SLR, if not the same. The only thing limiting the DMC-G1 is its lens line up, currently offering a 14-45mm kits lens and a 45-200mm. Also to note, via an optional adapter you can connect any Four Thirds lens to the DMC-G1.

For a full review of the Panasonic DMC-G1, visit Luminous Landscape by clicking here.

To find out more  visit www.panasonic.com.

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