Featured forum post: Panasonic GX1 Mini-Review

[Jman]

Thought I'd put together some impressions of the new Panasonic GX1 from the past two days, in case anyone was interested. I got the camera yesterday morning (it is replacing my E-P1 and likely my GH1 as well...so I'll have GH2 and GX1 as my two bodies).





Build Quality / Ergonomics
The GX1 is slightly smaller than the GF1, which is it's nearest direct ancestor, and it's also a bit smaller than the E-P1 it replaces in my bag. Thickness and height are similar, but there is less room on the grip, and the width is less. This would actually be a big hindrance for me ergonomically if it weren't for the wonderful rubber grip they've added. The grip is perfectly contoured to fit your hand, and it even works well when slipping your middle finger along it when carrying it around (which is more comfortable than carrying in the shooting position).

The camera has a metal body that is painted. Unlike my GH2, "Lumix" is engraved in the metal and filled with white paint, while "GX1" is raised and textured. The top plate is a matte plastic with good quality fit and finish. The buttons on the back are all metal, and have a very satisfying click.

Ergonomically, Panasonic did a very good job for such a small camera. While the grip isn't as comfortable as the GH2 due to the size, it's very good considering the size of the body. Buttons are well placed and those that would be prone to accidental pressing with the heel of your palm are recessed, yet still easily accessed when needed. There are two programmable function buttons, the typical four way buttons that control direction as well as ISO, WB, Drive mode and AF. There is also a dedicated display button and a Quick menu button for changing other parameters. There is a mode dial, a nice on/off switch, the shutter button, a dedicated movie shutter button and the iA button for toggling the intelligent Auto mode on and off.

The click thumb wheel on the back operates the same as on all other recent Panny G series cameras, though it's a little smaller than on the GH2/GH1/G1, etc. The first day it was a bit stiff and finicky, but has been broken in now and feels good, though still not as nice as the GH2's, presumably due to size.

Overall, the camera feels good in hand and all major controls are quickly accessed.

Menus/Touch Screen
Like all recent Panasonic bodies, the 3" LCD is a touch panel as well, and it works very well. They have made some changes to the touch screen operation and the quick menu system that are for the better. Like on other touch G series cameras, most major functions can also be changed via touch screen (but aren't required to be). You can set focus point and focus point size just by tapping, which is great. They have added a pull out drawer which has two more customizable function buttons activated via touch, as well as the touch shutter control. It doesn't get in the way and is a nice way to get to other settings quickly. Good improvement here.

Performance/AF
The camera is very responsive. It starts up quickly and like all recent m4/3 has blazing fast AF that is very accurate. Nothing to complain about here. I haven't done any burst shooting with it yet, but I did do a 5 frame bracket burst which was quick and responsive. Shutter lag minimal, though the shutter mechanism itself sounds slower than the GH2, though in practice there is very low lag.

Image Quality
With the same sensor as the G3, the GX1 enters the top tier of m4/3 bodies with regards to image quality. Still, though the GH2, G3 and GX1 all have similar sensors and similar image performance, there are some differences from the GH2 that I have noticed in the pictures I've taken (and the head to head comparison I did last night). I can't speak to JPEG performance, as I shoot RAW only on both cameras, so I frankly don't know and don't really care about the JPEG output.

- At low ISO, the GH2 and GX1 have very, very similar image quality. It'd be tough to pick between them. While I don't have any harsh condition direct comparison, it did seem that the GX1 might have a little better dynamic range at low ISO.

- At higher ISO, the GX1 is actually better than the GH2. It's not a big difference, but it is there. GX1 files at 800 and higher have slightly lower noise than the GH2, and definitely better dynamic range and color. In ISO 2500 shots, with the same exposure (and same levels elsewhere in the pictures), the GX1 was able to hold better detail in both the shadows and highlights (and avoid blowing out the highlights) than the GH2. Also, while the GH2 tends to have pretty major color casts at ISO 6400 and 12,800, the GX1 avoids these for the most part, providing relatively consistent color response across the ISO range. ISO 12,800 is still only usable for web size or small (4x6) prints, but it is actually moderately usable, which is impressive to me. For stuff I'd like to have any hope of printing larger, I'd stick to ISO 5,000 or lower.

A few quick samples
I haven't had a ton of time to take a bunch of shots, but I did go out for about 20 minutes last night (it just so happens the shots I took lent themselves to a gritty B&W treatment), and then I did a portrait session for my wife's high school musical (I do the lead cast photos each year). I shot with both the GH2 and GX1, with the GH2 getting most of the shots, but I've included a few samples from the GX1 here. These are to be in B&W, but I left one in color to show color response. These are all with the Leica 25/1.4:

4 Shot stitch:

[WoodWorks]

Great review, Jordan. I agree with your IQ comparison with the GH2, especially in high ISO images.

David

[Luckypenguin]

Since you have/had the GH1, I wonder if you can comment on how it compares to the new GX1 in terms of image output. For instance, some of the areas where the GX1 is claimed to improve on the GF1 (noise quantity/quality, dynamic range, colour output, WB accuracy) were areas that the GH1 (from my experience anyway) was already ahead in. I suspect the GX1 is well ahead of the GH1 at the highest ISOs, but how about within the normal operating ranges?

[Chuck Pike]

Seems to me, that most reviewers have just passed right over the G3. When you look at the review on DPreview, comparing the G3 vs GX1, the difference is the built in viewfinder and the flip out LCD on the G3, all which are missing on the GX1. After reading that I bought the G3 from B&H. When you look at the B&H page for the G3 most models, including the black body only are listed as discontinued. On 17th St. they are listed as back ordered. So, it looks like the G3 came and went in less than 6 months.

Now all that being said, I will keep shooting with my G3 and use the GF1 as backup. For me the camera is a tool, and both of these cameras are darn good tools at that. We are so blessed to live at a time when so much is happening in photography. I think I have spent what the wife will allow for some time to come, but that is ok, as I have the equipment that I need for some years to come.

Images for books, magazines and calendars | photosbypike

[Iansky]

Hi Jordan,

Thanks for this comparison / first impressions.

I have been using the GF1 as my main street camera and have recently got hold of the Fuji X100 to take on that mantle.

I have however also ordered the GX1+14-42X lens and intend on keeping the superb Panny 20mm f1.7 that has been my prime street partner for ages so I am looking forwards to seeing how well that performs on the GX1 as well as the LVF2 and 14-42X.

I am interested to see how I will fit the GX1 kit into my system but have a feeling of empathy toward Panasonic MU43rds so wait with eager anticipation for it's arrival.

Will it replace the X100 for street - possibly - for landscape - No.

[Jman]

I keep being more impressed by this little guy. If properly exposed, ISO 12800 is completely usable for small prints (and of course, web use). I think 8x12 might even be doable and look good if you can tolerate a little grain. Here is an ISO 12,800 shot, handheld, with the Oly 45/1.8. (ISO 12,800, f/4, 1/50s, lit by my dining room chandelier). EXIF is intact.

[WoodWorks]

ISO 12,800?!!! That is amazing, Jordan.

David

[gsciorio]

Would love to see some raw files in high contrast situations.

[Jman]

Got my LVF2. Seems well built and sturdy, except that the metal center piece that wraps around the viewfinder on mine sticks up very slightly over the plastic end cap, which is slightly annoying, but not enough for me to worry about an exchange or something. I was able to push it down a bit and it's a little better. The hinge is very sturdy, which is great as I had worried that it would be a failure point, but I would think that if that fails, you've got bigger problems...it's not going to break through normal handling. Also, the viewfinder secures to the camera very securely. With the small latch, it won't come loose accidentally, and the fit is smooth yet tight. Very secure.

In operation, it seems great to me. No color cast that I can see...appears to be the same view and color as the rear LCD image. Clarity and smoothness seem on par with the GH2 viewfinder and slightly better than the G1 and GH1 finder. Only downside is you need to manually switch between LVF and LCD, but the button is well placed, so I'm sure I'll get used to it. Still, I would rather have the sensor used in the G1/G2/GH1/GH2 to automatically switch. Perhaps it would increase the size a bit too much.

A comment on the size. In pictures, the thing looks pretty big, and while it obviously raises the height of the camera considerably, in use it feels smaller than it looks. It's a nice complement to the camera, and I think I will use it a fair amount, when I am not in need of the small size or use of the flash hotshoe.

Some pics:






And, just for giggles, I took a picture of the view you see. (I could only have gotten this shot with my iPhone, as it's the only camera small enough to see inside. :) )

[dhazeghi]

Originally Posted by Jman

And, just for giggles, I took a picture of the view you see. (I could only have gotten this shot with my iPhone, as it's the only camera small enough to see inside. :) )

Clever!

DH