The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF1 is the latest addition to the award-winning LUMIX G Series, which debuts as the world's smallest and lightest system digital camera with a built-in flash. The LUMIX DMC-GF1 distinguishes itself from previous models with its elegant, compact design reminiscent of classic film cameras, yet builds on Panasonic's success with the revolutionary LUMIX G Series of digital interchangeable lens system cameras based on the Micro Four Thirds system standard. With its compact size, user-friendly design and ability to record High Definition (HD) video and take professional-quality photos, the LUMIX GF1 continues to redefine digital photography standards.
With its lightweight body, the LUMIX GF1 provides experienced photographers with the ideal digital camera to carry with them at all times. Like its predecessors in the LUMIX G Series, the LUMIX GF1 eliminates the pentaprism found in traditional interchangeable lens cameras. Thus, this mirror-free structure allows Panasonic to dramatically reduce both size and weight.
Though small in size, the LUMIX GF1 does not compromise in advanced features. The LUMIX GF1 thoroughly optimizes the advantages of a system camera to ensure high performance, whether capturing photos or HD video. The LUMIX DMC-GF1 can record 1280 x 720 High Definition video in AVCHD Lite, a format that enables longer recording times. With a dedicated video record button, capturing video is convenient and easy. The LUMIX GF1 can also record HD Motion JPEG in 1280 x 720 and other video recording formats include: QVGA, VGA and WVGA. The LUMIX GF1 has a unique Movie Program Mode that allows consumers to adjust the depth-of-field while shooting in HD video, so background and foreground can be blurred to give creative effects--something typically only possible with expensive professional camcorders.
FEATURES: |
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 absolutely great little camera |
| Review Date: August 26, 2010 |
| Reviewer: D. Charles, NJ, USA |
| I have this camera and 1 lens the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f/1.7 Aspheric G- Series Lens and what a great combo. The camera is very responsive, AF is very fast (get the latest FW update from website), Images are clean at higher ISO and the built in Flash actually works! Intelligent Auto is really Intelligent and produces well exposed images. While this camera does not take the place of my DLSR, it produces wonderful images for the size. I find the Lumix 20mm f/1.7 to be very sharp wide open and produces nice creamy bokeh. You can hear the lens motor when it focuses, other lenses they sell are larger and will make this tiny camera much bigger and heavy but at that point why not just get a DSLR. The camera user interface has lots of menu options (too much for me) but that is excellent if you only shoot jpg. I really like the quality of the HD video but i wish audio was stereo. Despite these small complaints this camera and lens are now in my bag at all times.. |
Awesome upgrade!!
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| Review Date: August 20, 2010 |
| Reviewer: LZ, |
Just upgraded the GF1 from LX3, no doubt!!! worth every penny spent.
Everything the LX3 can do, the GF1 does it better. Most importantly is the size just a little bigger with the 20mm.
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DSLR results without all the bulk....
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| Review Date: August 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Russell D., |
I love this camera...it is the best balance of size/weight/performance you could ask for.
It is well made, has good image quality, and is very versatile. I am debating selling my full size DSLR and keeping this little gem. Really a lot of fun to shoot with...
Low light noise is a little high. That's the only fault I can really come up with. The interface is intuitive and easy to use. I am really hoping this micro-four thirds format continues to grow in popularity. It seems to be doing well thus far. |
Conflicted
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| Review Date: July 29, 2010 |
| Reviewer: S Tenent, California, USA |
First, you should know that I use this camera primarily to take pictures of my 4 year old and it is primarily for travel and days where I don't want to carry the DSLR (D300) and associated lenses. I use this camera only with the 20mm lens. The camera is capable of taking great photos if time is taken to compose the shots. My main issue is that the camera's ability to focus on the face of the subject during quick snaps is less than perfect. I've had a number of photos where the camera focuses on the shoulder, arm, or some background item instead of the face of the subject. When taking photos of a fast moving 4 year old, you don't always have the time to correct the focus.
My Pros:
- Fast focus; good burst rate (much better than a point and shoot)
- Size almost as small as a point and shoot. Great for travel
- 20mm lens is sharp with nice bokeh. Really nice photos.
My Cons:
- Often does not focus on the face and because of the shallow depth of field, the face is out of focus in the photos
- Focus motor can be heard when taking movies
Bottom line: For my purposes, I'm not sure if I would purchase this camera again, but its probably the best option on the market right now that's not a point and shoot. |
Great camera!!!
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| Review Date: July 27, 2010 |
| Reviewer: B. Kim, LA, CA USA |
| With the 20mm 1.7 lens, this is an amazing camera. I prefer this setup over my D300 with premium lenses I've spent thousands on. Great images, a little larger than my Canon pocket camera, and great quality. It beats out entry level SLRs in size, build and image quality, and is more compact to boot! Low light performance lacks just a bit, maybe the weakness compared to my D300 with an equivalent fast lens but at roughly 1/4 the size and much lighter package, an easy compromise. Not too many 'low light' situations to worry about given the speed of the lens. Indoor shots with a table lamp at night are not a problem. Great camera! |
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 12.1MP Micro Four-Thirds
One of the reasons I picked this one is that I still have some Nikon lenses that haven’t made it onto ebay yet (macro, slide copier, 400) and I have been using them on this camera with good results. I also do a lot of photography in dim light. I used to use a 35mm f/1.4 lens and 1600 speed film. So on the GF1, a 20mm f/1.7 lens and ISO 1600 is pretty close. It just seemed stupid to spend a lot of money for a DSLR and then put a f/3.5 lens on it.