The
Panasonic Lumix GF1 was now on a bunch of trips with me, and it is time to have a closer look at this outstanding camera.
Lumix GF1 and the
Joby Gorillapod SLR.
Getting this camera I made a few decisions, which meant a bit of extra work for me: Only shooting in RAW, and getting a photo editing software to work with the files. I think if you're not ready for this step, then you're better off with one of the excellent compacts out of the Panasonic range which let you import your photos using your existing software and you can manipulate in Picasa or similar. Why such a statement? If you are not going to work with your photos, you might as well get a cheaper compact camera, because you are not using the camera to its fullest. To make it more clear: You're not buying a Landrover Defender if all you do is drive to the supermarket.
The GF 1 sits between a compact camera and a DSLR. It is as small and light like a compact, but it has many feature of a DSLR and you can use different lenses with it. To illustrate what I mean, have a look at the size of my Canon EOS 50D which I use normally:
Canon EOS 50D with EF-S 17-85 lens
The EOS 50D with the 17 - 85 mm lens is an awesome camera, but at 1394 g as you see it above it is not light. I also have a
Lowepro Toploader 65 AW
camera bag I use with it, which is 722 g, bringing the whole kit up to 2116 g - that is heavy! Now lets have a look at the Lumix GF1:
Panasonic Lumix GF1
with 20 mm Pancake lens.
The GF1 with the 20 mm Pancake lens and the Viewfinder is a mere 495 g - that is nearly a third lighter than the EOS 50 D. It is also significantly smaller as the EOS 50D, and I had it on my trips without a camera bag, carrying it just under my jacket. Now those who pay attention will say "But wait, Hendrik, the 50D has a 17 - 85 mm lens, and the GF1 a 20 mm Pancake - that's quite a difference, isn't it?". Sure it is, but to be honest, the 20 mm Pancake satisfies all my needs. I can get kickass Panaorama shots with it, and beautiful Close-ups with a blurred background or foreground. And also photos of fires at night are no problem with this lens, so pretty much all I do with the bigger Canon lens is handled very well by the 20 mm Pancake as well.
Sunset in Salamajärvi.
Blurry tree stump.
Melting snow in Salamajärvi.
But one of the reasons to get the GF1 is of course because you can use different lenses. Personally I am a sucker for wide angle lenses, the wider, the better. Now the GF1 has a 7 - 14 mm lens, so you can imagine the jumps of joy which I made as I got his beauty! It is 294 g light and I usually take it along when hiking, for panorama shots like the ones underneath.
The 7 - 14 mm wide angle lens.
Mountains and ice.
Mustavuori hill panorama in Repovesi.
Because I shot in RAW, I only use the Aperture and Manuel modes on the camera. Switching to different settings is fast thanks to the small wheel at the back of the camera, just where my thumb sits; though it takes some spinning of the wheel to go from one end to the other. The trigger button sits handy slightly to the front of the camera, all within optimal reach. What I love is that the bloody flash doesn't move ever. It is like it isn't there, which is exactly the way I like it.
Back of the GF1.
The LCD screen is huge and has a very crisp resolution, I reckon you could watch a movie on it so sharp is it. I don't use it, though, that's what I have the viewfinder for. It is an electronic viewfinder, so not the real deal, but better than the display, by far. To make a proper composition of a photo I find a viewfinder absolutely necessary, and this viewfinder is ingenious as you can move it up to a 90° angel to make great compositions and unique angles. So instead going down on your knees to get that reaaaaally close up shot of some plant or insect, you switch the viewfinder up and Voilá! there you go, Sir.
Viewfinder in a 45° angle.
The GF1 also makes Videos. That should be HD Videos as in High Definition, with 720P and 30 FPS (frames per second) that is plenty to shoot a video of setting up a
MSR Hubba HP or boiling some water with the
MSR Reactor. Video has its own quick-shoot button, or you turn the wheel to video and choose your own settings. I go with the latter, thus for me the quick-shot button can go.
Posing with the GF1 and a
StickPic - not something I could do with the EOS.
Before turning my view on the things I do not like, I want to quickly come back to my point from the beginning of shooting in RAW and editing. I use Lightroom 3 Beta 2 at the moment, and while I am a newbie at editing the software - which is currently
for free as it is a Beta, btw - is very intuitive and I quickly got the hang of it. Still not on the level of
Fraser or
Chris but I hope that I get there. And because I was able to test Lightroom 3 for free and could see how easy to use it is, I will have no problems to buy it later on. Anyway, shooting in RAW and editing has several advantages, upmost that you really can make the photo look like you remember it and make it presentable. JPEGs are often too light or too dark, and the editing with Picasa et al. is just for the bin. If you get this camera, or any camera which can shoot in RAW, do yourself and the onlookers a favour and shot in RAW and edit.
Then to the dark side of the GF1. There are a couple of things I do not like, for one, the GF1 doesn't switch off quickly automatically when you leave the on/ off button on "on". I have the 50D always switched "on" and it goes off after a minute of no activity. That's handy because I only need to push the trigger lightly to get it on again and start taking photos. Secondly, taking self portraits with the Pancake lens is not really satisfactorily. You always get a blurry result, and need something to focus the camera on before you jump in front of the lens. I also dislike that there is no cable connection for the lens cap, so you always need to stuff it in a pocket or hold it in the hand - I much rather have it hanging from the camera.
The GF1 is compact, light and isn't in the way when walking with a backpack.
Break down of weights:
GF1 Body: 364 g
Viewfinder: 25 g
20 mm Pancake lens:100 g
7 - 14 mm Wide angle lens: 294 g
So what is the conclusion? As the GF1 is only a loaned camera and I need to return it, with all the awesome lenses et al, I am starting to save for my own. A 495 g camera with a viewfinder and a lens which satisfies all my needs, at a quarter of the weight of my EOS 50D is completely in line with my UL philosophy. It takes splendid photos, survives bumps, wetness and extreme cold, is small enough to carry the whole day around the neck but never feel it and is beautifully light. While the Pancake lens is all I need for the trail, for the city or holidays the wide angle lens or a zoom could be useful thus it is cool that switching is possible. If you want to go to the next level with your photography, or are looking for a light and compact camera which can handle your advanced needs, I believe the GF1 will make you a happy, and better, photographer.
UL means to leave at home what you don't need, and with the GF1 + Pancake lens I can leave a lot at home, but never miss anything.
Disclosure: I have a Amazon Affiliate account and might earn something if you click and buy from above.
The
Panasonic Lumix GF1 was now on a bunch of trips with me, and it is time to have a closer look at this outstanding camera.
Lumix GF1 and the
Joby Gorillapod SLR.
Getting this camera I made a few decisions, which meant a bit of extra work for me: Only shooting in RAW, and getting a photo editing software to work with the files. I think if you're not ready for this step, then you're better off with one of the excellent compacts out of the Panasonic range which let you import your photos using your existing software and you can manipulate in Picasa or similar. Why such a statement? If you are not going to work with your photos, you might as well get a cheaper compact camera, because you are not using the camera to its fullest. To make it more clear: You're not buying a Landrover Defender if all you do is drive to the supermarket.
The GF 1 sits between a compact camera and a DSLR. It is as small and light like a compact, but it has many feature of a DSLR and you can use different lenses with it. To illustrate what I mean, have a look at the size of my Canon EOS 50D which I use normally:
Canon EOS 50D with EF-S 17-85 lensThe EOS 50D with the 17 - 85 mm lens is an awesome camera, but at 1394 g as you see it above it is not light. I also have a
Lowepro Toploader 65 AWcamera bag I use with it, which is 722 g, bringing the whole kit up to 2116 g - that is heavy! Now lets have a look at the Lumix GF1:
Panasonic Lumix GF1 with 20 mm Pancake lens.
The GF1 with the 20 mm Pancake lens and the Viewfinder is a mere 495 g - that is nearly a third lighter than the EOS 50 D. It is also significantly smaller as the EOS 50D, and I had it on my trips without a camera bag, carrying it just under my jacket. Now those who pay attention will say "But wait, Hendrik, the 50D has a 17 - 85 mm lens, and the GF1 a 20 mm Pancake - that's quite a difference, isn't it?". Sure it is, but to be honest, the 20 mm Pancake satisfies all my needs. I can get kickass Panaorama shots with it, and beautiful Close-ups with a blurred background or foreground. And also photos of fires at night are no problem with this lens, so pretty much all I do with the bigger Canon lens is handled very well by the 20 mm Pancake as well.
Sunset in Salamajärvi.
Blurry tree stump.
Melting snow in Salamajärvi.
But one of the reasons to get the GF1 is of course because you can use different lenses. Personally I am a sucker for wide angle lenses, the wider, the better. Now the GF1 has a 7 - 14 mm lens, so you can imagine the jumps of joy which I made as I got his beauty! It is 294 g light and I usually take it along when hiking, for panorama shots like the ones underneath.
The 7 - 14 mm wide angle lens.
Mountains and ice.
Mustavuori hill panorama in Repovesi.
Because I shot in RAW, I only use the Aperture and Manuel modes on the camera. Switching to different settings is fast thanks to the small wheel at the back of the camera, just where my thumb sits; though it takes some spinning of the wheel to go from one end to the other. The trigger button sits handy slightly to the front of the camera, all within optimal reach. What I love is that the bloody flash doesn't move ever. It is like it isn't there, which is exactly the way I like it.
Back of the GF1.
The LCD screen is huge and has a very crisp resolution, I reckon you could watch a movie on it so sharp is it. I don't use it, though, that's what I have the viewfinder for. It is an electronic viewfinder, so not the real deal, but better than the display, by far. To make a proper composition of a photo I find a viewfinder absolutely necessary, and this viewfinder is ingenious as you can move it up to a 90° angel to make great compositions and unique angles. So instead going down on your knees to get that reaaaaally close up shot of some plant or insect, you switch the viewfinder up and Voilá! there you go, Sir.
Viewfinder in a 45° angle.
The GF1 also makes Videos. That should be HD Videos as in High Definition, with 720P and 30 FPS (frames per second) that is plenty to shoot a video of setting up a
MSR Hubba HP or boiling some water with the
MSR Reactor. Video has its own quick-shoot button, or you turn the wheel to video and choose your own settings. I go with the latter, thus for me the quick-shot button can go.
Posing with the GF1 and a
StickPic - not something I could do with the EOS.
Before turning my view on the things I do not like, I want to quickly come back to my point from the beginning of shooting in RAW and editing. I use Lightroom 3 Beta 2 at the moment, and while I am a newbie at editing the software - which is currently
for free as it is a Beta, btw - is very intuitive and I quickly got the hang of it. Still not on the level of
Fraser or
Chris but I hope that I get there. And because I was able to test Lightroom 3 for free and could see how easy to use it is, I will have no problems to buy it later on. Anyway, shooting in RAW and editing has several advantages, upmost that you really can make the photo look like you remember it and make it presentable. JPEGs are often too light or too dark, and the editing with Picasa et al. is just for the bin. If you get this camera, or any camera which can shoot in RAW, do yourself and the onlookers a favour and shot in RAW and edit.
Then to the dark side of the GF1. There are a couple of things I do not like, for one, the GF1 doesn't switch off quickly automatically when you leave the on/ off button on "on". I have the 50D always switched "on" and it goes off after a minute of no activity. That's handy because I only need to push the trigger lightly to get it on again and start taking photos. Secondly, taking self portraits with the Pancake lens is not really satisfactorily. You always get a blurry result, and need something to focus the camera on before you jump in front of the lens. I also dislike that there is no cable connection for the lens cap, so you always need to stuff it in a pocket or hold it in the hand - I much rather have it hanging from the camera.
The GF1 is compact, light and isn't in the way when walking with a backpack.
Break down of weights:
GF1 Body: 364 g
Viewfinder: 25 g
20 mm Pancake lens:100 g
7 - 14 mm Wide angle lens: 294 g
So what is the conclusion? As the GF1 is only a loaned camera and I need to return it, with all the awesome lenses et al, I am starting to save for my own. A 495 g camera with a viewfinder and a lens which satisfies all my needs, at a quarter of the weight of my EOS 50D is completely in line with my UL philosophy. It takes splendid photos, survives bumps, wetness and extreme cold, is small enough to carry the whole day around the neck but never feel it and is beautifully light. While the Pancake lens is all I need for the trail, for the city or holidays the wide angle lens or a zoom could be useful thus it is cool that switching is possible. If you want to go to the next level with your photography, or are looking for a light and compact camera which can handle your advanced needs, I believe the GF1 will make you a happy, and better, photographer.
UL means to leave at home what you don't need, and with the GF1 + Pancake lens I can leave a lot at home, but never miss anything.
Disclosure: I have a Amazon Affiliate account and might earn something if you click and buy from above.
Panasonic Lumix GF1 Field Report
Where does this sit compared to the LX3?
ReplyDeleteEnvy,deep envy.
ReplyDeleteThe only way i could get one is by using crowbar discount:).
Yup, it's an amazing camera and would indeed be a front-runner when I want to 'take the next step'. I was happy to hear you saying that you're happy with just the 20mm lens. I have a zoom on my Panasonic TZ but pretty much shoot everything at the widest 28mm.
ReplyDeleteIf there were a couple of things I would like to see changed on it:
- A built-in, low profile view finder to make it easy to slide in and out of a small shoulder strap mounted bag.
- Mini USB rechargeable to make recharging on the trail a whole bunch easier!
- Aye, a lens cap that won't get lost!
I must say I really like the look of the GF-1 but would still prefer an integrated EVF, of course that would make the camera slightly bigger and it would probably be in a fixed position, i.e. not able to be swivelled upeards.
ReplyDeleteChris the GF-1 and indeed all the Lumic G range sit above the LX, most importantly they have a bigger sensor but also interchangeable lenses.
Nice review Hendrik. It does look like a nice little camera. If I had money to burn I'd probaly get one, or something similar for hiking, but I'm still saving for a new SLR body and I'm lusting after a Mamiya 7 II medium format rangefinder. Much as I want to replace my 350D, I keep telling myself I'm getting my moneys-worth out of it...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link BTW :) Chris over at http://i-cjw.com/ does have some lovely photos, Japan looks amazing! They don't appear to have overcast skies or flat light over there. ;-)
Really interesting camera. It feels like the wider the view the better... But of course it isn't always the case, but quite often though.
ReplyDeleteI'm using Canon G10 (+ Gorillapod) at the moment but I dont' shoot in RAW. So I think I'm not quite ready for the next step - yet. But when I get there I'll start with the Canon. Though the wider lens would be great... How do you feel about moving from Canon to Panasonic. Any problems or frustrations?
Great demo photos. I think the camera is too advanced for me. I like my TZ5. A view finder would be a great addition, but there's no shoe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, especially Rixhard for jumping in with explaing to Chris. I'll answer in more detail when I'm back from holidays, tipping on iPhone is not made for answering in great detail =)
ReplyDelete"Manual" not "Manuel".
ReplyDeleteI was otherwise wondering why your pictures were so great.
Nice piece of kit, i was looking for a small camera for trekking a couple of months ago. I adventualy settled on the canon S90, but i must have missed this one!
ReplyDeleteHendrick, nice review. I came to the same conclusion a while back. Lugging my 5D around the bush is hard work!
ReplyDeleteYes, I would like a better EVF, but really it is quite good. Not being able to charge from USB is a negative for hiking, but the charger is not that heavy, I guess... The 7-14mm is magic. I've built a kirk mount onto the PacerPole camera mount, works quite well. Details at http://bellavist.com/blog/?p=350
Currently equipping with extra batteries and SD cards for the TGOC, also playing with carrying systems.
Michael
As one hint for cutting weight ...
ReplyDeleteLowePro Toploader Zoom 2 is only 285g, but it doesn't have raincover.
One thing to consider is that these small cameras with LCD and EVF screens can usually take less images per battery.
Also the weight saving as whole is relative in a sense that while camera body is light (PEN EP-2 is 335g), high quality optics are always bit heavy (Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm F2,8-4 SWD with Olympus PEN MMF-1 Four Thirds -adapter weights 575+83g)
All those, who like Olympus PEN cameras, should check http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/ which is written by Kirk Tuck, who is professional photographer in Austin, Texas.
Regarding lenses:
My typical choice for hiking trip is one wide angle (not ultra-wide, just wide) and macro lens with me. Lots of fun for landscapes and details.
Hendrik
ReplyDeleteTo fix the cap annoyance, have a look at the Cap Keeper by Sima.
Easy to make.
Franco
http://www.amazon.com/Sima-Capkeeper-SLRs-Digital/dp/B00005T3W5
Disclamer. I don't make any money if you click there, but I take PayPal.
I was just checking few things regarding different camera models video functionality and noticed that GF1 is supposed to have economy setting, which can be set to Off, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min or 10 minutes setting. I would assume that this works in similar fashion as Canon's power save, but I could always be wrong.
ReplyDeleteJust out of curiosity, what are limits on how long videos you can take on GF1?
Yuha,
ReplyDeleteAccording to the manual, the max recording for AVCHD Lite is to the capacity of the card or battery. In Motion JPEG, it is 2Gb which would be 8min, 20sec in HD.
'Economy' turns off the camera after the specified time period, there is also a setting for auto LCD off 15 or 30 seconds that works quite well.
I bought a couple of generic batteries for the camera from bestbatt.com - they were a fraction of the price of the original battery and work fine even with the latest firmware in the camera.
Michael
Finally have the time to answer!
ReplyDeleteMikko, lol @ the crowbar discount ;)
Joe, Mini-USB and built-in viewfinder would be great, though I fear the later might make it a bit bigger again? You can always remove the Viewfinder for storing the camera, and put it back on if you use it. Personally I carry the camera all the time around my neck and thus don't have any complaints.
Richard, the swivel upwards of the viewfinder is very nice and I wouldn't want to miss it. There are a few cameras which allow you to swivel and turn the screen around, but I don't fancy that. Lets see what Panasonic decides to do on that end in the future.
Fraser, my pleasure! Japan seems to have perfect weather, always :D When you win in the lottery you can get all the cameras you need - or just one!
Lightening up, try to slowly start photographing in RAW and use the free Lightroom 3 Beta 2 to manipulate the photos. If you find you get better results, you might be ready for the switch! Canon to Panasonic: I have more options on the 50D, but then it is a semi-pro level DSLR. Lenses are cheaper for the 50D, it seems, and after using it for nearly a year I am quite at home in its handling & options. But I'm getting better with the GF1 all the time…
Robin, once you're feeling ready for the next step, this could be it ;)
nature adrift, the GF1 came out last September/ October, thus when you got your S90 about that time or earlier, it is no surprise you missed it!
Michael, that PacerPole mount is ingenious! Yeah, the 7-14 mm lens is fantastic, and comes with a heavy price tag attached. I'll need to check out your site for more photos!
Juha, I have a Ortlieb Aqua Zoom here which is about 300 g but it has not the same amount of padding, therefore it is 100% water resistant - good for those future packraft adventures! I can get about 400 photos with one load, that is not too bad. It also makes me more conscious in framing a shot, instead of just clicking away and sorting at home. I agree though, there are always compromises to be made in the lens department. Will check out that blog later…
Franco, thanks for the tip! Send me your PayPal and I shall reimburse you ;)
Hei taas Juha ;) I have it on the 1 minute economy setting and 15 sec for screen off, but still find it takes a long time to shut off. Might just my perception, though, as Michael points it works well for him.
Limits on videos depend on the Memory card used. My friend has a 8 gb card and gets about 30 minutes of HD video on it.
I use the 20mm pancake on the big brother of the GF1, the G1. For a total weight penalty of 64g one gets an awesome integrated EVF (nearly no difference with an actual SLR-mirror-glass)and much better handling.
ReplyDeleteYou're a lifesaver, I've been meaning to find a really good review on the GF1, and this has been the best review I've read! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Bou, glad you find it useful!
ReplyDeleteHi Hendrik!
ReplyDeleteI've got a GF1, too! Stunning cam. Thanks for the nice review but there is a fault in your review. The GF1 can't do movies with 720 frames (per second), I think no portable cam could do that! ;)
The GF1 makes movies in 720P with 30 FPS (frames per second).
For holiday trips you could buy a lens adapter and youse your EOS lenses on the GF1 too. But remember that you double the focal length with it! I've got a adapter for Canon FD lenses for about 30 Euros, used FD lenses are very cheap on ebay!
And, I'm loving your blog, nice Job!!!
Hei hikinglight, thanks for the comment & praise! Also thanks for the correction regarding the FPS, will change it accordingly!
ReplyDeleteHendrik, thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteI am currently deciding on a new digital camera and am struggling to make the call between a DSLR and a compact such as the GF1. I am a pretty experienced amateur snapper and used to use an EOS 50 print camera, which I really liked. However, I didn't like lugging this system on backpacking trips and switched to a cheap digi compact which has served me fairly well.
Like you, though, I really miss a viewfinder and the attachment on this Panasonic may just satisfy my needs without forking out for a big, heavy dslr. After all, a camera's no good if it's left at home.
Northern Walker, if I would need to buy a camera today, and would have a budget of around 600 to 800€, I most likely would go for the GF1 with Pancake lens and EVF. If video is more important for you, get the NEX-5 with the 16 mm Pancake and Optical VF. It is that easy ;)
ReplyDelete/hendrik, gear enabler
Hi Hendrik!
ReplyDeleteI've got a GF1, too! Stunning cam. Thanks for the nice review but there is a fault in your review. The GF1 can't do movies with 720 frames (per second), I think no portable cam could do that! ;)
The GF1 makes movies in 720P with 30 FPS (frames per second).
For holiday trips you could buy a lens adapter and youse your EOS lenses on the GF1 too. But remember that you double the focal length with it! I've got a adapter for Canon FD lenses for about 30 Euros, used FD lenses are very cheap on ebay!
And, I'm loving your blog, nice Job!!!
Thank you Bou, glad you find it useful!
ReplyDeleteFinally have the time to answer!
ReplyDeleteMikko, lol @ the crowbar discount ;)
Joe, Mini-USB and built-in viewfinder would be great, though I fear the later might make it a bit bigger again? You can always remove the Viewfinder for storing the camera, and put it back on if you use it. Personally I carry the camera all the time around my neck and thus don't have any complaints.
Richard, the swivel upwards of the viewfinder is very nice and I wouldn't want to miss it. There are a few cameras which allow you to swivel and turn the screen around, but I don't fancy that. Lets see what Panasonic decides to do on that end in the future.
Fraser, my pleasure! Japan seems to have perfect weather, always :D When you win in the lottery you can get all the cameras you need - or just one!
Lightening up, try to slowly start photographing in RAW and use the free Lightroom 3 Beta 2 to manipulate the photos. If you find you get better results, you might be ready for the switch! Canon to Panasonic: I have more options on the 50D, but then it is a semi-pro level DSLR. Lenses are cheaper for the 50D, it seems, and after using it for nearly a year I am quite at home in its handling & options. But I'm getting better with the GF1 all the time…
Robin, once you're feeling ready for the next step, this could be it ;)
nature adrift, the GF1 came out last September/ October, thus when you got your S90 about that time or earlier, it is no surprise you missed it!
Michael, that PacerPole mount is ingenious! Yeah, the 7-14 mm lens is fantastic, and comes with a heavy price tag attached. I'll need to check out your site for more photos!
Juha, I have a Ortlieb Aqua Zoom here which is about 300 g but it has not the same amount of padding, therefore it is 100% water resistant - good for those future packraft adventures! I can get about 400 photos with one load, that is not too bad. It also makes me more conscious in framing a shot, instead of just clicking away and sorting at home. I agree though, there are always compromises to be made in the lens department. Will check out that blog later…
Franco, thanks for the tip! Send me your PayPal and I shall reimburse you ;)
Hei taas Juha ;) I have it on the 1 minute economy setting and 15 sec for screen off, but still find it takes a long time to shut off. Might just my perception, though, as Michael points it works well for him.
Limits on videos depend on the Memory card used. My friend has a 8 gb card and gets about 30 minutes of HD video on it.
Nice piece of kit, i was looking for a small camera for trekking a couple of months ago. I adventualy settled on the canon S90, but i must have missed this one!
ReplyDelete"Manual" not "Manuel".
ReplyDeleteI was otherwise wondering why your pictures were so great.