Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 hands on preview

[smartwombat]

Built-in flash doesn't matter to me.
The GH-1 flash won't work with the 14-140 lens fitted, with or without the lens hood I get shading, it's just worse with the hood.
Whatever I use I will need external flash whether my GH-1 or E-P1.

[hschnee]

It seems that there are quite a few people who want a body with: in-body IS, built-in EVF, and built-in flash. Shouldn't be very difficult to put in one camera, and yet it hasn't happened.

- Hal -

[Ian]

I have now added captions to most of the 60 images in the product tour gallery - so if you were mystified by some of the images, all should be clear now

Ian

[RC305]

I can understand people getting hung-up on the lack of built-in flash or viewfinder but why get hung-up on the lack of in-body image stabilisation (IS)?

My understanding is this really only comes into play with longer focal lengths and its not like "common" in big body DSLRs (I think Sony do it as standard).

The E-P1 without the built-in flash is a bit of a pain as it's something you have to factor into the entry cost. Additionally, the Panasonic list of fully compatible 4/3 lenses seems to be a little restrictive.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by RC305

I can understand people getting hung-up on the lack of built-in flash or viewfinder but why get hung-up on the lack of in-body image stabilisation (IS)?

My understanding is this really only comes into play with longer focal lengths and its not like "common" in big body DSLRs (I think Sony do it as standard).

The E-P1 without the built-in flash is a bit of a pain as it's something you have to factor into the entry cost. Additionally, the Panasonic list of fully compatible 4/3 lenses seems to be a little restrictive.

I certainly find evidence of camera shake, even WITH image stabilisation, using medium and wide angle lenses occasionally, usually under very demanding low light conditions. In-body IS will work with all lenses, be they modern or 30 year old manual focus lenses from another era (assuming you have the necessary adapter).

Sony, Olympus, Pentax, and Samsung DSLRs feature in-camera image stabilisation.

Micro Four Thirds lenses now include:

7-14mm ultra wide angle
17mm pancake (Olympus)
20mm pancake
14-42 standard zoom (Olympus)
14-45 standard zoom
14-140 10x zoom
40-200 telephoto zoom
45mm macro

That's a very healthy start for the system's first year.

There are around 30 other lenses from the Four Thirds DSLR lens range that can be used, plus countless Leica M mount lenses from the last 55 years, and many other legacy lenses.

Ian

[RC305]

the Panasonic list of fully compatible 4/3 lenses

Referring to the use of the available adaptor with full 4/3 lenses and not micro 4/3 lens.

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c...onnect/g1.html

It looks like AF is an issue (using the DMW-MA1 adaptor) with a significant number of the bigger 4/3 lenses.

As far as IS - it's a nice to have. Yes, I can gain an effective f-stop or so in speed at which I can hold a steady shot - it merely mimicks the use of a photographer's steady hand (I have one ) and nothing more. So if my subject is moving - my shot will still be blurred.

So Low noise / high ISO then comes into the affray.

In the shooting conditions you describe there is obvious benefit and value but find these to be in the extreme and frequency few and far between.

So IS is not really a deal breaker for me. Still, a nice to have tho.

Interestingly, Googling the GF1 body looks a fair bit cheaper at £480 compared to the E-P1 body at £560. So pricewise, these cameras are heading in the right direction because they are most certainly too high at the moment which places them into a bit of a niche.

[Ian]

That's one big difference between Panasonic and Olympus in that only Olympus offer AF compatiblity with all Four Thirds lenses via the adapter. You only get manual focus with Lumix G-Micro cameras. That said, care is needed when using AF in live view with older Four Thirds lenses as the AF is not 100% accurate. If you are stopping the lens down, it's not a problem, but for critical focus you should AF as an aid, not depend on its accuracy.

Ian