ISO 1600 and Beyond…
Panasonic GF1 - ISO 1600
Panasonic GF1 - ISO 3200
It becomes evident at ISO 1600 and at ISO 3200 that the considerable amount of noise becomes noticeable. However, even at ISO 3200, images are still of a high quality and will probably look quite good in everything but large scale print.
Final Thoughts
The GF1 is a surprisingly good camera given it’s size and weight. It certainly holds its own against other cameras in a similar price range namely the ones from its Micro Four Thirds partner Olympus. In-body image stabilization, external microphone capability and a more retro styling are all things offered by its Olympus PEN cousins. However, the GF1 has faster auto focus still and a built-in flash when compared to its the direct competition of the E-P1 and E-P2.
For a beginner, the GF1’s level of control over its many features and settings would be rather daunting and reading a manual the size of a small novel is probably not an option. An entry-level photographer may want to stay away and look for a digital compact camera instead. If you are just looking for something to shoot family portraits or pictures of your cat doing silly things, the GF1 will prove to be too much for what you’re looking to do and not enough in other areas. The lack of a zoom if you choose the 20mm f1.7 lens is a considerably limitation and the $725US price tag will certainly scare most others away. I would recommend beginners learn more about the basics of photography before delving into the DSLR market.
For the experienced photographer, the currently limited number of lenses and accessories may deter most from using a GF1 as their primary camera. Sports shooters will want more than a 3.0 FPS continuous drive and as far as I know, the longest lens available is a 400mm equivalent f4.0-f5.6 zoom, which is a far cry from the many options available from Canon and Nikon. Portrait and landscape photographers may not want anything less than a full-frame format. Street shooters, however, will undoubtedly love the GF1’s compact size and the wonderful 20mm Pancake f1.7 lens, although they will probably want to spring the $199US for the optional LVF1 electronic viewfinder. However, this is only if you consider the GF1 your primary camera body.
As an experienced photographer, I quite enjoyed having the GF1 as a secondary body as it is far more portable than my Canon 1D bodies. At a fraction of the weight and size of my pro bodies’, the GF1 was a pleasure to use in restaurants for food photography or at events with large crowds. Using it as your backup or when you don’t feel like carrying your pro-level behemoths is ideal.
Where the GF1 should shine is the mid-level “pro-sumer” market filled with folks that want something more advanced than a compact digital, enthusiasts with photography experience and know-how. If you understand the basics and want something full-featured, then the GF1 is a fantastic camera for you. However, the Micro Four-Thirds format is still relatively young and, again, lens and accessory options are limited. Also, at this time, the GF1 is almost as advanced as Micro Four-Thirds cameras get so if you feel you need to advance to professional level equipment, you have to make a complete change to another system such as Canon or Nikon.
Overall, the GF1 is a solid, all-around camera with superb image quality for the price. Price drops since launch are also making it and the format as a whole even more affordable. It will truly be interesting to see where the Micro Four-Thirds format goes in the near future as less expensive bodies and more accessories hit the market.
Pros
- Excellent image quality, especially in RAW
- Comparatively easy to use, clearly labeled buttons and simple menu navigation
- Great rear LCD image quality with useful digital zoom manual focus mode
- High build quality, solid feel to constuction
- Small, compact design. Not pocketable but close.
- Looks very cool like a retro rangefinder
- 20mm f/1.7 Kit lens is excellent
- Shoots HD (720p) video
Cons
- No in-body image stabilization
- Still very limited lens and accessory selection
- Slightly expensive, especially considering the $135US optional electronic viewfinder
- Disappointing JPEG output. Shoot RAW whenever possible.
Overall Rating: 8.0 / 10.0
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