Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Review

Have owned the G1 for nearly 3 months now and more than pleased with it. Most of my photos are taken with low ISO, and the fine detail is superb. Unable to fault it really, but now my A4 printer is too small. I have cropped photos so that the printed part is greater than A3. Now, if only I could get an A3 printer soon !

Some people are misunderstanding what the G1 is. It is not a high end digicam -- it is a direct challenge to the DSLR. It's a fantastic street shooter.

Check out the comparometer at imaging resource: http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

In ordinary light conditions, this camera's images will right up there with the best entry level DSLRs -- such as the Canon Rebel Xsi. Because the kit lens on the Lumix is excellent, and the Xsi's is crap, out of the box in many cases the G1's resolution will actually be finer than the Xsi's -- though that really only matters if you're blowing up pictures to large sizes.

Comparing the G1 to even very good digicams like the LX3 and the G10 is kind of pointless. The G1's sensor is so much larger it is just going to blow those cameras away for detail and range of color.

There are really only two places a traditional DSLR such as the Xsi will do better -- sports photography and low-light performance. The other big disadvantage of the G1 right now is limited lens availability.

But the strengths of this camera -- the live view capabilities, the powerful bracketing -- are things you may not appreciate till you see them up close.

All in all, this is a phenomenal camera to kick off the Micro Four Thirds world, and it will no doubt be followed by even more phenomenal cameras. I think within a couple of years a lot of people will be abandoning DSLRs for this format.

Unlike all other models of Lumix, G1 comes with inferior Lumix lens instead of high quality Leica lens. I think all the reviews should mention it boldly to make the consumers aware of the issue.

Dear Cliff or anybody else who have tried this G1, with the bundled lens kit, what is the nearest distance possible for Macro shooting? With my Panasonic FZ28 for example, I can go as near as 4cm or about 2 inch to the subject and the lens can still focus and captured the image accordingly... I am more into Macro shooting but I heard the Macro lens for this Micro Four Thirds system is as expensive as the DSLR one in which I can't afford at the moment.