Marcus Hunt
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Hi guys, I'm thinking of getting a new camera and was wondering if any of you happen to use this particular model or know anything about it? One can read reviews but there's nothing like hearing about something from someone who's used or is using it.
The particular camera I'm looking at is a Panasonic Lumix G1 and the reasons I'm particularly interested in this model are size, weight, and SLR style lens flexibility. My Canon 10D is starting to show it's age now. It has a small review screen, has only 6 mega pixels, and above all, it's a large, bulky and heavy beast that doesn't encourage everyday use. I use my Canon Ixus compact(which is great but lacks flexibility) for everyday shots because of the 10D's disadvantages.
Now don't get me wrong, with a little sharpening in Photoshop (the 10D takes very 'soft' shots) the 10D takes fabulous pictures but being only 6Mp if I crop the picture afterwards (especially if you guys want detailed close ups of work) then it doesn't take much enlargement for them to start pixelating.
The Panasonic G1 however, reportedly takes great pictures, is lightweight and a lot less bulky. It replaces the SLR mirror with an Electronic View Finder. I suppose this is what concerns me most as when I've looked through EVFs in the past, I've never been happy with their image reproduction. They're okay on a video camera but with a stills camera they've never (in my opinion) really been up to the mark especially when compared to an SLR's viewfinder. But this EVF is responsible for Panasonic being able to make the G1 smaller and lighter. Has anyone had any experience of this view finder and what is it like to use?
Also, the G1 uses a 4/3's format; I've never used this and struggle a bit to understand it other than it means the lenses can be smaller and the camera body shallower. Again, does anyone have experience of this 4/3's format and what is it like practically speaking?
I hope there's someone out there who can advise me as I don't really want to take a leap in the dark with this. I have a Canon system and logic says I should stick with this format but there is something about the G1 that really appeals to me. But the bottom line is, is it any good?
The particular camera I'm looking at is a Panasonic Lumix G1 and the reasons I'm particularly interested in this model are size, weight, and SLR style lens flexibility. My Canon 10D is starting to show it's age now. It has a small review screen, has only 6 mega pixels, and above all, it's a large, bulky and heavy beast that doesn't encourage everyday use. I use my Canon Ixus compact(which is great but lacks flexibility) for everyday shots because of the 10D's disadvantages.
Now don't get me wrong, with a little sharpening in Photoshop (the 10D takes very 'soft' shots) the 10D takes fabulous pictures but being only 6Mp if I crop the picture afterwards (especially if you guys want detailed close ups of work) then it doesn't take much enlargement for them to start pixelating.
The Panasonic G1 however, reportedly takes great pictures, is lightweight and a lot less bulky. It replaces the SLR mirror with an Electronic View Finder. I suppose this is what concerns me most as when I've looked through EVFs in the past, I've never been happy with their image reproduction. They're okay on a video camera but with a stills camera they've never (in my opinion) really been up to the mark especially when compared to an SLR's viewfinder. But this EVF is responsible for Panasonic being able to make the G1 smaller and lighter. Has anyone had any experience of this view finder and what is it like to use?
Also, the G1 uses a 4/3's format; I've never used this and struggle a bit to understand it other than it means the lenses can be smaller and the camera body shallower. Again, does anyone have experience of this 4/3's format and what is it like practically speaking?
I hope there's someone out there who can advise me as I don't really want to take a leap in the dark with this. I have a Canon system and logic says I should stick with this format but there is something about the G1 that really appeals to me. But the bottom line is, is it any good?