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9.0 out of 10

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

12.1 megapixels

Information found in: from 166 sources in 25 countries

Great Deal: $979.99

  • User Score (602)
    8.8 8.8 from 602 reviewers
  • Expert Score (43)
    8.4 8.4 from 43 reviewers
  • Design (6)
    9.4 9.4 from 6 reviewers
  • Value for money (14)
    7.9 7.9 from 14 reviewers
  • Features (10)
    8.0 8.0 from 10 reviewers
  • Ease of use (5)
    10 10 from 5 reviewers
  • Performance (21)
    7.5 7.5 from 21 reviewers
  • Picture quality (26)
    8.7 8.7 from 26 reviewers
  • Display (15)
    8.7 8.7 from 15 reviewers
  • Construction (2)
    10 10 from 2 reviewers
  • Video quality (2)
    9.4 9.4 from 2 reviewers
  • Ergonomics (16)
    7.8 7.8 from 16 reviewers
  • Build quality (5)
    8.9 8.9 from 5 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(16)
7-8
(27)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(319)
7-8
(117)
5-6
(17)
3-4
(10)
1-2
(21)
  • Expert Reviews

  1. DP Review

    DP Review
    6.9/10
    9 August 2011

    The compact design means inevitable compromises when compared to a 'full size' SLR, but the GF1 gets so much right that it's a real winner in our eyes. Great image quality, a well-rounded feature set and surprisingly zippy performance put it a little ahead of the Olympus E-P1, and much more versatile. Read more

    • Superb resolution, excellent overall image quality up to ISO 1600, Stunning raw output, Reliable exposure and focus and generally reliable white balance, Excellent bui...
  2. Camera Labs

    Camera Labs
    8.5/10
    1 November 2009

    The Lumix GF1 and E-P1 achieve this goal by adopting the Micro Four Thirds standard developed by Olympus and Panasonic. This takes the sensor size of the existing Four Thirds DSLR standard, but dispenses with the traditional SLR mirror and optical viewfinder to allow a much shorter lens to sensor distance. This in turn enables smaller and lighter cameras to be built, while the mount allows different lenses to be fitted. Read more

    • Compact body with DSLR-sized sensor., Detailed 3in / 460k screen and optional EVF., HD movies with choice of encoding formats., Great Auto mode and full Manual controls.
    • No stabilisation in body or 20mm kit lens., Viewfinder is a pricey accessory., Screen suffers from reflections in bright light., Focusing restrictions with many lenses.
  3. Digital Camera Review

    Digital Camera Review
    9.0/10
    11 October 2009

    The GF1 is an interesting camera with the potential to attract a wide cross-section of users. On the one hand it can appeal to novice shooters with its host of automatic and scene shooting modes, face recognition technology and compact size. More experienced hands will find a broad expanse of manual controls and adjustments to suit the fussiest of users, along with that compact size. It's small, light and slots into the gap between high end compacts and the DSLR. Read more

    • Light and relatively compact, Very good image and video quality, Good AF and shutter response, Shoots RAW, One button video recording
    • Cost, Monitor only standard, view finder optional
  4. Imaging Resource

    Imaging Resource
    15 December 2009

    Possessing nearly everything you want in a digital SLR with the convenience of a smaller digital camera, the Panasonic GF1 is the most refined of the new category of small, interchangeable-lens digital cameras. Its small size allows it to fit into very small bags or briefcases along with an accessory lens, but its large sensor size and interchangeable lens design means you're not sacrificing image quality or versatility by leaving the SLR behind. Read more

    • High-quality build, Weighs just over one pound with 20mm lens, Fits into small places, Excellent quality kit lenses, Camera corrects geometric distortion and chromatic...
    • 20mm lens vignettes when wide-open, Yellows and oranges are tainted by green in JPEG files, Edge-enhancement halos at default settings, High contrast in direct sunligh...
  5. Digitaltrends

    Digitaltrends
    30 July 2011

    We haven't had a chance to fully test this product yet, but we've assembled this helpful overview of relevant information on it. Read more

  • User Reviews

  1. great camera

    Amazon
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: lkane, Amazon
    3 January 2012

    Bought the camera used for my son for Christmas, It was on his list. We took it on vacation and it just takes amazing pictures. This is really a great find and shows you can get a very good camera with a very good lens at a very reasonalble price. Read more

  2. Great camera DSLR control with P&S body

    J&R
    10/10
    Reviewer: DF, J&R
    10 September 2010

    I have been researching this camera for a while. This week my camera was delivered and I got to feel it and use all the functions. The camera feel great in your hand, solid body with crisp shutter sound. Controls are intuitive and I don't have to spend a lot of time with the manual to get started. The 20mm f/1.7 lens are great and make the portraits looked professional. The camera came on my daughter's birthday, the timing couldn't be more perfect! Read more

    • Good in Low Light
    • Poor Flash
  3. "The best camera is the one you carry."

    CNET
    9.0/10
    Reviewer: philchang, CNET
    23 October 2010

    The quality of photos depends on the person operating the camera more than the camera itself. The camera works well in most situations. Even the tiny flash works much better than you would think. There may be instances when shooting with other photogs around that you may wish yours were bigger, but the size keeps you unobtrusive and lets you move in for great photos. I would definitely consider the MicroFour thirds cameras. Read more

    • Compact, quality build, lenses with adapters perform well. Very versatile camera. The basic package of body and zoom prove flexible and fast in the field.
    • It can be difficult to see the lcd in bright situations, but other than that there are very few.
  4. GF1 is the measuring stick for the rest of M43 cameras.

    Ebay
    10/10
    Reviewer: sd7749724, Ebay
    7 January 2012

    This is the classic one all other M43 cameras are measured against in the beautiful quality of construction and full DSLR type of adjustments with knobs and buttons. Panasonic overbuilt this one,their newer units may be there photo wise but not near this build quality or ease of adjustments. Other reviewers here covered the unit spot on so no need me for me to repeat everything. Read more

  5. Exceeds expectations

    Newegg
    10/10
    Reviewer: skhan0o, Newegg
    14 September 2010

    Be sure to get it with some sort of camera specific lens cleaner/lens marker and/or a protective filter. Can't be too careful. Read more

    • It's been a while since I've even owned a camera besides a cell phone cam. So it's possible my expectations were somewhat limited.
    • Keep in mind this lens, while very portable, is no macro or zoom. Not a big deal for me, though I'll probably pic up a 5x or 10x macro filter at some point.
  • WikiFreak Description

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is a digital SLR that utilizes a 4/3 type MOS (‘Live MOS sensor’) sensor with 12.11 million effective pixels and 16:9 aspect ratio. The camera is compatible with Micro Four Thirds mount lenses via an adapter (DMW-MA1PP). It also supports up to ISO 3200 sensitivity, has a 3.0" Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD with 3:2 aspect ratio, wide viewing angle and 460,000 dots color support. It also supports the following connectors: USB 2.0 (High Spee…

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is a digital SLR that utilizes a 4/3 type MOS (‘Live MOS sensor’) sensor with 12.11 million effective pixels and 16:9 aspect ratio. The camera is compatible with Micro Four Thirds mount lenses via an adapter (DMW-MA1PP). It also supports up to ISO 3200 sensitivity, has a 3.0" Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD with 3:2 aspect ratio, wide viewing angle and 460,000 dots color support. It also supports the following connectors: USB 2.0 (High Speed), Video Out (NTSC / PAL), wired remote control DMW-RSL1 (optional) and HDMI. It also supports PictBridge for PC-less printing facilities, SD / SDHC / MMC memory cards, and is powered by a 1250 mAh 7.2v Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 measures119 mm x 71 mm x 36.3 mm (4.69 x 2.8 x 1.43 inches) and weighs 285 g (10.05 oz) (camera body only)/ 448 g (15.8 oz) (with lens and battery).

Features

The Lumix DMC-GF1 is part of Panasonic’s LUMIX G Micro System lineup of digital interchangeable lens system cameras. The DMC-GF1 is touted as the world’s smallest and lightest system camera with a built-in flash. It takes its place as the third model in the G series of digital interchangeable lens system cameras based on the Micro Four Thirds system standard. It can record vivid still shots and smooth, motion pictures and features the advanced AVCHD Lite movie mode, which is ideal for recording extended HD movies and networking with other AV devices, and it can also record in the Motion JPEG format, which offers wide compatibility with PCs. The camera also features several preset filters in My Colour mode or apply a range of unique textures available in Film mode. Other features include iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, exposure meter, aperture preview and shutter speed preview through the live view, Live View Finder which provides full-time live view, built-in flash, a 3.0-inch Intelligent LCD with a wide viewing angle and full 460,000-dot resolution with automatic backlight control, which combines with the high resolution for viewing in everything from sunny outdoor conditions to dim indoor situations; and comes in a choice of body colours: true black, active red and sleek silver. The camera also features Venus Engine HD, Dust Reduction system, My Colour mode with a total of seven preset effects – Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette; 16 Scene modes, AVCHD Lite recoding (1280 x 720 high-definition motion picture); and Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) which prevent handshake when using high-powered zoom. It also has Face Detection, Intelligent Exposure, and VIERA Link networking.

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  • Manufacturer's Description

The GF1 adopts the Micro Four Thirds System standard, which was developed as an extended version of the Four Thirds System standard for digital camera systems. By using this standard and developing a camera body that eliminates the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit, LUMIX was able to achieve a dramatic reduction in both size and weight compared with conventional digital SLR cameras, to create a new-generation system camera that features Full-time Live View, high-…

Specifications

  • Alternative names
    DMC-GF1C, GF1

Release Date

  • First seen
    28 July 2008

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