Testseek.com have collected 113 expert reviews of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and the average rating is 83%. Scroll down and see all reviews for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1.
September 2009
(83%)
113 Reviews
Average score from experts who have reviewed this product.
Users
(92%)
35 Reviews
Average score from owners of the product.
830100113
The editors liked
The lens
The lens! Shoot at wider apertures than f/2.8 and the results are a joy to behold –go back to a camera with a narrower aperture range and it suddenly feels very restrictive
We also like the stylish looks and quality build quali...
Light and relatively compact
Very good image and video quality
Good AF and shutter response
Shoots RAW
One button video recording
Very fast autofocus for a Contrast Detection-based camera
Excellent movie mode
Very good image quality in good light
Simple and discrete design.
Compact size for an interchangeablelens camera
Great learning tool and/or DSLR replacement
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 aberration
Accurate LCD viewfinder
Very good auto white balance performance in inc...
GF1 offers an interesting look versus other DSLR cameras
Image quality is very good
Manual focus "zoom" feature works extremely well
Camera construction is very sturdy
Offers both USB and HDMI output
More compact than a D-SLR. Fast focusing speeds. Extremely sharp images. 720p30 HD video capture. Built-in flash. HDMI port with CEC support.
Excellent photo quality and performance for its class
Comfortable
Streamlined design
Interchangeable lenses.
Superb resolution
Excellent overall image quality up to ISO 1600
Stunning raw output
Reliable exposure and focus and generally reliable white balance
Excellent build quality & great screen
Surprisingly good handling
Fun and easy to use
Very compact...
Extremely well-built
Very good interface
Full feature set
High-quality
Removable lenses
Larger sensor for very good image quality.
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.
Size
Design
HD video
Peripheral Defocus scene mode
Micro Four Thirds compatability
The editors didn't like
While the pancake lens is great
The choice of other lenses is tiny compared to the Canon or Nikon SLR system
The Lumix DMCGF1 is a bit bland looking compared to the retro Olympus Pen and it suddenly gets bulky and awkward when you pop up the flash or...
Cost
Monitor only standard
View finder optional
Noisy images at high ISOs
Camera not as small as it seems when all the parts are added on
Aggressive anti-noise processing in JPEG mode blurs detail.
No optical viewfinder
Not as many lens options as a full DSLR
Image exposure is a bit dark
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 sunlight
Limited dynamic range compared to most SLRs
Shadow noise at high ISO like that of...
Camera seems a little expensive
Learning to find all of the GF1's features will take some time
Placement of popup flash is very awkward
Noisy images at ISO 1600 and higher. No optical viewfinder. No optical image stabilization with 20mm lens.
EVF costs extra
Can't use EVF and hot-shoe flash simultaneously.
Dynamic range and high ISO output not quite as good as best in class (including Olympus E-P1)
JPEG output nowhere near as good as it could be - shoot raw for best results
Default settings don't produce particularly appealing (JPEG) color
Panasonic has solved the problem of auto-focus speed in a compact camera using the contrast detect method. There is little difference between the focus speed of the GF1 and any SLR at the same price. Images are sharp with excellent contrast. Image qua...
The camera's ergonomics and implementation of controls are not the best. The Olympus E-P1 has been criticised for its user-unfriendliness but we would rate it better than the Panasonic. But once the GF1's idiosyncrasies are understood, it is easy...
This is a marvellous camera. There is a saying that the best camera is the one you have with you, so on that criterion alone, the GF1 ranks as one of the best. It is also not surprising that demand for the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1 has overwhelme...
Abstract: In the GF1, Panasonic has challenged Olympus with a similar, rangefinder-like model that tackles some of the deficiencies of the E-P1 and exploits the not insignificant potential of the Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) sensor format. In addition, by providing ...
This is a marvellous camera. There is a saying that the best camera is the one you have with you, so on that criterion alone, the GF1 ranks as one of the best. It is also not surprising that demand for the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1 has overwhelm...
Features match Olympus E-P2 for less money, Dedicated video record button
No viewfinder, Anti-shake via image-stabilised lenses only
More contemporary looking than the E-P2 and with a built-in flash, this is an amazing deal as long as you can live with the lack of anti-shake by instead buying an image-stabilised lens
Abstract: As a member of an entirely new category of cameras, the 12.1-megapixel Panasonic GF1 delivers the image quality and flexibility of a dSLR in a device that will slip easily into your coat pocket.Based on the Micro Four Thirds standard, and jointly devel...
Abstract: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 at a glance: 12.1 million effective pixels Four Thirds Live MOS sensor Micro Four Thirds lens mount 720p video at 25fps RRP £549.99 (body only) Scores: Features - 9/10 Build and handling - 9/10 White balance and colour - 7/10 M...
The GF1 doesn’t work at its best when used as a ‘point and shoot’ camera. It’s a powerful photographic tool that will only reach its true potential in skilled hands, but it’s capable of excellence....
