Gear Review – Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1, Some Impressions

By Bill Lockhart

Like you, I read when it comes to making a major decision about camera equipment.

And I found reviews of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 that peaked my interest.

First, is the review by David Clapp, a UK landscape photographer of whom I have the highest respect:  http://www.davidclapp.co.uk/blog/reviews/43-panasonic-gf-1-in-the-landscape.html

His comments:  “Finally a top quality, light weight landscape camera has been born. As a backup to a 21mp system or as a trip based on the walk than the photos (is there such a thing?) the GF-1 is a superb camera only held back by your own imagination.”

Second, is the review by Jim Radcliff, an outstanding photographer, whose images I greatly admire:  http://www.boxedlight.com/gf1/index.htm

Third, were the comments of E.J. Piker, a truly world class photographer, who praises the GF1.

So, I bought one, along with four lenses and the EVF.  It set me back a great deal of money, but the quest is about a light weight system that produces high quality images. I have lusted for the Leica M9, but wow it is expensive and Leica lenses cost as much as a good used car.  So, is the GF1 the poor man’s Leica?

Early Morning at Safety Harbor

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Panasonic 14-45mm

And another image caught just at sunrise, a bit south of the first one.

Lake at Cooper Bayou

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Panasonic 7-14mm

A family of Black Snakes live in my yard, I enjoy watching them as they hunt.  Black Snakes are excellent critters, they kill Rattle Snakes, Rats, and other varmints.  It is good to have them around.

Looking for Lizards

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Panasonic 45-200mm

In sum, I have a kit that will go from 7-200mm (14-400mm, 35mm equivalent) in a package that weighs less than three pounds!  WOW, I thought, how good this will be when my colleagues decide they want me to hike with them four miles to a lighthouse along a rocky shore!

Or, while sitting in a garden.

Garden Scene

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Panasonic 45-200mm

If you want complete information about all the stuff this camera will do, read the excellent review at DPReview.  As with any decision, it is best to get lots of opinions before making a purchase.

For me, there are three considerations that matter:

1. Weight and size.

2. Ease of use with lots of manual controls.

3. Image quality.

The GF1 scores high for weight and size, perfect for travel photography.  It will fit in a small camera bag and it won’t break your back during long walks!

Ease of use and lots of manual controls.  Here there are issues.  Yes, it has just about any option one could want in a camera with plenty of ways to tailor the kit to one’s liking.  But, the camera manual is poorly written and sometimes footnotes are more important than the text trying to describe what each function does.  Panasonic needs to hire a photographer to rewrite the manual.

As to image quality, I am not displeased, but I am not ready to conclude as has E.J. Piker that the camera has better image quality then the Canon 1Ds or the Canon 5D.  For me, the jury is still out.

The real advantage to this camera system came this summer when I again visited Scotland and undertook some major hikes (for me they are major) up and down hills and sand dunes, across boggy heather, through paths filled with stones and obstacles.  Three pounds instead of the 20 pounds I normally carry was a pleasure.

10:30 PM on the Isle of Lewis

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Panasonic 7-14mm

Beach Silhouette, Isle of Lewis

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Panasonic 7-14mm

Camas Uig Bay, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

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Panasonic 7-14mm

Isle of Harris, Scotland

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Panasonic 14-45mm

Lighthouse, Butt of Lewis, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

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Panasonic 7-14mm

Out of the Mist

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Panasonic 45-200mm

I found that the GF1 is also useful when photographing animals using the fabulous 45-200mm lens.  As in this shot done through a Plexiglas window at a zoo in Scotland. A eagerly await the Panasonic 100-300mm lens due out in September.  Given the 2X factor of the four thirds system, this means I will have a small lens that will give me an effective 200-600mm range in the 35mm equivalent!  That will be fantastic as a wildlife lens.

A Snow Monkey in Scotland

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Panasonic 45-200mm

Good photography has nothing to do with 21MP sensors, it is about finding the light that dances and having the patience to see light in creative ways.  Each camera has its own merits, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has plenty to consider.

So far, the system has worked well.

Ease of use, size, weight, quality of images — it is an excellent travel camera, especially for those times when one must make a long trek to some special spot.

The GF1 won’t replace my Canon 5D Mark II, but it will remain part of my camera kit for many years to come.

Eilean Glas Lighthouse, Isle of Harris, Scotland

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Panasonic 7-14mm

Following my latest trip to Scotland, I bought the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens to add to the array of capabilities of the system.  My impression so far is that this lens, in particular, is a good match for the camera, providing opportunities for low light shooting and adding greatly to the compactness of the camera.  If I were to use one lens with the GF1, it is the one I would choose.

And, I must add that the camera does wonderful videos, giving me HD quality good enough to use for serious video production.  That capability, along with the ability to use hundreds of lenses with adapters, makes the GF1 special as a tool for travel photography.

In the days ahead, I will be using the GF1 constantly.  Please read future articles and note which shots were done with it.

In sum, yes, the Panasonic GF1 is the poor man’s Leica!