Panasonic was first to announce a m4/3 camera in 2008, with the DSLR-like G1 camera. Since then, Panasonic has been spawning multiple variations on the DSLR-style (GH-1, G2, GH-2, G3) as well as a more compact EVF-less style (GF-1, GF-2, and GF-3).
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Panasonic G1
The original Panasonic m4/3 camera, this model was the first of the DSLR-like models, which substitute an electronic viewfinder (EVF) for the mirror/prism optical viewfinder of a traditional DSLR.
- Sensor: 12mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop), sensor stabilization
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4000 x 3000 JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 3 fps max
- Video: none
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 6 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-1600 (3200 via boost), AUTO ISO
- Focus: ? point contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot swivel LCD, built-in EVF (0.7x magnification)
- Flash: pop-up flash included (7m ISO 100 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync, rear sync
- Remote: optional ?
- Other Notable Features:
- Cards: SD, MMC, SDHC
- Battery: DMW-BLB13
- Size: 4.9 x 3.3 x 1.8" (124 x 84 x 45mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 13 ounces (360g)
- Colors: Black, Red, Blue
- Price: no longer available
- Announced: Sep 2008
Panasonic G2
Another update to the G1 style camera, this is the direct replacement.
- Sensor: 12mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop), sensor stabilization
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4000 x 3000 JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 3.2 fps max
- Video: 720P/30, 480P/30, 240P/30 AVCHD Lite, stereo audio
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 5 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-6400, AUTO ISO
- Focus: 23 area contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot swivel touch-sensitive LCD, built-in EVF (1.1m dot)
- Flash: pop-up flash included (16m ISO 200 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync, rear sync
- Remote: optional DMW-RSL1
- Other Notable Features:
- Cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC
- Battery: DMW-BLC12PP
- Size: 4.9 x 3.3 x 2.9" (124 x 84 x 74mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 15 ounces (428g)
- Colors: Black, Red, Blue
- Price: no longer available
- Announced: Mar 2010
Panasonic G3
A latest in the DSLR-like mostly still photography cameras Panasonic has made.
- Sensor: 16mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop), sensor stabilization
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4592 x 3448 pixel JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 5 fps max
- Video: 1080i/60, 720P/60/30, 480P/30, 240P/30 AVCHD or Motion JPEG for 720P or lower, stereo audio
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 5 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-6400, AUTO ISO
- Focus: ? point contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot swivel touch-sensitive LCD, built-in EVF (1.4m dot)
- Flash: pop-up flash included (11m ISO 200 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync
- Remote: optional DMW-RSL1
- Other Notable Features:
- Cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC
- Battery: DMW-BLC12PP
- Size: 4.5 x 3.3 x 1.9" (115 x 84 x 47mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 12 ounces (336g)
- Colors: Black, White, Red, Brown
- Price: US$700 with kit lens
- Announced: May 2011
Thom's Mini Review: if you don't mind an EVF and you don't press the ISO values up, this is another decent Panasonic camera for still photography. It handles mostly like a mini-DSLR. It does not offer as many video options (nor as good a quality, in my opinion) as the GH2, but it can produce good quality video in a pinch. JPEGs are better than many previous Panasonic models, though still not quite at the level of the best JPEG engines we've seen in other cameras, but Panasonic is a bit heavy handed with the noise reduction, especially at the highest ISO values. Note that raw files even at base ISO have noise in them, though it's easily managed up to about ISO 800. The G3 is one of the smallest DSLR-like cameras on the market. While it's far from pocketable, a complete system of a G3 and some good flexible m4/3 lenses packs small. Unlike a lot of the m4/3 bodies at launch, the G3 appears to be reasonably priced (i.e. my Value rating wouldn't be out of whack). Recommended
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Panasonic G10
An update to the G1 style camera, but without the swivel LCD. This is an entry level camera. Note: Don't get confused by the name: it's actually a second generation G# model (ala G2), not a tenth generation!
- Sensor: 12mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop), sensor stabilization
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4000 x 3000 JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 3.2 fps max
- Video: 720P/30, 480P/30, 240P/30 Motion-JPEG, monaural audio
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 5 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-6400, AUTO ISO
- Focus: ? point contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot fixed LCD, built-in EVF (0.52x magnification)
- Flash: pop-up flash included (7m ISO 100 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync, rear sync
- Remote: optional DMW-RSL1
- Other Notable Features:
- Cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC
- Battery: DMW-BLB13
- Size: 4.9 x 3.5 x 2.9" (124 x 90 x 74mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 14 ounces (388g)
- Colors: Black, Red, Blue
- Price: no longer available
- Announced: Mar 2010
Panasonic GH1
The GH-1 was Panasonic's first attempt to build a hybrid still/video camera for m4/3. While most cameras have video capabilities, the GH line goes further in trying to provide high-end, high-quality video features. The GH-1 is one of two Panasonic cameras that have been hacked, and the firmware hacks available are mostly centered at improving the video capabilities even more.
- Sensor: 12mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop), sensor stabilization
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4000 x 3000 JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 3 fps max
- Video: 1080P/30, 720P/30, 480P/30 (wide and normal), 240P/30, AVCHD video files with stereo PCM audio
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 6 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-1600 (3200 via boost), AUTO ISO
- Focus: ? point contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot swivel LCD, built-in EVF (0.7x magnification)
- Flash: pop-up flash included (7m ISO 100 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync, rear sync
- Remote: optional
- Other Notable Features:
- Cards: SD, SDHC
- Battery: DMW-BLB13
- Size: 4.9 x 3.6 x 1.8" (124 x 90 x 45mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 13.5 ounces (385g)
- Colors: Black, Red, Blue
- Price: no longer available
- Announced: March 2009
Panasonic GH2
A branch from the original G1 style design that has many more sophisticated video features.
- Sensor: 16mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop), sensor stabilization
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4608 x 3456 pixel JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 5 fps max
- Video: 1080P/24, 1080i/60, 720P/30, 480P/30, 240P/30 AVCHD or Motion JPEG for 720P or lower, stereo audio
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 5 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-12800, AUTO ISO
- Focus: ? point contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot swivel touch-sensitive LCD, built-in EVF (1.42m dot)
- Flash: pop-up flash included (16m ISO 200 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync, rear sync
- Remote: optional DMW-RSL1
- Other Notable Features:
- Cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC
- Battery: DMW-BLC12PP
- Size: 4.9 x 3.5 x 3" (124 x 90 x 76mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 16 ounces (442g)
- Colors: Black, Silver
- Price: US$1000 with kit lens
- Announced: Sep 2010
Thom's Mini Review: if you don't mind an EVF and you don't press the ISO values up, this is a decent camera for still photography. It handles mostly like a mini-DSLR. One unique aspect is that the sensor is actually 18mp. You get 16mp (or near 16mp) for virtually every aspect ratio that it handles, including 16:9. Most cameras just crop the sensor downward to get other aspect ratios, but the GH2 has "extra" sensor to cover those formats. Focus performance is adequate for most casual photography. Where the GH2 really shines, though, is in video work. It was one of the first truly competent DSLR-like AVCHD cameras. Despite its small sensor, it does better in low light for video than you'd expect. It also has a few video "tricks" up its sleeve, including a center of the sensor crop that isn't sub-sampled, a clean HDMI signal you can externally record, and the fact that it has been successfully hacked to give access to higher bitrates and less compression. Originally shipped with the 14-140mm lens, which is a nice all-around lens for video work, though now you can get body-only and other lens kit options. It's pricey for a stills-only camera (consider the G3 instead), but it's one of the two seminal cameras that have driven many into DSLR video (Canon's 5DII being the other). With lenses like the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 and running at the 24 fps rate, you can get that very dreamy "Hollywood" look everyone seeks. Surprisingly, many C-mount lenses work decently for video work with this camera, giving you still other fast lens options. It's getting a little long in the tooth as I write this, as these days we expect things like 1080P/60, but don't write it off yet--it's probably the smallest of the DSLR-type video cameras any serious videographer would consider as a main camera. Recommended
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Panasonic GF1
The GF-1 was Panasonic's first attempt to build the smaller, more shirt-pocket type m4/3 camera (though it would be a big pocket, especially with the kit zoom lens).
- Sensor: 12mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop), sensor stabilization
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4000 x 3000 JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 3 fps max
- Video: 1080P/30, 720P/30, 480P/30 (wide and normal), 240P/30, AVCHD video files with stereo PCM audio
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 6 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-3200, AUTO ISO
- Focus: 23 point contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot fixed LCD, optional EVF
- Flash: pop-up flash included (6m ISO 100 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync
- Remote: optional DMW-RSL1
- Other Notable Features: powered accessory slot
- Cards: SD, MMC, SDHC
- Battery: DMW-BLB13
- Size: 4.7 x 2.8 x 1.4" (119 x 71 x 36mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 13.5 ounces (385g)
- Colors: Silver, Red, Black
- Price: no longer available
- Announced: September 2009
Panasonic GF2
An update to the pocket line of Panasonic m4/3 cameras, many were disappointed with what seemed to be a move away from an enthusiast-centric design of the GF1 to a more consumer design.
- Sensor: 12mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop), sensor stabilization
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4000 x 3000 JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 3.2 fps max
- Video: 1080i/60, 720P/60/30, 480P/30 (wide and normal), 240P/30, AVCHD video files with stereo PCM audio
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 5 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-6400, AUTO ISO
- Focus: 23 point contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot fixed LCD, optional EVF
- Flash: pop-up flash included (6m ISO 100 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync
- Remote: none
- Other Notable Features: powered accessory slot
- Cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC
- Battery: DMW-BLD10
- Size: 4.5 x 2.7 x 1.3" (113 x 68 x 33mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 11 ounces (310g)
- Colors: Silver, Black
- Price: no longer available
- Announced: Nov 2010
Thom's Mini Review: As much as some complained about the dumming down of the GF1, I still like this camera, though it does take a bit of getting used to with the removal of a number of buttons and the Mode dial. It's a bit smaller than the GF1, and it has better video capabilities, but we did lose some things, like the remote release and second curtain flash. The battery capacity is lower, too, which means fewer shots per charge. All in all, the GF1 is still the best of the pocket bunch from Panasonic, but pocket cams should be simple, no? It still takes the same shots the GF1 did, you just don't have as much control. If you can pick one up cheap as they slowly go out of stock, it's not a bad choice for a m4/3 body. But with Olympus' aggressive discounting of discontinued models, you'd have to consider them first, I think.
Panasonic GF3
Panasonic continued their downgrading of the GF line with the GF3 model, which is squarely targeted at new and less sophisticated users. The plus side: it's the smallest of the Panasonic pocket m4/3 cameras.
- Sensor: 12mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop), sensor stabilization
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4000 x 3000 JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 3.2 fps max
- Video: 1080i/60, 720P/60/30, 480P/30 (wide and normal), 240P/30, AVCHD video files with mono PCM audio
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 5 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-6400, AUTO ISO
- Focus: 23 point contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot fixed LCD only
- Flash: pop-up flash included (6m ISO 100 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync
- Remote: none
- Other Notable Features:
- Cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC
- Battery: DMW-BLD10
- Size: 4.25 x 2.6 x 1.3" (108 x 67 x 32mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 9.3 ounces (264g)
- Colors: White, Brown, Black, Red
- Price: US$700 with kit lens
- Announced: Jun 2011
Thom's Comment: Definitely the most pocketable of the Panasonic models. With the 14mm lens, this makes for a very compact carry-it-everywhere camera, which many seek. It's competent as a camera, but remember, Panasonic has been removing external controls to simplify it, thus you're either going to use it pretty much in one preset mode or in all-automatic.
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Panasonic GX1
The GX1 is Panasonic's attempt to freshen up the GF1.
- Sensor: 16mp Panasonic CMOS sensor, 17.3 x 13mm (2x crop)
- Mount: Micro 4/3 (m4/3)
- Images: 4592 x 3448 JPEG or 12-bit raw maximum, 3 fps max
- Video: 1080i/60, 720P/30, 480P/30 (wide and normal), 240P/30, AVCHD video files or Motion JPEG with stereo PCM audio
- Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb (1/30 to 1/6000 second for video)
- Exposure: multi, center-weighted, spot metering, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, 5 white balance settings (plus Auto and Custom), ISO 100-12800, AUTO ISO
- Focus: 23 point contrast detect, single point, multi-area, face detect, tracking, manual focus override
- Display: 3" 460k dot fixed touchscreen LCD, optional EVF
- Flash: pop-up flash included (7.6m ISO 160 GN), hot shoe, 1/160 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync, rear sync
- Remote: optional DMW-RSL1
- Other Notable Features: powered accessory slot, level, four Fn buttons (two on display)
- Cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC
- Battery: DMW-BLD10
- Size: 4.6 x 2.7 x 1.6" (116 x 68 x 39mm) wide, tall, deep
- Weight: 9.6 ounces (272g)
- Colors: Silver, Black
- Price: US$700 body only
- Announced: November 2011