Micro 4/3 Panasonic GF2 Review

wolfie

Veteran
The LUMIX GF2 review up at Photoradar.com!

Just in case U didn't know :cool:
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What a bitter bitter disappointment!!!!! Taking away the dial on top and having a touch screen instead NO! NO! NO! We want to fiddle with knobs and dials. And where's the built in EVF?

I will NOT be buying this camera. I'm utterly narked at panasonic for bringing out something that's hardly any improvement on the GF1. Rant over! :D
 
Frankly, I'm most peeved about the loss of the remote cable.

That said, I'll buy one as a backup body, but maybe not right away.
 
Thanks for this, wolfie!

Here's the link: *Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Review | PhotoRadar (added in a hyperlink) It does seem that a touch screen as opposed to our dials and wheels is gearing this one towards a somewhat different market. Here's a quote from the review by Angela Nicholson
To my mind the simplification of the Panasonic GF2 in comparison with the GF1 is at odds with the fact that the best-selling GF1 kit in the UK had the Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH pancake lens, suggesting that this camera was popular with enthusiast rather than novice photographers.
While its image quality appears impressively high, at the moment I am a little disappointed with the handling of the GF2. Perhaps I will learn to love it once a full-production model comes along.

P.S. I see dpreview has their preview up and I am sure we'll be seeing more coming soon. For people that are really into video, it does now offer full HD mode.
n spec terms, at least, this makes for the most capable interchangeable lens camera movie capability aside from the GH2 (which offers 1080i at 60fps from 60p capture). On the photographic side it inherits the G2's ability to shoot at 2.6 fps while maintaining live view, along with its ISO 6400 maximum sensitivity, improved Auto ISO program and a dedicated iAuto button on the top plate. Meanwhile 3D fans will undoubtedly be delighted by its support for the new H-FT012 lens.
They also mention that it will be sold with either the zoom lens or the 14mm 2.5, or with both.

It will be interesting to see how this all pans out for Panasonic. :)wink: Sorry, had to do that) With this camera, they are going to continue their micro four thirds interchangeable series, snag the 3D folks and most likely bring in a slew of new folks who've been considering what to do next...those who want to make a move from their more limited cameras, and will get the HD, the 3D, the interchangeable lenses and feel, perhaps, more comfortable with this camera's style of controls. I don't know, but that's my impression. Depending upon how it is to use for those with more advanced experience who will need to use the touch screen...well, it will be interesting to see whether or not this smaller package with some new "touches" can win them over.
 
This is a huge blunder IMHO. They are trying to reel in the cNEX consumers. The problem is, the size issue isn't really an issue. Once a lens is slapped on, it doesn't matter. My guess it will be another 6 months or a year before a real upgrade to the GF1.
 
Youse just made my day. I finally found a camera that I would never buy.
I was worried the GF2 would be all that we dreamed it to be.
Thanks Panny for making our dreams a nightmare.

The GF1 will stay side by side with the LX5.
Thanks everyone... Ya saved me money...
 
Youse just made my day. I finally found a camera that I would never buy.
I was worried the GF2 would be all that we dreamed it to be.
Thanks Panny for making our dreams a nightmare.

The GF1 will stay side by side with the LX5.
Thanks everyone... Ya saved me money...

My feelings exactly Don (as expressed elsewhere). It should never have been called a GF2, it's a different concept aimed at a different market. If this is the way m4/3 is going then long may my G1 and GF1 continue to operate, when they finally fail, if I've not failed by then, then I admit to making a wrong choice and going off in another direction.

Barrie
 
I was just over on David's blog soundimageplus where I enjoyed reading his take on the GF2 and what might be behind Panasonic's thinking/marketing and - future plans. It's a good article, not without humor which is always a good thing from my point of view.

Here's part of the introduction:
In the film Zoolander Ben Stiller uses a ludicrously small mobile phone. There's also a Steve Jobs quote asking ironically, if 7" tablets will come with included sandpaper so that users could reduce the size of their fingers. It seems that camera manufacturers are inclined to follow the same path...
I think think it's a good read and poses some thoughtful questions.
 
I was just over on David's blog soundimageplus where I enjoyed reading his take on the GF2 and what might be behind Panasonic's thinking/marketing and - future plans. It's a good read, not without humor which is always a good thing from my point of view.

Here's part of the introduction: I think it's a good read and poses some thoughtful questions.

Oh yes, well worth a read and an eloquent expression of how I think and what concerns I have for the direction of m43 if the GF2 represents future design policy, smaller would be a sad move and see my loss of interest in the format, not that that would interest any particular manufacturer.

Barrie
 
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