Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 adds touch screen, 1080i video
Enhancements over the GF1 include a touch screen and full HD video capture.
Originally published 11/3/2010; updated 2/1/2011: Pricing added to chart. Scroll to the bottom for additional analysis.
When we awarded the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 an Editors' Choice about a year ago, it was mostly because it fulfilled three of the four reasons I think the category exists: an interchangeable-lens camera (ILC), it provided a consumer-friendly compact size, faster than point-and-shoot performance, and the image-quality benefits of a large-ish Micro Four Thirds sensor.
Now there's a lot more competition: Olympus' PEN series is still around (but with sluggish performance), and Sony has come out with its sleekly designed and solidly performing NEX models. The biggest problem with a lot of these models, however, is price: They command the prices of entry-level dSLRs but don't deliver on the performance. The cheaper ILCs simply aren't compact enough. So I have to admit, I expected a little more with Panasonic's announcement of its GF1 update, the Lumix DMC-GF2. Though the sensor is the same resolution as before, it's the same newer version that's in the
The camera also has the updated image-processing engine that's in the GH2, improved video capture capabilities, and a touch-screen interface similar to that of the G2. Of course, given Panasonic's refusal to announce pricing it's impossible to state outright that it's too expensive; I'll just assume it's going to cost at least as much as the current GF1, which is on the high side.
Here's Panasonic's current lineup:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 | |||||
Sensor (effective resolution) | 12.1-megapixel Live MOS | 12.1-megapixel Live MOS | 12.1-megapixel Live MOS | 12.1-megapixel Live MOS | 16.1-megapixel Live MOS |
17.3mm x 13.0mm | 17.3 x 13.0mm | 17.3 x 13.0mm | 17.3 x 13.0mm | 17.3 x 13.0mm | |
Focal-length multiplier | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x | 2x |
Image processor version | Venus Engine HD II | Venus Engine HD II | Venus Engine HD | Venus Engine FHD | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 6,400 | ISO 100 - ISO 6,400 | ISO 100 - ISO 3,200 | ISO 100 - ISO 6,400 | ISO 160 - ISO 12,800 |
Continuous shooting | 3.2fps unlimited JPEG/7 raw | 3.2fps unlimited JPEG/ 7 raw | 3fps unlimited JPEG/7 raw | 3.2fps unlimited JPEG/7 raw | 5fps unlimited JPEG/ 7 raw |
Viewfinder magnification/ effective magnification | Electronic 202,000 dots 100% coverage 1.04x/0.52x magnification | Electronic n/a/1.4 million dots 100% coverage 1.4x/0.7x magnification | Optional Electronic n/a | Optional Electronic n/a | Electronic 1.5 million dots 100% coverage 1.42x/0.71x magnification |
Autofocus | 23-area contrast AF | 23-area contrast AF | 23-area contrast AF | 23-area contrast AF | 23-area contrast AF |
Shutter speed | 60-1/4,000 sec; bulb to 4 minutes | 1/4,000 to 30 secs; bulb up to 4 minutes; 1/160 x-sync | 60-1/4,000 sec; bulb to 4 minutes | 60-1/4,000 sec; bulb to 4 minutes; 1/160 x-sync | 1/4,000 to 60 secs; bulb up to 2 minutes; 1/160 x-sync |
Metering | 144 zone | 144 zone | 144 zone | 144 zone | 144 zone |
Image stabilization | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical |
Video | 720/30p Motion JPEG MOV | AVCHD Lite 720/30p or Motion JPEG MOV | 720/30p AVCHD Lite or Motion JPEG MOV | 1080/60i/50i @ 17, 13 Mbps 720/60p @17, 13 Mbps AVCHD or Motion JPEG QuickTime MOV | AVCHD 1080/60i/50i/24p (60p sensor output) @ 24, 17, 13Mbps; 720/60p @ 17, 13Mbps QuickTime MOV Motion JPEG 720/30p |
Audio | Mono | Mono; mic input | Mono | Stereo | Stereo, mic input |
LCD size | 3-inch fixed 460,000 dots | 3 inches articulated 460,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 460,000 dots | 3-inch fixed touch screen 460,000 dots | 3 inches articulated 460,000 dots |
Battery life (CIPA rating) | 380 shots | 390 shots | 350 shots | 300 shots | 340 shots |
Dimensions (inches, WHD) | 4.9 x 3.3 x 2.9 | 4.9 x 3.3 x 2.9 | 4.7 x 2.8 x 1.4 | 4.7 x 2.8 x 1.4 | 4.9 x 3.5 x 3 |
Body operating weight (ounces) | 13.9 | 13.1 | 12.2 | 11 (est) | 15.2 (est) |
Mfr. Price | n/a | n/a | n/a | $499.95 (body only) | $899.95 (body only) |
$599.95 (with 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens) | $699.95 (with 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens) | $899.95 (with 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 lens) | $599.95 (with 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens) | $999.95 (with 14-42mm lens) | |
n/a | n/a | $899.95 (with 20mm f1.7 lens) | $699.95 (with 14mm f2.5 lens) | $1499.95 (with 14-140mm lens) | |
Ship date | May 2010 | May 2010 | September 2009 | January 2011 | December 2010 |
The GF2 will retain its unique place in Panasonic's ILC lineup as its "compact" model--at least until the company introduces a less-expensive version, which I think is necessary, if not inevitable. It's possible Panasonic could drop the price on the GF1 into
The enhancements to the GF2 are nice, and I expect the image quality to match that of the LX5. I like the touch-screen implementation of the G2 as well, but Panasonic jettisoned the physical mode dial in favor of a virtual one, which some users might dislike.
In its marketing, the company seems to be aggressively targeting the NEX-5 with the GF2. Here's how it stacks up against that and some other, (presumably) cheaper competitors:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 | ||||
Sensor (effective resolution) | 12.3-megapixel Live MOS | 12.1-megapixel Live MOS | 14.6-megapixel CMOS | 14.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS |
17.3mm x 13mm | 17.3 x 13.0mm | 23.4mm x 15.6mm | 23.4mm x 15.6mm | |
Focal-length multiplier | 2x | 2x | 1.5x | 1.5x |
Image processor version | TruePic V | Venus Engine FHD | n/a | n/a |
Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 3,200 | ISO 100 - ISO 6,400 | ISO 100 - ISO 3,200 | ISO 200 - ISO 12,800 |
Continuous shooting | 3fps 12 JPEG/ 10 raw | 3.2fps unlimited JPEG/7 raw | 3fps 10 JPEG/ 3 raw | 2.3fps unlimited JPEG/8 raw |
Viewfinder magnification/ effective magnification | Electronic 100 percent 1.44 million dots 1.15x/0.58x | Optional Electronic n/a | Electronic 921,000 dots 1.29x/0.86x | None |
Autofocus | 11-area contrast AF | 23-area contrast AF | 15-point contrast AF | 25-point contrast AF |
Shutter speed | 60-1/4,000 sec; bulb to 30 minutes | 60-1/4,000 sec; bulb to 4 minutes; 1/160 x-sync | 30-1/4,000 sec.; bulb to 8 minutes | 30-1/4,000 sec.; bulb; 1/160 flash sync |
Metering | 324 area | 144 zone | 247 segment | 40 segment |
Image stabilization | Sensor shift | Optical | Optical | Optical |
Video | 720/30p Motion JPEG AVI | 1080/60i/50i @ 17, 13 Mbps 720/60p @17, 13 Mbps AVCHD or Motion JPEG QuickTime MOV | 720/30p H.264 MPEG-4 | 1080/60i AVCHD |
Audio | Stereo; mic input | Mono | Mono | Mono, mic input |
LCD size | 3-inch fixed 230,000 dots | 3-inch fixed touch screen 460,000 dots | 3-inch fixed AMOLED 614,000 dots | 3-inch tilting 921,600 dots |
Battery life (CIPA rating) | 300 shots | 300 shots | 400 shots | 330 shots |
Dimensions (inches, WHD) | 4.7 x 2.8 x 1.4 | 4.7 x 2.8 x 1.4 | 4.8 x 3.4 x 1.6 | 4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 |
Body operating weight (ounces) | 12.2 | 11 (est) | 14.5 | 10.2 (without flash); 10.9 (with flash) |
Mfr. Price | $749.99 (body only) | $499.95 (body only) | n/a | n/a |
$799.99 (with 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens) | $599.95(with 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens) | $699.99 (with 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 lens) | $699.99 (with 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 lens) | |
$799.99 (with 17mm f2.8 lens) | $699.95 (with 14mm f2.5 lens) | n/a | $649.99 (with 16mm f2.8 lens) | |
Ship date | December 2009 | January 2011 | March 2010 | July 2010 |
The GF2 does offer an optional EVF, but otherwise looks pretty evenly matched with the NEX-5 for features--the GF2 has all the usual Panasonic automatic options and a few touch-screen advantages (such as touch focus)--and its interface looks a lot more functional than the NEX. But the NEX's likely lower price and tiltable LCD are pretty compelling.
In the U.S., the Lumix DMC-GF2 will be available in black, red, white, and silver--Panasonic will be sparing us the pink version--and one of the two kits will ship with the new 17mm lens announced last month. Pricing is slated to be announced a month before the camera ships. It looks like Panasonic decided to be fairly aggressive with the pricing, which makes sense given how hard it's been for ILCs to gain significant traction in the US. Based on the price, specifications and what we've seen of its predecessor, it has the potential to be a relatively attractive option. The GF2 is slated to ship in mid-February.