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Just Posted: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 Preview

Apr 24, 2013 at 00:00:01 GMT

PREVIEW MICRO-FOUR-THIRDS PANASONIC PREVIEW

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We've just posted our Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 preview, covering Panasonic's newest Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The G6 comes barely a year after the G5, and offers several updates, including a 1.44 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder and the same sensor as the GH2. Its body has also been restyled and the touch-sensitive technology of its fully-articulated screen has been upgraded. Like its little brother the GF6, the G6 also includes built-in Wi-Fi connectivity with Near Field Communication (NFC). Click the links below for our hands-on preview.

Click here for our hands-on preview of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6

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Comments

Total comments: 106

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-g6/images/comparedtog5back.jpg

Thanks to whoever in Panasonic made the decision to take the distracting relfective G5-style buttons off the body; at last, sense returns with the G6, though the circle buttons are still rockers.

I wonder if there was a technical reason for the higher shoulders here, or was it purely aesthetic and a design choice? It definitely looks different and probably better to me since I always found the middle hump a bit too DSLR-ish; now it's less pronounced. I don't mind it at all if it doesn't hamper ergonomics and I don't think it does. Well maybe you have to reach a bit for the mode dial, but the mode dial has been moved towards your hand more with the G6 versus the G5 and it's more naturally angled now.

Shutter button seems to be angled forward a bit more, which should make for more comfortable pressings since your index finger is quite angled in this position as it is.

Ergonomics are pretty good here.

0 upvotes

Can anyone please tell me if Panasonic has with the Lumix G6 improved the rendering of COLORS? I am disappointed that no preview of the G6 discusses this important point in detail.
I was -as well as others I know- never satisfied with the quality of colors with the G3 and G5. The colors that they produce look slightly artificial, don't have the depth and fullness of other manufacturers, some colors truly go wrong. This becomes apparent in fields like portrait photography (people with different skin tones, women wearing shades of make-up) or still life (flowers in botanical garden, artworks, ecc.) To anyone truly loving photography, sacrifices in color quality are unacceptable. Color is so important for photography. In fact, color is a KEY element. So please, Panasonic executives, leave away some useless art filters, instead work on improving the rendering of Colors (truer!,deeper,fuller). Only this way the Lumix G-series will become the widely-accepted grown-up. Mabye with a G7 ?

0 upvotes

I miss the G5 and GH2 hump....

I think it's time for Panny to introduce a a 150-300 PZ lens to complement the 45-150PZ. Coming from a FZ150 and a Oly C8080 I like the idea of zooming from a lever on the camera body.

0 upvotes

I guess I should have said it's time for Panny to introduce a a 175-300 PZ lens to complement the 45-175PZ lens...

0 upvotes

Panasonic seems to be trying very hard to produce increasingly ugly cameras...

3 upvotes

nicer then a retro dino

2 upvotes

Took the words right out of my mouth. That is just gross.

0 upvotes

G6 looks great.

It's different to the traditional larger DSLR hump and that is probably what throws you a bit. Looks overgrown with the larger left-and-right area so it looks like it has a 'small head' yet it still remains small like the G5.

In my opinion, Olympus' interpretation of retro stands out like an embarrassing antiquated anomaly (which is probably its intent, minus the embarrassing bit) but I still know which one I'd rather be using daily.

0 upvotes

Please can someone explain what causes the photos technically different sensors of different cameras LUMIX ? Not interested in video.
But in practical terms what differentiates these cameras in photography?

0 upvotes

G (and GF, GH, GX) series have largest sensor = highest quality. And you can change lens.

That means that with right lens, you can shoot in very dark situations. For example.

1 upvote

I think Heleno might be referring to the multi-aspect sensor of the GH2, and now the G6.

It's a larger sensor, but no single photo uses the entire surface. So a square format photo, for example, can be larger (taller) than one simply cropped from a 4:3 rectangle.

1 upvote

Self-correction: The G6 does not have multi-aspect. The GH2 does.

Damn. Would have been a nice selling point.

2 upvotes

very simple rule that at any given angle of view, and regardless of the format size, the aperture size (diameter in mm, or sqmm, not f-number which is irrelevant) is the single decisive factor across all formats and above other factors.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Did the G5 sell well enough that a DPR test was not deemed necessary by Amazon?

1 upvote

Amazon doesn't tell us what (or how) to review.

8 upvotes

Do you foresee a G6 review then?

3 upvotes

I hope so, yeah. I've only used a pre-prod sample, but it's shaping up to be a nice little camera.

0 upvotes

I hope so too. The G5 preview actually promised a review but it didn't happen and now of course the G5 is gone. A full G6 review would be useful - for example I have a GH1 that could do with updating, and although the GH3 sounds good it's also bigger and more expensive. So the question is how much you lose in performance and options with the cheaper, smaller G6.

1 upvote

OK great then, looking forward to review.

0 upvotes

By Barney Britton (2 days ago)
I hope so, yeah. I've only used a pre-prod sample, but it's shaping up to be a nice little camera.

LIKE
That comment tells yo everything you need to know about the attitude to non canikon products.

0 upvotes

G5 is very well and new... already GH-3 was lauched. ... now G 6... why hurry ?

Not just panasonic but all the producers really.

1 upvote

Thats cause Panasonic like Sony or Samsung are producers of "consumer electronics". And in that segment, there is shoter life of product. Plus they apparently actually try to compete against each other.

Canon and Nikon are regular camera manufacturers with much longer life cycles. Sony dSLTs have bit longer life cycle too, at least those high end ones.

0 upvotes

Except for the Canon 450-500-550-600-650D... :)

Comment edited 20 seconds after posting

4 upvotes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baHqjUrykTU

Watch this video from CamerastoreTV Canada. Its the best review coul ever possible done by a reviwer about this Canon 700D

Its also ridicules in a very nice way though :)

2 upvotes

Whats the point if you can buy and DSLR with an APS-C for the same price?

Is it not mirrorless and if so why not NEX sized?

4 upvotes

Because it's smaller, because it works just as well when using the rear screen as when you use the viewfinder, because it focuses faster (in AF-S) than any DSLR with most lenses?

21 upvotes

@rbutler and arabegi: Cost. Its a scaled up version of a P&S.
It is not as usable as an APS DSLR. Picture quality and speed is not in the same league. Better buy is a lowend Nikon DSLR. Much better camera, way better lenses, weight difference not much. Electronic viewfinders, LV - good for phones no place on a serious camera.

1 upvote

Small + light + can take any lens you can imagine + full time LV.

That and Panasonic have very specific "look" in those images when processed right with good lens. Plus its native 4:3 usually, which I find way better than pre-historic 3:2. But ofc 1:1 with 36x36mm would be much better..

2 upvotes

@wakaba > Electronic viewfinders, LV - good for phones no place on a serious camera.

A good viewfinder does not make images better. You should have seen your image before putting your eyes up to the viewfinder, if you have one. View camera users make do without a viewfinder altogether.

3 upvotes

Share's the GH2's excellent video sensor, which is still second best among DSLR class cameras only to the GH3.

1 upvote

mescalamba: that's why the multi-aspect sensor was so awesome. you could choose between 16:9, 3:2, 4:3 and 1:1 and have pretty much the same resolution.

1 upvote

Contrast Detect AF mirrorless cameras focus very fast in good light. Indoors or in poor light, forget about it. Slower than even an entry level DSLR.

One of the few mirrorless cameras for which this is not the case is the Nikon 1 which is fast and accurate in both bright and pretty solid in low light.

My E-PL5 is extremely fast in bright light. Indoors in dim-light, it's slow and hunts. So to say that a mirrorless cameras focus faster than DSLRs in AF-S mode is not entirely true.

And bright light AF-Single Shot speed is only part of the story.
For AF tracking, C-AF only mirrorless cameras are miles behind DSLRs.

2 upvotes

@ marike6:
"For AF tracking, C-AF only mirrorless cameras are miles behind DSLRs."

I would not say "miles behind" We see plenty of sharp images eve with shallow DOF, of fast subjects moving in any direction - birds, dogs, boats, cars, etc. I don't see the actual evidence that current micro 4/3 cameras are doing so much worse for photographing moving subjects.

1 upvote

I don't see any evidence of moving subject focusing one way or another. The samples are almost entirely static subjects. I'd love to see something moving -- a runner, a vehicle, an aircraft, something -- in order to be able to at least get an idea of how well focus works.

1 upvote

m4/3" is more like DSLRs than P&S and performs more similar to DSLRs but it doesn't have high quality lenses and the cost-perfomance is low (but better than Fuji XF or Nikon 1).

about EVF, I think this guy has future and OVF has not, but we better not use any of these keyhole peeping style viewfinders like on old SLRs.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 10 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Big disappointment as i was ready to move from DSLR to MFT...A new body with an older sensor...same as Canon recycling years after years it's 18 MPIX sensor on various bodies...
What's wrong with these brands and their policies of "minimum innovation"
will wait for the new Olympus bodies coming shortly and decide to make the move or not !!

2 upvotes

By innovation do you mean the sensor technology? In terms of innovation, I find far more important concept the following: mirrorless system camera, short flange back distance, electronic shutter, EVF, fully articulating screen, touch screen (touch focus), WiFi, power zoom lenses, excellent manually controlled video, face recognition, PDAF that works in video, focus tracking across any part of the image, small lenses, software correction of aberrations, multi-aspect ratio sensor, stepless aperture control on a system camera lens... Of course Panasonic was not the first to introduce all of this, but you can't claim them not for being innovative. The innovations from other manufacturers includes IBIS, translucent mirror, PDAF on sensor, customizable adjustment ring in lens and focus peaking... Please, feel free to upgrade the lists.

Comment edited 25 seconds after posting

3 upvotes

They are sometimes improved on processing level. Its usually not 100% identical sensor.. which cant be said about Canon (sorry :D).

2 upvotes

The preview picture on this page is very nicely done. Good presentation whoever took it.

3 upvotes

Why thank you, kind sir...

2 upvotes

So in a kit this ships with the new 14-42mm rather than the old one correct? Just have seen quite a number of previews with the older kit lens attached.

Also as a kit with the new 14-140 is cool and a first for a non-GH Panny.

0 upvotes

In the US, the kits will be:

Body Only
G6 + 14-42 power zoom
G6 + 14-42 II (as used in our preview)
G6 + 14-140 3.5-5.6
G6 + 14-42 II + 45-150

2 upvotes

so, combined with the expected availability date of June 2013, does this mean that the new 14-140 lens will also be available around that time?

0 upvotes

Ihave a GH2, a G5 and an FZ200 - all with the same battery. Is the G6 the same, too or does it have a different one?

Jim

0 upvotes

I've got a G3, which has a sensor that performs similarly to the GH2, and my biggest gripe with it is that it's rather easy to blow highlights. Most reviews pick up on this problem too.

The new Oly's and the GH3, I believe, hold onto highlights much better, and that's why I would like to see a better sensor in the G6.

1 upvote

Most cameras blow highlights, if the subject is illuminated by a spotlight on a dark stage, or a bright beach next to dark water, or a brilliant sunset over a dark landscape. Unfortunately, the studio still shot tests don't include a standard means of comparing DR or blowout performance, so the opinions tend to be anecdotal or based on situations that are difficult to compare.

1 upvote

Sensor in G3 is noticeable worse than in GH2. And blown highlights are not exactly fault of the sensor, auto metering system is not perfect, but at least there many workarounds for this, including manual exposure :)

0 upvotes

Good improvements, It has all the G5 has but better.

Well done Panasonic. The G cameras line is very good and less expensive than the GH's.

I like better the G6 design.

8 upvotes

If the price of the G5 with kit lens falls to $299, might it still not be "better"?

0 upvotes

Possibly a better buy, but not a better camera. I don't expect it to fall quite that far. It dropped almost immediately to $500, where it stayed. If the G6 holds its price better (at least $700), the G5 would still zell at $500. Indeed, if the G6 gets hot, as it might, the G5 may even benefit.

0 upvotes

Focus Peaking will be added to the GH3 in a firmware update when the G6 is released.

3 upvotes

and how long will that take!? Good luck.

0 upvotes

It is like a GH2.75.

2 upvotes

GH1.9. No Multiple aspect ratio sensor. Really don't like 4:3.

1 upvote

Then you really must not like the Micro Four Thirds format.

3 upvotes

You can dislike 4:3 ratio and still like m4/3 as system. Like i do for example. Nex sure has superb bodies, but sadly you can't stick m4/3 lenses to it.

3 upvotes

I had GH1, now with Gh2. No 4:3 ratio.

1 upvote

i like to use 3:2 and sometimes 1:1 for macro shots of flowers. the GH2 does that.

0 upvotes

basically, when I read the video specs, this is a panasonic gh2 with slight photo improvements

0 upvotes

It has 1080/60p and focus peaking. Andrew Reid is quite impressed with it.
http://www.eoshd.com/content/10172/gh2-sensor-goes-into-impressive-panasonic-g6-adds-108060p-and-focus-peaking

0 upvotes

Any details or support for his mention of "40fps burst mode (and rumours of a 4K / 8MP burst mode at 20fps)"?

0 upvotes

With electronic shutter mode, it can shoot a 40fps burst.

1 upvote

An Leica R9 shadow.

0 upvotes

what does that even mean?

1 upvote

It means it looks like an R9's shadow.

0 upvotes

Designed to look like a Leica R-series camera.

0 upvotes

A bit, but Sony A380 was way closer (including image quality, excluding OVF unfortunately).

0 upvotes

Damn, still no mechanical stabilisation , why? A lot of people will propably use the G6 with the non-stabilized 14/2.5, 20/1.7 or 25/1.4.
The OMD is one step ahead.

2 upvotes

OM-d has IBIS and way better sensor, Panasonic loses.

5 upvotes

A lot of people will use the 14, 20 and 25mm lenses at 1/50 or faster, so not really sure where the advantage lies...?

1 upvote

Oh yeah and this doesn't compete with the OM-D, the GH3 does (if there is a direct competitor), this will be priced closer (in shops that is) to the E-PL5 - wanna tell me which is better?

1 upvote

@Skarstrom - G6 does way better video, costs less than half as much, has WiFi, NFC, has a better screen and EVF... And there might be a half stop (if that) behind the OM-D in outright IQ. Oh did I mention it costs half as much and handles twice as good?

5 upvotes

"'G6 does way better video, costs less than half as much"

Lol really?
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-G6-Compact-Digital-14-42mm/dp/B00CFCTDD6/

$749 and not available until June

"EVF"

Lol I lose right here. Way to go keyboard hero!

1 upvote

Because Panasonic choose to do optical stabilisation instead.

1 upvote

'"EVF"

Lol I lose right here. Way to go keyboard hero!'

Ah sorry what? Where I am, $750 is half of the $1500 the OM-D's RRP with 12-50mm. So yeah, half.

But what I don't understand is this genius comment? What like the mythical OM-D doesn't use one?

0 upvotes

haha why? Cause you enlarge it and give it the same number of pixels. Is that improvement?

But worse use the price of OMD with 12-50 to compare with G6 with 14-42? Haha I heard they are the same.
Oh we haven't counted in other stuffs yet hum...

Oh the best part is you get everything wrong haha:
OMD with 14 - 42
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Interchangeable-3-0-Inch-Tilting-Touchscreen/dp/B0074WDFOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366833387&sr=8-1&keywords=EM+5

haha, 1100 ATM and OMD with 12 - 50 is for 1300 AT THE STARTING PRICE. Double? haha yeah totally.

0 upvotes

Hahaha, loligags, hahaha rofl... I'm a teenager who has only just discovered masturbation ;)

You also cannot compare a product that is 18 months old's shop price to a brand new, just been launched product. The Oly might be $1300, but the G6 will be $600 before the Oly gets any cheaper - or is that a bit hard for you to understand?

If so how about this: The G6 doesn't actually compete against the crappy E-M5, it competes with the E-PL5... So now tell me which is better genius? Lol, hahaha barf.

(Please do not include another lol or haha in your pathetic little response).

As for the EVF, I would say that the large contrast ratio boost between the EVF found in the E-M5 (and VF2) is a worthy upgrade, resolution isn't everything... Measurbating little putz.

0 upvotes

Oh and forgot to add, for the E-M5 to compete with the G6 you have to add a $300 grip so your tiny boy hands can hold the thing.

0 upvotes

And what the 12-50mm is SO awesome? Is that your only lens? Yeah, it is isn't it. Oh look at the little boy with his little kit lens, it makes him a big a proud little chest beater. Little crappy kit lenses for the win their champ ;)

0 upvotes

Sad sad that it has the GH-2 sensor, I would buy it otherwise just because I prefer Panasonic bodys.

3 upvotes

A sensor (or should I say, the mild difference between sensors) shouldn't be enough of a reason. This G6 is a far better camera than the OM-D, save for the sensor, yet is half the price. Give me a G6 please.

3 upvotes

the improvement from the GH2 to the GH3 sensor can be compensated by the better lenses that are coming out lately. so you shouldn't compare the old review photos taken with the GH2 to the new review photos taken with the GH3, because it would not be fair.

besides, it's not like the GH2 sensor had any major flaw.

0 upvotes

According to DxO, G5 was better than GH2 in dynamic range and color depth. wut.......

0 upvotes

That could be explained by improvements in the signal processing. The G5 and the new G6 definitely have the GH2 sensor; the total pixel count of 18 MP is a giveaway.

1 upvote

Panasonic taking a leaf out of Canon's book: stick a two year old sensor in a consumer camera and flog it as an update.

I haven't read the marketing fluff but presume this offers substantially more than the current G5?

2 upvotes

DPReview, pls verify, do you mean its got the same sensor as the GH3 or is it really the same sensor as the GH2 ?? Kind of perplexing here

5 upvotes

It's (apparently) the same sensor as the GH2, but with improved processing, giving a wider ISO span. BUT. The G6 does not inherit the GH2's multi-aspect feature, delivering a maximum resolution of 16MP in 4:3 aspect ratio (from a total pixel count of 18MP).

5 upvotes

Is that a new accessory also on the writing pad ;)

1 upvote

I was surprised to find it's the same one I have!

0 upvotes

It's used for micro adjusting your lenses! ;)

3 upvotes

I just don't like reflex design on an EVF mirrorless. I prefer Fuji's (and Sony's) approach Leica like lateral finders, with or without the OVF.

Just a personal opinion.

7 upvotes

I was just saying: I hope they use the design of the EVF from the LF1 on any future GX model. (Although more resolution would be nice). I'd happily pay the cost of incorporating an LVF2, if they could maintain the size of the overall package.

Really, that's what the lines should be: GX# size with incorporated EVF, and the GH#/DSLR/full size. GF# series for the really truly tiny models.

I'm having trouble differentiating between this new model and a GH3. If the price is less, why wouldn't I want this over the more expensive model?

0 upvotes

The GH3 offers better build quality and far more advanced video specs. Not that this isn't very good, too, but it's not specifically aimed at pro videographers.

0 upvotes

i propose that GH3 has much VEDIO advantage benchmark with G series. so in my opinion, GH series just for VEDIO hot fans or pros, G series for photo user.

0 upvotes

Love the body design!!! but it looks like it doesnt have a heart & soul (old sensor)... moving on to Olympus.

3 upvotes

A bit sad that pany is going this way. I like their bodies more than oly, especially G series. But to use old sensors, when a noticeable better one is available... Seems my next cam will be from olympus after all, G3 that i have now is lacking some features i'd like to have, like build in level gauge and better DR at base iso

3 upvotes

Meh x.001

1 upvote

Same sensor as that in the GH2? I am really disappointed.

1 upvote

The GH2 is capable of good IQ, but yes, the GH3 sensor is a big improvement. So I too was hoping for the GH3 sensor. Olympus put the OMD sensor in two lower end models, I figured Panasonic might do the same. If they had I would have bought the G6, which is I guess why Panasonic DIDN'T put the GH3 sensor in it. They don't want me to skip the GH3 for a G6.

5 upvotes

The GH2 is multi aspect 18MP if I remember correctly.

1 upvote

yep, but seems they are not using this feature in G6. Too bad, that would be at least some benefit.

2 upvotes

According to the specifications, the multi-aspect ratio feature is retained.

0 upvotes

Yes Oly OMD put its sensor in lower end models, so maybe PANASONIC will put GH3 sensor in GX2? everybody want highlight one product in each level, and GX series volume is larger than G.

1 upvote

No, the MAR feature is not retained. The other aspect ratios are achieved by cropping, just like in most other cameras. Which is a shame, because the sensor does have 18 MP just like the GH2, so this really is intentional crippling.

3 upvotes

Hacking MAR

3 upvotes

I Do not get why they disabled the MAR feature of this Chip

2 upvotes

Total comments: 106


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