The GF6 looks a lot like its recent predecessors, with the (presumably faux-retro) flourish of a silver top-plate. The main changes are the addition of a conventional exposure mode dial on the top plate, along with a compact camera-style zoom lever surrounding the shutter button. The screen now tilts, both downwards and up, and can be set to face forwards for shooting self portraits. The tilting screen means the body is a little thicker than the GF5's.
An additional button on the back is used to set up Wi-Fi (using NFC with suitable devices), or alternatively can serve as a second customisable function button during shooting (Fn2). A built-in flash pops up out of the top plate, but in keeping with the GF-series' low-end positioning there's neither a hot shoe for a more powerful flash unit, nor a port for an accessory viewfinder. The standard package is rounded-off by Panasonic's latest, very compact Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS kit zoom.
The overall result is a camera that ends up looking extremely similar to the Sony NEX-3N in terms of both control layout and features. It's also remarkably like its closest Micro Four Thirds competitor from Olympus, the PEN E-PL5; this lacks a built-in flash, but has a hot shoe and accessory port instead.
The top of the camera gains both a conventional mode dial, and a lever around the shutter button. This controls exposure compensation or zoom, depending on whether you have a power zoom fitted. On the left side are the built-in stereo microphones for movie recording and tiny speaker for playback, with the pop-up flash in line with the lens.
In keeping with its aim of allowing some camera control, the GF6 adds a selection of Customizable function buttons over the solitary example offered by its predecessor. The two physical buttons and the pair of on-screen buttons can be set to control the following functions. This additional control comes in addition to the customizable Q.Menu interface.
| Options that can be applied to the Fn buttons: | |
|---|---|
| • Wi-Fi • Q.Menu • AF/AE Lock • One Push AE • DoF Preview • PhotoStyle • Aspect Ratio • Picture Size • Quality • Focus Mode • Metering Mode • HDR • Flash Mode • Flash Adjust |
• i.Resolution • i.Dynamic • Ex Tele Conv. • Digital Zoom • Stabilizer • Sensitivity • Restore to Default • Motion Pic Set • Picture Mode • Histogram • Guide Line • Step Zoom • Zoom Speed • REC Area |
Panasonic DMC-GF6 16MP Mirrorless Compact System Camera with Lens Kit | $499.00 |
Panasonic DMC-GF6 16MP Mirrorless Compact System Camera with Lens Kit | $499.00 |
Panasonic DMC-GF5KK 12 MP Compact System Camera with 3-Inch Touch Screen and 14-42 Zoom Lens (Black) | $363.50 |
Panasonic Lumix G Series DMC-G6KK Compact System Digital Camera with 14-42mm II Lens Kit (Black) | Too low to display |
Panasonic Lumix GF6 with Lumix GX HPS14042 16MP Mirrorless Compact System Camera with Lens Kit | $659.00 |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3KK 12 MP Micro 4/3 Compact System Camera with 3-Inch Touchscreen LCD and 14-42mm Zoom Lens (Black) | $244.89 |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 12 MP Micro 4/3 Compact System Camera with 3-Inch Touch-Screen LCD Body Only (Black) | $199.00 |
Panasonic DMC-G5KK 16 MP Compact System Camera with 14-42mm Zoom Lens and 3-Inch LCD (Black) | Too low to display |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 16 MP Micro 4/3 Compact System Camera with 3-Inch LCD Touch Screen Body Only (Black) | $347.29 |
Panasonic GF3XT 12.1MP Compact System Camera with LUMIX G X Vario PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 Lens | $389.95 |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3CK Kit 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 14mm Pancake Lens | $448.00 |
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