Real-world samples added to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 first impressions: Digital Photography Review

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Oldest first

Just tried out the constant preview on my newly arrived GM1. When set to "on" and I change either aperture or SS, there is a clicking noise which sounds like it's coming from the lens. Do other people also find this? Is it some mechanism necessary to create the constant preview each time I change an exposure setting? Is it creating extra wear on the camera which it otherwise wouldn't if I didn't turn constant preview on?

Feb 24, 2014permalink

Richt2000

Goodbye RX100 amazing though you are.
Hello GM1+12-32 and 45/1.8

Nov 25, 2013permalink

Battersea

Nice images, especially at higher ISO. I'm moderately impressed.

Nov 5, 2013permalink

photo perzon

I love it

Nov 5, 2013permalink

bloodycape

This camera is really tempting, but my only concern is maximum shutter speed of 1/50 when using the flash(would have like at least 1/240, but even 1/100 could have possibly worked. Maybe the GM2, GF7(if they made it a little smaller) or similar mode from Olympus would offer it.

Nov 5, 2013*permalink

eivissa1

Do you really need flash with this camera?

Nov 5, 2013permalink

Raist3d

Thank you preview for posting high ISO pics in more real world conditions where they would be used, instead of the 1/1000th shutter speeds at F4.0 from a couple years. It is much appreciated, as a street night shooter I am.

This is looking pretty promising.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

tipple

Very impressive high iso pics. Good colors without over saturation. Looks like Panasonic has a winner in this category.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Lab D

Maybe Richard can answer this. It is true that much of the size reduction is due to the smaller shutter mechanism and that if/when Panasonic goes with only an electric shutter weight and possibly size might be reduced even more?

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Allison Johnson

Richard may have more to say but it seems to me that the camera can't get any smaller because of the lens mount. As it is, the body is only slightly taller than the mount itself. I can't see an all electronic shutter making a noticeable difference weight-wise either, the new shutter unit in the GM1 is pretty light as it is.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

marike6

It's already the size of a Pentax Q7, how small do you want it to be? Any smaller and handling will suffer.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

monkeybrain

Lab, I suppose you might be thinking how small could it be made if it had a fixed lens? RX100 size with m43 sensor would be amazing but would surely dent lens sales.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Kevin Purcell

I don't think most people would want the body any smaller (it's around Canon S95 size but thicker). Plus the LCD and controls on the back pretty much set the lower usable size.

They probably could make it thinner with a fixed lens and leaf shutter rather than focal plane shutter. A fixed prime lens would be very pocketable but perhaps not much different in size to the Ricoh GR or GRD4 (with a larger shutter).

The rear question is how much thinner that hypothetical camera would be than the GM1 + 20mm or 14mm pancake prime. Perhaps half an inch (12mm)? Is it worth it? I suspect Panasonic think not.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

rtogog

To match beautifully with this Lumix GM1. Panasonic should updated their pancake lenses, as their lenses are aim for Lumix G series which is bigger in size. I would like to have updated existing fixed lens with focal lens (20,14 or smaller) to keep it small.

Nov 5, 2013permalink

rpm40

I would love to see a camera that falls somewhere between the rx100 and the Ricoh GR- an m4/3 sensor, fixed standard zoom that is fast at wide angle, relatively pocketable.

I think models like this affirm the idea that Panasonic won't make it soon, as it would conflict with their m4/3 plans, but we can always hope!

Nov 5, 2013permalink

brudy

Finally the promise of size/IQ/price for m43 comes true.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Lab D

I can't believe how small the thing is! Imagine carring it in one pocket with a couple pancake lenses in another. With the 20mm F/1.7 it would be a great P&S camera to compliment a different micro four thirds camera.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Digitall

My point too.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

rpm40

It's tempting. This thing with a 20mm and 45mm would make a super tiny kit.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

M0P03

It can't be great without image stab.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

four under

It could be to me.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

hydrospanner

Yes, because there were clearly no great cameras until the advent of digital and IS.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

rpm40

... and yet most interchangeable lens cameras sold get by without it..

Nov 5, 2013permalink

oluv

an image stab that introduces its own blurring as seen on the E-P5? no thanks...

Nov 5, 2013permalink

Gesture

Would like to see Olympus do the same concept, even with a 24mm-90mm equivalent fixed lens.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Digitall

I assume that Olympus will counteract this model soon(2014)

Nov 4, 2013permalink

rpm40

The body could be a good deal bigger and it would still seem more pocketable as long as the lens retracted flush (or almost).

The rx100 is probably close to the limits of camera size to sensor size when a zoom lens is involved, but seeing things like the Ricoh GR keep giving me hope that an m4/3 fixed lens camera similar to the rx100 will be possible soon. Just make it longer and taller if needed to get it thinner! Plenty of people are slipping 5 inch smartphones in their jeans.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Trollshavethebestcandy

I cant wait for it to get a Red Dot and cost three times as much!
Also for the GM-2 with hotshoe and matching 30mm OVF.
Maybe use the tripod mount for an OVF and shoot sideways or upside down?
Perhaps Bluetooth EVF Google Glass?

Nov 4, 2013permalink

vapentaxuser

It's hard to judge sharpness because I am using a lousy monitor. The color reproduction is very nice though.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

HB 101

Nice samples.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Jogger

It seems like most of the highlights are blown out with very visible clipping.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

marike6

These are JPEGs, and all cameras can clip very bright highlights. But I'm not seeing an unusually high amount of clipping.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Inlined

I got an expression that most of 12-32 lens sample shots are blurry at the right side. The left side is mostly fine. What is this? Is it something that manufacturer can fix/replace?

And a tiny question: does this camera support "constant preview" on/off mode like GX7?

Nov 4, 2013*permalink

Allison Johnson

We'll take a look at that lens. And yes the GM1 has an on/off mode for constant preview.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

oluv

so far only 12mm seems affected. the 20mm shot is perfectly sharp.

Nov 5, 2013permalink

deechnz

I just got my GM1 and tried the constant preview. When I have it turned on and change either the aperture or SS, there is a clicking noise which sounds like it's coming from the lens. Do other people find this? Is it normal?

Feb 24, 2014permalink

Hugo808

Nice work. Good set of varied pics. It looks like a first class compact camera. Good enough for me even....

Nov 4, 2013permalink

photo perzon

Pm2 looks better at same weight and half cost

Nov 4, 2013permalink

Richard Butler

The GM1 is much smaller, though.

Nov 4, 2013*permalink

marike6

Doesn't the E-PM2 have the 4:3 aspect ratio on the 16:9 LCD like the E-PL5? I have to admit, I didn't care for that at all.

I think the GM1 has a nicer LCD panel. IQ should be essentially the same, more or less.

Nov 4, 2013*permalink

photo perzon

Not impressed yet

Nov 4, 2013permalink

palinode

Really? I was prepared to be unimpressed until I saw some of the image samples. This seems like a wonderful m4/3 camera - tiny size, choice of excellent lenses, a sensor that appears to do a better job with noise than my GH3 & EM5, and at a pretty decent price. What do you think the M1 needs to put it over the top? Better styling? IQ? Stabilization?

Nov 4, 2013permalink

yslee1

Judging by the fanbase here, an Olympus logo.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

rpm40

I would have liked a hotshoe, and I think the dial on top for focus mode is a wasted opportunity. If those were both sorted, I'd have a hard time keeping the credit card in my pocket, but as is, it tempers my enthusiasm. Maybe nit picky, but I have no urgent need to upgrade.

Nov 5, 2013permalink

SWSF14

Obviously not the type of camera that you'd even consider. Just. Move. On.

Nov 5, 2013permalink

Digitall

This would be my "pocket" camera today, if I bought one now.

Nov 4, 2013permalink

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85/G80 Review Oct 31, 2016	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Review Dec 19, 2013	Olympus E-M1 Mark II Iceland sample gallery Nov 2, 2016	Google Pixel XL real-world sample gallery Oct 31, 2016

Black, W/ 12-32 Lens In stock Usually ships in 3-5 weeks	From $743.76 »
White, W/ 12-32 Lens In stock Usually ships in 1-2 business days	From $811.70 »
Camera with Lens Kit In stock Usually ships in 1-2 business days	$749.99 »


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