Gf1 from Nikon D60

I have been shooting with a Nikon D60 and the 35mm f1.8 for around two years and have enjoyed using it. Recently the GF1 with the 20mm lens has started looking like an attractive option. Can anyone who has experience with both give me your opinion as to what I will lose and gain performace wise? The D60 autofocus is OK with only 3 focus points and I have read a lot about the GF1 af performance being pretty good. Also while D60 is pretty small the GF1 definitely stands to be brought more places due to its size. What are your thoughts? Would this feel like an upgrade in some respects? Thanks

Is the iso performance similar on these cameras?

The ISO performance is not similar....you will be disappointed if you like to use high ISO and move to the GF-1. You may also not be happy with LCD-only views for the GF-1....and the add on VF is so-so re performance (I'd skip it).

But.....the portibility of the GF-1, control options and the superb 20mm are but three reasons to consider the camera. IMHO, while with limitations (you either can or cannot accept)...it's a pretty cool camera.

Richard

Thanks for the response Robert. I know composing on the LCD won't bug me as I enjoy the freedom it allows when I use my p&s. How about the autofocus and different af modes? As I said before the 3 point af system on the d60 is not stellar. I'm wondering how the gf1 compares.

I would check DxOMark. They show slightly better sensor performance with the D60, but not by much. Mostly a bit better DR at base ISO.

CDAF is different than PDAF. There are some advantages like being able to focus anywhere on the screen, and not having to worry about things like back focusing. Speed is somewhat lens Dependant but generally snappy on static subjects. Problems can arise on trying to focus on quick moving subjects like birds.

With the 20mm lens, you can shoot in very low light situations and still stay at or usually below 800. And I would get the LVF. It is pretty crappy, but at the current price, at least on Amazon, of $125, it's worth having. Sometimes the LCD can get washed out by bright sunlight, so even tho it's low res, and kind of small, it works in a lot of situations and if you don't want to have it on the camera, it fits into your pocket.

SF Photo Gal
Canon 1DsIII & 5DII/Panasonic GH1-GF1-LX3

I have a Nikon D80 and I use it with 18-70mm and 35mm f1.8 lenses, I was never able get to the colour of my D80 correctly from Jpeg output. I am disappointed with the image sharpness from the 18-70mm len.

Then I use the 18-70mm len on an E-PL1 camera body, the Jpeg output is outstanding in terms of image colour and sharpness which D80 can never give me. I am now using E-PL1 exclusively.

At the risk of sounding like a skipping LP, ultimately you need to play with a GF1 to really know if it will work better for you or not. And recommendations are hard without knowing how you use the camera.

I don't own a D60, but I've played with a lot of Nikon DSLRs, and I think many of the differences are in a real sense more species-specific than model-specific.

Gurdy gurds said:

have been shooting with a Nikon D60 and 35mm f1.8...Recently the GF1 with the 20mm lens has started looking attractive...what I will lose and gain performace wise?

Click to expand...

The GF1 w/20 is, I think, significantly smaller than a D60 w/35. Some will argue this point. If you never add another lens the difference isn't huge, but it is significant. Less weight around your neck, smaller in the hand, fits into a smaller bag. Any lens you add will make the difference greater (compared to similar-spec APS lenses).

The difference between Live View mirrorless and DSLR OVF viewing/composing is also pretty significant. Live View lets you see exposure and white balance effects in real time, pre-exposure. Auto-gain makes low light viewing and dof checking easier. Precise framing from low and high angles is possible. Real usable Live View was a revelation for me, and I don't think DLSRs have any advantage here.

That said, I need an EVF for outdoor use, and the GF1 EVF is adequate, but not great. It will also add $100+ to the overall cost. I prefer cameras like the Pany G2 with onboard EVF.

Your D60 probably has slightly less noise at high ISO, but it's an older sensor and the difference isn't as great compared to a D5000 or D90. I think you may be looking at a 1/2-stop advantage. If that much difference is important to you, maybe you're better off looking at the GH2 or a D5000.

I'm not sure what you'll find comparing AF speed. The GF1 AF system is more advanced, but the D60 PDAF might be a bit faster in some situations than the GF1 CDAF. Your D60 is probably a bit better for action/sports, but you're generally not shooting much of that with a 35/1.8.

The GF1 will shoot HD video, it can use hundreds of legacy MF lenses with affordable adapters, it will weigh less around your neck and fit into a smaller bag. You may find live view a better way to take photos. Whether you'll like it better than a D60, or a newer DSLR, you've got to figure out for yourself.

I actually switched to a GF-1 from a Nikon D60 just this past month!
I had also been using the 35mm 1.8 as my main lens on the Nikon.

Anyhow, I love my GF-1 (using just the kit zoom lens at this point) so much I decided I'd sell all my Nikon gear on ebay and I have no regrets. I got around $550 for it and 3 lenses, the 35 and the two kit zooms. I took a loss but I got more than I thought I would.

My assessment of the GF-1 over the D60 is: Faster, especially burst mode-it will shoot continuous and not sputter out after 3 or 4 like the Nikon; better color rendering in jpgs, better auto white balance; and in my opinion, better low light performance, or at least similar. And, the size of the GF-1 is the greatest-I think it's the perfect size actually. It also has a better feel in my hands, it feels less plasticky.

One could argue sensor specs and all that jazz would make the Nikon better, but in the end, I feel the GF-1 wins.

First POST! New to the forums even tho I have been lurking for some time. I currently own a D200 and just got my Panasonic GF1 / 20mm on Friday. I'm a broke college student so spending $719.00 at amazon was a big deal ( w free shipping ). Perhaps I paid more than some, perhaps I didn't, but i feel I got a fair shake.

Regardless here is my opinion as a fresh new user.

I got the camera because I convinced myself that it would have better low light performance as well as the ability to take it everywhere, no back pack needed. I expected the quality of the pics to be ok and maybe on par with my D200.

Needless to say, but I am blown away by this little guy ( a lot smaller than I remember it tho) I normally shoot A priority (I have kids to keep up with) but I find manual controls on this thing so simple and intuitive so I will probably use M setting instead of A. I have only got chance to use it indoors but the low light performance has been outstanding. Also the 20mm is a must. Just amazing quality from the GF1. I only shoot raw these days so I can't comment on the JPEG qual.

I can see this will become my primary camera. I won't get rid of my D200 yet, but I could see it happening. Especially if the GF2 shows a substantial upgrade. As for the Live View vs viewfinder, I can't really make a clear assessment yet as I really have't shot out doors yet in bright sunlight. But this was my first time using Live View and I liked it. The LCD is great quality and camera feels solid. I really like the controls but that is subjective. It's really is a mini DSLR.

Based on the first impression so far, if I were at the store with money in hand and had to decide between my D200 or the GF1, I would buy the GF1. it's really is that impressive. ( BTW I would consider myself and intermediate photographer)

Tete

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Aresenal:
Panasonic GF1
D200

I think it depends on your type of photography, i used to have the D60 amoung other Nikons and mounted with the 35mm 1.8 made for a compact , fun set up untill the GF-1 came out with the 20mm which took compact to another level.

I purchased the GF-1 and 20mm lens and enjoyed using it but the D60 in my opnion gave much better jpeg colours and high ISO (about 1.5 stops)

Although the size and fantastic build , design of the GF-1 was fantastic , i could.nt live with the limitations of the Gf-1.

Anyway fast forward a year and i went down this road again but in the shape of the EPL-1 + 20mm/14-42mm combo , that was 3 months ago and i still love using the EPL -1 + 20mm combo over the Nikon , this time i have a camera that betters the Nikon IQ and gives very very good lowlight shooting ability in your (large) pocket.

I now just keep an olde D70 with a sigma superzoom lens for stuff the EPL-1 won,t cover for me anyway.

Back to the GF-1 i would highly recommend ,but it is a RAW shooter but better built then the Oly and generally faster.
Pick your poison !