GM1 User Review

grey0135 wrote:

REVIEW:

PROS:

+ Very small AND lightweight

+ GREAT silent mode

+ Very handy iHandheld Night Shot mode goes some way toward compensating for lack of IBIS, although it only works with JPEGS, not RAW

+ Very handy kit lens

+ Very flexible package when combined with the 17mm and 45mm lenses.

+ Pinpoint autofocus mode

+ Easier to hand this camera to strangers.

CONS:

- No IBIS. In my trip, I compensated for this by occasionally using handheld nightspot mode, but this mode limits you to shooting in JPEG and iAuto. This can be an issue when trying to shoot at night with a prime. Sure, you can shoot wide open and the ISO performance on the GM1 is very good, but image quality does suffer some.

- Doesn't handle as well with larger lenses. I don't see this as an issue because I also own the E-P5.

- No hotshoe / no possibility of adding a viewfinder or external flash. Again, not an issue for me because I also own a larger camera. But this is a silly criticism--can't think that many people would by this sort of camera if they want to use off camera flash or a viewfinder. That's clearly not the intended market--a typical flash would be larger than the camera itself!

That's a well thought out and well illustrated review! After being tempted by the portability, you have convinced me that the shortcomings mean that I'll pass. So thanks!!

I will comment, though, that taking photos in theatre performances does demand a silent mode; but it also demands an EVF. If you've ever sat behind a determined performance photographer with their mobile and been distracted by the little screen waving about then you really wouldn't do it. (Unless you are in the back row, of course!!)

The bigger the screen the worse it is. My current bete-noir is tablet users - yes really!!!

Mike