GM 1 is perfect as a premium compact at a very reasonable price

TOMSDPR · Apr 11, 2014

I have just uploaded a sample GM 1 ALBUM from the GM 1 that can give an idea what is possible with the 12-32 mm - a limited in range but otherwise fine lens on a 'always with me' compact - for me. It is small and I have big hands - but I didn't miss a grip so far. Two handed operations with the touch screen is very handy after you get used to it . AF is very fast and exposure and AWB are accurate. Flash is weak but you can kind of bounce it. I have bought two spare batteries and a belt bag so the camera is always with me at almost no weight.

I have limited the ISO to 3200 which guarantees excellent IQ without any compromise.

The GM 1 images look sharper and more detailed than from my 8 years old FF camera EOS 1Ds with the large and heavy EF 24-105 zoom. Blurring the BG is not a problem but the bokeh of course doesn't match a FF with fast lens.

I wish the GM 1 had a better macro performance but then it would also miss a tilting screen and become bigger - which was a shame.

burnymeister · Apr 11, 2014

I couldn't agree more. I love this little gem!

EGenius007 · Apr 11, 2014

Very concise review, appreciate the album of pictures. Agree that you've been able to get excellent landscapes out of this camera! Out of curiosity are the bulk of the pictures in that album out of camera JPEGs or processed (lightly/heavily? software?) RAW images?

TOMSDPR · Apr 23, 2014

EGenius007 said:
Very concise review, appreciate the album of pictures. Agree that you've been able to get excellent landscapes out of this camera! Out of curiosity are the bulk of the pictures in that album out of camera JPEGs or processed (lightly/heavily? software?) RAW images?

j.s. · Apr 24, 2014

mjdundee said:
I have bought two spare batteries and a belt bag so the camera is always with me at almost no weight.

May I ask you what belt bag did you choose?

Thank you for lovely photos

berni29 · Apr 24, 2014

Hi

For me the GM1 is much more than an alternative to a compact, premium or otherwise. I use it with my Pana 35-100 mostky and also 9mm bodycap. As well as the 12-32, 20mm and Oly 45mm.

LegioAerium · Apr 24, 2014

mjdundee said:
I have just uploaded a sample GM 1 ALBUM from the GM 1 that can give an idea what is possible with the 12-32 mm - a limited in range but otherwise fine lens on a 'always with me' compact - for me. It is small and I have big hands - but I didn't miss a grip so far. Two handed operations with the touch screen is very handy after you get used to it . AF is very fast and exposure and AWB are accurate. Flash is weak but you can kind of bounce it. I have bought two spare batteries and a belt bag so the camera is always with me at almost no weight.

I have limited the ISO to 3200 which guarantees excellent IQ without any compromise.

The GM 1 images look sharper and more detailed than from my 8 years old FF camera EOS 1Ds with the large and heavy EF 24-105 zoom. Blurring the BG is not a problem but the bokeh of course doesn't match a FF with fast lens.

I wish the GM 1 had a better macro performance but then it would also miss a tilting screen and become bigger - which was a shame.

I completely agree with you. GM1 has basically been my go to camera for most of my needs. I recently got Oly 45mm f1.8 and they are a great combo also. Thinking about getting another lens now. But this is my 'always with me' kit for now. I need to find a smaller bag for them.

http://4.static.img-dpreview.com/fi..._b.jpg&signature=d/t61CCqgBtGlUdBRfKdZwg9ZRQ=

TOMSDPR · Apr 24, 2014

j.s. said:
mjdundee said:

I have bought two spare batteries and a belt bag so the camera is always with me at almost no weight.

Click to expand...

May I ask you what belt bag did you choose?

Thank you for lovely photos

Hi,

I found the Lowepro Portland 30 a perfect match.

TOMSDPR · Apr 25, 2014

berni29 said:
Hi

For me the GM1 is much more than an alternative to a compact, premium or otherwise. I use it with my Pana 35-100 mostky and also 9mm bodycap. As well as the 12-32, 20mm and Oly 45mm.

I agree - GM 1 can virtually replace any kind/size of camera and deliver excellent results - exept a real sports/action camera.

berni29 said:
--
Berni29
EM-5, GM1 + Pana 12-32mm, 35-100mm f2.8, 20mm, 14-45mm Oly 45mm, 50mm F2 macro, (prev GH1, E30, E510, E1, E300, LX3)

Paulmorgan · Apr 25, 2014

mjdundee said:
I have just uploaded a sample GM 1 ALBUM from the GM 1 that can give an idea what is possible with the 12-32 mm - a limited in range but otherwise fine lens on a 'always with me' compact - for me. It is small and I have big hands - but I didn't miss a grip so far. Two handed operations with the touch screen is very handy after you get used to it . AF is very fast and exposure and AWB are accurate. Flash is weak but you can kind of bounce it. I have bought two spare batteries and a belt bag so the camera is always with me at almost no weight.

I have limited the ISO to 3200 which guarantees excellent IQ without any compromise.

The GM 1 images look sharper and more detailed than from my 8 years old FF camera EOS 1Ds with the large and heavy EF 24-105 zoom. Blurring the BG is not a problem but the bokeh of course doesn't match a FF with fast lens.

I wish the GM 1 had a better macro performance but then it would also miss a tilting screen and become bigger - which was a shame.

How did you come to the conclusion that it is great for flash photography and studio/still life ?

j.s. · Apr 25, 2014

mjdundee said:
I found the Lowepro Portland 30 a perfect match.

Thank you for video. You probably use your camera without shoulder strap and without hand grip, isn't it?

TOMSDPR · May 2, 2014

exactly - no grip. no neckstrap.

I even have removed the triangle hooks and fitted a simple handstrap through the right pinhole.

TOMSDPR · May 2, 2014

Paulmorgan said:
mjdundee said:

I have just uploaded a sample GM 1 ALBUM from the GM 1 that can give an idea what is possible with the 12-32 mm - a limited in range but otherwise fine lens on a 'always with me' compact - for me. It is small and I have big hands - but I didn't miss a grip so far. Two handed operations with the touch screen is very handy after you get used to it . AF is very fast and exposure and AWB are accurate. Flash is weak but you can kind of bounce it. I have bought two spare batteries and a belt bag so the camera is always with me at almost no weight.

I have limited the ISO to 3200 which guarantees excellent IQ without any compromise.

The GM 1 images look sharper and more detailed than from my 8 years old FF camera EOS 1Ds with the large and heavy EF 24-105 zoom. Blurring the BG is not a problem but the bokeh of course doesn't match a FF with fast lens.

I wish the GM 1 had a better macro performance but then it would also miss a tilting screen and become bigger - which was a shame.

Click to expand...

How did you come to the conclusion that it is great for flash photography and studio/still life ?

The flash works well and I can bounce it manually. flash/social works better than with most smartphones w flash.

I don't do studio work but I have tried some close up stills that show a good control of sharpness and exposure.

Tom Caldwell · May 2, 2014

A very good review. I should note that the review is for the kit lens and this is noted and accepable, not a problem.

My comment is that six of the seven categories can be varied by the lens being used and that by selection of lens the capability can be enhanced noting that the 12mm f2.0 Olympus lens can change the whole charisma of the camera and turn it into a light-light wide-angle speed demon. By lashing out on a Nocticron you can have a camera that is a cutting edge protrait camera complete with some blurred bokeh and effectively take pictures in the dark - the small flash then has no real disadvantage.

Some may shrink from the size of the Nocticron lens but the heft is controllable and the anguish of its size is more than compensated by the images it can capture.

Less happy is the fiddly (no better way to describe it) multi-function ring and the out of the box lack of a decent grip (think "Nocticron"). A separate control wheel - preferably on the top of the front plate of the camera well away from accidental touch screen invocation and direction arrows only on the functon "dial" might be better - it is all too easy (among other things) to set delete of multi-image view when using the 'left arrow" in playback as the icons are right there "winking at you" right next to where your thumb lands.

A truly great camera with just enough disconcerting "fiddles" to give it some humanity worth cursing.

Tom Caldwell · May 2, 2014

berni29 said:
Hi

For me the GM1 is much more than an alternative to a compact, premium or otherwise. I use it with my Pana 35-100 mostky and also 9mm bodycap. As well as the 12-32, 20mm and Oly 45mm.

Tom Caldwell · May 2, 2014

mjdundee said:
berni29 said:

Hi

For me the GM1 is much more than an alternative to a compact, premium or otherwise. I use it with my Pana 35-100 mostky and also 9mm bodycap. As well as the 12-32, 20mm and Oly 45mm.

Click to expand...

I agree - GM 1 can virtually replace any kind/size of camera and deliver excellent results - exept a real sports/action camera.

Tom Caldwell · May 2, 2014

j.s. said:
mjdundee said:

I found the Lowepro Portland 30 a perfect match.

Click to expand...

Thank you for video. You probably use your camera without shoulder strap and without hand grip, isn't it?

My setup is the Richard Franiec grip (brilliant), remove the triangle strap lugs and thread two two "string" type lightweight wrist straps through them (one on each). They have proved effective and do not add bulk. They will hold the camera hanging from your wrist but I would not suggest swinging it over your head by them.

If hanging the camera over a bridge railing use of both straps would be intelligent.

--
Tom Caldwell

Tom Caldwell · May 2, 2014

mjdundee said:
exactly - no grip. no neckstrap.

I even have removed the triangle hooks and fitted a simple handstrap through the right pinhole.

A man after my own heart! No add on complications to dress the little beast up and disguise all the benefits of a compact camera body ...

I now feel that I might have overdone things with the Richard Franiec grip and "two" wrist straps (smile).

I have a little cheap common or garden rectangular shape cheap but well-made "Case Logic" bag with only an inside lid-top pocket and a narow zip up flat outer pocket where the camera goes when not in use. With a smaller lens it will fit camera and a small case with spare batteries. With a larger lens the battery case comes out and goes in a pocket and the camera/lens combination will accommodate this larger combination (it will even fit the Nocticron when mounted). My home made "VEfinder" mount part folds under the camera body when not in use and the lens part folds into a very small space and goes into the flat zip up front pocket when not in use.

It seems about perfect for this camera the way I use it.

Brian B123 · May 3, 2014

mjdundee said:
All pictures are JPG large straight out of the camera - only resized.

Very nice pictures, and excellent JPG quality.
Could you let me know your settings (standard/vivid, contrast, sharpness, saturation, etc.)?

Thanks.

TOMSDPR · May 4, 2014

Brian B123 said:
mjdundee said:

All pictures are JPG large straight out of the camera - only resized.

Click to expand...

Very nice pictures, and excellent JPG quality.
Could you let me know your settings (standard/vivid, contrast, sharpness, saturation, etc.)?

Thanks.

All pictures are taken in standard mode.

GM 1 is perfect as a premium compact at a very reasonable price

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