Stevie Boy Blue
Senior Member
INTRODUCTION
Whilst not without its critics, the Lumix G100 could appeal to anyone keen to enter Panasonic’s world of Micro Four Thirds system cameras, especially he or she looking to keep things as compact and lightweight as possible without compromising on image quality. Even some long-term and well established users of the system may be tempted by the appeal of this model, too.
Before I continue with this review, allow me to first give some insight into why I bought the G100 in November 2020 and have used it fairly consistently for the last 11 or so months.
As a longstanding fan of Panasonic Bridge cameras and the convenience that comes with the fixed lens design covering so many focal lengths from wide angle to telephoto all in one package, I didn’t seriously envisage a time that I’d ‘need’ to return to an ILC system. (I’d used 35mm film SLRs for many years up to 2004, when I purchased the FZ20, my first digital Bridge model.)
I was so impressed by the output of the FZ20 that I never felt the need to pick up my SLR gear again. FZ20 image quality up to ISO 400 easily matched that of 35mm film even back in 2004 and has largely improved with each incarnation utilising the same sized sensor. In my opinion, the current FZ330 represents the pinnacle of Lumix Bridge design, albeit it with a few more pixels, a change from CCD to CMOS chip and updated processor that to my eyes renders output unparalleled in its sector. Moreover, with no requirement to change lenses to cover all the focal lengths I’d ever require for ‘my photography’, why would I ever need another ILC at all?
Well, unfortunately for some of us, circumstances can and do change things. As a long-term disability of mine worsens as I get older, for some time I’d considered not only travelling lighter, but also switching from my main interest in wildlife photography back to street, portrait, landscape, etc. I’d still shoot wildlife on occasion, but with my priorities now focussed on shorter focal lengths, it made sense for me to look for a smaller package with a larger M4/3 sensor.
Up until a chance viewing of the G100, I’d considered the LX100 2 as it seemed ideal. I then thought about the possibility that, over time, dust might eventually reach the sensor behind the fixed lens, despite the fact that Panasonic has implemented more robust counter measures than they did on the LX100 Mk 1 as a means to rectify the problem and hopefully nullify the number of complaints and returns associated with the original. On further inspection, I noticed the LX100 2 has no PASM dial, the presence of which I value highly and view as a must have on any camera I use regularly. And so any inkling I had toward the LX began dwindling there and then, despite the LX’s 24 – 75mm (equiv in 35mm terms) fast lens offering some additional appeal.
Enter the G100 with kit lens 12 – 32mm plus mini tripod. As we know, in equiv 35mm terms, 12 to 32 mm on a 4/3rd sensor equates to 24 – 64mm due to the 2X crop factor. Although the LX offers fast apertures throughout its optical range, I tend to shoot much of my work at or smaller than F4 anyway. I rarely take photos in low light conditions and I know I wouldn’t miss the extra few millimetres at the longer end of the LX. 64 as opposed to 75mm is neither here nor there. Most importantly, if I were ever to get dust on a G100 sensor, unlike with the LX, I could remove it pretty much instantly. Plus, with a G-series camera I had the option to change lenses to boot! Win win in every sense and especially because the G100 with kit lens and tripod was the cheaper option when I bought it.
Even as I write this in October 2021, the LX 100 2 retails on average £749 here in the UK. Just £599 will get you a G100 with kit lens. Add an extra £50 to £79 and you can add the tripod/grip and still stay under £700 for the whole caboodle. As they say, “you pay your money, you take your choice.” I chose what was the best option for me, and I’m in no way knocking the LX by having rejected it.
VIEWFINDER
And so to the meat of the review. Of extreme importance to me is the clarity of any camera’s electronic viewfinder. Detailed and accurate live view facilities are as invaluable as they are attractive and useful in my experience. The fixed lens compact LX 100 2 that I rejected has an EVF with 2,700,000 dots of resolution.
Interestingly, even most other models in the ILC G-series that I also considered briefly along with the G100 harbour the same or similar EVF as the LX resolution-wise. I was surprised by this, but especially appreciative to find that the G100 has an EVF that packs in a whopping 3,680,000 dots. In my experience, it is super clear in use too, despite it being of the cheaper LCD type rather than OLED.
I cannot overemphasise how influential the presence of a high quality EVF is on my decision to purchase any camera these days. The fact that the G100’s rear LCD screen is fully articulating is a real bonus, too – despite the fact that I have no use for the touch-screen options also incorporated in the specifications and which can be easily turned off in menu.
NOT JUST FOR VIDEO/VLOGGERS
On closer inspection and with camera in hand, the main aim of the G100 appears obvious from its small and unassuming form, which is to merge creativity with affordability. Clearly this camera’s designed to appeal to a growing generation of users who are just as happy shooting video as they are taking still images, be they serious about the quality of output or not.
Seems to me that small as it is, beyond its few restrictions by design that can’t be avoided, the G100 is as powerful or weak, useful or not so useful as any individual user wants it to be – limited only by the ability of the person taking photographs or shooting the video, pretty much as applies to any camera ever made, and especially in this more modern digital age. Arguably, never quite like it does today as the old adage rung so true: “A poor workman will often blame his tools for a job poorly done.” And let’s be honest here, some folks just cannot take good photographs or shoot good or interesting video with any camera – be it a Hasselblad, a Leica, a Lumix or whatever.
No offense to anyone is intended here, but I reckon a reasonably competent photographer should be able to shoot at least reasonably good quality photographs with almost any camera but one that’s entirely unfit for purpose. Thankfully truly poor cameras are few and far between, and for general use the G100 is possibly as good as anything one could expect for the current price tag or even its slightly more expensive original RRP. It’s certainly better than I expected it to be considering its time-limited and cropped 4K video and comparatively short maximum mechanical shutter speed, by today’s standards at least.
WHAT? NO IBIS FOR STILLS?
From what I read on this forum alone, it would be easy to assume that no M4/3 or other ILC shooter can live without IBIS; some might even say no IBIS, no sale. I always smile to myself when I see specific cameras are rejected for that reason alone because it’s simply not true in most instances. Yes, IBIS is undoubtedly a luxury of modern technological advancement but it sure ain’t an absolute necessity for shooting still photographs. Just ask anyone who’s never used the feature and I’d guess you’ll receive the same reply.
As someone who has yet to explore the presence of ‘In Body Image Stabilisation’ (IBIS) in any camera, I can’t say I miss what I’ve never had or experienced. Hence I really don’t care in the slightest that the G100 lacks IBIS for still shots. Ultimately, I’ve never used any camera – digital or analogue – that I couldn’t hold steady enough without it, or at least for longer focal lengths where I’ve used bridge cameras like the FZ330 and FZ2000 which have IS built into their fixed lenses.
Where any long lens is equipped with its own image stabiliser, I’ve yet to appreciate any requirement or need for the camera body to also be stabilised, despite the fact I know many reading this will already be fans of the ‘dual IS’ system now associated with other G-series models when coupled with appropriate lenses.
I can’t speak for those who own and have come to rely on a system incorporating both IBIS and lens IS that both work in unison. I can only be certain that during all my 50 years as a photographer, many spent using film SLRs and with the last sixteen using digital compacts/bridge cameras, I’ve yet to need it. If I use a long lens with IS incorporated, I simply don’t ‘need’ IBIS as well. That’s not to say I wouldn’t come to appreciate dual IS if I had it, and I may well miss it if I once had it and then lost it. But again, providing the lens is stabilised, I know I’d be okay in the absence of any IBIS I might lose.
Just in case you’re wondering, I’m defending the fact that the G100 has no IBIS for stills. (For video, however, it does have variations of in-body e-stabilisation including 5-axis depending on whether you’re shooting HD or 4K HD footage subject to chosen FPS, apparently to no real detrimental effect beyond cropped 4K output and which still looks mightily impressive on playback See the two links I provide and recommend below.)
Re stills, neither am I even remotely concerned or disappointed by the G100’s maximum 1/500th of a second mechanical shutter speed. 95% of the time I prefer electronic shutter (max 1/16000 of a second) anyway, especially as it affords completely silent and inconspicuous operation, which is often a bonus for the likes of wildlife and street photography. When photographing landscapes or flowers/etc, I merely set the camera to automatically float between mechanical and electronic shutter appropriate to aperture priority mode, which has been my preferred method of capturing ‘the moment’ for many years now. For the record, even at low speeds with mechanical shutter, I’ve seen no evidence of shutter shock on the G100 anywhere up to the maximum 1/500th of a second. Obviously the phenomenon does not apply at all when using e-shutter.
IMAGE QUALITY
I only shoot fine quality J-peg, never RAW files. I prefer not to have to Post Process images at all where possible and therefore strive to set things up to my individual taste in-camera. If absolutely necessary, I will conduct small PP adjustments in Photoshop 7 such as when preparing photos for print or perhaps reducing original file size for internet display. But by and large I post photos that look exactly as they popped straight OOC, occasionally having cropped them if required. Hence a variety of crops and reduced files sizes have been used to illustrate this review.
During initial tests, I wasn’t in the least bit surprised to see that G100 out-of-the-box default settings yield results that are softer than I like, with the usual excessive degrees of fine detail smearing apparent when both noise reduction and sharpening are left at ‘0’ and with photo mode set to standard.
I prefer standard to alternatives like natural or vivid but appreciate that, as a reader, your mileage may vary. I like what I like but also respect that your tastes may differ from mine, in which case you’ll experiment with settings that suit you rather than those I provide here. Ultimately, I strive to reproduce details and colours as they were when I shot them. You, on the other hand, might like to add or decrease contrast and/or saturation, perhaps to degrees approaching HDR levels. Ouch, my eyes hurt just thinking about the added effects some folks post here and everywhere on the www! ;-) Each to their own though, eh?
In my experience, the requirement for altering in-camera J-peg engine parameters from factory-set defaults has applied more since (c)MOS tech replaced CCD and seemingly regardless of actual sensor size. Hence, as applies with the FZ330 and FZ2000, dialling back the NR to minus five and increasing sharpening to plus one or two depending on the scene shot by the G100 brings about the levels of crispness I much prefer to see in fine details such as fur, hair and feather.
As the same sensor as that found in the G100 is ‘supposedly’ shared by other models in the G/GX-series, I’d expect the same tweaks as those mentioned above to be equally effective in the likes of the G9, GX-whatever incarnations, etc. If not, I’d be very surprised indeed and even accounting for the more modern J-peg engine incorporated in the G100.
Regarding video, all I’ll say here is that 1080p output is superb if you’re happy to stick with the lower resolution format in preference to the memory/storage-sapping 4K files you can shoot as an alternative. The Nokia microphone also works exceptionally well for tracking and recording sound. In fact, the G100 makes for a great sound reorder in its own right. But as I bought it primarily for stills photography, beyond my flirtations with 1080p recording, I’m supplying links to a youtube review made by Markus Pix, a guy who can comprehensively demonstrate its true virtues as a video camera where our DPR guys failed quite miserably in comparison. I’d advise anyone serious about the G100 to watch both the first and second video in the order I’ve posted them.
Part one:
Part two:
I’d even go so far as to say that where DPR’s Chris Nichols and Jordan Drake struggled to get to grips with the G100, and to the extent they ‘stupidly’ (in my opinion) labelled it ‘the worst camera of 2020’, Marcus is clearly more enthusiastic about all that the model offers, both from a video and stills perspective. Obviously I must agree too, which is why I’ve gone to some lengths to inform DPR readers via my user review, albeit mostly compiled from a still image perspective.
For those wishing to watch and read them. Chris and Jordan’s contentious views of the G100 can be found via these two links:
IMO, it’s a shame that the entertaining and obviously knowledgeable ‘Marcus Pix’ doesn’t work for DPR. If he did, I’m guessing that the camera would have been more appealing to those who have clearly been influenced by the negative opinions of the other two guys.
And why is it that as consequence of digesting negative comments about any model, some readers feel compelled to not only avoid buying it but also go on to bandy around the criticism in the absence of their own firsthand experience?
Unfortunately it seems that at least some degree of herd mentality is present on websites like this. So much so that some folks even wait to read DPRs reviews of specific models before buying, to the extent that where a reviewer rates a specific model sub-par and/or criticises it too heavily (perhaps even labelling it worst camera of any specific year ;-) ), the reader shuns it without question. Crikey! What happened to thinking for yourself, folks?
All I’d say to those of you put off shopping for the G100 (or any other camera) solely by the views of DPR’s so-called experts, in YOUR hands it could exceed all your expectations if only you’d try it. At the end of the day, reviews are based on individual opinion – even those official DPR versions. More to the point, your hands-on opinion of any camera is arguably just as valid as anyone else’s, so please, please, don’t underestimate your own potential to garner the best results attainable with any product where others might have failed to do so. Although everyone’s a critic from time to time, not every reviewer is a genuine expert in any particular field, even though they may or may not pretend to be.
Ultimately, search via google and you’ll note that 90% of reviews of the G100 are positive. This leads me to assume, rightly or wrongly, that perhaps the 10% minority who failed to bring out the best in the camera were too inexperienced or maybe even lacked sufficient time to do so. Either way, I’d advise you to try out the model for yourself. Although no camera’s perfect, the G100’s arguably nowhere near as bad as a minority of reviewers would have you believe it is. Well, that’s my opinion, at least.
In fact, I’d say that as a lightweight, carry everywhere stills camera for the likes of landscape and off-the-cuff shooting almost anywhere, it’s a pretty awesome little tool that renders surprisingly good results even with the 12-32mm kit lens one has the option to buy it with. And if you add the cheap as chips and surprisingly small and sharp 45-150mm (90 – 300mm equiv) zoom as I did a couple of months back, the sheer fun zone associated with the whole set-up simply expands without increasing weight or size by too much at all. Even with the 45-150 fitted, the whole G100 package is smaller and lighter than my FZ330. Amazing!
Ultimately, I’d say ignore the naysayers, especially those who claimed face detection doesn’t work whilst video recording. As you’ll see via the links I supplied above, Markus without doubt proves otherwise, just as anyone who owns the G100 could do too. Overall, whether you’re shooting video or stills, with the optional 12 – 32 mm kit lens attached, the G100 fits easily into a large coat pocket or appropriate compartment of a rucksack, making it an ideal carry anywhere package for recording an array of situations such as many we find locally or when travelling further afield. Portraits, landscapes, street, close-up flowers, etc, all are well within the scope of this attractive package.
Note that the camera is available to buy as: Body only. Body plus 12-32mm kit lens. Body plus lens and tripod/grip, with which you can operate the shutter via supplied cable attachment. I bought the complete kit back in November 2020.
CONCLUSION
Worst camera of 2020? No way was that ever the G100. Those two chuckle brothers were wrong! ;-)
In my view, this camera equates to a rather cute, compact, convenient and yet surprisingly powerful package capable of producing some truly wonderful output via both video or still mediums.
The G100 handles very well for such a small unit and its superb EVF makes framing shots a very pleasurable experience indeed. For me, the sum of its parts total far more than I anticipated from its size or specification. Suffice it to say that I am really pleased with my purchase almost one year after making it.
Although I still love my FZ330 and FZ2000 and reserve both for longer reach wildlife shooting, I really do appreciate the lightness, sheer portability and fun associated with the G100 when shorter focal lengths are the order of the day.
As I say, ignore the negative reviewers, especially those who criticise in such a flippant manner with apparently no real justification for doing so. Remember the old adage: “a poor workman so often blames his tools for a job poorly done.” No offense intended to anyone, but really, need I say more? ;-)
Thank you for reading my review.
Happy shooting to all...
PS: For anyone interested, my reviews of the FZ330 (300) and FZ2000 (2500) can be read via the links below:
FZ330 Part 1: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4437570
FZ330 Part 2: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4565945
FZ2000: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4513863
Cheers...
PPS. As I rarely visit DPR these days, it’s unlikely I’ll respond to any feedback that relates to this review. Ultimately I’ve said pretty much all I have to say on the G100 in the above text so hopefully there’ll be no need for me to add anything below. To those who may still wish to add their own input here, be it positive, negative or indifferent, I thank you for your time in advance of any contribution you may care to make.
And of course, should you be encouraged to consider buying a G100 as a consequence of my efforts to inform you of its real value as a camera, then the time I’ve invested here has not been wasted and you’ll get to experience the real bonus for some money well spent. All the best and thanks again for reading...
Unless otherwise stated, all image files have been reduced in size/cropped. J-pegs OOC.
100% Crop
Cheers all...
Whilst not without its critics, the Lumix G100 could appeal to anyone keen to enter Panasonic’s world of Micro Four Thirds system cameras, especially he or she looking to keep things as compact and lightweight as possible without compromising on image quality. Even some long-term and well established users of the system may be tempted by the appeal of this model, too.
Before I continue with this review, allow me to first give some insight into why I bought the G100 in November 2020 and have used it fairly consistently for the last 11 or so months.
As a longstanding fan of Panasonic Bridge cameras and the convenience that comes with the fixed lens design covering so many focal lengths from wide angle to telephoto all in one package, I didn’t seriously envisage a time that I’d ‘need’ to return to an ILC system. (I’d used 35mm film SLRs for many years up to 2004, when I purchased the FZ20, my first digital Bridge model.)
I was so impressed by the output of the FZ20 that I never felt the need to pick up my SLR gear again. FZ20 image quality up to ISO 400 easily matched that of 35mm film even back in 2004 and has largely improved with each incarnation utilising the same sized sensor. In my opinion, the current FZ330 represents the pinnacle of Lumix Bridge design, albeit it with a few more pixels, a change from CCD to CMOS chip and updated processor that to my eyes renders output unparalleled in its sector. Moreover, with no requirement to change lenses to cover all the focal lengths I’d ever require for ‘my photography’, why would I ever need another ILC at all?
Well, unfortunately for some of us, circumstances can and do change things. As a long-term disability of mine worsens as I get older, for some time I’d considered not only travelling lighter, but also switching from my main interest in wildlife photography back to street, portrait, landscape, etc. I’d still shoot wildlife on occasion, but with my priorities now focussed on shorter focal lengths, it made sense for me to look for a smaller package with a larger M4/3 sensor.
Up until a chance viewing of the G100, I’d considered the LX100 2 as it seemed ideal. I then thought about the possibility that, over time, dust might eventually reach the sensor behind the fixed lens, despite the fact that Panasonic has implemented more robust counter measures than they did on the LX100 Mk 1 as a means to rectify the problem and hopefully nullify the number of complaints and returns associated with the original. On further inspection, I noticed the LX100 2 has no PASM dial, the presence of which I value highly and view as a must have on any camera I use regularly. And so any inkling I had toward the LX began dwindling there and then, despite the LX’s 24 – 75mm (equiv in 35mm terms) fast lens offering some additional appeal.
Enter the G100 with kit lens 12 – 32mm plus mini tripod. As we know, in equiv 35mm terms, 12 to 32 mm on a 4/3rd sensor equates to 24 – 64mm due to the 2X crop factor. Although the LX offers fast apertures throughout its optical range, I tend to shoot much of my work at or smaller than F4 anyway. I rarely take photos in low light conditions and I know I wouldn’t miss the extra few millimetres at the longer end of the LX. 64 as opposed to 75mm is neither here nor there. Most importantly, if I were ever to get dust on a G100 sensor, unlike with the LX, I could remove it pretty much instantly. Plus, with a G-series camera I had the option to change lenses to boot! Win win in every sense and especially because the G100 with kit lens and tripod was the cheaper option when I bought it.
Even as I write this in October 2021, the LX 100 2 retails on average £749 here in the UK. Just £599 will get you a G100 with kit lens. Add an extra £50 to £79 and you can add the tripod/grip and still stay under £700 for the whole caboodle. As they say, “you pay your money, you take your choice.” I chose what was the best option for me, and I’m in no way knocking the LX by having rejected it.
VIEWFINDER
And so to the meat of the review. Of extreme importance to me is the clarity of any camera’s electronic viewfinder. Detailed and accurate live view facilities are as invaluable as they are attractive and useful in my experience. The fixed lens compact LX 100 2 that I rejected has an EVF with 2,700,000 dots of resolution.
Interestingly, even most other models in the ILC G-series that I also considered briefly along with the G100 harbour the same or similar EVF as the LX resolution-wise. I was surprised by this, but especially appreciative to find that the G100 has an EVF that packs in a whopping 3,680,000 dots. In my experience, it is super clear in use too, despite it being of the cheaper LCD type rather than OLED.
I cannot overemphasise how influential the presence of a high quality EVF is on my decision to purchase any camera these days. The fact that the G100’s rear LCD screen is fully articulating is a real bonus, too – despite the fact that I have no use for the touch-screen options also incorporated in the specifications and which can be easily turned off in menu.
NOT JUST FOR VIDEO/VLOGGERS
On closer inspection and with camera in hand, the main aim of the G100 appears obvious from its small and unassuming form, which is to merge creativity with affordability. Clearly this camera’s designed to appeal to a growing generation of users who are just as happy shooting video as they are taking still images, be they serious about the quality of output or not.
Seems to me that small as it is, beyond its few restrictions by design that can’t be avoided, the G100 is as powerful or weak, useful or not so useful as any individual user wants it to be – limited only by the ability of the person taking photographs or shooting the video, pretty much as applies to any camera ever made, and especially in this more modern digital age. Arguably, never quite like it does today as the old adage rung so true: “A poor workman will often blame his tools for a job poorly done.” And let’s be honest here, some folks just cannot take good photographs or shoot good or interesting video with any camera – be it a Hasselblad, a Leica, a Lumix or whatever.
No offense to anyone is intended here, but I reckon a reasonably competent photographer should be able to shoot at least reasonably good quality photographs with almost any camera but one that’s entirely unfit for purpose. Thankfully truly poor cameras are few and far between, and for general use the G100 is possibly as good as anything one could expect for the current price tag or even its slightly more expensive original RRP. It’s certainly better than I expected it to be considering its time-limited and cropped 4K video and comparatively short maximum mechanical shutter speed, by today’s standards at least.
WHAT? NO IBIS FOR STILLS?
From what I read on this forum alone, it would be easy to assume that no M4/3 or other ILC shooter can live without IBIS; some might even say no IBIS, no sale. I always smile to myself when I see specific cameras are rejected for that reason alone because it’s simply not true in most instances. Yes, IBIS is undoubtedly a luxury of modern technological advancement but it sure ain’t an absolute necessity for shooting still photographs. Just ask anyone who’s never used the feature and I’d guess you’ll receive the same reply.
As someone who has yet to explore the presence of ‘In Body Image Stabilisation’ (IBIS) in any camera, I can’t say I miss what I’ve never had or experienced. Hence I really don’t care in the slightest that the G100 lacks IBIS for still shots. Ultimately, I’ve never used any camera – digital or analogue – that I couldn’t hold steady enough without it, or at least for longer focal lengths where I’ve used bridge cameras like the FZ330 and FZ2000 which have IS built into their fixed lenses.
Where any long lens is equipped with its own image stabiliser, I’ve yet to appreciate any requirement or need for the camera body to also be stabilised, despite the fact I know many reading this will already be fans of the ‘dual IS’ system now associated with other G-series models when coupled with appropriate lenses.
I can’t speak for those who own and have come to rely on a system incorporating both IBIS and lens IS that both work in unison. I can only be certain that during all my 50 years as a photographer, many spent using film SLRs and with the last sixteen using digital compacts/bridge cameras, I’ve yet to need it. If I use a long lens with IS incorporated, I simply don’t ‘need’ IBIS as well. That’s not to say I wouldn’t come to appreciate dual IS if I had it, and I may well miss it if I once had it and then lost it. But again, providing the lens is stabilised, I know I’d be okay in the absence of any IBIS I might lose.
Just in case you’re wondering, I’m defending the fact that the G100 has no IBIS for stills. (For video, however, it does have variations of in-body e-stabilisation including 5-axis depending on whether you’re shooting HD or 4K HD footage subject to chosen FPS, apparently to no real detrimental effect beyond cropped 4K output and which still looks mightily impressive on playback See the two links I provide and recommend below.)
Re stills, neither am I even remotely concerned or disappointed by the G100’s maximum 1/500th of a second mechanical shutter speed. 95% of the time I prefer electronic shutter (max 1/16000 of a second) anyway, especially as it affords completely silent and inconspicuous operation, which is often a bonus for the likes of wildlife and street photography. When photographing landscapes or flowers/etc, I merely set the camera to automatically float between mechanical and electronic shutter appropriate to aperture priority mode, which has been my preferred method of capturing ‘the moment’ for many years now. For the record, even at low speeds with mechanical shutter, I’ve seen no evidence of shutter shock on the G100 anywhere up to the maximum 1/500th of a second. Obviously the phenomenon does not apply at all when using e-shutter.
IMAGE QUALITY
I only shoot fine quality J-peg, never RAW files. I prefer not to have to Post Process images at all where possible and therefore strive to set things up to my individual taste in-camera. If absolutely necessary, I will conduct small PP adjustments in Photoshop 7 such as when preparing photos for print or perhaps reducing original file size for internet display. But by and large I post photos that look exactly as they popped straight OOC, occasionally having cropped them if required. Hence a variety of crops and reduced files sizes have been used to illustrate this review.
During initial tests, I wasn’t in the least bit surprised to see that G100 out-of-the-box default settings yield results that are softer than I like, with the usual excessive degrees of fine detail smearing apparent when both noise reduction and sharpening are left at ‘0’ and with photo mode set to standard.
I prefer standard to alternatives like natural or vivid but appreciate that, as a reader, your mileage may vary. I like what I like but also respect that your tastes may differ from mine, in which case you’ll experiment with settings that suit you rather than those I provide here. Ultimately, I strive to reproduce details and colours as they were when I shot them. You, on the other hand, might like to add or decrease contrast and/or saturation, perhaps to degrees approaching HDR levels. Ouch, my eyes hurt just thinking about the added effects some folks post here and everywhere on the www! ;-) Each to their own though, eh?
In my experience, the requirement for altering in-camera J-peg engine parameters from factory-set defaults has applied more since (c)MOS tech replaced CCD and seemingly regardless of actual sensor size. Hence, as applies with the FZ330 and FZ2000, dialling back the NR to minus five and increasing sharpening to plus one or two depending on the scene shot by the G100 brings about the levels of crispness I much prefer to see in fine details such as fur, hair and feather.
As the same sensor as that found in the G100 is ‘supposedly’ shared by other models in the G/GX-series, I’d expect the same tweaks as those mentioned above to be equally effective in the likes of the G9, GX-whatever incarnations, etc. If not, I’d be very surprised indeed and even accounting for the more modern J-peg engine incorporated in the G100.
Regarding video, all I’ll say here is that 1080p output is superb if you’re happy to stick with the lower resolution format in preference to the memory/storage-sapping 4K files you can shoot as an alternative. The Nokia microphone also works exceptionally well for tracking and recording sound. In fact, the G100 makes for a great sound reorder in its own right. But as I bought it primarily for stills photography, beyond my flirtations with 1080p recording, I’m supplying links to a youtube review made by Markus Pix, a guy who can comprehensively demonstrate its true virtues as a video camera where our DPR guys failed quite miserably in comparison. I’d advise anyone serious about the G100 to watch both the first and second video in the order I’ve posted them.
Part one:
Part two:
I’d even go so far as to say that where DPR’s Chris Nichols and Jordan Drake struggled to get to grips with the G100, and to the extent they ‘stupidly’ (in my opinion) labelled it ‘the worst camera of 2020’, Marcus is clearly more enthusiastic about all that the model offers, both from a video and stills perspective. Obviously I must agree too, which is why I’ve gone to some lengths to inform DPR readers via my user review, albeit mostly compiled from a still image perspective.
For those wishing to watch and read them. Chris and Jordan’s contentious views of the G100 can be found via these two links:
https://www.dpreview.com/videos/3740301881/dpreview-tv-the-best-and-worst-cameras-and-lenses-of-2020
IMO, it’s a shame that the entertaining and obviously knowledgeable ‘Marcus Pix’ doesn’t work for DPR. If he did, I’m guessing that the camera would have been more appealing to those who have clearly been influenced by the negative opinions of the other two guys.
And why is it that as consequence of digesting negative comments about any model, some readers feel compelled to not only avoid buying it but also go on to bandy around the criticism in the absence of their own firsthand experience?
Unfortunately it seems that at least some degree of herd mentality is present on websites like this. So much so that some folks even wait to read DPRs reviews of specific models before buying, to the extent that where a reviewer rates a specific model sub-par and/or criticises it too heavily (perhaps even labelling it worst camera of any specific year ;-) ), the reader shuns it without question. Crikey! What happened to thinking for yourself, folks?
All I’d say to those of you put off shopping for the G100 (or any other camera) solely by the views of DPR’s so-called experts, in YOUR hands it could exceed all your expectations if only you’d try it. At the end of the day, reviews are based on individual opinion – even those official DPR versions. More to the point, your hands-on opinion of any camera is arguably just as valid as anyone else’s, so please, please, don’t underestimate your own potential to garner the best results attainable with any product where others might have failed to do so. Although everyone’s a critic from time to time, not every reviewer is a genuine expert in any particular field, even though they may or may not pretend to be.
Ultimately, search via google and you’ll note that 90% of reviews of the G100 are positive. This leads me to assume, rightly or wrongly, that perhaps the 10% minority who failed to bring out the best in the camera were too inexperienced or maybe even lacked sufficient time to do so. Either way, I’d advise you to try out the model for yourself. Although no camera’s perfect, the G100’s arguably nowhere near as bad as a minority of reviewers would have you believe it is. Well, that’s my opinion, at least.
In fact, I’d say that as a lightweight, carry everywhere stills camera for the likes of landscape and off-the-cuff shooting almost anywhere, it’s a pretty awesome little tool that renders surprisingly good results even with the 12-32mm kit lens one has the option to buy it with. And if you add the cheap as chips and surprisingly small and sharp 45-150mm (90 – 300mm equiv) zoom as I did a couple of months back, the sheer fun zone associated with the whole set-up simply expands without increasing weight or size by too much at all. Even with the 45-150 fitted, the whole G100 package is smaller and lighter than my FZ330. Amazing!
Ultimately, I’d say ignore the naysayers, especially those who claimed face detection doesn’t work whilst video recording. As you’ll see via the links I supplied above, Markus without doubt proves otherwise, just as anyone who owns the G100 could do too. Overall, whether you’re shooting video or stills, with the optional 12 – 32 mm kit lens attached, the G100 fits easily into a large coat pocket or appropriate compartment of a rucksack, making it an ideal carry anywhere package for recording an array of situations such as many we find locally or when travelling further afield. Portraits, landscapes, street, close-up flowers, etc, all are well within the scope of this attractive package.
Note that the camera is available to buy as: Body only. Body plus 12-32mm kit lens. Body plus lens and tripod/grip, with which you can operate the shutter via supplied cable attachment. I bought the complete kit back in November 2020.
CONCLUSION
Worst camera of 2020? No way was that ever the G100. Those two chuckle brothers were wrong! ;-)
In my view, this camera equates to a rather cute, compact, convenient and yet surprisingly powerful package capable of producing some truly wonderful output via both video or still mediums.
The G100 handles very well for such a small unit and its superb EVF makes framing shots a very pleasurable experience indeed. For me, the sum of its parts total far more than I anticipated from its size or specification. Suffice it to say that I am really pleased with my purchase almost one year after making it.
Although I still love my FZ330 and FZ2000 and reserve both for longer reach wildlife shooting, I really do appreciate the lightness, sheer portability and fun associated with the G100 when shorter focal lengths are the order of the day.
As I say, ignore the negative reviewers, especially those who criticise in such a flippant manner with apparently no real justification for doing so. Remember the old adage: “a poor workman so often blames his tools for a job poorly done.” No offense intended to anyone, but really, need I say more? ;-)
Thank you for reading my review.
Happy shooting to all...
PS: For anyone interested, my reviews of the FZ330 (300) and FZ2000 (2500) can be read via the links below:
FZ330 Part 1: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4437570
FZ330 Part 2: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4565945
FZ2000: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4513863
Cheers...
PPS. As I rarely visit DPR these days, it’s unlikely I’ll respond to any feedback that relates to this review. Ultimately I’ve said pretty much all I have to say on the G100 in the above text so hopefully there’ll be no need for me to add anything below. To those who may still wish to add their own input here, be it positive, negative or indifferent, I thank you for your time in advance of any contribution you may care to make.
And of course, should you be encouraged to consider buying a G100 as a consequence of my efforts to inform you of its real value as a camera, then the time I’ve invested here has not been wasted and you’ll get to experience the real bonus for some money well spent. All the best and thanks again for reading...
Unless otherwise stated, all image files have been reduced in size/cropped. J-pegs OOC.
100% Crop
Cheers all...
