Panasonic DCM-G1. The first Micro Four Third (M4/3) mount camera. This is the new format which emphasize portability instead of traditional bulky Digital Single-lens Reflex camera with interchangeable lens ability. And, look, it comes with 3 choices of colours too! This is the trend now, but could this be the future?
The reason M4/3 was significantly smaller than traditional DSLR was the absence of the mirror box which reflect lights into the pentaprism and to the viewfinder. Therefore, you can see that the size is reduced about half. Since the distance between the rear element and the sensor reduced, there was no crop factor applicable. Its the full frame of 4/3.
Look, no mirror. And as you can see, the sensor was fixed to the camera's body. It was not surprising though, since panasonic does not utilize sensor shift vibration compensation solution like Olympus, but implementing such feature into the lens, more or less similar found in canon's IS or nikon's VR. Oh, its a 12.1MP sensor!
Look at the number of pins too. It was increased to 11 pin. According to fourthird.org, such implication enables faster communication speed between the camera body and the lens.
Not only that the camera body's size was reduced, the lens too was made smaller. And the result seems pretty obvious.
For the time being, Panasonic has only released two lenses which you can see was the 14-45mm and 45-200mm. With both lenses, you are well covered from wide-angle to super telephoto range. To be release in 2009 was 14-140mm, 7-14, and a prime 20mm. In my own opinion, these lens should be higher in quality for more demanding users.
Enough mentioning how small the G1 is, a picture speaks for itself. Note, the middle camera was the new G1, while in the right side was a typical sized DSLR, there, you can see how much the size was reduced. And at the left side, you have what is often called a Pro-sumer camera (near DSLR) or, for some, mistakenly calling it a semi-DSLR. Notice that the G1 was only slightly, and i really mean slightly larger than a pro-sumer. but what you get is, interchangeable lens system, and faster focusing speed and total control over your camera similar to DSLR.
Here is a better size reference with hands on the camera. Look how portable it is.
Oh, and the focusing speed? From half pressing the shutter, to getting in focus, to previewing the image, it only takes a mere 3-second!! certainly not the fastest, but could be sufficient for you. What's more is, it comes with a swivel screen!!
Overall, this is a very new path an imaging company has taken, but would it worth the risk? In my own opinion, I think this idea would come out with a good result provided that the price is fair enough. Preferably, on par with entry-level DSLR. Reason being, most compact users find it hard to accept a large bulky camera while compacts has an edge over its size and had not much to compromise in term of getting of what is a clear photograph. The Panasonic G1 could act as a bridge for transition from compacts to DSLR, in a more acceptable manner. Look, it comes with colours too, which is in line with the compacts trend. I believe there are people in this world who demand portability over performance, what's more is, the rule has changed, size at almost no expense of performance and quality. M4/3 could be the future!
Oh great!! Photography festival!! I'm sure there's lots of cameras to see!! There are seminars too!!
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