THE PANASONIC GF1 REAL WORLD REVIEW

PAGE 1 - Intro and why I think M4/3 is here to stay.

PAGE 2 - The GF1 specs and features?

PAGE 3 - Compared to the Leica D-Lux 4 and Leica M9?

PAGE 4 - High ISO Sample and Crops.

PAGE 5 - My favorite shots with the GF1 & KIT Zoom.

PAGE 6 - The one lens you MUST buy with this camera. The 20 1.7.

PAGE 7 - My bottom line conclusion.

PAGE 8 - Just for fun! The GF1 and M9 side by side.

PAGE 7 - My bottom line conclusion on the GF1     next---->

It’s a great time to be in the market for a digital camera. So many choices, so many price ranges, and almost ALL are good choices if you stick above the $500 mark. Everything from compact cameras, like the Sigma DP2, Leica D-Lux 4, and Canon S90, to the mid-sized M4/3 models, like the Olympus EP1 and this Panasonic GF1. Higher on up the chain, you have the Nikon D700, D3s, D3x and Canon 5DII and 7D. All terrific cameras. Let’s not forget the M9.

A month or two ago, I would have predicted the GF1 to be “average” but after testing it out, I have been proven wrong. If you are looking for a terrific digital camera under $1000 and want to keep it semi-compact, then I can not think of a better solution than the Panasonic GF1. It’s small, it’s light, it’s well-made, and for $799, you get the camera and a good Zoom Lens with built-in IS. Or, if you can find the kit with the 20 1.7, I would recommend that over the zoom. Yes, I would buy this and the 20 1.7 over the Leica D-Lux 4 if quality is your main concern. If it is size, the D-Lux 4 wins.

In my opinion, The Panasonic 14-45 Kit Zoom is of better quality than the Olympus E-P1 kit zoom. It is better made, has a better feel, is smoother, has wonderful IS, and produces sharper images. As for the camera itself, the Auto Focus is blazing fast compared to the EP1. Overall, it will give you slightly sharper results with punchier color (see my video on page 1).

For most, this purchase will come down to the Olympus E-P1 or the GF1. With the E-P1, you have the retro metal body that looks very cool. But, if I had to choose today I would go for the Panasonic GF1 over the EP1. It has a better LCD, better AF, better kit lens, and just feels much more responsive and fast. Also, the color and tones are remarkably good. Good enough that when Seal sent me some shots from his recording sessions with the GF1, I had to ask if they were from the M9 or GF1! Guess that proves that a camera does not make the photographer, as a good shooter can get great images with any camera. Shoot with what you have and what you enjoy. The plus is that the GF1 is an easy camera to enjoy. Don’t forget, you can use your Leica M lenses on it with this adapter.

The 720P video is also great for a small camera and gives you the choice between AVCHD and MJPEG (video samples will be added in the next few days). For $799, this camera is a steal. There were times when I sat there saying, “Its all Bullshit!” - I mean, I was ready to go tell the wife I was selling my Leica M9 and I was ready to buy the GF1 with the kit zoom, the 20 1.7 and 7-14 lenses, and just shoot with that. BUT, I then came to my senses. If I sold my M9, I would miss it to death and end up buying another because there are times that shooting an M goes above and beyond “enjoyable”. I love the M not only for its amazing file quality, but for its lenses, its manual nature, and the enjoyment of shooting with a rangefinder.

But, what is amazing here is that the GF1 actually had me thinking that. I mean, I could have sold my M9 and bought the GF1 kit with three lenses and still had $5k left over for my savings acct. Damn, just talking about it again gets me thinking. Do I really need that amazing M9 detail? Not right now, but maybe some day when I get a high paying photo job...yea, I’ll keep dreaming and I will keep my M9 :)

Seriously though, the GF1 is a FANTASTIC camera and if I were in the market for a small, high-quality, do-it-all digital camera, the GF1 would be at the top of my list. Other things worth mentioning are the LCD. Its plenty sharp and for MF works a bit better than the EP1, but from what I remember, the Olympus EP1 screen seemed more vibrant? Could be my imagination though, so don’t hold me to that one.

Also, some will compare this to a Nikon D90 or D40 or D-whatever but those are different types of cameras. Bigger and with larger lenses. The GF1 is for the semi compact crowd who want high quality results.

If you want your own Panasonic GF1, I can HIGHLY recommend B&H Photo and Video. Man, I buy so much gear from them and have been for 14 years. Never had one issue. Great return policy, and their web ordering is the best I have ever seen with their super-fast ship, real time “in stock” notices, and more. To check out their Panasonic GF1 page, click here.

Amazon is my #2 choice and they also sell the GF1, but finding this camera in stock (at the time of this writing) may prove to be tough. I also HIGHLY recommend the Panasonic 20 1.7 lens for the GF1. To check out Amazon, just click HERE and search for the GF1 or the 20 1.7 lens and you can see if Amazon themselves have it in stock.

If you buy your GF1, or anything, from the links here it will help me to pay the costs of running this site and keep it going. This and those annoying google ads you see in my reviews are the only way I get help to run the site, so I thank you if you use my links!

I hope you have enjoyed this real world use review of the Panasonic GF1! Next compact review? The Leica X1!

FYI - I write these reviews because I enjoy it and because I have a passion for photography. I really do not make any money from this site! The little that does come in from ads helps to pay for web hosting, gas money, and other expenses to keep this going full time. Anytime you click an ad or buy from one of my sponsors, like B&H Photo or Amazon (after clicking through to them from an ad on this site), I get a tiny percentage of those sales. This is what helps me keep this site going. Believe me, it takes up ALL of my free time! I thank you again for taking the time to read the review! Also feel free to join me on FACEBOOK & now TWITTER!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO PAGE EIGHT - “JUST FOR FUN - GF1 AND M9 SIDE BY SIDE”