Does anyone have a Panasonic GF1?

[nwoods]

Have you guys seen this camera? It looks darned close to meeting all the requirements of the ultimate Overland Point-N-Shoot.

DP Review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicGF1/

Some images from DPR website:

In scale compared to a PNS and SLR (its the middle one):

And you can mount all sorts of Panasonic and Olympus Four Thirds lenses to it!

 

[Lost Canadian]

I've been darn near close to pulling the trigger a couple times now but stop short because I'm not sure I want to invest in another lens system. Then I think to myself that perhaps the 20mm pancake is all I need and, I'm there ready to spend again. I was the same with the sigma dp2 though and in the end decided that it wasn't quite right for me. There's a lot of talk of others getting into the larger sensor small size camera, Sony for instance. So I think I may wait another year before I decide on somehing new. In the mean time I'm happy with the performance of my g9. If I were looking to get a new smaller camera right now though, the GF1 would be it all the way.

 

[Michael Slade]

So I think I may wait another year before I decide on somehing new. In the mean time I'm happy with the performance of my g9.

There is a good lesson to be learned in there.

 

[CSG]

While the GF1 offers a larger sensor and interchangeable lenses look at the size compared to the venerable LX3. I chose the LX3.

Plus, do you really want to be changing lenses and dealing with the stuff you have to deal with camping (dirt, dust, etc.) unless you're a pro or advanced amateur for an expo/overland camera?

 

[dhackney]

Plus, do you really want to be changing lenses and dealing with the stuff you have to deal with camping (dirt, dust, etc.) unless you're a pro or advanced amateur for an expo/overland camera?

Another good lesson in there...

When asked by people outside those groups (pro or advanced amateur), I recommend a fixed mount lens, electronic viewfinder, optical super zoom, image stabilization, small size, and if they prefer it, a move-able rear display. For the typical point and shoot user, I think they are just about the optimum solution for travel.

With the ability of these still cameras to shoot HD video, you can eliminate an entire camcorder, batteries, media and charger system, and that makes a big difference on a motorcycle or small vehicle.

 

[dhackney]

New York Times review of the GF1 along with the Canon S90, both roundly praised.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/t...ue.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=S90&st=cse&scp=1

"With its new Lumix GF1, Panasonic has finally started to exploit the potential of its own camera format. At 4.7 x 2.8 x 1.4 inches, the GF1 is the world's smallest interchangeable-lens flash camera. It fits in a coat pocket even with its 3X zoom lens. (You can also get it with a nonzooming 20-millimeter “pancake” lens that adds no depth to the body.)"

I would have gone with the GF1, but couldn't talk myself into spending the money for the system.

I planned to go with the 20mm pancake.

Full disclosure: One of my first cameras as a pro was my boss's Leica rangefinder and I've never lost my appreciation for the form factor even after all these years.

I think the GF1 is a super product filling a long neglected niche in the market.

I invested two trips to the camera store to play around with the GF1. I found the size and capabilities to be outstanding. The welcome sight of the relatively huge sensor when you take off the lens is a joy to behold for those of us who have been saddled with tiny sensors in our pocket cameras.

 

[ExpoMike]

I had seriously thought about the GF1 but the price was just too far out there. I ended up with a Canon G11 and I think it will end up working great, once I figure out all this camera stuff. LOL Still going to get adapters and teleconverters to help the zoom range out. My test shots have been impressive to me so far.

 

[bajasurf]

I've been darn near close to pulling the trigger a couple times now but stop short because I'm not sure I want to invest in another lens system. Then I think to myself that perhaps the 20mm pancake is all I need and, I'm there ready to spend again. I was the same with the sigma dp2 though and in the end decided that it wasn't quite right for me. There's a lot of talk of others getting into the larger sensor small size camera, Sony for instance. So I think I may wait another year before I decide on somehing new. In the mean time I'm happy with the performance of my g9. If I were looking to get a new smaller camera right now though, the GF1 would be it all the way.

Lost. There is a seller on the worlds largest auction site that has made adapters for the GF1, the G1 and the GH1 that allows numerous lens systems to be used. I can actually use my old Konica AR lens if I wanted to go that way. If you do a Google search for "jinfinance" you can go directly to the auction site and/or find comments from users. I was on the "rangefinderforum.com" and the members were discussing their results with the adapter.