theksmith
Explorer
I'm cross-posting this from OffroadPassport.com as I thought some people here might also be in the market for a move-up or a scale-down to a micro four thirds system....
I picked up a used Panasonic DMC-G2 camera this week off craigslist. I have been wanting to step up from a point-n-shoot for a while now to get better quality images and have more manual control, but not ready for the cost or really the bulk of a full-size DSLR.
I looked really hard at the Canon G12 and Nikon P7000 before deciding on the G2. Those are definitely still pocketable cameras in pinch, whereas the G2 is not. However, they don't have as large of sensor, as many manual controls, or as many options in general as an interchangeable lens camera. In the end, I decided that my regular point-n-shoot (a panasonic DMC-TZ5) would continue to work anytime I need a pocket camera, and for this purchase it was really about stepping up to something with "more power".
So here's the new toy:
it looks like a full-size DSLR from that pic, but it's really much smaller, here's a shot in someones hand to give you some perspective on size:
So basicly it's an MILC/EVIL type, Micro Four Thirds system camera.
With a sensor size of 17.3 x 13.0mm, it's quite a bit larger than a point-n-shoot, but not still not quite as big as even an entry level DSLR (such as a bottom line Canon rebel). This bigger sensor should make for some cleaner images, but really help with low-light noise - especially since they've kept the mega-pixel count down to a reasonable 12 MP instead of trying to cram too many on a medium size sensor just for marketing.
The lens it comes with is a 14-42mm (28-84mm in 35mm equivalent) f3.5-5.6. I'm already dying to get a prime lens for it. There is a 20mm F1.7 (that's 40mm in full-size terms) that should really help it's low-light performance, and a new 14mm (28mm in full-size terms) should be out any time. The 20mm gets excellent reviews, even from people using it on competing micro 4/3rds cameras.
Along with the standard manual buttons and dials, there is a touchscreen. The nice thing is that they didn't try and replace any traditional controls with the touchscreen, but rather it's there in addition to the other controls. So far I really like it for tapping on a focus point, in fact I love that feature. Beyond that though I haven't used the touch controls much yet.
I also like that the screen is fully articulating. Someone told me I would appreciate that (when I was originally comparing the G12 to the P7000), but I wasn't sure... turns out it really does make a difference when trying to compose shots from various angles. Much easier than contorting your body constantly to ungodly poses.
Othere features I appreciate are the auto bracketing (for playing with HDR), the high-quality screen and EVF, the overall ergonomics, a full "auto" mode for being lazy, nice interface in manual mode for setting shutter/aperture and seeing the effect on exposure, an accurate exposure meter, easy to handle size, decent included lens with good range, wide shutter range (1/4000 - 4 mins), high iso (100 - 6400), optical image stabilization, and fast autofocus.
I should mention the ISO 6400 is pretty useless, mainly there for marketing purposes. And in general the higher ISO stuff isn't as clean at the Olympus competition (PEN series). Overall it still takes a clean image that's a huge step up from my point-n-shoot, and many of the other usability features trump the Olympus or the Sony competitors.
Here are the full specs...
And here's a pretty good overall review (without getting too geeky like some photography sites do).
And if you check out the user reviews on B&H Photo or even Amazon, they are excellent.
next, some sample images...
I picked up a used Panasonic DMC-G2 camera this week off craigslist. I have been wanting to step up from a point-n-shoot for a while now to get better quality images and have more manual control, but not ready for the cost or really the bulk of a full-size DSLR.
I looked really hard at the Canon G12 and Nikon P7000 before deciding on the G2. Those are definitely still pocketable cameras in pinch, whereas the G2 is not. However, they don't have as large of sensor, as many manual controls, or as many options in general as an interchangeable lens camera. In the end, I decided that my regular point-n-shoot (a panasonic DMC-TZ5) would continue to work anytime I need a pocket camera, and for this purchase it was really about stepping up to something with "more power".
So here's the new toy:
it looks like a full-size DSLR from that pic, but it's really much smaller, here's a shot in someones hand to give you some perspective on size:
So basicly it's an MILC/EVIL type, Micro Four Thirds system camera.
With a sensor size of 17.3 x 13.0mm, it's quite a bit larger than a point-n-shoot, but not still not quite as big as even an entry level DSLR (such as a bottom line Canon rebel). This bigger sensor should make for some cleaner images, but really help with low-light noise - especially since they've kept the mega-pixel count down to a reasonable 12 MP instead of trying to cram too many on a medium size sensor just for marketing.
The lens it comes with is a 14-42mm (28-84mm in 35mm equivalent) f3.5-5.6. I'm already dying to get a prime lens for it. There is a 20mm F1.7 (that's 40mm in full-size terms) that should really help it's low-light performance, and a new 14mm (28mm in full-size terms) should be out any time. The 20mm gets excellent reviews, even from people using it on competing micro 4/3rds cameras.
Along with the standard manual buttons and dials, there is a touchscreen. The nice thing is that they didn't try and replace any traditional controls with the touchscreen, but rather it's there in addition to the other controls. So far I really like it for tapping on a focus point, in fact I love that feature. Beyond that though I haven't used the touch controls much yet.
I also like that the screen is fully articulating. Someone told me I would appreciate that (when I was originally comparing the G12 to the P7000), but I wasn't sure... turns out it really does make a difference when trying to compose shots from various angles. Much easier than contorting your body constantly to ungodly poses.
Othere features I appreciate are the auto bracketing (for playing with HDR), the high-quality screen and EVF, the overall ergonomics, a full "auto" mode for being lazy, nice interface in manual mode for setting shutter/aperture and seeing the effect on exposure, an accurate exposure meter, easy to handle size, decent included lens with good range, wide shutter range (1/4000 - 4 mins), high iso (100 - 6400), optical image stabilization, and fast autofocus.
I should mention the ISO 6400 is pretty useless, mainly there for marketing purposes. And in general the higher ISO stuff isn't as clean at the Olympus competition (PEN series). Overall it still takes a clean image that's a huge step up from my point-n-shoot, and many of the other usability features trump the Olympus or the Sony competitors.
Here are the full specs...
And here's a pretty good overall review (without getting too geeky like some photography sites do).
And if you check out the user reviews on B&H Photo or even Amazon, they are excellent.
next, some sample images...
