The mirrorless GF2 represents the middle ground in the Lumix system camera lineup, or at least an attempt to get as close to it as possible. A perfect balance of compactness, technology and price, making the GF2 one of the most interesting interchangeable lens compacts.
Resolution – 12,1 Megapixel, Zoom – 14-42 mm, Display – 3″, F/3,5-5,7, O. I.S.
The damped oscillation is approximately how Panasonic methods of development and production of “system” cameras can be described. The initial amplitude the surprising variety in form, function and price of the first cameras comes smoothly down to the optimum golden mean.
Lumix DMC-GF2 is very close to it, if not to the golden mean: this camera combines compactness, technological effectiveness and price in almost ideal proportions.
Portability is not a turn of phrase, but a key feature. With dimensions of 113×68×33 mm and weight without lens of 265 grams it came very close to the exceptionally small Sony NEX-5.
The GF2’s purely compact size paves the way into the world of “Leica-like” reportage and genre “everyday” pocket cameras – with a flat, wide-angle 14mm lens Eq. 28 mm, it is offered both in a separate complete set, and in set double kit the camera really fits in the pocket.
Thus, unlike the same NEX-5, Panasonic model corresponds to the conception of a genre compact as well with the operative control. Ergonomics in some sense even superfluous in terms of options: on the body simultaneously present and a 3-inch touchscreen 460 thousand. dots, Live View 60 fps update , gesture and click resolution, and a set of less obvious, but faster, traditional buttons and levers.
The only thing that connoisseurs didn’t get was a flip-up mechanism like Sony or Panasonic G2 displays, which can be very useful for inconspicuous people photography, but the compact body accommodates a built-in flash – it was the most compact “system” device with a flash at the time of release.
Panasonic specialists didn’t stint on packing maximum of available functionality and technical solutions into the small device.
So, in video mode is available full-fledged Full HD in AVCHD format, the sound is recorded on a stereo microphone with Dolby Digital Stereo Creator technology and automatic wind noise suppression. Only the sensor which was inherited by GF2 from the first “system” Lumix – 12-megapixel Live MOS remained without noticeable progress.
However, its resolution is still enough for most photographic tasks and printing in a decent format. Built-in cleaning system saves the matrix from the dust.
Renewed brand processor Venus Engine FHD with spatial noise reduction and separate treatment of borders, homogeneous and inhomogeneous areas in the frame is responsible for the shooting quality.
The sound is recorded on the built-in stereo microphone with Dolby Digital Stereo Creator technology and automatic wind noise suppression. A new and probably more expensive 16-megapixel sensor model GH2 this camera has not got former – Live MOS with an effective resolution of about 12 million. pixels. and dust cleaning system, as in other cameras of the standard “micro four-thirds” , but we got a powerful processor Venus Engine FHD.
In its set of abilities includes the technology of “spatial noise reduction” and separate processing of borders of homogeneous and inhomogeneous areas of objects in the frame. The available maximum sensitivity is 6400 ISO.
The software stuffing introduced the usual smart technologies and a few specific functions, aimed at using the touchscreen.
For example, clicking on an object in the frame will trigger scene detection: hit on the face – portrait photography, the background – the landscape, pointing at an object close to the camera – will turn on macro mode. The tracking focus is ready to “catch” the movement of the specified object.
And, of course, for the creativity without leaving the camera there are various built-in filters and color effects which work on the video as well.
After the first period of pricing Panasonic seems to have found the right direction, so the price of Lumix GF2, originally not very high, now goes down smoothly.
The price of the camera is surprisingly affordable: with all its advantages in the stores the camera is easy to buy for 20-23 thousand Dollars – considering the characteristics, the price is quite competitive. If you want, you can look for a variant in black. The aluminum body of the camera is also available in silver, white, red and pink.
But the double “kit”, contrary to usual, in this model is questionable: the standard zoom 14-42 mm would be interesting to complement either a lens close in properties to the “50” and such a lens exists as a fast 20 mm , or expressive wide-angle.
The 14 mm “tablet”, included in the double kit, is interesting mainly for its portable dimensions and may be useless for many buyers.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 seems to offer an enticing opportunity to delve into Leica-like reportage and genre photography. However, I’m unsure about the camera’s compact size. Will this affect the overall quality and functionality?