View Full Version : First Micro 4/3 Camera...
photogdave
09-12-2008, 06:34
Here it is:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08091202panasonic_DMC_G1.asp
Neat. Not remotely an RF, but neat.
photogdave
09-12-2008, 06:40
Hmm...this was just moved into the SLR category but I don't think it qualifies.
No mirror = no reflex, right?
Anyway, this doesn't look like what we've been hoping for.
Al Patterson
09-12-2008, 06:46
Hmm...this was just moved into the SLR category but I don't think it qualifies.
No mirror = no reflex, right?
Anyway, this doesn't look like what we've been hoping for.
This is no more an SLR than it is a rangefinder, but it may be EVIL.
If you check around www.dpreview.com you will see discussions about Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens cameras. So, maybe this thread DOES belong here in this forum.
It looks like an interesting camera though.
endustry
09-12-2008, 07:07
This just looks like a "mini me" dSLR -- at least in terms of form factor.
(points pinky to lips)
Al Patterson
09-12-2008, 07:11
This just looks like a "mini me" dSLR -- at least in terms of form factor.
(points pinky to lips)
But I'm sure it won't cost one BILLION dollars...
dazedgonebye
09-12-2008, 07:12
This just looks like a "mini me" dSLR -- at least in terms of form factor.
(points pinky to lips)
Panasonic is following its established designs.
If you look at the dpreview article, it'll show you their megazoom p&s and thier DSLR. The G1 sits right in the middle and looks like it belongs there.
I'm excited about the camera and the 20mm lens. If Samsung had not announced that they'll be doing one of these too, I'd be pretty certain to get one.
As it is, I'll be waiting.
The form is awfully familiar and not what I am interested in. Pass for me, but at least stuff is coming out. I want a leica m mount adapter!
dazedgonebye
09-12-2008, 07:19
I think perhaps most here will not be satisifed with the form simply because there is no rangefinder on top.
I can understand that, but I don't think it stops this camera from filling a pretty important spot in my bag...assuming it all works and the lenses are good.
I think perhaps most here will not be satisifed with the form simply because there is no rangefinder on top.
I can understand that, but I don't think it stops this camera from filling a pretty important spot in my bag...assuming it all works and the lenses are good.
I was hoping for something more in the Ricoh GRD format, a flatter body with no big "grip" thing on it.
endustry
09-12-2008, 07:37
Primes. I want primes.
dazedgonebye
09-12-2008, 07:37
I was hoping for something more in the Ricoh GRD format, a flatter body with no big "grip" thing on it.
I have to admit being turned off a bit by the grip. Seems a mandatory "ergo" thing.
On the up side, looks like the 20mm may be a pancake (http://www.digitalcamera.jp/).
(scroll down a bit)
My want primes too, many 1.4 primes.....
I think it's more of a 'shape issue' than size so much. As looking at the diagrams the camera is considerably smaller. But the shape, etc is still the same thing we've seen for years. Still looks like an ugly SLR.
No bright, clear finder means it's not an RF, no matter how the lenses get focused.
I second the motion for primes. Small, fast primes.
Oh and I want that Leica M adapter....now. Even though the camera I want is not out yet, I still want to see the adapter! I know some smart fellow will make it and when they do my money is down for one.
No bright clear finder?
Jeez Kevin that means my contax II, IIa, IIIa, T, T2, G2, OLY SP, XA,
Yashica electro, Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta, etc are not rangefinders.
Al Patterson
09-12-2008, 08:05
still too big.
If you have big hands, you might not say that. I find many cameras WAY too small, like they are built for children.
erikhaugsby
09-12-2008, 08:06
That (promised for 2009) 20mm f/1.7 looks juicy. Shame they couldn't make it a 1.4.
allen_a_george
09-12-2008, 08:12
I
On the up side, looks like the 20mm may be a pancake (http://www.digitalcamera.jp/).
(scroll down a bit)
Nice . . . very nice. I'll have to check this camera/lens combo out next year. Of course, I'd rather there weren't a large handgrip and shiny silver accents, but you make do with what you've got.
I wonder what the shutter lag is like. Won't be super-fast of course.
Tuolumne
09-12-2008, 08:16
"TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Matsu****a (6752.T) said it would launch the world's smallest digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, targeting female users who want a high-performance machine that does not weigh too much."
/T
allen_a_george
09-12-2008, 08:18
"TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Matsu****a (6752.T) said it would launch the world's smallest digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, targeting female users who want a high-performance machine that does not weigh too much."
/T
[chuckles]
No. And for the record, I think it's quite the generalization to assume that all men want big, heavy cameras.
After reading the preview, it looks pretty promising to me. I like the idea of having the viewfinder reflect the chosen aspect ratio. If the image quality is as good as the current 4.3 cameras, I think they'll have a winner (or at least my money).
A Lumix lens!!??
Is there a rift between Leica and Panasonic now?
Leica lends their name to the P&S machines but not to the new 4/3rds mounts?
It doesn't make sense.
And the styling...is...underwhelming to say the least.
"TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Matsu****a (6752.T) said it would launch the world's smallest digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera,
And the reflex part would be ... ??? :confused:
Double Negative
09-12-2008, 09:38
And the reflex part would be ... ??? :confused:
Must be what they're calling electronic viewfinders these days... Darn kids! :D
Tuolumne
09-12-2008, 09:47
Must be what they're calling electronic viewfinders these days... Darn kids! :D
Yes, well...ahem...doesn't that make every digital P&S an SLR? That's what I told my friend a few years ago when he got one of the first affordable dSLRs. My friends, all digital cameras with live views are functionally SLRs. It doesn't matter how they accomplish it technically.
/T
[chuckles]
No. And for the record, I think it's quite the generalization to assume that all men want big, heavy cameras.
Just because the target audience is women, doesn't mean it excludes men.
My wife loves the speed of my 1Dm2, but just won't put up with the weight.
Funny enough, that it's here at RFF (99% male audience) that I frequently hear the complaint of certain cameras being "too light" or "toy-like".
"There's no doubt that electronic viewfinders aren't going to replace optical reflex finders for all applications in the near future (the display gets quite noisy in very low light, and it will inevitably impact on shutter lag), but this is a real move in the right direction - it's perfectly possible to check critical focus using the EVF, and there seems to be very little video lag."
ick. not that it's unexpected, but i was hoping to be surprised.
The Leica branded lens on my old lumix FZ3 with 3mp had a lot of glass and a constant f2.8 through equivalent 420mm. I'm not sure Panasonic can do these things on their own, or they haven't show it so far. The 2 new announced lens have .5m min. focus, and slow apertures like the bundled kit lenses of the big makers. Are the new lenses made in Japan?
A Lumix lens!!??
Is there a rift between Leica and Panasonic now?
Leica lends their name to the P&S machines but not to the new 4/3rds mounts?
It doesn't make sense.
And the styling...is...underwhelming to say the least.
allen_a_george
09-12-2008, 10:49
I believe all the Panasonic 4/3 lenses (even the Leica-branded 25mm) were made in Japan by Panasonic.
rolleistef
09-12-2008, 12:15
It becomes the first affordable High-resolution video camera with a correct lens! Truly impressive accoridng to DP Reviews's conclusions.
Al Patterson
09-12-2008, 12:33
And the beauty of it is if you don't like this particular camera, just wait a few months and there will be another one.
mabelsound
09-12-2008, 12:52
I mentioned this in the other thread, but perhaps the rumored digital CL will be a version of this camera, in a more rangefindery shape, with an M-mount on it. With the contrast detect, you could get a focus confirm beep, and if the screen is good enough you might not need a viewfinder or rangefinder at all. I realize people here would want an optical VF/RF, but the camera could certainly be nice and cheap without one.
It'd be odd, though, to have a "CL" with a high pixel count than the M8.2.
Pancake anyone?
http://www.digitalcamera.jp/html/HotNews/image/2008-09/12/20mmF17-L.jpg
dazedgonebye
09-12-2008, 13:06
Yep, that 20mm is encouraging.
I don't know if this camera or something from oly will be the best bet, but at least we know we'll have 1 pretty fast prime at a good focal length.
I wonder when oly is going to come out with their version.
sockeyed
09-12-2008, 13:17
I think that there's a lot of potential in this kind of design: small form factor, no mirror black-out, no mirror vibration, short flange-to-film/sensor distance (20mm in this case): all things we like in our RF's. The manual focusing is interesting too - it zooms in automatically 5-10x when you turn the focus ring. Imagine being able to zoom in on your rangefinder patch like that!
dazedgonebye
09-12-2008, 13:27
You know, I keep looking at the pictures and drawings of this thing, and even though the reviewer refered to the bump as cosmetic, I don't see how they could have included that evf and flash without most of the bump as it is.
Well this is the 25 f1.4 summilux mounted on it. It's HUGE!
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/static/image/2008/09/12/micro_023l.jpg
And I don't understand the size complaints. m6's aren't pocketable either, and their also about 2-3 times the weight. Take a look at this and see how small it is. Unless this women has man hands, this thing is TINY!
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/static/image/2008/09/13/micro_065l.jpg
That's just another glorified P&S directed at female users... Look at that red color.
Use your Leica Ms with the new color film from Kodak (I have heard its very similar to Kodachrome - and one of the reasons that Kodak released it) and process C41 at home!
photomoof
09-13-2008, 18:04
Pancake anyone?
Ken please don't post those kind of wide photos it just ruins the forum for everyone!! Now you have to scroll back and forth to read all the posts.
best
f
principe azul
09-14-2008, 01:57
Still an ugly bump, though. Even if it were necessary for the evf and flash, it's odd that it's been styled to look like a lower-end SLR... and have those droopy Canon-like 'shoulders' either side of the 'prism,' making the dials go at an angle.
Form following function is what makes a camera like a Leica M possibly beautiful and certainly a design classic. Here putting a very different sort of camera into an old shell just makes the Panasonic look cheap.
Still, 52mm filter thread is helpful for me as a Nikon and Nokton shooter. Still a relatively compact size as well: 62mm and up starts to feel unwieldy if you're carrying a few around on the offchance.
sevres_babylone
09-14-2008, 07:17
Aesthetically, I don't like the bump, and preferred the design in the fake posted a couple of weeks ago which looked like an LX3 with interchangeable lenses. But I welcome the new camera, and at the end of the day, the bump won't be a deal-breaker for me. No more camera/lens purchases for me this year (no you can't quote me), but I like the M4/3 concept, and there could be one in the future.
They need to come out with a range of small primes. What good is a small body when the zooms are "normal" sized.
well, i want the image quality of a dslr, only without the bulk. here's a camera that's smaller than dslrs. not by much, and it still isn't pocketable, but it looks like a mini-dslr! isn't that cute? i'm going to buy it, even though it doesn't address my initial reservations about buying a dslr.
I'd actually like the red one. oops, now that I've admitted it, I'm embarassed.
but how interestingly weird would that ugly hunk of plastic look with a 1.5 Summarit on it? priceless!
and here's some highlights from the product description, to make the idea of retrofitting the thing even more entertaining:
Body material • Plastic
Focus modes [...] • Face Detection
Scene modes (!!!! can't believe it) • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Outdoor Portrait
• Indoor Portrait
• Creative Portrait
• Scenery
• Nature
• Architecture
• Flower
• Objects
• Creative Close-Up
• Baby 1,2
• Pet
[...]
(I wonder what is the difference between baby 1 and 2... hurm.)
Image parameters
• Monochrome (Standard, Dynamic, Smooth)
• My Film (2 memories)
[...]
sounds like it was specifically made for us, eh? :)
principe azul
09-14-2008, 13:50
I wonder what is the difference between baby 1 and 2... hurm.
Twins. Setting 2 uses multiple focus points... ;)
I'd actually like the red one. oops, now that I've admitted it, I'm embarassed.
Hey, I quite fancy the blue one :D
They need to come out with a range of small primes. What good is a small body when the zooms are "normal" sized.
True. My R-D1's not much smaller than my Elan 7 Canon, but the lenses sure are.
39mm filter lenses make for a light kit. :D
dazedgonebye
09-15-2008, 08:19
This shot from flickr gives a better feel for the size of the G1.
I don't love the bump or the grip, but it really is quite small. I agree with an earlier poster that pointed out that such a small camera deserves small primes. It seems though, from what I can find on forums, that 4/3rds users like their zooms. At least, that's what they're being sold.
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