Panasonic LUMIX DMC G2 Review | 108 Data compared

The Panasonic DMC-G2 is a DSLR-styled mirrorless camera featuring a 12.1-megapixel sensor, an articulating touchscreen, and a 1.44-million-dot electronic viewfinder, all designed for improved handling and faster, responsive contrast-detect autofocus. Key pros include excellent physical controls, 720p HD video capabilities, and specialized features like subject tracking and touch-to-focus that enhance the overall shooting experience. However, the review notes significant cons, specifically regarding dull, out-of-camera JPEG colors and underwhelming high-ISO performance, where images become noisy at ISO 6400. Additionally, the camera suffers from limited dynamic range compared to APS-C competitors, and the included 14-42mm kit lens is considered a downgrade in build and optical quality from its predecessor.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is a pioneering consumer interchangeable-lens camera that builds upon its predecessor by finally adding 720p HD video capture capability and introducing an innovative flip-and-twist touch-screen interface. The touch implementation is highly functional, giving photographers direct access to settings, touch focusing, and touch metering, while still retaining a generous layout of physical switches, dials, and buttons for traditional navigation. Built around a comfortable, rubberised grip, the camera delivers exceptionally fast operational performance, powering on and shooting in just under 0.9 seconds, and maintaining a zippy 1-second shot-to-shot time even with the flash enabled. It also features a bright, sharp electronic viewfinder (EVF) and an articulated LCD screen that together make manual focusing and judging shot sharpness highly efficient. Despite these strong features, the camera has notable design and performance drawbacks. A major usability flaw is that the touch screen is overly sensitive; in single-area autofocus mode, accidental bumps easily displace the focus point, triggering unintended interface changes. Additionally, Panasonic relocated the SD card slot from the side grip to the bottom battery compartment, making card retrieval highly...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds digital camera that provides impressive, near-DSLR image quality in a highly compact and versatile form factor. It is characterized by its excellent double live view system, which utilizes both a vibrant 3.0-inch free-angle swivel LCD screen and an outstanding built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) that automatically switches via an eye sensor. The camera introduces an intuitive touchscreen interface that excels at selecting focus points, tracking moving subjects, and snapping photos with a single tap. Additionally, it features speedy autofocus, creative integrated color filters (such as Silhouette and Retro), a reliable dust reduction system, and 720p HD video recording capabilities that maintain continuous autofocus while shooting. Despite its excellent value and high usability, the G2 has a few distinct performance and design limitations. Its Micro Four Thirds sensor yields a more limited dynamic range compared to larger APS-C DSLR sensors, occasionally resulting in blown-out highlights in high-contrast lighting. While the camera delivers clean out-of-camera JPEGs at lower sensitivities, images taken at high ISO settings (1600 and above) can become smudgy and lose...

The Panasonic G2 is a 12.1MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera that combines DSLR-style ergonomics with a compact body, featuring a substantial right-hand grip and a dedicated mode dial. A standout feature is its 3-inch tilt/swivel touchscreen LCD (460k dot resolution), which allows for flexible shooting angles and responsive menu navigation via a "Quick Menu" overlay. It is designed for ease of use with physical dials for metering and focus modes, as well as a dedicated quick-record button for 720p HD video capture. In terms of performance, the G2’s contrast-based autofocus is remarkably fast, rivaling entry-level DSLRs for everyday snapshots. However, it has specific drawbacks: the electronic viewfinder (EVF) can experience blurring when panning with moving subjects, and its burst frame rate isn't sufficient for high-action sports. While its image quality is excellent and comparable to competitors like the Canon Rebel T2i for standard prints, it does show slightly more noise at high ISOs (up to 6400) and falls behind in raw resolution. Overall, it is a highly recommended "bridge" for users moving from point-and-shoot cameras who want professional controls...

The Amateur Photographer review highlights the 12.1MP Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 as a well-built, 371g mirrorless camera that successfully integrates a responsive touchscreen with traditional, intuitive physical controls. It is praised for having a very fast autofocus system and producing bright, accurate JPEG colors, particularly in good lighting conditions. However, the review notes that the camera struggles in low light, with ISO 6400 producing heavy noise reduction that sacrifices image detail. While the touch interface is considered a major benefit, the review suggests it may take users time to get fully comfortable with the new operational workflow. Amateur Photographer

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is a compact, highly desirable Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens camera that performs similarly in size to super-zoom fixed-lens models. A standout feature is its versatile 7.5cm vari-angle touch screen, which responds well to pressure (such as a fingernail) and allows users to easily adjust aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation with a finger slide. The camera offers excellent usability, generating sharp images with a nice tonal range through its 12.1-megapixel sensor. Additional pros include four distinct autofocus functions (including touch tracking), Full-Time Live View, an optical image stabiliser with four modes, and a Peripheral Defocus mode that separates subjects by gently blurring backgrounds without manual aperture adjustment. However, the camera has notable drawbacks, particularly regarding modern video and design ergonomics. Its video capabilities are limited to a maximum resolution of 1280×720 pixels in AVCHD Lite, lacking Full HD (1920×1080) support. In terms of performance, noise becomes visibly prominent in plain tones at ISO 800, rendering images unusable by ISO 6400. A major physical inconvenience is the memory card slot location under the camera base rather...

The Panasonic DMC-G2 is a versatile midsize camera that weighs 638g with its 14-42mm kit lens, making it less than half the weight of a standard DSLR like the Canon EOS 50D. A major standout feature is its integrated Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), which delivers a highly crisp, high-resolution image and helps stretch the camera's fantastic battery life to around 550 photos or seven solid days on the trail. Users will also benefit from an adjustable, pivotable 3-inch screen that makes experimenting with high or low angles incredibly easy without having to lie in the dirt. For usability, it features convenient dual control wheels and a dedicated, one-press "intelligent Auto" (iA) button that serves as an excellent backup for quickly capturing a shot when manual settings fall short. At a price point under $500, it offers an affordable entry point for backpackers wanting advanced features, a solid EVF, and reliable 1280 x 720 HD video recording. Despite these benefits, the camera has notable drawbacks, particularly regarding image processing and its tactile interface. Out of the box, the camera's JPEG processing tends...

The DPReview conclusion highlights the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 as a responsive, solid evolutionary upgrade featuring fast autofocus, excellent handling, and a useful articulated touch-screen. It is praised for reliable image metering, good JPEG resolution up to ISO 800, and a high-quality electronic viewfinder. Conversely, the review notes the 12-megapixel sensor and 14-42mm kit lens underperform, with noise reduction degrading fine details at higher ISO settings. Limitations include slow burst shooting, which is unsuitable for fast action, and mono-only internal audio recording.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is a feature-rich, 12.1-megapixel interchangeable lens camera that brings evolutionary upgrades to its predecessor, the G1. Its standout improvements include a new 720p movie mode recording at 30fps and a highly adjustable, 3-inch touch-screen display. Performance remains a core strength, delivering sub-half-second startup times, a 0.8-second shot-to-shot time, and a quick contrast-detection auto-focus system. Additionally, the revised 14-42mm kit lens provides excellent corner-to-corner sharpness and minimal distortion. Combined with a large, high-resolution electronic viewfinder, these features help the G2 outperform its lower-priced sibling, the G10. However, the camera falls short when it comes to image quality and specific layout designs. Because it reuses the G1's older sensor technology, it struggles in low light; image noise becomes highly visible at ISO 1600, rendering images mostly unusable by ISO 6400. The review notes that comparably priced digital SLRs from Nikon and Canon easily beat the G2 in noise control and colour accuracy. Handling is also compromised by the relocation of the SD card slot to the bottom battery compartment, which makes card swapping difficult when using a tripod....

The Pocket-lint review praises the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 as a highly capable mirrorless camera that effectively replaces its G1 predecessor by introducing a 3-inch tilt-angle touchscreen LCD and an HD 720p movie mode. Built on a 12.1-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, this hybrid camera provides a compact, lightweight alternative to traditional DSLRs while retaining robust physical control buttons, an intelligent Auto (iA) mode, and an automated eye-sensing Electronic Viewfinder (EVF). Key advantages outlined in the review include its snappy contrast-detect autofocus system, innovative subject-tracking AF via screen touch, and a high-quality video mode utilizing the efficient AVCHD Lite codec. However, the review points out several notable drawbacks, particularly regarding poor high ISO image quality, noting that the highest sensitivity of ISO 6400 suffers from severe image noise, dull colours, and a lack of definition. The camera also faces stiff performance competition from rival systems with larger sensors, such as the Samsung NX10. Additional complaints focus on the mediocre performance of the bundled 14-42mm kit lens, which lacks an external image stabilisation switch, minor image lag in the EVF during low-light...

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Panasonic Lumix G2 as a compact, travel-friendly mirrorless camera featuring a 3-inch articulating touchscreen for intuitive shooting and flexible, sharp imaging via the 14-42mm kit lens. Key advantages include a high-speed contrast autofocus system, comprehensive manual controls, and a dedicated video button, making it a versatile tool for photographers. However, limitations identified in the review include a maximum video resolution of 720p HD rather than Full HD, along with increased digital noise at high ISO settings. Additionally, the design is criticized for placing the memory card slot underneath the camera, requiring the removal of a tripod for access, and a slow continuous shooting speed that limits action photography.

The Camerarace review rates the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 as a highly versatile mirrorless camera with an iCamRank score of 50, highlighting its exceptional portability for daily use with a 428-gram weight. Key pros include a multi-angle LCD screen, an electronic viewfinder (EVF), an external microphone input, and a fast autofocus system that contributes to a high 70/100 versatility score. Conversely, the review notes significant limitations, including a lack of weather-sealing and low scores for landscapes (40), sports (41), and portraits (43). Additional drawbacks include limited battery life (360 shots) and a lack of modern wireless connectivity, coupled with a low overall speed index score.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC G2 DXOMARK Review evaluates the camera's Micro Four Thirds sensor, giving it an Overall Sensor Score of 53. Released in March 2010, the camera delivers specific performance metrics across key photographic use cases. Its strengths (pros) include a capable Portrait score of 21.2 bits for color depth and a Landscape dynamic range of 10.3 EV. Additionally, the camera benefits from physical design improvements like a responsive articulating touchscreen LCD, a bright electronic viewfinder, fast contrast-detect autofocus, and the welcome integration of 720p HD video capture. However, the review details notable performance limitations (cons), particularly regarding low-light conditions. The sensor achieves a low Sports score of 493 ISO, indicating that image quality quickly degrades with visible noise and overprocessed details at higher sensitivities. Additional drawbacks identified across testing include a lower dynamic range than its contemporary APS-C rivals, unappealing out-of-camera JPEG color rendering that sometimes requires raw processing, and a high-ISO default noise reduction algorithm that is overly aggressive.