Panasonic LUMIX DMC GF1 LUMIX G 20mm F1 7 ASPH Review | 108 Data compared

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is a compact, high-quality mirrorless camera featuring an exceptionally fast contrast-detect autofocus system, robust all-metal build quality, and an intuitive control layout. It delivers excellent raw image sharpness, supports 720p HD video, and features a bright 3-inch LCD, making it a powerful yet portable, DSLR-like, interchangeable lens option. However, the camera is limited by a flawed default JPEG engine that produces poor color, particularly in blue skies, and lacks in-body image stabilization, forcing reliance on lens-based stabilization. Additionally, the GF1 has a weak integrated flash, restricted 720p audio options, and, while providing good high-ISO performance, it trails key competitors in dynamic range.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera that successfully packs a DSLR-sized sensor into a compact, lightweight body with interchangeable lens capabilities. It delivers excellent image quality with lower noise, better dynamic range, and shallower depth-of-field than standard compact cameras, performing reliably well between 100 and 800 ISO. Key advantages include its exceptionally quick 23-area autofocus system, a detailed 3-inch 460k-dot LCD screen, a built-in popup flash, and an AVCHD Lite movie mode that allows for continuous HD video recording for up to 30 minutes. However, the camera's most significant drawback is its complete lack of in-body image stabilisation, which causes noticeable handheld camera shake when paired with non-stabilised prime lenses like the popular 20mm f1.7 pancake kit lens. Additionally, the LCD screen suffers from heavy reflections when used in bright, direct sunlight, and the default JPEG images can appear slightly soft unless sharpening and contrast are manually increased in the settings. Lastly, while it supports an optional electronic viewfinder that tilts vertically, it is a costly separate accessory with a relatively low resolution of 202k...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 CNET Review highlights this model as an excellent, jacket-pocket-sized Micro Four Thirds interchangeable-lens camera that perfectly blends compact convenience with DSLR-like quality. Evaluated at an retail price of around $900 with kit lenses like the 20mm pancake or 14-45mm zoom, it earns an overall score of 8.0 out of 10. The reviewer praises its streamlined, comfortable design featuring a functional shallow grip, a bright 3-inch LCD screen, and intuitive direct-access controls that minimise menu diving. In terms of performance, the camera delivers sharp, highly accurate photo exposures, a robust pop-up flash, and a zippy 0.8-second startup time. Furthermore, its fast contrast-detect autofocus system operates continuously and efficiently during 720p HD movie capture. On the downside, the camera is not suited for action shooting or serious low-light photography, as color noise and detail smearing become problematic at ISO 400 and higher. The review notes that the built-in movie recording button is small and hard to feel, while the recorded 720p video quality looks noticeably soft when scaled up for a large display or television. Crucially, the camera...

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 as a capable, compact Micro Four Thirds system offering excellent build quality, a solid feel, and fast, precise autofocus. Key benefits include an intuitive layout, versatile custom creative modes, and the ability to capture detailed RAW data, making it a powerful alternative to larger DSLRs. However, the review notes design drawbacks, such as the oversized drive switch, which is prone to accidental activation, and the lack of a built-in viewfinder, necessitating an optional accessory. Additionally, the sensor is exposed to dust when changing lenses, and the Dynamic Art filter mode is criticized for producing unnatural, artifact-heavy images.

In this review, Michael Reichmann highlights the Panasonic Lumix GF1 as a highly capable and portable Micro Four Thirds camera, deeming it the "best of breed" in its class at the time. The camera excels with its fast and responsive autofocus system, a clear, high-resolution rear LCD screen, and an intuitive, clean menu interface. It delivers excellent image quality and low-noise performance up to ISO 1000. Additionally, its physical controls are well-designed, featuring a secure, detented mode dial and a clever built-in pop-up flash. The optional LVF1 electronic viewfinder accessory serves as a vital tool for photographers who prefer eye-level composing, while the companion Lumix 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens is praised as an exceptionally fast, high-quality optic that works perfectly for low-light urban environments. However, the reviewer details several notable drawbacks, particularly when comparing the GF1 to the larger Panasonic GH1 model. A primary downside is the complete lack of image stabilization in both the camera body and the 20mm kit lens. Furthermore, the video capability is restricted to 720p HD rather than full 1080i, the rear LCD is completely...

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Review Summary The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is a highly capable mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera that successfully packs DSLR-like speed, depth, and finesse into a robust, point-and-shoot-sized body. Built "like a tank," it features an anonymous, compact exterior that appeals greatly to enthusiasts and professional landscape photographers seeking a reliable backup body. Paired with the ultra-sharp 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens, the camera delivers outstanding, highly detailed images with excellent dynamic range and well-controlled noise levels. Its high-resolution 3-inch rear screen refreshes at a smooth 60 frames per second, and its smartly placed tactile buttons—including an intuitive exposure/focus lock and control wheel—ensure excellent handling and usability. Video performance is equally strong, capturing high-quality AVCHD Lite video with creamy background bokeh. Despite these strengths, the system does have a few drawbacks. The out-of-the-box color output tends to be somewhat muted, though this can be easily corrected in post-processing. The 20mm f/1.7 lens experiences slight vignetting when wide open and suffers from mediocre autofocus speeds, preventing users from fully experiencing the camera's otherwise rapid contrast-detection system. While video quality is generally high,...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is a compact Micro Four Thirds camera designed as an alternative to bulky digital SLRs, delivering high-quality image capture in a significantly smaller form factor. Equipped with a 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor and a sharp 7.6cm LCD screen, the camera provides fast startup and rapid shot-to-shot performance. It supports interchangeable G Micro System lenses, with the f1.7/20mm pancake lens highlighted as an exceptionally compact option for travel. In testing, the camera excelled at delivering clean, noise-free images at lower sensitivities up to ISO 1600, while also offering stunning color saturation even under overcast skies. A major selling point of the GF1 is its ability to seamlessly shoot both high-quality stills and HD video with reliable autofocus. Other strong advantages include built-in body optical image stabilisation, a retractable flash cell, and highly intuitive controls that remain easily accessible to your fingers. However, the camera does have clear limitations. Image quality deteriorates considerably at its maximum ISO 3200 setting, where noticeable noise and colour artefacts emerge. Furthermore, its video capabilities cap at a modest 1280×720 pixels, audio is...

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Review Summary The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1, paired with the 20mm f/1.7 Lumix pancake lens, is an exceptionally well-conceived and durable travel photography kit, as proven during a grueling 16-day Himalayan trek climbing up to 4,200 metres. The camera's main advantages lie in its compact, lightweight design and simple interface, allowing it to sit unobtrusively around a trekker's neck and operate easily with one hand. Its small profile lacks a traditional viewfinder, which makes it less intimidating than a DSLR and enables intimate, candid eye contact with subjects. Mechanically, it boasts an excellent battery life, a tough construction that withstands impacts, dust, and freezing temperatures, and it captures high-quality RAW data alongside impressive HD video with a shallow depth of field.

The DPReview evaluation of the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH praises it as a "must-have" 100-gram pancake lens for Micro Four Thirds, offering exceptional center sharpness even wide open. Its primary strengths include a high-quality, compact build, fast f/1.7 aperture for low-light shooting, and minimal distortion on Panasonic bodies. However, the review notes cons related to its autofocus, specifically a slower, audible focus-by-wire system that moves the entire optical block. Additionally, the lens lacks a dedicated hood mount and was considered relatively expensive upon launch.

The Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 ASPH is a highly rated Micro Four Thirds pancake lens known for its fast f/1.7 aperture, which produces bright, distortion-free images with smooth, attractive bokeh. It excels in available-light photography and delivers high-performance optics, with minimal flare and ghosting in daylight conditions. YouTube · However, the lens has limitations, including slight vignetting at f/1.7 that resolves by f/4.5 and a 20 cm minimum focusing distance that limits close-up performance. The review recommends this lens for its speed and compact size but advises against it for users requiring macro functionality.

The What Digital Camera review praises the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 for maximizing the Micro Four Thirds format by offering a compact, powerful, and easy-to-use alternative to bulky DSLRs, particularly highlighting the excellent performance of the 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens. Despite its portability and high-quality output, the review notes a high price tag and limitations in speed compared to traditional DSLRs. However, the review points out several notable drawbacks, particularly emphasizing that the high price tag leaves definite room for improvement. The review also states that while the camera bridges the gap between different formats, more traditional photographers will still find that a conventional DSLR provides a better overall user experience. Furthermore, earlier pages of the same review point out technical performance trade-offs, such as a 3 frames per second burst mode that falls short of super-fast modern DSLRs and a contrast-detect autofocus system that is not quite as nimble as full SLR systems. Despite these minor performance limitations and the high cost, the final verdict concludes that the GF1 stands out as the best option on the market for its...

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is a lightweight alternative to traditional DSLRs, featuring a "blissful" screen, intuitive focusing, and a 12.1-megapixel sensor. Key advantages include its compact, sturdy build, rapid autofocus, and high-quality image output reminiscent of medium format. However, the camera has some drawbacks, with the reviewer citing a too-small thumb wheel that is difficult to use, as well as an outdated menu interface.

The Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH lens displays exceptional center sharpness wide open at f/1.7 and provides excellent control over flare, offering optimal results between f/2.8 and f/6.3. While outperforming competitors in core sharpness, the lens shows noticeable softness in the extreme corners at maximum aperture and relies on automatic digital correction for distortion on native bodies. DPReview Conversely, the lens experiences a progressive loss of sharpness due to diffraction when stopped down past f/6.3. Furthermore, lateral chromatic aberration corrections are not fully supported on non-Panasonic systems, and corner sharpness, though improving upon stopping down, remains a limitation at the widest aperture. DPReview