Admiring Light
Menu
  • Home
  • Review Index
  • Shop Talk
  • Technique and Vision
  • Opinion
  • Portfolio
  • Site Index
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
Menu
Panasonic GX1 Sensor

Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Posted on January 17, 2012February 24, 2013 by Jordan Steele

Contents

  • 1Build Quality / Ergonomics
  • 2Menus/Touch Screen
  • 3Performance/AF
  • 4Flash
  • 5Image Quality
  • 6Video
  • 7External Viewfinder - LVF2
  • 8Conclusion
  • 9Sample Images

Video

The GX1 is capable of shooting video at 1920x1080i full HD at 30 frames per second, or 720p at 60 frames per second.  It shoots in either AVCHD or MPEG4.  The controls for video are rather spartan, as you simply have control over exposure compensation and the starting and stopping of recording using the dedicated movie button.  Focus can be re-locked at any time during filming by half pressing the shutter button, and full resolution stills can be captured during recording as well.  The camera can also do focus tracking and continuous autofocus during movie recording.  Movies are of very high quality, and can be used for some really excellent film making, though I would suggest if video is your primary goal, something along the lines of the Panasonic GH2 or GH1 would be much better suited to you, as they allow for full aperture, and shutter speed control, frame rate, etc.  I am not much of a video shooter, so any decent mode here is a bonus for me.  My GH2 sees 99% of my video use, as it well should.

External Viewfinder – LVF2

GX1 with LVF2As mentioned earlier, the GX1 does not come with a built-in electronic viewfinder.  Panasonic does offer the excellent LVF2, however.  The LVF2 is a 1.44 million dot EVF with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1.4x magnification, virtually identical to the EVF in the G3.  Because of the high magnification, the apparent viewfinder image is equivalent in size to most full frame professional DSLRs.  It is crisp, clear and bright, and is a wonderful add-on, especially if you use manual focus.  I generally prefer using a viewfinder, so I ordered the LVF2 with my GX1.  The viewfinder is solidly made and attaches securely to the camera’s hotshoe and accessory port.  The diopter adjustment is located underneath the viewfinder, and is accessible only when tilting up.  This is a great location, as it’s easy to access, yet very difficult to accidentally knock out of position.  The EVF tilts 90 degrees to allow top down shooting, which is great for low to the ground or macro shooting.  It comes with a small velvet bag to pack the viewfinder in when not in use, and has a nice locking mechanism to prevent accidentally being knocked off the camera.  Overall, it is a very well made piece of kit.

There are two issues with using the external viewfinder.  First, it takes up the hotshoe, which means that you can’t use an external flashgun and the viewfinder at the same time.  I understand the tradeoff, though, and it’s ultimately not too big of a deal.  The second issue is that the EVF does not have an eye sensor, so you must manually switch between the EVF and LCD.  Coming from the GH2, this is taking a long time to get used to.  I generally make settings changes on the LCD, then raise my eye to the viewfinder (a holdover from my DSLR days).  This isn’t really possible, without pressing the button on the EVF back and forth.  Luckily, Panasonic did include an option (on by default) to do playback on the LCD automatically.  If you are using the EVF and press the playback button, it will display on the LCD.  This is a nice touch.  I would love to have the option to display camera settings on the LCD when the EVF is active, much like the settings display available on the GH2 and other G series bodies.

Conclusion

The DMC-GX1 is a great little camera.  It is responsive, compact, with excellent ergonomics, fast and accurate autofocus and very well placed and accessible controls.  Panasonic also managed to squeeze in a bit better high ISO capability over their previous cameras, which makes this little camera capable of some very high-end output.  On the down side, the EVF is still an accessory that must be purchased separately, and the camera lacks any serious video control.  Image review is not possible until all images have been written to the card, an odd limitation that started with the GH2 and is not present on the G1 or GH1.   That said, for still imaging, this is easily Panasonic’s best compact style CSC to date, and rivals the flagship of the Lumix line, the GH2, in everything but video.  Outstanding.

Sample Images

GX1, Leica 25mm f/1.4, ISO 160
GX1, Leica 25mm f/1.4, ISO 160
Stitch of four photos, GX1, Leica 25mm f/1.4, ISO 160
GX1, Leica 25mm f/1.4, ISO 320
GX1, Olympus 45mm f/1.8, ISO 2500
GX1, Leica 25mm f/1.4, ISO 160, Off camera strobe
Pages: 1 2 3

36 thoughts on “Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1”

  1. Pingback: Featured forum post: Panasonic GX1 Mini-Review - Page 2 - Micro Four Thirds User Forum
  2. rogerml says:
    January 18, 2012 at 9:14 am

    Great review, JS. Thx for sharing!
    Btw, – love your b+w portrait (GX1, Leica 25mm f/1.4, ISO 160, Off camera strobe), in the photo samples’ end.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerml

    Reply
  3. Peter Arbib says:
    January 18, 2012 at 9:43 am

    Excellent review, thanks
    Peter

    Reply
  4. thomas says:
    January 18, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    thank you, great review.

    Reply
  5. Pingback: Panasonic GX1 and 100-300mm firmware updates (+review and in Stock status) « b r e a k m e l o d y
  6. Ranger 9 says:
    January 18, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    Thanks for a straightforward, understandable review. But could you please explain something you wrote about the viewfinder? You said:

    Panasonic does offer a brand new add on electronic viewfinder (EVF) which gives a 1.4x magnification ratio (equivalent to a 0.7x full frame viewfinder)

    When dealing with viewfinder magnifications, I’m more accustomed to seeing the viewfinder image compared to subject size rather than sensor size. For example, my Epson R-D 1 camera has a finder magnification of 1.0x — which means that when I look through it, the apparent size of the subject is the same size as the same subject viewed with the naked eye. This is a great feature of the R-D 1, because it allows the user to keep both eyes open at all times; both eyes see exactly the same magnification.

    The R-D 1 is a true rangefinder camera with an optical viewfinder, so the lens in use doesn’t make any difference; on cameras with through-lens viewfinders, the finder-magnification spec also has to specify the focal length in use. For example, my Nikon D300’s viewfinder magnification supposedly is 0.94x with a 50mm lens… so if I’ve got a 50 on the camera, look through the viewfinder, and then open my other eye and view the subject, the viewfinder image will look slightly smaller.

    You can probably tell from this that finder magnification is an important spec for me! So can you explain what you mean when you say the GX-1’s finder magnification is 1.4x, or that that’s equivalent to 0.7x on a camera of a different format?

    If I’m looking through the GX-1’s finder with a “normal” lens (presumably 20mm or 25mm) on the camera, how will what I see compare in size to the same subject viewed with the naked eye?

    Thanks…

    Reply
  7. Jordan Steele says:
    January 18, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    Ranger 9 –

    The reason micro 4/3 viewfinder magnifications are somewhat confusing is that they use the 50mm lens definition as well, even though it’s a longer field of view. It’s a 1.4x magnification with the 50mm reference. With the 25mm reference (as it should be), it’s a 0.7x viewfinder.

    As a result, the viewfinder has the same apparent size as a full frame cammera with a 0.7x viewfinder (which, incidentally is the same size as the Canon 1Ds Mark II). Make sense? Since your D300 is a 1.5x crop sensor, but is using the 50mm reference, it is equivalent in size to a 0.62x Full frame viewfinder. So, the LVF2 will have a larger viewfinder image than your D300. Thanks for the comments, everyone!

    Reply
  8. Bob Bowné says:
    January 18, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    Nice to see a competent review with some REALLY great image samples that show some creativity and show the traits of the reviewed product! No brick walls…amazing!
    Nice work….review and photos.
    Have the camera. Love it. Your review is spot on.

    Reply
  9. Forseti says:
    January 18, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Hi,
    Tks for the excellent review. Really awesome pics of the kid, and the black and white portrait really rocks..me!

    I’m a relative newbie in the photo realm, and processing raw seems challenging, will the jpegs churn out similar quality to ur shots posted here?

    Much Tks!

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele says:
      January 22, 2012 at 11:41 am

      JPEG processing on this camera seems to be a little better than on previous Panasonic cameras I’ve used. If the light isn’t too strong, and you dial back noise reduction in the JPEG engine (Film Styles), you can get very good results. I don’t have a ton of experience with the JPEGs, though, as I almost always shoot RAW, simply because I get a little better dynamic range, more detail and the ability to set white balance and color balance after the fact.

      Reply
  10. ian drury says:
    January 21, 2012 at 5:41 am

    Many thanks for your excellent review, it provides an ‘owners’ opinion of how this camera performs, much more realistic compared to magazine ‘pro’ reviews and articles.

    Reply
  11. Pingback: The Mirrorless Camera Industry and the Search for the Perfect Camera – Part 2 » Admiring Light
  12. Madalene Burningham says:
    January 24, 2012 at 6:51 am

    Recently i came accross your web site and have been reading along. I thought I might leave my initial remark. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this web site very frequently.

    Reply
  13. Kirk Merritt says:
    January 24, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    Nice thoughtul review, if they had included a built in EVF I’d jump in. For now sticking with my G3. A better mix for me. The images in your review are exceptional, you have a great eye and that’s a gift.

    Kirk

    Reply
  14. Luc de Schepper says:
    January 28, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    Excellent real-life review. Great images also, thanks!

    Reply
  15. Salome Marroguin says:
    January 31, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Hi. Just simply want to leave a quick commentary and inquire where you grabbed your particular page graphics I will be launching own internet page and absolutely appreciate your design.

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele says:
      February 2, 2012 at 2:27 pm

      I use WordPress to publish this site, with a customized version of the Graphene theme. The images, of course, are all my own photographs.

      Reply
  16. lisandra says:
    February 1, 2012 at 10:20 am

    Fantastic review, I link it often. Just like I like em, with comparisons and good samples.

    Reply
  17. Pingback: Best Unsung Feature of the Panasonic GX1 @ Admiring Light
  18. Mei Waguespack says:
    April 2, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    I love your blog 🙂

    Reply
  19. Posterous says:
    April 21, 2012 at 5:48 am

    Once I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you’ll be able to remove me from that service? Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Jordan Steele says:
      April 21, 2012 at 8:09 am

      Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find anything in WordPress to remove notifications. Do the emails have a link to unsubscribe or anything? I’ll continue to try and figure out how to do this.

      Reply
  20. Looking for a Salon in Oklahoma City? says:
    September 14, 2012 at 2:13 am

    you posted here nice article about the best topic. i have shared your this nice blog on fb wall.

    Reply
  21. Robert in Arabia says:
    October 19, 2012 at 6:08 am

    I learn a lot every time I visit your site. Your photographs are outstanding.

    Reply
  22. Lean Muscle says:
    November 17, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    Thanks for the information/review. I have been wanting to get a good quality camera for some hobby photog. and this was very informative.

    Reply
  23. John Rappold says:
    January 20, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    Great review, and I love your sample shots. Got the GH3 in late November and love it. Looked seriously at the GX1 to replace my GH2 to use as my carry cam. Unfortunately, I like to shoot a lot of video, so the GX1 doesn’t work for me. Hopefully the GX2 will up the video for some 60P and 24P 1080 goodness with more manual control.

    Reply
  24. cosinaphile says:
    February 2, 2013 at 3:22 am

    caught this late but better late than never

    great

    Reply
  25. Pete says:
    February 23, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    I really like your site. I too have a GX1 and I am curious whether you use an external flash and if so would you recommend it.

    Reply
  26. Arrow CW says:
    February 26, 2013 at 4:02 am

    couldnt agree more

    Reply
  27. Pingback: Panasonic GX1 Review | Emptyclip.de
  28. Pingback: Review: Fujifilm X-M1 @ Admiring Light
  29. Pingback: Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 @ Admiring Light
  30. Andrew Devlin says:
    January 23, 2014 at 8:49 am

    I simply want to leave a quick commentary and inquire where you grabbed your particular page graphics I will be launching own internet page and absolutely appreciate your design. Unfortunately, I like to shoot a lot of video, so the GX1 doesn’t work for me. Hopefully the GX2 will up the video for some 60P and 24P 1080 goodness with more manual control.

    Reply
  31. Eva A. Hall says:
    March 27, 2014 at 12:59 am

    Thanks for some other informative web site.
    Where else may I get that kind of info written in
    such an ideal way? I have a undertaking that I am simply now
    operating on, and I have been on the glance
    out for such info.

    Reply
  32. Shoukat says:
    February 26, 2018 at 7:33 am

    Nice work!

    Reply
  33. Matthew says:
    February 2, 2019 at 12:26 pm

    If you want to improve your knowledge just keep visiting this site and
    be updated with the most up-to-date information posted here.
    viagra online

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow Me:

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on RSSFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on Mastodon

Most Popular Posts

  • "Full Frame Equivalence" and Why It Doesn't Matter (288)
  • Fuji X-Pro 2 vs. Sony A7 II: Noise Comparison (70)
  • Fuji 56mm f/1.2 vs. Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron (63)
  • Review: Metabones Speed Booster (Canon FD to Fuji X) (56)
  • Review: Olympus OM-D E-M5 (48)

Recent Comments

  • Peter on A Tripod in the Sky – DJI Air 2S Review
  • Eric Wojtkun on My Favorite Photos of 2022
  • Jordan Steele on “Full Frame Equivalence” and Why It Doesn’t Matter
  • Leon on “Full Frame Equivalence” and Why It Doesn’t Matter
  • Clarke jones on Review: TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 ASPH (RF Mount)

Archives

©2023 Admiring Light | Theme by SuperbThemes
We use cookies to personalize content and ads and to analyze our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You may consent to the use of cookies or opt out. Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

SAVE & ACCEPT