[shuttertalk]

Now that I've seen these, I understand the move by Panasonic to "dumb" down the GF3 micro four thirds camera. Stuff like lack of hotshoe, removal of the EVF port, dials and controls on the back and more took it a step backwards from the GF2 and GF1, and made it cater essentially to the point and shoot crowd.

However, it looks to be part of the plan, with the GX1 supposedly being announced early this week. There have been some leaked promotional material and videos here:

http://www.mu-43.com/f92/panasonic-gx1-l...ite-18067/

We'll probably have to wait for the formal announcements for the full specs but from the images at least you can see 16 MP and a new 14-42 X HD lens.

[Toad]

No need to wait any more: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcgx1/

[shuttertalk]

Thanks for sharing Rob... the new lens looks amazing. When collapsed, it's not much bigger than the 20mm pancake, and will do wonders for pocketability.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panason...2_3p5-5p6/

Compare the "closed" lens sizes on the 2nd page.

Of course, you trade the size for the "power zoom" controls, which drive the zoom and focus electronically via levers. I'm not sold on this - one thing I love about SLR lenses vs compacts is the instant feedback and control you have with manually operated zooms.

Being an interchangable lens camera though, you still get the option to choose between the type of lens you want - in fact the kits come with the option of the new or old lens.

[shuttertalk]

A hands on and preliminary shooting report here:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/GX1/GX1A.HTM

Looks like they're incredibly impressed with the AF speed - supposedly faster than the Olympus EP3. Not so sure on the image quality though, but I don't think it's a production model.

[Toad]

I'm with you on the power zoom - don't need it - don't want it. I prefer manually zooming. I think that power zoom may be of some use to video, however, where you may want a smooth zoom at a constant rate.

[shuttertalk]

Yeah that must be frustrating although I wonder whether it was just short-sighted implementation on the original camera, and not implementing enough bandwith on the port to support a high res display, or whether it was a planned money grab.

I also find it interesting that both Olympus and Panasonic have done this - perhaps it was something they agreed upon when originally designing for the M43 spec, and now they realised the need to up their game to compete with Sony's EVFs?

[Toad]

Yeah that must be frustrating although I wonder whether it was just short-sighted implementation on the original camera, and not implementing enough bandwith on the port to support a high res display, or whether it was a planned money grab.

I think that the lack of internal EVF was supposed to be a differentiator between their product lines (GF, G, GH). It would cannibalize their G line to provide identical features in a smaller body.

Problem is, that strategy is backfiring. The success of the original GF1, and its adaption by enthusiasts caught Panasonic by surprise, IMO. I think they thought that the GF1 would appeal to entry level photographers and the enthusiasts would flock to the G and GH series, and now they have to rethink. The GX1 is an attempt to get back in the same game that the GF1 was winning at. Unfortunately for Panasonic, the game has changed, and cameras like the NEX-7 and X100 are raising the bar.

I like what I see in the GX1 (and the new X zoom). Its the first *real* successor to the GF1 - unlike the GF2 and GF3. They are missing the boat with this external viewfinder thing though. The NEX-7 and X100 have already shown that it doesn't have to be that way.

[Pavel]

I was surprised the kit lens which comes with GX1 is not much smaller than a similar lens for NEX. My sense was that the NEX lenses are disproportionately big for the body

[shuttertalk]

I was surprised the kit lens which comes with GX1 is not much smaller than a similar lens for NEX. My sense was that the NEX lenses are disproportionately big for the body

Yes, that was what I was saying as well the other day in the NEX thread, although comparing it to the Olympus. If I'm not mistaken, the Olympus lens is a 2nd generation which reduced the size further.

Judging from the size of the new power zoom lens in comparison though, there is obviously a lot of room for shrinkage with the Panny lens.

[shuttertalk]

Here's a good interview from PhotographyBlog, with Olympus UK reps and also the Panasonic Japan's "Advanced Planning Manager for Products Planning Group".

http://www.photographyblog.com/articles/...interview/

They talk about their intention to make the GF3 more consumer oriented and the GX1 to be catering towards the enthusiasts. Interestingly, they don't see the GX1 as a mass market product, but more of a specialised product. What's more, they see the G3 (not the GF3) as the mass market product which I thought was a bit strange, as the G3 is more SLR shaped and sized, and probably less inviting to the compact upgraders.

[Toad]

Interestingly, they don't see the GX1 as a mass market product...

Design and market it that way and it will be a self fulfilling prophecy.

[shuttertalk]

Dpreview have posted their full review of the GX1 here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicDMCGX1/

I'm glad the AF speed is getting better on these units. My brother and his wife got a X100 and GX1 respectively, and his one bugbear is that the Fuji is an AF snail compared to the GX1, especially in low light.

Interestingly, despite doing a lot of things right, it still only earns the silver award from them - mainly because of its positioning towards the high end and because of stiff competition from other APS-C mirrorless systems such as the NEX.

[Toad]

It would have been a hugely well received product a year after the GF-1's release - a solid *incremental* upgrade. A lot changes in a couple of years though in that market. Other people are doing a lot more (i.e. integral viewfinders, larger sensors, etc). While the GX1 is still a decent product release, it isn't the revelation that the GF-1 was when it was released - and there is a lot more choice now.

[Wedding Shooter]

I bought a GX-1 in Hong Kong in January. I like it a lot more then my GF2. It definitely performs better and the touchscreen in particular is much more responsive.

I am comfortable shooting at ISO 1600 with it - which I never was on the GF2. Bundled with the fast primes available it is a fairly compelling package for travelling.

Since I got the GF2 I no longer bother with taking my high end canon gear when I fly.

[shuttertalk]

Ooops, looks like no one told the model that she's not supposed to take snaps of unreleased products and post them on the internet...

A photo of the GF5.
http://www.petapixel.com/2012/03/19/phot...instagram/

43 Rumors writes that the camera will have a 12 megapixel sensor, ISO 12800, snappy autofocus (0.09s), a revised touchscreen, and improved low-light performance.

[Toad]

Meh...the GF5 looks like another point and shoot for newbies. The evolution of Panasonic's GF line has been a disappointment to me ever since the excellent GF1. The GX1 was what the GF2 should have been. The Olympus E-M5 is more like how that line should have evolved IMO.

[shuttertalk]

Dpreview have posted a preview of the GF5:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/04/05/...es-DMC-GF5

The 12MP camera is a subtle revision over the GF3, but a higher-res screen, refined user interface and the inclusion of Panasonic's retractable 14-42mm power zoom lens for a list price of $749.99/£579 makes it worth looking at.