In the somewhat challenging mixed lighting environment of the Focus on Imaging exhibition, many of the images seemed a tad over-exposed with muted colours as a consequence. Yet outdoors was a different story, with the results being much more vivid and accurate. During tests, video capture also faltered slightly, flickering momentarily when panning from an outdoor view to the interior exhibition scene, a quirk that could be repeated easily enough. Indeed, video playback was none too smooth with pan shots, as shown in the clip below.
Playback is not the smoothest for this pan shot - room for improvement here
Available to view in HD
Yet, thanks to the dedicated video record button – adjacent to the shutter release – video recording is perceived as a guilt-free function of this camera, rather than some bolt on extra that gets the die-hard stills fan worked up into a lather. Indeed, the task of video capture is effortless, with the G2 delivering a creative workflow, enabling decisions to be made on the fly without the distraction of manually switching modes. And talking of modes, there are plenty more that an hour’s play just didn’t allow time to fully explore.
Verdict
It’s easy to like this camera in terms of concept and compactness. Image quality does seem like work in progress, which had been implied by Panasonic right from the start. Certainly there’s room for improvement, and it will be interesting to compare and contrast how refined the G2 becomes from the pre-production samples on show now and the retail models coming in June. ®
More Camera Reviews...
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 |
Canon Powershot S90 |
Ricoh GR Digital III |
Panasonic DMC-G2
COMMENTS
Not really a competitor
And costs about a grand more for the body only (assuming G2 prices are similar to current G1).
Having said that, the 550D looks a decent alternative for not much more. A lot bigger and heavier though...
zero video on the 7D?
Aristotles slow and dimwitted horse, since you have a 7D and I only have the Reg's review and the Canon product page*I'll have to defer to your experience of a lack of video on the 7D.
* http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=19356
All it needs now ..
.. is a decent remote control so that you could hook it up to a decent size monitor and control it.
I fear the touch screen idea won't work for me, because that typically relies on a display that won't move any further away when you press it (i.e. at the end of range for the hinge), unless you handle it with 2 hands (or "thumb" control it). I like the idea, but not sure how that is going to "pan out" (cough) in reality..
Anyway, nice preview, thanks.
I'll stick with my...
EOS 7D thanks as it's all camera and zero gimmiky video game.
woohoo
That's a very slick bit of interface design.
However, firm presses don't sound great for stability, especially when hand holding- I like to take a lot of pictures in rubbish light and hate tripods, so that would worry me.
The other thing that would worry me is if you're expected to chimp off the back screen while using it- one of the things that most represents a tradeup for me with a DSLR over my compacts is being able to use the viewfinder, and top LCD, and have nicely laid-out physical controls. That's actually half the value of the format for me- being able to do 99% of the things that I need without having to turn the rear LCD on, which messes with battery life terribly, and is extra-nasty on sunny days.
Still, it is a lovely bit of interface design!
