Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

8.5 Rating

The world’s first Micro Four Thirds System camera with features and performance to appeal to photo enthusiasts.Panasonic’s new Lumix DMC-G1 is the first model in an entirely new camera system, officially known as ‘Micro Four Thirds’ but sometimes dubbed ‘EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens)’ to provide a better picture of the difference between it and a DSLR (which it resembles superficially). Cameras made for this system have no reflex mirror and no optical viewfinder. The sensor is also significantly larger than the sensor in similar-sized advanced digicams.

Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f1.4 ASPH. (H-X025) Lens

8.8 Rating

A fast prime lens that covers a ‘normal’ field of view and supports the advanced autofocusing systems in the latest Panasonic G-series cameras.The Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens was announced by Panasonic in June 2011 at the same time as the Lumix DMC-GF3 camera. It’s due for release locally at the end of August. On G-series bodies, it provides an effective focal length equivalent to 50mm on a 35mm camera, making it an excellent ‘standard’ lens.

Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II Lens

9 Rating

A more versatile, better-performing alternative to the standard Olympus kit lens.Released concurrently with the Olympus E-30 DSLR camera, the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II provides an alternative to the standard 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. It covers angles of view equivalent to 28-108mm in 35mm format, has multi-coated optics and a circular aperture and supports the new contrast-detection AF capability with Live View mode in the latest Olympus DSLRs.

Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 Lens

8.5 Rating

An ultra-compact prime lens that covers a field of view close to that of the human eye and is ideal for everyday snapshots.Released concurrently with the E-420 camera, the new Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 standard lens is a fast prime lens with ‘pancake’ styling. Less than 24mm thick, it makes a great companion to the E-420, providing a camera-plus-lens package that rivals many high-end digicams in size and weight. The 50mm effective focal length provides a near-natural visual field that is ideal for everyday photography.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

8.5 Rating

A mirrorless camera with SLR-like styling, touch-screen controls and sophisticated video recording capabilities.Although it was announced at Photokina 2010, we only received a review unit for the Panasonic GH2 at the end of January, which is a pity as this camera has plenty to offer to Photo Review readers. Replacing the DMC-GH1, it offers higher resolution and an extended ISO range as well as adopting popular features from the DMC-G2including the touch-screen monitor and re-designed control layout.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

9 Rating

A compact, rangefinder-styled Micro Four Thirds System camera that accepts interchangeable lenses.In the GF1, Panasonic has challenged Olympus with a similar, rangefinder-like model that tackles some of the deficiencies of the E-P1 and exploits the not insignificant potential of the Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) sensor format. In addition, by providing HD video recording – using the AVCHD Lite format offered in the company’s digicams, the GF1 also confronts the main criticism levelled at the G1: the lack of video capture.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

9 Rating

Most of the features of the DMC-G2 in a lighter, more affordable camera body.Attach the LCD monitor to the back panel, remove the touch screen overlay, reduce the viewfinder resolution to 202,000 dots and disable the stereo sound recording capability and you’ve converted the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 into the DMC-G10. You’ve also saved $300 in the process. In this review, we’ll focus on the differences between the two cameras, as shown in the table below.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

8.5 Rating

An update to the popular G1 Lumix camera with a new touch-screen interface plus easier video recording.On its release this month, Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-G2 will be the world’s first system camera with touch-control shooting and playback. Offered in black, blue and red, the new model retains many of the features of its predecessor, including the 12.1-megapixel (effective) Live MOS sensor and 1,440,000-dot Live View Finder. However, it’s quite a bit cheaper and, unlike the G1, it can be used for video capture, where it offers a top resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.

Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1

9 Rating

A pocketable PEN camera that comes in six fashionable colours and supports some creative shooting modes plus Full HD video recording.The PEN Mini E-PM1 is the smallest, lightest and simplest of the three interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras announced by Olympus in June 2011. Designed for snapshooters looking for a very compact camera that’s easy to use but delivers above-average image quality, it offers most of the sophisticated functions provided by its up-market siblings.