Panasonic GX1: Lab Test Results & Comments

By Edited by George Schaub • Posted: Sep 13, 2012 • Published: Aug 1, 2012

The Panasonic GX1 is a very compact system, smaller than their G3 model, but slightly larger than the Panasonic GF3. It could be thought of as Panasonic’s competitor model to Olympus’s PEN cameras and to Fujifilm’s X100. The camera is based on the Micro Four Thirds system and has an MFT sensor with the highest resolution available today (16MP). We tested the kit version, which is bundled with the X Vario 14-42mm lens, a new pancake version of the standard zoom lens. It is a motorized zoom system that provides smooth zooming when recording videos. The camera is able to record Full HD video in AVCHD mode and uses a stereo microphone on the top to record sound.

The Panasonic GX1 is a Micro Four Thirds camera with 16MP resolution. It is offered in kit form with the new X Vario 14-42mm lens. It is smaller than the Panasonic G3 and GH2, but a little larger than the company’s GF3 system. It offers comfortable handling, Full HD video recording, and a lot of user-defined settings.

The camera has a fixed 3” monitor with 460,000 RGB dots. It uses a standard four-way cursor field and a setup dial to change image parameters and for menu navigation.

The new X Vario 14-42mm lens has a motorized zoom for a smooth transition between focal lengths, apt for video work. A lens ring is missing, so when using the manual focusing mode the photographer has to use the servo focus switch (at the lower part of the lens).

The new Panasonic uses an accessory shoe for additional flash systems and for the optional ELV DMW-LVF2, which offers a very high display resolution of 1.44 million RGB dots. A mode dial on the right is used to choose standard image settings, scene modes, or customer-defined settings.

The camera offers all the standard exposure modes as well as numerous scene modes and “Creative Control” programs. It has two dial positions for these special modes, which are chosen via the LCD screen. In addition, the photographer can save two custom settings, defined as C1 and C2 on the mode dial. The camera offers a standard four-way cursor field for menu navigation and has a setup dial on the back.

The integrated flash system has to be manually activated by the photographer, even in full auto mode. The flash has a very intelligent bracket setup that lifts the flash high above and to the left side of the optical axis. This helps reduce the redeye effect. The GX1 uses a standard accessory shoe in addition to the built-in flash system. It can utilize Panasonic flash systems that support TTL metering and full auto mode.

The GX1 is Panasonic’s first camera that can be used with the optional ELV DMW-LVF2 (electronic viewfinder), which offers a very high resolution of 1.44 million RGB dots. The viewfinder is mounted on the accessory shoe and the digital interface, which is located on the back and beneath the accessory shoe. The standard version of the GX1 uses a large LCD screen (3”) with a resolution of 460,000 RGB dots, which is a bit low for a camera in this price range. The LCD screen displays a lot of additional image information.

The colors in our standard test box shot are quite natural. Combined with the new X Vario 14-42mm lens, the image results showed only minor distortions and light falloff.

Exposure setting and white balance (P mode with ISO 160) are nearly perfect in this shot. Just like the standard test box shot, the portrait test shot has a slightly softer look than test images taken with older G cameras.

GretagMacbeth color chart.

Image Quality
Color: The camera had a very good performance in the test of the automatic white balance system. It worked well under all lighting conditions and placed the gray colors of the GretagMacbeth chart nearly exactly in the center of the color space. Just like all Panasonic cameras, it tends toward a slightly “cool look,” so the darker gray patterns are shifted into the more bluish color areas. And just like all Panasonic cameras, it shifted some skin tones slightly into the magenta area, which can cause a little purple touch in more reddish areas in a person’s face. Nevertheless, the skin tones in our portrait shot are very nice. Due to the slight oversaturation (105.7 percent mean saturation) differentiation of red colors in our standard test box isn’t as good as the camera’s skin tone reproduction. You will notice that in the red thread spool in our test image.

Sharpness: The GX1 uses a new firmware version that causes a little less contrast enhancement filtering when shooting JPEG images (in standard setting for image sharpening) than previous G cameras. The result of the ISO 12,233 chart test is only on an average level for a CSC (Compact System Camera) or SLR (2989 lines of the nominal sensor resolution of 3448 lines in picture height). There’s a slightly smoother look in the standard test box image and in our portrait shot. Nevertheless, the digital images shot with the GX1 yield a lot of image details and images can certainly be used for making large prints.

Noise: The camera showed a very good performance in our noise tests. Luminance noise will stay beneath y=1.0 in all images taken with ISO 160 to ISO 800. The color noise is filtered and nearly invisible in images taken with ISO 3200 or lower. But noise becomes annoying at ISO 6400 and ISO 12,800. Nevertheless, the anti-noise filtering works very intelligently and creates images that are nearly free of color clouds or color smear in homogenous areas, like the gray patterns in our test chart.

Image Tech
Image Tech is where we publish web-exclusive lab reports on cameras. To read the reports please go to the Shutterbug homepage at www.shutterbug.com and click on the Image Tech tab on the top navigation bar. New reports are published frequently, so check Image Tech for updates. The following reports are available now:
• Fujifilm X-S1
• Canon G1 X
• Canon 5D Mark III
• Canon EOS-1D X
• Leica X1
• Ricoh GR Digital IV
• Nikon P7100
• Olympus E-P3

Scorecard
Pro
• Very small and compact system camera
• Flexible system; a lot of lenses are available, including lenses apt for video recording
• Full HD video in AVCHD mode
• Easy handling for beginners (iA mode), but the camera also offers a lot of creative control settings

Con
• A slightly soft image look (JPEGs, in standard
sharpness setting)
• Resolution of LCD is a bit low for cameras in this price range
• Missing swivel monitor
• Missing optical viewfinder (optional ELV available)

Lab test and comments by BetterNet, our TIPA-affiliated testing lab. Edited by George Schaub. Note: A lab spec sheet of the Panasonic GX1 can be found in the Instant Links section of our website filed under this issue’s date. Visit www.shutterbug.com.

Comments

onlines game

Submitted by pasha on January 16, 2013 - 2:10pm.

that was really interesting, the photos was so great i hope that i will also doing like that. Having photos is good especially when i am with my friends. onlines game

very interesting post.this is

Submitted by joay111 on February 17, 2013 - 3:30am.

very interesting post.this is my first time visit here.i found so mmany interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion..thanks for the post!
Learn More About Moonba

Thanks for a wonderful share.

Submitted by quora30 on May 29, 2013 - 5:56pm.

Thanks for a wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in this field. Brilliant .i love it reading
Margahayuland | Margahayuland | Yurosie | ide bagus

You can even uncover house

Submitted by lichfieldestate... on May 28, 2013 - 4:12pm.

You can even uncover house that may be let when you find yourself making use of on-line allowing agents to uncover what you are seeking for. Because Homemart: Is Manchester primarily based, nearby knowledge Is value for money, pushed by reduce costs Offers Two Unique amounts of support, your option Takes a individual approach working with you and remaining along with you Is in touch with industry traits and continuously reviewing our place inside it Your sale is critical to us, since your success is our achievement. The artwork of the deal does not include a single specific method, even so the capacity to read the consumer rapidly, and choose the proper terms to ease and comfort them for the duration of deal hurdles, and shut the offer. All the best for a flourishing profession! Estate agents have knowledge about household places which can be constantly in need for residency, along with the price of residing in those places also. estate agents in lichfield

magenta

Submitted by livetalk on January 31, 2013 - 8:30am.

It worked well under all lighting conditions and placed the gray colors of the GretagMacbeth chart nearly exactly in the center of the color space. Just like all Panasonic cameras, it tends toward a slightly “cool look,” so the pokemon tower defense darker gray patterns are shifted into the more bluish color areas. And just like all Panasonic cameras, it shifted some skin tones slightly into the magenta area, which can cause a little purple touch in more reddish areas in a person’s face.

Thank you for posting the

Submitted by johnmain on February 22, 2013 - 6:45am.

Thank you for posting the great content…I was looking for something like this…I found it quiet interesting, hopefully you will keep posting such blogs….Keep sharing....click here

Interesting post. I Have Been

Submitted by rain1122 on March 26, 2013 - 8:40am.

Interesting post. I Have Been wondering about this issue, so thanks for posting. Pretty cool post.It 's really very nice and Useful post.Thanks
green coffee extract

It's a great camera

Submitted by vincenzo1990 on April 23, 2013 - 12:36pm.

It's a great camera indeed.
Vincenzo Silvestrini

Great Post

Submitted by kiranbedi604 on April 26, 2013 - 12:05am.

Bookmarked this site and emailed it to a few friends, your post was that great, keep it up
telefonkatalogen.biz

Awesome Post

Submitted by kiranbedi604 on May 8, 2013 - 12:04am.

That is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.I high appreciate this post.
Locksmith Kirkland

First Model in G-Series

Submitted by Carolle001 on May 27, 2013 - 11:55pm.

Umzug Berlin

While it's technically the first model in a new G-series sub-line, the GX1 is really the logical .... But after shooting around with the GX1 for a few weeks, and running it through all of our lab tests, the total package feels incomplete.

Awesome Post

Submitted by Carolle001 on May 28, 2013 - 6:18am.

telefonkatalogen
That is great! Despite the common misunderstanding that payday loans cause the borrower further debt the majority of these loans are repaid within the given time frame leaving the Regardless of your credit history or the purpose for your loan payday loans can assist you when it is difficult to stay on top

Fantastic blog you have here.

Submitted by roger1122 on May 28, 2013 - 6:36am.

Fantastic blog you have here. You’ll discover me looking at your stuff often. Saved!
synthetic biotechnology

thank you for sharing useful

Submitted by yadikhendriyanto on June 1, 2013 - 12:12pm.

thank you for sharing useful knowledge. also visit my website:

Margahayuland Infoneosia Malohong Yadik Hendriyanto

Knowledgeable Post

Submitted by Carolle001 on June 3, 2013 - 2:01am.

zdrowie recenzji

Back by popular demand, Panasonic has returned to the enthusiast system niche with the Lumix GX1. While it's technically the first model in a new G-series sub-line, the GX1 is really the logical descendent of the GF1, the most beloved camera in the short history of the Micro Four Thirds format.

Awesome Post

Submitted by Carolle001 on June 3, 2013 - 5:53am.

American tourister bags

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.

This is really a nice and

Submitted by roger1122 on June 5, 2013 - 7:20am.

This is really a nice and informative, containing all information and also has a great impact on the new technology. Thanks for sharing it,
Counterfeit Protection

Knowledgeable Post

Submitted by Carolle001 on June 5, 2013 - 11:26pm.

coin laundry in mississauga

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX1 started shipping in mid-December .... We don't know the refresh rate, but the end result is a viewfinder that, says ..... Well, I too often get a camera from the lab with some unknown mode set.

Awesome Post

Submitted by Carolle001 on June 6, 2013 - 12:05am.

Elevator Belts

I recently came across your article and have been reading along. I want to express my admiration of your writing skill and ability to make readers read from the beginning to the end. I would like to read newer posts and to share my thoughts with you.

Knowledgeable Post

Submitted by Carolle001 on June 7, 2013 - 5:12am.

Air Sofa Bed

Excellent work here, a really

Submitted by awenetjacker on June 11, 2013 - 10:56am.

Excellent work here, a really quality post and a great blog. Will be following your future updates with an interest. Thank you so much!

kawasan industri dan gudang bandung

kawasan industri dan pergudangan bandung

Tujuan Instruksional dalam Proses Belajar Mengajar

Mengukur Hasil Desain Proses Belajar Mengajar

Karakteristik Siswa - Learner Characteristics

Perencanaan Desain Instruksional

DEMONSTRASI DAN SIMBOLISISASI

Suara Rakyat - Maksimalkan Subsidi Pertanian

Sefty Sanustika Istri Ahmad Fathanah

Psikologi Agama dan Pendidikan Islam

AGAMA MENURUT PERSPEKTIF PSIKOLOGI

Kata Inspirasi Ustadh Jefry Al Bukhori

Berpikir dalam Perspektif Al - Qur’an

Fenomena Caleg Perempuan atau Pemimpin Perempuan

BIMBINGAN dan KONSELING Metode Dakwah Alternatif

Belajar Menjadi Pers Mahasiswa yang Baik

Foto dan Biodata Fatin Shidqia Lubis

Foto dan Biodata Mikha Angelo

Khasiat Air Kelapa Muda

Khasiat dan Kandungan Air Kelapa Muda

Blog RAM system

10 Fakta Seputar Status Jomblo

Daftar Kontestan Master Chef Session 3

Foto Lengkap Kontestan Master Chef Indonesia Session 3

Orientalisme dan Para Orientalis

dinamika pemikiran islam

Sefty Sanustika Istri Ahmad Fathanah

aliran pemikiran Islam

Juara Stand Up Comedy Session 3

Pembagian Tugas Komisi DPRD

Koleksi Lengkap Foto Mikha Angelo

Margahayuland

DE PRIMA TERRA KAWASAN INDUSTRI DAN GUDANG BANDUNG INDONESIA

Tips Sukses Bisnis

Keuntungan Perusahaan Memberikan Karyawan Hadiah Kartu

Gagasan Bagus, Hadiah untuk Karyawan

Membangun Hubungan Baik dengan Kolega

Membeli Hadiah untuk Perusahaan

Tips Sederhana dan Efektif Cara Membuat Bisnis Kecil Anda Sukses

Promo Produk Hadiah Perusahaan

Memulai Bisnis Usaha Kecil

Hadiah Parsel untuk Karyawan

3 Poin Negosiasi Ketika Kehilangan Pekerjaan

5 Teknik Mencari Pekerjaan

Ambil Pekerjaan dan Tunjukkan Bahwa Anda Hebat

Perusahaan Membutuhkan Orang Professional

Pro Kontra dalam Membangun Bisnis

Pertimbangan Matang Menutup Usaha Kecil

Cara Cepat Mencari Kerja

Tips untuk Bersaing dengan Pengusaha Besar

Apakah Perusahaan Membutuhkan Jasa Tim Organizer Profesional?

DE PRIMA TERRA KAWASAN INDUSTRI DAN GUDANG BANDUNG INDONESIA

Ceritaku Hari ini

DE PRIMA TERRA KAWASAN INDUSTRI DAN GUDANG BANDUNG INDONESIA

Great Post

Submitted by johndars on June 11, 2013 - 11:13pm.

Sandhi Sudha

It’s my first-time visiting here. I came across so many helpful stuff within your blog particularly the on going conversation. From the tons of comments on your posts, I suppose I’m not the only one enjoying reading through your blog. Keep up the excellent work.

@@@Great Post@@@

Submitted by luthar111 on June 13, 2013 - 11:48pm.

events today in delhi

Awsome post

Submitted by johndars on June 15, 2013 - 3:20am.

no addiction

The websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine,.its very interesting community and sure i will connect to the my flickers follow and get involved in the whole community and enjoy a lot.Thank you

Great information, better

Submitted by roger1122 on June 16, 2013 - 5:37am.

Great information, better still to find out your blog that has a great layout. Nicely done
ovation credit repair

Trolley case Just wanted to

Submitted by luthar111 on June 18, 2013 - 12:39am.

Trolley case

Just wanted to drop a comment and say I am new to your blog and really like what I am reading. Thanks for the great content. Look forward to coming back for more......

Knowledgeable Post

Submitted by luthar111 on June 18, 2013 - 11:04pm.

Step up Height Increaser