Author Topic: Panasonic GF2 released! (Read 7924 times)

voyager · « **on:** November 03, 2010, 10:49:44 PM »

- Available in January 2011
- UK price 599 GBP for GF2 w/14-42mm
- it is very nearly as petite as the Sony NEX-5
- One slightly unexpected marketing change is that the GF2 will not be bundled with the 20mm F1.7 pancake lens
- Editorâ€™s note: Because of the recent Daylight saving time change most websites did publish their articles one hour earlier than expected.

- Smaller and lighter body
- GF2 has Full HD movie recording capability (1080i at 60fps from 30p capture)
- Continuous shooting at 2.6fps with Live View
- ISO 6400
- Touchscreen
- GF2 has less buttons (no exposure mode dial)
- Stereo microphone on the top plate
- supports 3D

Will update with more details tomorrow!

wengleung · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2010, 11:18:27 PM »

i'm kinda disappointed with this release... i know the main advantage of m43 is its size with quality compromise, but i think with the e-p1/gf1 we've already reached an ideal size for the format, any smaller would mean anything that is not a pancake prime would takeaway all the little size improvements they have with this new GF2...

What we really need is for olympus to come up with the e-p3 with the hybrid viewfinder from the x100... now wouldn't that be the perfect budget m9 alternative... olympus i hope you're listening

Edit: not to mention the addition of the GH2 sensor for low noise performance of course... retro looks, rangerfinder-esque mode of taking photos, low noise sensor, IBIS, great build... what more could you ask for? (ok maybe a better LCD... but really who needs one if you have the hvf from the x100...)

adash · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2010, 11:22:09 PM »

wengleung, welcome to the forum.
I don't like the new GF2 too much either, it's looks like a NEX with that exaggerated lens mount.

voyager · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2010, 11:27:00 PM »

Has anyone found the USD price?

rogerml · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2010, 12:06:17 AM »

I'll bet you it will be $899.95. And I do not like it, but very much what I expected.

voyager · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2010, 12:16:47 AM »

How much is $599 GBP in USD?

popo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2010, 12:25:28 AM »

Quote from: voyager on November 04, 2010, 12:16:47 AM

How much is $599 GBP in USD?

Electronic equipment doesn't work on the same exchange rate as the rest of the world. Often as bad as Â£1=$1.

Cash rate is US$1.6=Â£1. Pick something in between.

And on the camera itself... I'd tentatively say it is a reasonable update. Touch screens may be the way forward at smaller form factors, so we'll have to wait and see how the ergonomics work out here. Pricing if true isn't unexpected but still a little disappointing. That needed to shrink as much as the camera did!

adash · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2010, 12:27:58 AM »

599.00 GBP = 967.849 USD

Most probably it will be less due to the insane VAT in EU/UK.

andywatt1 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2010, 12:28:10 AM »

Not really keen myself but I'm assuming this is meant to be the EPL-1 competitor. Great features but I think many of us who considered the GF-1 when buying a PEN liked the size. I struggle with small cameras - my LX-3 was simply too fiddly but great as a point a shoot. They must see this as the way into the market for cross-traders from compacts and it does leave room for a Semi-pro spec flagship x-100/x-1 competitor if they are brave enough.

voyager · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2010, 12:54:23 AM »

Quote from: andywatt1 on November 04, 2010, 12:28:10 AM

Not really keen myself but I'm assuming this is meant to be the EPL-1 competitor. Great features but I think many of us who considered the GF-1 when buying a PEN liked the size. I struggle with small cameras - my LX-3 was simply too fiddly but great as a point a shoot. They must see this as the way into the market for cross-traders from compacts and it does leave room for a Semi-pro spec flagship x-100/x-1 competitor if they are brave enough.

If it's going to be $900 then I don't see it competing with the E-PL1.

tamoio · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2010, 01:29:59 AM »

I guess this should be a signal that there is a whole world of potential camera consumers that can't/won't consider anything without a touch-screen.

Its all heading for smart-phones with a lens mount.

Centauri27 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 04, 2010, 08:55:35 AM »

Interesting, but only 1080i in this day and age?? And is this camera using the cheaper kit zoom that Panasonic created for the G10?

lisandra · « **Reply #12 on:** November 04, 2010, 09:27:13 AM »

the sensor is the same as the G1 and the GF1 (no, its not a typo, I triple checked) Imaging resource has samples of all ISOs. In my opinion, personally, to me, they're really disappointing. ISO 6400 is a step down from the G2

lisandra · « **Reply #13 on:** November 04, 2010, 09:28:37 AM »

it has a somewhat cool bounce flash mode but a guide number of 6. 3D noise reduction and CNR

lisandra · « **Reply #14 on:** November 04, 2010, 09:36:19 AM »

The screen itself is quite responsive and has a new anti reflective coating that promises outdoor visibility. Checkout the video at whatdigitalcamera.com

lisandra · « **Reply #15 on:** November 04, 2010, 09:44:39 AM »

all in all...dear japan: WHATS POPULAR OVER THERE ISN'T POPULAR OVER HERE!!!
The original patent had a integrated tilting VF, a decent flash (guide # 10) and a bunch of dials. Who here wouldn't rather have that?

jevidon · « **Reply #16 on:** November 04, 2010, 10:35:16 AM »

Hands on preview is available at dp review;

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcgf2/

Jim

popo · « **Reply #17 on:** November 04, 2010, 11:34:08 AM »

Quote from: lisandra on November 04, 2010, 09:44:39 AM

all in all...dear japan: WHATS POPULAR OVER THERE ISN'T POPULAR OVER HERE!!!
The original patent had a integrated tilting VF, a decent flash (guide # 10) and a bunch of dials. Who here wouldn't rather have that?

Me! That extra stuff would be excess baggage and make it a lot less desirable to me. I want small. I don't want a space wasting VF. I don't care about tiny little flashes. Dials, well, it's the overall usability that counts. Let's see how good the touch screen is.

This along with the NEX are getting towards what I'd consider an appropriate size. I just need to wait for Oly to find a way to do that retaining IS

I think it should be possible to get even smaller still.

Note having a small model doesn't preclude having a bigger size more feature rich model too, even if it might need a new name now to fit between GF and GH.

lisandra · « **Reply #18 on:** November 04, 2010, 11:41:34 AM »

Quote

Let's see how good the touch screen is.

It's really good, see the video. this camera might be perfect for you

popo · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2010, 11:46:03 AM »

It could be if it had body IS

Come on Oly!

Well, the E-P1 is far from due replacement anyway so it'll take something a lot more revolutionary to get me to spend right now. I still feel it is a good step in the direction I'd like to see, but there's still room for improvement.

voyager · « **Reply #20 on:** November 04, 2010, 02:01:39 PM »

I like it. Especially the touchscreen. I don't like the $899 price for it.

lisandra · « **Reply #21 on:** November 04, 2010, 03:47:03 PM »

Quote from: voyager on November 04, 2010, 02:01:39 PM

I like it. Especially the touchscreen. I don't like the $899 price for it.

US price is gonna be lower

Centauri27 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 04, 2010, 04:18:16 PM »

From what I've seen, each new version of something usually comes out at a price point similar to the previous version. This is the manufacturer's way of avoiding the "race to zero".

(Think about it--if all tech-related stuff continually comes out at a lower price like everybody expects, then the price for everything will eventually be $0. And that's not a sustainable business model. Apple is a prime example: all their new stuff seems to stubbornly hang onto the prices that they used to charge for their older stuff. The only net benefit is you're getting a device that's newer, smaller, more powerful, etc.)

mikmas101 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 04, 2010, 05:31:23 PM »

Quote from: voyager on November 04, 2010, 02:01:39 PM

I like it. Especially the touchscreen. I don't like the $899 price for it.

Not a camera for me but price quoted (today) for US release is $700
http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/11/04/panasonic-announces-dmc-gf2-camera-for-january-launch/

lisandra · « **Reply #24 on:** November 04, 2010, 05:48:29 PM »

Quote from: mikmas101 on November 04, 2010, 05:31:23 PM

Quote from: voyager on November 04, 2010, 02:01:39 PM
I like it. Especially the touchscreen. I don't like the $899 price for it.

Not a camera for me but price quoted (today) for US release is $700
http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/11/04/panasonic-announces-dmc-gf2-camera-for-january-launch/

so a body only should be 600$...

Author Topic: Panasonic GF2 released! (Read 7924 times)

adash

adash

andywatt1

tamoio

Related Topics

Find Something?

Recent Topics

Recent Gallery