Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

When digging deeper into the past of digital cameras, we should mention the fact that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 – predecessor of currently reviewed G2 model – was in 2008 the first camera of the Micro 4/3 standard in the world. The design is basically the same, so let’s look at other features that come with this updated model.

The G2 is constructed as a DSLR – the body has a strong grip and a pop-up flash above the lens, only the size is notably smaller than it is the case with SLRs. You will not find an optic SLR system in the viewfinder but rather an electronic display, which we will focus on later in the review.
The body is very easy on the hands with its dim surface and is available in three colors: black, the ever-elegant black and blue combination or slightly provocative red and black design.

	Photo Panasonic

Typical for the G and GH classes of the Panasonic brand, the G2 also has a sizeable, high definition (460 000 pixels) articulated display. Thanks to this feature, users can photograph from all sorts of positions and whenever needed, they can turn the active side towards the body of the camera to prevent it from damaging. Uniquely for the G2, a specific feature was added – a touch-screen display.

It’s the first camera of its type to have to have a touch-screen display. The creators of Lumix G2 have however decided to keep the original control functions from the previous model. The reason behind this was the inability for all the functions to be handled on the display, so now users have the option to control some of the features in two different ways. In other words, the touch screen and its features may or may not be used. This is where the difference is compared to similarly equipped cameras, since their control functionality has been minimized due to depending solely on the touch screen.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 – in short Resolution 12 Mpx Sensor Live MOS (17,3 × 13 mm) Optics exchangeable, lenses of the Micro 4/3 standard, lens stabilization Video HD (1 280 × 720 px)

The main features of the touch screen probably become the most useful when viewing captured images. With only a slight touch of a finger, you can scroll through the photographs in normal size as well as in an enlarged mode, which is easily accessed by holding your finger on the picture for a second or two. In shooting mode, a quick menu is available with all the basic options. There is one feature that is especially worth mentioning – with only a mere touch a person can select the focus area and by holding onto it, the picture is taken. If you wish for the screen to stay clean of all the fingerprints, you can use the oddly shaped stylus pen included in the basic set of the Lumix G2.

Even though the Panasonic Lumix DMC G2 looks like a camera for professionals at first sight – mainly due to the large amount of functions – beginners can easily use it without any significant problems. Apart from the usual P/A/S/M modes on the exposure mode dial situated on the top of the camera, you can find several scenic modes intended for the amateur photographic population. The mode with the highest possible automatic settings is represented by the backlit iA button – Intelligent auto. Besides setting the shutter speed, this mode automatically selects all the shooting assist function such as ISO sensitivity, processing of image data and so on. This scenic evaluation function works entirely on the basis of a sophisticated algorithm.

In between the iA button and the shutter button, you will be able to find the button for recording videos, allowing for immediate shooting of video sequences without the need of changing the mode you are in.

The Lumix G2 records videos in the 720p (1 280 × 720 px, 30 fps) standard, giving you the options to save the data in the AVCHD format or the more widespread MOV. Internally, the sound is mono, however, there is the possibility of buying an external stereo microphone.
Naturally, the camera has an HDMI connector, meaning the videos (as well as photographs) can be viewed on an HD TV in the best available quality.

The external microphone is not the only available accessory of course. What should interest us the most is the wide range of lenses offered by Panasonic, such as Macro or Fish-eye? The lenses are compatible with Olympus cameras, however, you may find it difficult without stabilization (Olympus, contrary to the Panasonic, uses sensor stabilization).

Screenshots of the menu of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Overall evaluation
If you particularly select cameras which look like a DSLR but are not as big and heavy - a useful feature for the Week of Life members carrying a camera on them at all times – then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is the perfect choice. You will get used to the mini-display in the viewfinder very quickly, and realize that in many respects, it is better than the classic SLR system. For instance, it can display the live histogram and other useful information, a feature unavailable with typical SLR viewfinders. Just like the functionality, the grip and hold of the camera is great and even though the touch screen is not a must, it does give you a sense of originality. Image quality can be regarded as excellent, but the opposite can be said about the price of the product – in this respect, cameras of the Micro 4/3 standard are still not competitive enough compared to the low-priced SLRs. We can only hope that in the near future, the prices of such cameras will drop significantly.

Common Price (at the time of this review being published): $549.95 (body and basic zoom lens set)

Basic technical data for Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Sensor
Live MOS 17.3 × 13 mm
12 Mpx (4 000 × 3 000 px)
Light sensitivity ISO 100 to 6 400

Shutter
60–1/4 000 s
Flash X-sync 1/160 s
Burst buffer 3.6 fps

Optics
Exchangeable lenses of the Micro 4/3 standard

Autofocus
23point

Memory medium
SD/SDHC/SDXC

Data formats
Image: JPEG, RAW (RW2)
Video: AVCHD, MOV

Video
1 280 × 720 px, 30 fps, 25 fps
848 × 480 px, 30 fps
640 × 480 px, 30 fps
320 × 240 px, 30 fps
Mono sound (availability of external stereo microphone)

Display
LCD type, touch screen, articulated
Screen size 3“ (76 mm)
460 000 px

Viewfinder
Electronic viewfinder
1 440 000 px

Power supply
Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight (body only)
3.15”x2.1”x1.83” inches (w x h x d)
15.1 oz (incl. battery and memory card)