The Panasonic Lumix G2 is an update of the GI but what does this upgrade consist of?
Panasonic was the first manufacturer to break rank with digital SLR convention when it released the first-ever Micro FourThirds camera – the G1 – back in 2008. Since then we’ve seen several other releases, including the full HD video GH1 and the compact-style GF1. Keen to stay on top of the game, Panasonic has now updated the G1 in the form of the Panasonic Lumix G2, with a couple of exciting new features and improvements.
Features & Build The Panasonic Lumix G2 boasts great build quality with a solid feel to the body and a reassuring clunk to the buttons and dials as you adjust settings. The design is almost identical to the G1 and it has a similar feel to a D-SLR, thanks to the small handgrip, viewfinder and placement of the key controls.
The finish is an unusual rubber that should protect the camera nicely from scratches and it looks classy in black, although it’s available in a range of other, and more quirky, colours, too.
Panasonic has stuck with the 12.1Mp resolution that records images natively in a 4:3 aspect ratio (4000x3000 pixels) making large A3 prints a possibility. There’s also a choice of other aspect ratios, such as the more commonly used 3:2, an alternative 16:9 panoramic or 1:1 square format, but remember these additional options will capture a lower resolution file.
Alongside the plethora of point-and-shoot Scene modes, like Portrait or Macro, there’s an Intelligent Auto mode that recognises the scene before the camera and determines the best exposure values. It works well and is great news if you’re stepping up from a digital compact, as it allows you to start taking great shots straight away while getting to grips with more creative functions.
The underlying principle of Micro FourThirds is to produce small cameras with top-end image quality and although it’s fair to say the G2 has modest proportions, it’s a similar size to an entry-level D-SLR like the Nikon D3000.
The 14-42mm kit lens is pretty petite, though, and with the 20mm pancake lens attached (available separately) the camera is just about small enough to slip into a large coat pocket. The 14-42mm kit lens replaces the 14-45mm seen on the G1, with the main difference being slightly less reach, although it still provides a very usable 28-84mm equivalent focal length for general use. The MEGA O.I.S switch has been removed so image stabilisation is now controlled via the menu.
With the traditional D-SLR mirror box removed, Micro FourThirds cameras can’t use an optical viewfinder, so the Panasonic Lumix G2 features an Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) as well as a Live View feed on the LCD screen for composing shots. The EVF uses a 1.4m dot resolution and provides a nice crisp image, which only fragments a little when you pan the camera very quickly. Although the EVF display is bright, it doesn’t strain the eyes over prolonged use.
The Panasonic Lumix G2 features a large 3in LCD screen boasting a sharp 460k-dot resolution and can be configured to display the live feed in the FourThirds aspect ratio as well as overlay guide lines as an aid to composition. The LCD is also the free-angle variety, which lets you frame-up shots from awkward positions, like low down on a tripod, and will be popular with those interested in film-making.
Performance & HandlingDespite its diminutive proportions, the Panasonic Lumix G2 has a decent handgrip for comfortable handling and plenty of body-mounted controls, making it easy to use. As well as the Mode dial for setting the shooting mode, there’s a dedicated switch for changing the drive mode which includes a handy bracketing option, as well as a self-timer and burst shooting. There’s also a second dial and switch on the top-plate for changing autofocus mode, or AF target type, which makes switching between these different options a breeze.
On the rear there’s a standard 4-way D-pad with options to set ISO, White Balance, choose a film mode such as Vibrant, along with a customisable Fn button. The rear thumb dial also features a push action that makes changing aperture or shutter values in Manual mode really intuitive. There’s a button to open the Quick Menu for access to other functions, such as aspect ratio or image size, without having to dive into the main menu, although there’s no quick way to change the metering mode, which is annoying.
The LCD features a responsive, phone-style, touch-screen control for navigating menus, changing shooting settings, and selecting a focus point or scrolling through images. When shooting, simply touch the area of the screen you want to be in focus, and the camera adjusts accordingly. It works during video capture too, and because the AF is silent in video mode, you can seamlessly pull focus with a touch while shooting – fantastic! You can also fire the shutter via touch-screen control or dive into the Quick Menu to adjust settings.
The EVF features an Eye Sensor that cuts the Live View feed to the LCD screen as soon as you raise the camera to your eye and it allows you to quickly switch between these contrasting styles of composition with relative ease.
In terms of performance, there are no complaints regarding the contrast-detect AF, which is both quick and accurate and locks on to subjects in low light with minimal hunting. The 3.2fps frame rate is comparable to entry-level D-SLRs and will capture an unlimited burst of jpegs or a maximum of 7 RAW files before the buffer slows.
MeteringThe 144-zone metering delivers good exposures in a range of difficult lighting conditions, although it does tend to blow out the very brightest highlights. It’s nothing that can’t be recovered in RAW, though, or by dialling in -0.3 stops EV. If more accuracy is required there’s always Spot metering.
Image sharpness from the 14-42mm lens is reasonable, performing best at mid or long focal lengths, although fully zoomed out with the lens aperture open at f/3.5, edges start to become soft.
Noise & ISO PerformanceSmooth images are recorded at ISO 100 with a very slight build-up of interference visible along contrast edges at ISO 200. Between ISO 400/800 greater levels of luminance Noise were evident, although images remain usable. At ISO 1600 Noise becomes heavy and pronounced, and at ISO 3200/6400 a build-up of chromatic Noise and a drop in saturation means you should try to avoid these higher sensitivities if at all possible.
Image DetailThe FourThirds 12.1Mp sensor on the G2 captures images at 4000x3000, which provides a native file size of 34.3MB, when opened into Photoshop, which is large enough to make a standard A3 print (420x297mm) at 240ppi without the need for you to interpolate any pixels.
Value & VerdictThe G2 is a sound camera and features like the integrated EVF and pop-up flash make it the complete Micro FourThirds package. But it doesn’t really excel in any one area – the size and design isn’t radically different to an entry-level D-SLR, at £600 it isn’t any cheaper, and if you’re after a stills camera you can get better image quality for similar money. Features like the touch- screen AF are brilliant and are bound to catch on – especially for video use – but the G2 does compromise its video capabilities by recording at 720p, rather than the full 1080p HD.
The camera is a joy to use, though, thanks to all the body-mounted controls, and performance is very good, with crisp images at lower ISOs and a metering system that delivers nicely balanced exposures. If you’re after a versatile, multi-media camera, the G2 certainly won’t disappoint, and for those moving up from a compact who don’t mind spending a few quid, it’s an absolute corker.
AT A GLANCE Street price: £600 (with 14-42mm kit lens)
Resolution: 12.1Mp
Lens Mount: Micro FourThirds
Focal length multiplication: 2x
Viewfinder: EVF 1.4m dot resolution
Focusing: Contrast-detect AF
ISO range: ISO 100-6400
LCD screen: 3.0in 460k dot LCD
Shutter range: 30secs – 1/4000secs
Burst rate: 3.2fps (7 RAW, unlimited JPEG)
Video: 720p @ 30fps
Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC
Write times: 2 secs (JPEG) 2.7 secs (RAW)
Weight: 593g (with SD & battery)
Dimensions: 124x83.6x74mm
www.panasonic.co.uk
