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Panasonic GF6 officially announced!

Preorders and Price:
Preorder the GF6 at Amazon (Click here).
In Europe the GF6 will cost 549 Euro with the 14-42mm kit lens, 699 Euro with the X kit zoom and 749 Euro with double lens kit.

Hands-on, previews and reviews:
Dpreview, Photographyblog, Whatdigitalcamera, Techradar, Pocket-Lint, ePhotozine,

First image samples:
Panasonic official image samples, FourThirdsUser.

Videos:
Preview by Cameralabs (youtube), video samples by Panasonic (youtube), whatdigitalcamera (youtube).

Press release:
Dpreview, Pocket-Lint, CSCmagazine (Spanish), OpenPN (French), LeMondeDeLaFoto (French), SystemKameraBlog (German), FourThirdsUser, Cnet Asia, Photoscala (German), Photographyblog, Techradar, ePhotozine, DSLRmagazine (Spanish), Quesabesde (Spanish).

Poll:
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93 Responses

  1. Looking from the specs, the GX1/G3 sensor is inside…
    Now where will the G6 go? (I hope they put GH3 sensor in it)

        1. Not to sound rude, but your comment makes little sense. While it is true that the GH2 sensor is extended multi-aspect, the G5 also used the same sensor but forgoing the extended aspect functions.

          1. Still, a three year old sensor and they aren’t even using multi-aspect and the analogue to digital conversion like the GH2? The only thing that can get better with this is noise and color, but ultimately Pana needs more dynamic range. I just hope they have the successor of this sensor in the pipeline. Also, remarkable what info 43 user is able to get.

    1. Who care about specs of this sensor,i don’t care reproduce or new tech,
      new factory,..

      Where is images that shoot by this cam,
      that is the proof ???

    1. I feel this camera is way overprice at introduction. One can get much more for that money elsewhere.
      The price will drop relatively quickly and severely, no doubt!

  2. It’s a shame Panasonic decided not to implement the GH3s wireless flash control feature in the new GF6! The latter may be a consumer oriented digital camera, but as the GF6 doesn’t have any kind of hot-shoe, a possibility to use a more powerful flash wirelessly would have been the more useful. Sorry Panasonic, you’ve blown it again! The GF6 could have been my next camera, but by deciding to force segmentation in your camera range resp. by withholding advanced features from entry-level cameras, you’ve lost at least one potential buyer (not that it would really bother Panasonic, but nevermind)…

    1. They don’t care that you don’t like it. It’s not being marketed to people like you. What you are complaining about is actually intentional, and good business.

    2. The one good thing about this comment is someone is speaking strictly for themselves, as opposed to speaking for any large group of people. And yet, they’re still argued against.

  3. This is one of the ugliest cameras I’ve ever seen. The designer should be shot…and not with a camera…

  4. I’d take an LX7 as a backup or small carry over this anyday. Smaller sensor and all. LX7 is a camera that encourages your photographic skills, nevermind the output, which is quite good given its 1/1.7″ sensor. These GF cams are for social snapshots and 1MP viewing on flickr and faceboredom.

    1. @ISO 1638400

      The lack of ability to use an external flashgun while annoying to some is hardly a deal breaker.The types of user that the smaller cameras appeal to the most are very unlikely to be prepared to carry external flash units as their priority is size. As to your comment about social cameras and 1mp Facebook postings , the reality is for many that their images are going to be displayed in just such a manner this also applies to many users of much higher end gear.Flickr allows members to upload full size images even the free members can now post a number of images up to 30mb.

      With regards to image quality the GX1 has better image quality than any Olympus body prior to the launch of the E-M5.Its main weakness compared to the GH3/E-M5 is in regard to DR, the high ISO is less than half a stop behind.This gap is smaller than the gap between the best APS and the E-M5/GH3.

      http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/%28appareil1%29/850|0/%28brand%29/Nikon/%28appareil2%29/793|0/%28brand2%29/Olympus/%28appareil3%29/754|0/%28brand3%29/Panasonic

      You are making a rather arrogant assumption that because it is not for you it should not be for anyone.It does not appeal to me personally as I will not buy a mFT that does not have access to an EVF be it internal or external.However I can see that it will appeal to others

      1. +10

        Even though this camera isn’t for them, they still hate and complain.

        Sad, really. Panasonic must’ve bullied them as children.

          1. Just like actually considering the use cases for something beyond your own rather specific needs >>>>> commenting just because it doesn’t suit your needs.

            The freedom to comment and express opinions doesn’t mean you HAVE to comment 🙂

          2. Bart, we’ve had a few discussions before and I see that you are a fairly balanced and informed poster from the comments you post here.

            But please, direct me to the Laws and Regulations of 43rumors that says something akin to, “One must consider the use cases of other users, not to mention their emotional, psychological and financial status, before making a personal judgment or opinion on a product, rumour or other subject in question.”

          3. Its not about the rules of 43rumors but about what such comments contribute to a discussion.

            In my opinion, commenting negatively on a product not having certain features that you find desirable, while you are clearly not part of the target demographic for the product, and those features being of very little value to the actual target demographic for that product, adds negativity to a discussion but doesn’t add meaningful content. Sorry, no, the world isn’t waiting for information on which products that aren’t aimed at you won’t be bought by you. The other way around? Maybe.. why someone would use a product outside of its intended use and target demographic can be quite interesting at times.

            Discussing the usefulness (or lack thereof) of such features for the target demographic would be something totally different, but, that does start with considering what the product is meant for and who it is aimed at.

          4. Who’s to say if someone else is the target demographic without knowing them or Panasonic’s true intentions? He clearly wants more features in a $600 m43 camera. Sue him.

          5. A camera that by design lacks certain features is clearly not aimed at people who explicitly want those features. Of course it could be that Panasonic is simply unaware of the desire for those features, but when it concerns features like an evf or external flash, those are discussed so often that assuming panasonic is unaware of those comes down to assuming panasonic is blind, deaf and stupid.
            Of course reading the press release would also help…

      2. Really, I don’t care what DxOMark says. I’m a convert over to the real image output camp as opposed to the numbers, charts, graphs and overanalysis brigade.

        The Panasonic fanboys always love to trot out this so called “fact” that the OM-D E-M5 is only “half a stop better” than the GH2. I really don’t care if it’s a quarter or an eighth of a stop better according to the scientists. The images speak for themselves. The output of the EM-5 and the new generation PEN cameras are worlds better than the GH2 generation output. Try pushing/pulling a GH2 RAW versus an E-M5 RAW. No prizes for guessing which one falls apart first and which one holds up better.

        According to the scientists, the NEX-6/5-R would be killing the E-M5/E-PL5/E-PM2 in IQ, but again, look at the real image output, including RAW output. The Olympus is more than matching the NEXes for IQ at every ISO. Some reviewers preferring the Olympus rendering and output over the NEX (see Camera Labs for example). So, again, the numbers do not represent reality. m4/3 is capable of high image quality. The bottleneck is the user. Oh, and High ISO does not equate to high IQ. If a sensor performs brilliantly at base and low ISO, it has high IQ, regardless of its performance at higher sensitivities. See Leica M and Sigma DP (Foveon X3).

        As for arrogance, so be it. I have strong opinions and I make them known. I’ve posted here long enough under this username for a good section of its readers to know my commenting style and why I advocate for m4/3 for a compact mirrorless system.

        I’m an Olympus user mainly but I’m not invested with them. If they come up with garbage or I don’t like their products, I’ll call it out just like I would with other brands and products. If that upsets fanboys’ sensibilities, no apologies from me.

        I’d still take an LX7 for $300 or an XZ-1 for even less over this GF for $600 or whatever it ends up selling for. I’d recommend the same to family and friends for a good pocketable camera on the cheap that they can at least learn some photographic skills and technique on.

        Speaking of arrogance, it’s also arrogant for so called well meaning enthusiasts to suggest that new users/beginners/women/old folks/(insert other stereotypical user group here) don’t want to learn some photography while they’re using their cameras. I know some elderly folk who want to get more from their cameras than what the AUTO and SCN modes give them and they want to understand and learn how to use the ASM modes as well. Not everyone apart from so called enthusiasts wants to Point, Click and Share. Some folks take more pride in their interest and hobby, even though they might not be as knowledgeable of it as others are.

        1. in actual real life use that doesn’t include underexposing by three stops and showing 200% crops the difference between the E-M5 and the GH2 is well under one stop. Now if underexposing shadows by 3 stops and then pushing the shadows in post is high on your agenda then the shadow noise on the E-M5 is at a clear advanatge.However this is hardly a normal or even common shooting practice. For most typical shooting scenarios the difference in output is indeed insignificant. I am a happy E-M5 and GH2 { still the better choice for video} and honestly for most of my shooting { portraits, studio work, macro ,landscape etc} in my typical 18×12″ output size there is no discernible difference. Now if you are shooting in scenarios which forces you to underexpose hugely and have to correct then the E-M5/GH3 generation have a real advantage

          You have some E-M5 fans claiming all kinds of crazy pros for the camera , as good as FF lol its not even as good as the previous { best} generation of APS such as the K5 or D7000 and it is certainly not as good as the current best APS sensor in the D5200/D7100 which is not even made by Sony. I love my mFT gear because it is smaller and lighter { much!! } yet still capable of excellent results.Based on my real life output which I sell the difference is hugely exaggerated by some Olympus fans. The E-M5 is a sweet bit of gear but it is what it is

          1. Anonymous (is it so hard to write a nickname?!), you say you print large size pictures. And say that there’s no significant difference from files from Em5 and GH2, until you don’t recover shadows in PP. Are you comparing RAW or JPEG files? Can you kindly link some images to compare your statement? Thanks.

          2. Some users value the exposure latitude with the newer sensors. The E-M5 generation deals with shadow noise quite well, even when pushed in post. The noise is certainly there, but it’s not offensive noise.

            In response to your second paragraph, I have read similar comments here and elsewhere ad nauseam. To me, it comes down to this: whether one likes the E-M5 output or not. If they do, that’s all that matters. What is the point of deriding something after praising it for “what it is”? It’s like appreciating your 4 cyclinder fuel efficient turbocharged small car for getting you to work and back home safely, yet in a not-so-boring drive, with a spirited performance, good handling and fun-factor,—and then scratching the doors with your keys after parking it in your garage because you also happen to have a mountain climbing and boat towing 4WD in your ownership, as well as a high performance rally car that you drive on rarer occasions at the (legal) racing club.

            It’s quite possible that some users actually prefer the E-M5 output over that of a particular FF or APS-C camera. Now, leave the numbers game aside for a moment. Because according to the numbers, the E-M5 and any other new generation sensor m4/3 camera will be falling well short of their larger sensor counterparts. Perhaps certain users, after comparing images from a range of cameras, still come to their personal conclusion that the E-M5/E-PL5/E-PM2 generation output is better and more appealing to them. This is my conclusion after comparing the Olympus output to the NEX 6/7, Nikon D7000 and Pentax K5 images. While I appreciate many of the characteristics of the NEX, Nikon and Pentax APS-C images, I still ended up preferring the Olympus’s images more. Whether they were technically or scientifically as good, better or worst is besides the point. Yet I wouldn’t be unhappy with any of those cameras as they can all produce great images. In areas where the E-M5 lags due to its physical sensor size, it makes up for in others. Not least of which is its accurate colour rendering and faithful rendering of skin tones: a great advantage in any camera that should not be underestimated.

            So by what a camera is judged better or worst than its peers can be quite a personal thing, that the scientific data cannot explain. A Leica M, despite having a FF sensor, is outperformed in the High ISO and DR stakes by many modern cameras, including those with smaller sensors. Yet its real world images, helped in no small way by the brilliant Leica optics, outperforms many cameras, rendering images that many sensor champions fail to match or even come close to. By the way, I wouldn’t deliberately go scratching an M9 after using it either. It might even be more expensive to fix than the car.

    1. I agree. To me, it looks better than an E-PM2 or a E-PL5, I also like the C1 and C2 settings, but the impossibility to use a viewfinder makes it a no-option for me.

  5. I actually like it. May buy it once the price is coming down and Pana / Oly fail to bring a more high-end camera with the same form.

  6. A modern camera and a significant upgrade over GF5. Many positives and only one negative ( taking into account the camera series ) – sensor IQ / price ratio:

    549 Euro with the 14-42mm II vs 495 for E-PM2 with its 14-42mm
    699 Euro with the 14-42mm X vs 460 for NEX-3n with 16-50mm pancake!

    For the record, Canon EOS M with 18-55 mm is 399 Euro, while Samsung NX1000 with 20-50mm is 259 Euro.

    With that sensor, it should have been 400 Euro with the 14-42mm X. I’m not the target audience, but when the price comes down, I’ll have no problem recommending GF6 to my friends.

    Oh, and I hope they’ve saved focus peaking for the G6…

    1. You are comparing list prices with street prices. That´s not really fair. I think 550 euros is a very good list price for the GF6. It means about 450 euros street price within 1 or 2 months.

      The only thing I don´t like is the old GX1 sensor. If it is really the old GX1 sensor.

    1. After the GF1 series split into GX1 and GF3/5, if you ever had any thought GF6 would have a hotshoe, then you weren’t paying attention.

      1. His point was that there have been rumors that the GX1 would be discontinued and integrated into the GF6 design. Without the hotshoe, there is a decent chance that Panny will offer a GX2 with a hotshoe for those who require it.

      2. IMHO it is too bad that the GF6 changed its form factor so much. Had they introduced the same feature set, left out the articulating screen I would have one on preorder for a second body. Panny lost me with the size on this one. It is thicker than the GX1 and almost as wide. They should have left it about the same size as the GF5.

        Oh, and it is fugly!

        1. I can’t disagree with that. But maybe Panasonic thought they’d tapped out the market (for the time being) for “as small as possible” with the GF3/GF5, and wanted to go a slightly different way this time, more feature rich, less touch-screen dependent. Just like the “phablets” have a lot of crossover appeal, maybe Panasonic thinks the WiFi & NFC will appeal to a different demographic. I personally can see a connecting between the flip-up screen & WiFi/NFC: take a composed self portrait with your friend & then immediately give it to your friend with the NFC and/or post to FB. This is a dream camera for that kind of usage (which I see my teen/20s daughter & nieces doing all all the time).

        2. Confirming (IMO) what I said above, that Panasonic is targeting this market – from dpreview preview:

          “In addition to smartphone connections, the GF6 allows you to create an account on Panasonic’s Lumix Club cloud service. With this established, you can send images up to Lumix Club by connecting to a local Wi-Fi router, with the option that they are then posted on to various popular social networks, via Lumix Club. Alternatively, if you’re connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, you can get the camera to push all your images across to your computer as you shoot.”

  7. Lets see what we have here compared to the E-PL5 :
    Ageing sensor, no option for Electronic viewfinder or external flash,
    no image stabilization ….. Not sure if there is something I am missing,
    but I see no significant feature that makes this camera better than the E-PL5.
    OK, its street price could be 100 Euro less, lets wait and see.

    1. 100 Euro cheaper, built in flash, WiFi, NFC, better screen, HDR, panorama, C1 and C2 on the mode dial, zoom lever on camera body, …

      Although their shapes are similar, the features are different, so it comes down to which ones you prefer or need more.

      1. Ok, you convinced me that the feature-price relation is good. But this camera is not for me, lets see what the rumored GX2 has to offer, if it really exists.

    2. In answer- the GF has a higher resolution LCD and allows pin point AF. Personally, I would prefer the IBIS and better sensor of the EPL5.

    3. First, think about which market this camera is targeting. This is an entry-level ILC in every sense. The typical buyer in this market is concerned with (1)price,(2)looks, (3)size, and (4)features. Looking at the competition, the GF6 appears to compete quite well in each of these factors. The integrated flash, wifi, NFC, and flippable screen are all qualities that either matches or bests its nearest competitors. The fact that it uses an “old sensor” is a notion completely oblivious to its intended user. These people are unlike the majority of those who read this blog everyday. They are of the Instagram generation and should find the GF6’s NFC capability as the perfect complement to their budding interest in thoughtful photography. In the end, this will be of holistic benefit to the m43 system. Let it go.

    4. “Not sure if there is something I am missing” — Are you serious, there is a TON of stuff you are missing!

  8. I like you guys. No hotshoe, no EVF, please, Panasonic, give us a Rangefinder-styled camera, blahblahblah, but nobody has noticed that Panasonic at least addressed one of the biggest problem of the mirrorless technology, namely the poor low light focusing.

    Courious whether there is real improvement or not.

    1. I wonder what was/is the low light issue of mirrorless cameras. The second thing I did on Em5 was turning that red light off. And never had problems in low light. If the problem is using an f5.6 in a dark wood, then I suggest to change lens. (I’m not sarcastic, btw)

      1. As far as I understand the problem is not whether the camera can get the right focus even in low light or not. We rather speak here about focus speed issues: even a bright lens focuses substantially slower in poor light conditions. I guess Panasonic have addressed this problem in order to keep pace with phase-detection systems.

        1. I’m sorry but personally I have never had such “problems” and I really often take photos in low/really low light. Anyway, I think that this can be a good entry level camera, and buyers would enjoy it and then upgrade.

          1. Same for me Marco, with the E-M5 at least.

            However, my older G2 does struggle in low light conditions, especially on less then ideal subjects (low contrast). It has an AF light similar to the E-M5, but where I (just like you) turned this off on the E-M5, I left it turned on on my G2 when I was still using that camera for photography. That said, using IS enabled lenses, and ensuring IS is on during AF does seem to help reducing this problem.

            My even older E-P1 struggles even more with this, and lacks that AF light.

          2. super-fast moving object may it make olym fan need PDAF,
            E-M5 still cannot compete to E-5 of this case

          3. that is problem of E-M5
            if you shoot fast object ,sport ,but you like landscape,portrait or perspective is unnecessary ,your E-M5 fast enough.

          4. NFT, I would NEVER jump into mirrorless system if my main subjects were football players, sport cars or other fast “changing focus line” subjects. At least until someone provides a hybrid solution for auto focus (CDAF works against PDAF at the moment).
            For a street photo, when you need to be fast and not loose the moment, Em5 is blazing fast. Try to capture something touching its touch screen. You can google some AF videos on YouTube also. I’m not defending Em5, simply saying that we’re talking about different things.

  9. Sorta interesting – release price of 549Euros, that will drop by 10+% in the shops which will be tempting. I rarely use hotshoe flash so it is either built-in or external so the lack of hotshoe does not really worry me.
    I am really pleased with the performance of the GX1 so if this offers >1 stop better noise performance it could offset lack of EVF and actually be a good second body. IIRC correctly Panasonic are due to make a second announcement end of April so maybe they have another surprise in store.

  10. Without a doubt, this only speaks well for the future GX2. Think about what features separate the current GX1 from this GF6: A hotshoe, a function dial and a few buttons… That’s it! The GX2 will NEED a significantly differentiating feature to separate it from the GF line as the “advanced” compact model in Panasonic’s lineup. The only likely possibility would be adding the GH3 sensor, and… the elusive integrated EVF! The features of the GF6 is the most convincing argument yet that an EVF will be added to the GX line. The rangefinder-style m43 camera is (finally) looking like an inevitability!

    1. Shhh … we have doom & gloomers here, that don’t appreciate your sun intruding on their rainy day!

      The new update to the entry level of Panny’s 4 series MFT lineup does not have EVERYTHING one could possibly want on it, and they declare the sky is falling …

    2. Since there isn’t much the GX1 has over the GF6, the devil’s advocate could also assume that Panasonic doesn’t want to continue the GX line, because they have effectively merged them. If somebody wants viewfinder, they can take Gx (which will get WiFi and all the other stuff with G6). A new GX with viewfinder must be a beast, with features like the GH3, but in a smaller package.

    3. Interesting comments about GX1 & GX2 in the CameraLabs interview. Disappointing to hear that no GX2 planned for forseeable future. The guy also states that the GF and GX are not merging and are targeted at different consumers. Then he lost me with his reasoning for there being different targets – because the GX1 has a better grip.

      1. “no GX2 planned for forseeable future” – that isn’t exactly what they said, is it? My understanding is that there is no definite date for the GX2, but it *is* planned, possibly as soon as (but not guaranteed to be) Q4?

  11. The fact the GF6 has manual video controls (GF5 does not) gives me hope the G6 will also have manual video controls (G5 does not).

  12. Well, I think panasonic is working hard to grow Sony Nex sales!!! The GF line should be the smallest mirrorless on the market, GX line should be bigger and have more direct controls. Again, loosing their focus.

    I’m OMD shooter, and tried a GX1, that is a good camera, but not comparable to OMD (costs 2x) and also not on par with the cheapest NEX series (3n,F3,5R) regarding image quality.

  13. There are a lot of really idiotic comments here, folks This is an entry level camera, and as such it shouldn’t be expected to compete with higher camera lines from other vendor. Gee, it doesn’t have an EVF! Neither do it’s competitors. OMG, it has the GX1 sensor! I hate to tell all you camera snobs, but there are plenty of people taking excellent photos with the GX1. In the uses this camera will typically see, you won’t be able to tell the difference between this sensor and the OM-D’s. For people upgrading from a P&S or a cell phone, this will be a major improvement. It also looks to be a major improvement over the GF5.

    It’s time for some people to grow up and realize most camera buyers don’t care about test charts, pixel peeping, and wouldn’t know what dynamic range means even if you tried to explain it to them.

    1. Excellent points, but I think not having the ability to add an external optical or electronic viewfinder is a fundamental failing. Panasonic would not have to sell it with the basic package but offer it as an accessory.

      1. My gosh, people here seem to think all cameras should be tailored for them, and not to whom Panasonic made the camera for… Ha.

        1. It’s not wrong to say “I wish it had an EVF option.” I think it is wrong on a certain level to say “Why is there no EVF option? It’s what EVERYONE wants.” Even if you’re in the minority, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t express your opinion. I think it’s fundamentally wrong to shut up the minority opinions because the majority disagrees.

  14. 150 extra euro for the smaller zoom, similar to what comes standard in a cheaper, lighter and better NEX-3n kit? They must be mad. Totally crazy. NEX-3n kit is $500 in the US, with 16-50 PZ.

  15. I don’t like the looks. Some good features here (love the WiFi), ok price, but yes, I do wish Panasonic had a model with EVF and hotshoe options. I am not mad they are not listening, most companies don’t. Anyway, I had already decided to wait for GX2, hope it doesn’t get too long.

  16. I was looking at the video specs on panasonic.net, and it says things like “1,920 x 1,080, 60i (sensor output is 30p)” and “1,280 x 720, 60p (sensor output is 30p)”. What does that mean? I’ve seen similar things for earlier models.

    For the 60i, I can kind of imagine that the sensor outputs 30p, and then it’s encoded as 60i, except that each pair of fields actually consists of every other line from the single progressive frame. I don’t see why it would do that, but I can see what it would mean.

    For 60p, I don’t understand at all. Is it encoding each frame twice? Creating interpolated frames? Encoding 30p as a 60p file so that it plays back at twice real time? None of these make sense.

  17. However good the tilting screen is, I need a VF, so unfortunately I’m not a target buyer for it. Based on looks alone though, I like it most out of the entire GF/GX range.

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