Image courtesy: Camerasize
The GM1 is a camera that got a surprisingly (and well deserved) positive feedback from all testers and reviews. And on 43rumors 82% of the poll voters said they like the camera. This is actually the best result we ever had on every MFT camera!
[poll id=”213″]
Well done Panasonic! Here are new tests and preorder links:
New GM1 news:
Over at Camerasize you can have fun by comparing the GM1 size with all other cameras. As you can see even the LX7 looks massive next to the MFT camera!
And full ISO test and large size samples can be found at Photographyblog.
Also ePhotozine posted some image samples and a first hands-on review.
A first impression review has been posted at Imaging-resource.
Updated preorder list:
In US you can preorder the GM1 with lens at GM1 with kit lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
In Europe at Wex Germany, Amazon UK, Fotohanskeuzekamp, Cyberphoto Sweden and Wex UK.
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56 Responses
There is no surprise really, everyone praised LX3 and there was a lot of discussion about it, then came Sony with RX100 and everyone is still singing praises. And now the best of all, one with bigger sensor and interchangeable lens which makes it very versatile. One issue which I see with GM1 is lack of hot shoe.
I still don’t think that this camera is the answer to something like the RX100 or the Coolpix A. I really can’t see the size advantage over previous m4/3 cameras once you put a lens on it.
http://camerasize.com/compact/#456,491.397,315.397,ha,t
I would have really preferred this same camera with a fixed lens that would retract into the body and make it really pocketable. And also it would have quite faster aperture (especially with a fixed focal length lens). I think that this body with a fixed 17mm f/1.7 lens that would be as bigger as it is now without lens would have been a better option.
If you want interchangeable lenses it means you’re more serious about the pictures you will take. And then you don’t want such a small body. Or a slow zoom. So I don’t see what’s the use for this tiny body with a m4/3 mount.
Currently, i use the Pentax Q as an allways-with-me camera. It produce great photo and is smaller than a Coolpix A or GR or other fixed lense camera. With the zoom, this GM1 have the same size than my Q with the prime and for the same price than a fixed APS-C compact camera. That a true innovation, i can have a camera with great IQ in photo and video in package the size of a p&S and, if i want, i can put almost every lenses ever made on it. Sometime, size matters 🙂
But did you check the size comparison on that link? Once you put a lens, the GM1 is as pocketable as any other previous GF series (or a PEN Lite). The size of the body alone doesn’t really matter. A camera needs a lens.
And no, it’s not smaller than a Coolpix A or a GR:
http://j.mp/1ewSTFy
But that same body (with the same great sensor) with a 17mm f/1.7 fixed lens that would retract into the body would certainly be smaller. And a really cool camera to carry in your pocket. That would have been new ground. Instead, the GM1 (which is a nice camera, I don’t deny it), is a bit of the same thing that was already available.
Small is good, that’s what m4/3 should be, but that doesn’t mean they have to go extreme. try to mount the 75/1.8 on it, it would look awful. I’m sure it’s a very capable camera.
That’s why they have GH3, G6 and GX7.
+10!
It’s great that we M4/3 users have such a variety of body styles and sizes available.
What other system can boast so many great cameras with so many sizes, shapes and feature sets?
GM1 + 75mm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ralfs-foto-bude/10326512323/in/photostream/
Not as bad as I originally thought.
More undersized, overpriced nonsense from Panasonic. Me? I personally would never go lower than an APS-C sized sensor, and would only buy from a real camera brand (which obviously excludes the likes of Panasonic and Samsung).
Please ignore that comment guys 🙂
admin,
this forum was so nice and quite yesterday when the anonymous comments were blocked.. Please consider that, from an anonymous friend of yours- disable anonymous comments (real email at least) please!
Dude, you’re way too lenient with trolls on this site. What the hell is someone that “would never go lower than an APS-C sized sensor” whining about on a m43 site? Why is he here even? His opinion is not constructive, insightful or useful.
Admin, give me mod rights to the comments and I’ll cut out the white noise so fast you’ll wish you did this earlier. No more people complaining about sensor size, Sony nuts or fights between Pana and Oly fanboys.
I mean it, the key to a good community is good moderation, you can curb the vitriol very easily.
Indeed. Not even logging in theses days. Off to next topic and be done for the week. Have a ball, trolls.
What? I’m here for the entertainment. I find it funny.
Ditto
Glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks this way,for a moment yesterday when the comment system changed it was heaven on earth, alas it didn’t last long. Admin you need to do something PLEASE, the incessant wave of trolls are killing this site like a cancer, in all honesty coming here is turning into more of a nuisance than a pleasure at this point, you need to re-establish that other comment system (that blue one, with comment rating and whatnot) and a proper IP Ban system as soon as possible, this troll infestation it’s getting out of hand.
Kodak? :-p
Out of interest James, do you include Sony as a non camera brand???
I’ve used both 4/3 and APS-C for quite a few years, and in practise there is very little difference between them.
often i just took my GF1 with 20mm pancake in my jacket pocket and was quite happy with the outcome.
but sometimes i wanted a bit of zoom, the 14-45 kitlens was too big, the x14-42 had shutter-shock issues.
now the GM1 seems to address most of my wishes as it is even smaller than my old GF1.
i will probably keep the 12-32 zoom on it, and add the 25mm leica in the other pocket if needed.
If you like this camera due to its size, it’s time to have an honest conversation with yourself, because what you REALLY want is to have a smartphone that produces good photos. And such smartphones do exist.
Admit it. Get out of the closet. Stop lying to yourself.
Smartphones cannot:
– zoom
– have a solid build and dedicated interface (only touch and one-ONE physical button)
– swap lenses (although smallish ones, granted but I can count at least 4-5 that would work on this, mostly Oly)
– replace batteries (for the most part) when you are on the go and still might want to take loads of pictures
– and more..
Agreed, sort of…
Have you seen some of the great iOS camera apps that give you control over ISO, white balance and have exposure compensation? I use ProCam, for one. Sure, they’re not “real” cameras, but the added levels of control is just great if you don’t have an actual camera with you.
Ah yes, those smartphones with a m43-size sensor and interchangeable lenses. Those are great, all 0 of them!
made my day 😀
You’re not going to be interchanging any lenses on this matchbox. That’s why it won’t ever be sold without the kit lens.
Exactly, you won’t be able to attach any of the following small lenses
– 14mm 2.5
– 20 1.7
– 45mm 1.8
– Both 17mm
– 42.5mm 1.2
– 12mm 2
– PZ 14-42mm
– Sigma 19mm
– Sigma 30mm
– Rokinon 7.5mm
– lumix 8mm
Right ?
get outta here!
you forgot the Japanese built 14-45mm – an excellent kit lens from my GF1 times, sharp and without too much troubles with amazing ‘portraiture’ reach (even though a bit slow but great for head-shots nonetheless) and OIS for videos
this camera is AMAZING (OM-D EM-5 owner here with a many previous m43 cameras), I carry usually two lenses in my pockets (45mm and 12mm) once in town, and 20mm mounted…
when I’m inside (churches mostly) I use only 12mm, when with girlfriend or feeling for an exhibitions (we go to gigs most of the time), 45mm
light DOESN’T LIMIT ME AT ALL, and with zoom lens, I gain OIS as well
now – take a shot with an phone, ISO800 MAX and UNUSABLE quality with shutter speed 1 second, ok, thank you, keep using your iPhone without optical stabilization, without ability to take wide shots (bars, architecture), without COMPLETE ability to take portraits etc etc and all without a quality in the end (unless there’s a LOT of light)
this camera is great, and lenses – they are stellar in m43 world (why I switched) and CHEAP (who says otherwise never owned different system) with no comparison ANYWHERE (just look at recent Sony Alpha FE lenses joke)
OK, show me a smartphone that can adapt legacy lenses on it.
Nice to have in such small shape IBIS, improved video.
The small size of the zoom lens and it’s reported optical quality is impressiv! Wonder how it will fare on an Olympus camera?
I wonder if Olympus is going to provide firmware updates so that the lens can be used at all for manual focusing.
Does anyone know if the new silver zoom is metal or plastic?
It is amazing that it has IS!
I have been able to find images of the lens that shows that it definitely has a metal lens mount, but I am wonder if the housing of the lens and the zoom ring are made of metal?
I have not been able to find mention of this detail anywhere.
One of the reviews… sorry, can’t remember which… mentioned that the barrel and housing are plastic. I suppose that makes sense to keep cost and weight down.
Thanks…when there is no mention that it is metal…I was assuming the worse….you are correct…It does make sense that those parts are plastic, it probably is easier on the focusing motor, and allows for fast focusing at the same time… (it is also cheap and less expensive to manufacture too!!!! LOL!) Oh well. I do not think I will buy this camera or lens. It is an amazing acheivement though. What has been done with the shutter to get it all to work this small is so cool.
I think I will be buying an M1 to replace my M5 and will have just the E-P5 and the M1…they will complement each other nicely.
The EM1 is cool though!!!!!
If you look closely at the size comparisons, the difference in form factors between the GM1 and the Olympus PM2/PL5 models are primarily due to the hot shoes and data ports on the top with slightly more depth for the tilting LCD in the PL5. I doubt if I’ll be interested in the GM1 because I already have a PM1/PM2/PL3/PL5, and I value being able to mount an EVF if needed. But I’m very interested in the new Panasonic collapsible zoom. Both camera and lens size do make a difference with respect to having a camera with you. I also have the Olympus P2/P3 and value the larger LCDs, but I find that the PM1/PM2 with a 14mm/17mm/20mm pancake are my cameras within reach most of the time. Congratulations to Panasonic for continuing to broaden the options for the MFT user community.
When is this available? 25 December?
Not many here will actually buy it, but for bragging rights… m43 actually DOES have a smaller camera than NEX-3n now. 🙂
Panasonic is on fire. Olympus first stole the limelight with the em5, and Panasonic is finally responding back with stellar products. I think we can safely say 2013 is the year m43 reached an awesome level of maturity.
let’s see how they respond next with increased competition from the mirror less full frame market, thanks to Sony. hopefully prices will go down?
LOVE IT! Will most likely be buying this. I currently have a GX1, a GH2, and a variet of 4/3 lenses and THIS is what i’ve been waiting for a while. A truly COMPACT 4/3 camera I can use with me existing lenses. Almost got an RX100 for a small camera, but THIS will be it for me.
Ultimate compact package (at the loss of image quality obviously) would be the Olympus Body Cap Lens (15mm F8)
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/olympus-bcl-15mm-f8
Obviously this lens is more of a gimmick than anything, I have one and it’s fun to mess around with. The GM1 would be TRULY pocketable with this, haha.
I don’t trust this Camerasize anymore, they/he makes too many mistakes. Look at the E-PL6 for example, it is bigger from behind than it is from the front … come on !
I really want to like it, but I find the focus mode control slightly out of place when you don’t have aperture/shutter speed control and would have happily traded it (and some height) for a multifonction dial instead.
Plus I really can’t stand such strap lugs on such a compact design.
As it is, it’s too big to replace a RX100 and lacks too many controls to replace a GF1/GX1.
It is a great option for those having nothing yet in these categories, but as a potential replacement for something else it might be awkwardly sitting between the two.
Crazy how much innovation is going on in the camera world. Big question is whether m43 is the sweet spot. I think so. With a few more generations of sensors, will it be 1″???
If you’re just looking for sharpness and acceptable noise then yes, otherwise there is much more than that to sensor-size.
Just for gits and shiggles, I’d love to see the GM1 up at four-thirds.org so I could virtually attach the 100-300 to it.
It’s funny, I don’t recall Panasonic receiving universal accolades when they released the miniature GF3 a few years ago. Does shaving a few millimeters off the height make that much of a difference? Of course the GM1 has the current 16 megapixel sensor, but the GF3 had the then-mostly-current 12 MP sensor. (I think the high-end GH2 might have been the only Panny with the 16 MP sensor when the GF3 was released.) Nor did the Olympus E-PM2 sell like hotcakes.
Don’t get me wrong, I like small MFT cameras – I picked up a used GF3 from my favorite camera shop for $110 earlier this year. I just don’t understand why people laughed at the GF3 a few years ago and now everyone seems to love the GM1.
http://camerasize.com/compare/#491,167
It’s not only camera size, but also total size, with lense monted on it.
because the GF3 looked like playmobile, while the GM1 looks like a serious classic 😉
That’s funny, because I’ve seen a few Nikon P&S cameras that copied the GF3/5 rounded bump on the top. I always thought they were cute, nice looking cameras. The GM1 has them beat by a mile on so many different levels, though!
I think it is a combination of things that make the compromises more acceptable. Such as the magnesium alloy body, the small high quality kit zoom, use of the latest imaging chip from Panny. I would imagine if the GF3 had the GH2 chip in it, there would have been less criticism.
The GF3 was badly received because it was supposed to replace the GF1, but came in with a lower feature set. There was no high end rangefinder form factor Panasonic alternative at that time. The GX1 and GX7 came latter. Now, GM1 is well received by that same community because people that want a highly featured camera can get a GX7 and just forget about that new little guy.
Admin you keep asking if we like it and then are surprised that we do. Not all of us are drooling over the a7s and think m43s is dead befause of it. In fact after seeing the horrible samples from that camera id say m43s is more alive than ever!
Looks cool. Probably shoots well too. But for $750 Panasonic can bite me.
I love smart things in small packages, but…
Admin’s choice of the LX7 as the comparison camera neatly illustrates Panasonic’s missed opportunity with the GM1. In practical terms, the GM1 with any available lens (apart from the “body cap” thing) is no more compact, portable or pocketable than the LX7. Therefore, there is no practical benefit in the GM1 body being smaller than the LX7.
If the GM1 body had the same height and width as the LX7, it would be (with no practical cost) a far better handling camera even with the same features and layout. With the extra room available in an LX7 sized body, extra features could be comfortably added. A useful built-in grip, decent battery life, a hot shoe, an EVF slot and pro input dials are proven winners for the small-camera photo-enthusiast crowd, and in combination with an excellent four-thirds sensor and superb interchangeable lenses, would amount to a giant killing camera of serious sales potential.
I like my GF1 and admire the GX7, but they’re the same size as my old 35mm film SLR, which is full frame. As I have done previously, I’m sat here with my LX5 and 20mm f/1.7 pancake, wishing the two could be combined into a properly sized m43 camera that is pretty tiny when I want it to be, and pretty big when I want it to be. Panasonic has just demonstrated that my m43 dream is entirely feasible – by producing something that is too small.
Although I won’t be buying, I wish Panasonic good sales with the GM1. With Sony (and others) successfully miniaturising APSC and FF to eclipse the bulky end of the m43 market, small-but-capable is the way to go. A little less small and a little more capable than this GM1 is where micro-four-thirds will truly shine.
Maybe next time…
I don’t like those jingly strap hooks.
I love the design (look) but I hate the ergonomics. A big disappointment…