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Questions & Answers

Shopper : Is this a fair question- Which is better, this camera or the olympus E-P3? THis is not for your hardcore photographer, but an amatuer. THanks.JACQUELYN B : I really like the Lumix, I've had a few of their compact cameras in the past and upgraded to the larger GX1. The image quality is great, especially in daylight. I have a friend who has used the olympus and ended up trading it out for the panasonic. The image quality is a little better on the Lumix, particularly at high ISO levels, and with the E-P3, you have to play around with the jpegs to make the most of the pictures. The E-P3 also has a pretty poor quality video feature. Comparing the two, I would go with Panasonic each time, but I've never used the E-P3 for an extended amount of time, so perhaps I am slightly biased. The main problem I have with either camera is the price. For the money, you could get a lower range SLR camera which would give you a lot more creative control. I bought the panasonic as a compact alternative to carrying my SLR around all the time, and with the pancake lens, this serves it's purpose well. If I was buying a camera to use on a daily basis as a primary camera, I would definitely opt for an SLR - same price, more control, your images are gauranteed to look better. Hope that helps! :)CARLOS J : I do not know about the olympus, however I shoot with a Nikon d-90 and Lumix GX1. I am so impressed with the Lumix that I have found myself carrying the Lumix with me more often than the D-90. Of course... it is mostly the lens that is key to the highest quality pictures, but it is also the photographer and the equipment. I have some shots from the Lumix that blows my mind. I highly recommend this camera for its size, no mirror, quality, and it's ease of use for amateurs and pro shooters. Hope this helps some!CHRISTIAN S : Well, my opinion is the GX1 is currently the better choice. The ergonomics of the two aren't dramatically different, and they're practically the same size so that's kind of a wash. Both can be customized, and each can be as simple or as complex as the user prefers; you won't find your creativity seriously limited because of a missing feature. The GX1 is newer, however, and has updated processing and a nice sensor that outclasses the EP-3's. In good light both are great, but when indoors or other low-light situations the GX1 pulls ahead by a large margin. The difference is pretty dramatic. Considering how deeply Panasonic has cut the price of the GX1 (less than the EP-3) the decision becomes even easier. The kit lens is totally decent and will hold you until you think you want something different, but $450 would be a steal even without it. Overall, this is a very well-built, flexible, and full-featured camera that will give you some very nice results--and at current prices the aging (but still very nice) EP-3 can't compete. Hope this helps...SUNETHRA W : Hi! I was given this camera as a present. I myself would not have bought this as I am also only an amateur. I found the camera to be too heavy and impractical in situations where I have to quickly make a snap shot without getting attention. I also found the auto mode does not work well when flash is used. As I said, I am no pro in photography, so I do not find this camera being more useful than the small automatic Olympus I have. As a matter of fact I feel bad for the person who spent big money to buy this for me. I personally would not recommend anyone to buy this camera unless one is planning to do high tech photography. I am personally too lazy to read the instructions to find out what to do with all the fancy tricks. So, this camera is wasted on me. Sorry to be bad mouthing this camera. But, for me, it is the wrong choice. I am just using my little Olympus nowMATTHEW P : Go with the GX1. KAY S : It is a good camera, with high quality raw files. I very much like the touch screen. However, since I bought it, I have seen others I might consider. The Sony NE 5 is one (I think this has an LCD screen that tilts). If I were to purchase this item today, I would purchase the Olympus OMD-EM5. this camera is very similar, however, it also has a built in viewfinder and image stabilization built into the body. The lenses are interchangeable between these 2 cameras. There is a great lens that goes from 20 mM to 300 mM equivalent you can use on these cameras - it works great for travel.MICHAEL K : To be honest, I haven't used the Canon. But I'm most impressed with my GX-1. It's a better camera than my entry level full sized Pentax DSLR. High quality construction, easy to use controls. The lack of a viewfinder is a bit of a downside, but I've gotten used to it. The lens that comes with the kit is just so-so. I upgraded to the Lumix 25mm 1.7 fixed focal length lens--fantastic.DENISE G : Sorry I can't be of much help since I have never used the Olympus E-P3, but I can say I am enjoying the Panasonic Lumix GX1 and I am not a hardcore photographer either. Good Luck
Shopper : What is the 35 mm equavalent for the kit lens 14-42mm? And how bright it is,Stop....CARLOS J : The 35 mm eq is 28 – 84 mm. I also have a Nikon D90 and I am blown away with my GX1. I am getting my daughter a GF5 when I rake up the money. The lens is what it is, the standard kit lens that comes with most cameras, however, I started shooting as soon as I got it out of the box. I was taking pictures in our home in the evening and at the time, I did not realize that the flash must be manually raised in order to operate. I was shooting in auto and the pictures were blowing me away with the brightness. The auto ISO was jumping from 1200-1800 and I was shooting dark areas. The pictures had little to no noise. Mostly no noise. I also took advantage of the rebate on the 3D lens and I have never had more fun with a camera than I have with the GX1. I plan on getting one more lens for portraits and one for zoom. I wanted a camera that I spent less time fiddling with and more time shooting. I could not be more pleased.MICHAEL K : You double the number of a four thirds lens for the 35mm equivalent, so that would be about 28-84mm, a nice range for general photography. I've had my GX1 a few months now. Not having a viewfinder takes a little getting used to, but that's the only downside I've noticed. It's great camera.EDWIN D : With Micro 4/3rds you would multiply by 2 to get the 35mm full frame equivalent. In this case that would give you 28-84 equivalent with a 3.5-5.6 variable aperture. The other thing you need to remember with Micro 4/3rds (or any crop factor for that matter) is that while light is light (F 2.8 at 1/250th of a second is the same for M4/3 as it is for full frame) your depth of field will be very different. If you have a micro 4/3rds lens at 2.8 it will give you a full stop more DOF (the equivalent of F4) than 2.8 on a full frame (same 2x factor). Some people dont like this but there are examples where this is good. If you need to shoot wide open to gather light but need a little more depth of field (think a group portrait) you can use a wider aperture with M4/3 and still get enough DOF to keep two or three people all in focus even if they are on slightly different focal planes. Hope that helps.RALPH C : The 35mm equivalent is 28-84mm. Brightness is only fair. F3.5 at 14mm, 5.6 at 42. This is about average for this type of zoom. To get any brighter you will need to go with a prime lens.
mike b : is this camera similar or equel to leica v lux 30 or which one is ?JOE H : THERE IS NO LEICA EQUIVALENT YET. BUT THE GX1 + THE 25MM LEICA LENS IS UNBEATABLE, I LOVE IT & ADORAMAmike b : WHAT IS THE ANSWER? I AM INTERESTED IN PURCHASING ONE. SONE ONE SAID THE PANasonic is very similar bat less cost

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2014-04-07T21:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

Very disappointing.

I currently own a Fuji X100 that I purchased about a year after it was released and I love it. But currently I was seeking something that I could experiment different lenses on. So I went after the Lumix GX1, good price and had amazing reviews when it was released. Good construction, decent LCD, snappy enough... but the image quality is very very disappointing for today's standards. From what I recall, the X100 was released around the same time, and it's IQ is leaps ahead. So I returned it 2 days later and now I'm saving up to get something more recent.

David B.

2013-11-07T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

awesome compact camera!

I purchased this camera to have a pocket sized option for times when bringing a full sized camera is impossible. Also intend to use this for street photography, as it is much less obvious compared to an SLR. Considering the size and cost of this camera, its overall capability is a pleasant surprise. If I really want to pick apart the performance, I can say that while high ISO performance is very good, I don't really like the way that Panasonic has chosen to mask noise (smears detail and color, rather than emphasizing chroma noise and "graininess" like some older cameras), I also find myself inadvertently activating buttons on the back of the camera that fall under my right thumb... Another mild annoyance is that it is very easy to change the point of focus by touching the screen, this can be deactivated, but if you choose to use this very nifty option, be aware that you will probably move the focus point unintentionally on a regular basis. Overall, I would rate this as a very powerful photographic tool, with potential to make images that rival DSLRs from a few years back, in a form factor that is much easier to bring along where ever you go. In terms of control, I prefer dedicated function buttons and knobs/wheels over menus and programmable hot keys, but I feel like this camera strikes a nice balance between keeping the camera small and allowing advanced users to take control.

DAVID W.

2013-07-17T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

solid camera

I am impressed with this camera, especially how easy it is to use. I use this as an alternative to my DSLR (and comparable if not better than my Canon T2i). I purchased this with the 20mm 1.7 - didn't bother getting the kit lens. Focuses well (I prefer using one-area focus instead of 23-area because it is much more accurate and specifically focuses on what you want focused). Great price on this camera. LCD resolution isn't the greatest compared to many cameras and smart phone.

Bison

2013-07-09T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent

Great deal and great camera. Perfect for my 20mm m43 lens!

Marc

2013-07-08T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

An Awesome Experience with GX1

GX1 is truly remarkable. It focuses so quick and sharp. Its hybrid feature, manual and touch screen, is very helpful in controlling its functions. The body built is so compact and light for its kind. There are more nice things to say about this awesome machine. Try one and you'll surely enjoy it. I recommend to get familiar with its functions so as to get the best quality photo you truly desire. I love this mirrorless camera. If you are thinking of a travel lens, I would recommend Panasonic 14-45mm instead of the 14-42mm. I highly recommend this product to photo enthusiasts!

Odj

2013-07-08T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great price for such a good camera

As a Olympus user, Panasonic GX1 is my first non Olympus 4/3 and m4/3 camera. the holding and two way rear dial is better than all e-pen series not even touch screen for such low price at first glance. It need more time to find surprising of this camera.

Raytracer

2013-07-08T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Awesome Camera, Cheap Price!

Got an awesome new GX1 for less than most P&S. What can be better than Adoramas awesome pricing?

Joshua C.

2013-06-24T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent camera!

Excellent all purpose camera in small compact form factor without the DSLR bulk. Fast focusing and nice image quality. High build quality--does not feel cheap. Quite a bargain at current end-of-cycle pricing.

Bubba

2013-06-23T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Lumix Camera

Super sharp images and great HD video! Very satisfied with this camera.

creyes

2013-06-11T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great Camera!

Great and fast service from Adorama. Small camera produces photos with quality near entry-level DSLRs.

jb

2013-06-10T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Nicely portable and tossable!

Love it! I just stuck a 30mm prime on it and I bring it everywhere. In P mode I just hand it around and the results are amazing. The shutter lag is so miniscule that I seldom miss a shot.

NIKLAS B.

2013-06-10T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Gx-1, So Far I Like It!

I didn't really need this camera, but the sale price was good and I wanted a backup for my Olympus E-P3. It will just take a little time to get used to it and so far I like it! I've put about 50 images through it so far and I'm pleased with the quality. The Panasonic software is kind of clunky so I stick with photoshop. One thing to note - this type of camera is lousy for things that move fast. If you're shooting sports stick with a DSLR.

ANDY C.

2013-06-10T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Great M43 camera for advanced users

Pros: - Small compact body (especially when used with lens like the Panasonic 20mm/f1.7 and 14mm/f2.5 - Lots of direct manual control and buttons - Fast autofocus - Nice touchscreen interface - Metal body - Great value Cons: - No built-in EVF - Limited manual control of video - Dynamic range subpar compared to latest GH3, OM-D and Pen cameras Overall, highly recommended for Micro Four Thirds users.

VAN L.

2013-06-10T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

SPECTACULAR DIGICAM

I use the camera with Leica mount lenses (with adapter) and with Panasonic lenses. The camera is so good that I bought a second body. Nothing that Panasonic can bring out can be that much better. I use the camera with an EVF. The noise is strikingly low- the quality in build and results is fabulous. I love Lumix.

VICTOR R.

2013-06-10T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Long video but with limited control

I got this camera primarily as a video camera - Panasonic seems to be the only manufacturer that doesn't universally limit video clips to 30min. For that, the camera seems to work fairly well - it can take 2h continuous video on a single battery, and the interface is pretty simple. Sadly, the simple interface comes at the loss of control - you have no direct control over frame rate that I've found. Might end up having to rely on hacked firmware.

NZ1373633 V.

2013-05-20T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Fill in the gap

I use this camera for those short trips with the family where hauling around a full size DSLR (Nikon D3100) just is not going to work. I must admit that in low light the flash may not be adequate. However, if you are able to set up the picture to take advatage of what you have this is easily compensated for. The pictures are great and require very little fine tunning. The size is right and it allows for quick transitions. If you are looking for the long range gameday pictures this camera is not for you. However, if you are looking for something that will allow you to take those great pictures of the kids being kids without needing to set up the tripod and other equipment this is a great camera.

mcaveli

2013-05-06T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent choice

Fantastic deal at the current prices! It's a no brainer if you have any of the Panasonic lenses. If you don't, pick up the 20mm and you have a great small camera with excellent image quality indoors and out with great video. I have been using the GF1 since it came out and wasn't sure I wanted to upgrade but since the prices on the GX1 are so low now, I couldn't resist. It's a great choice. It focuses slightly faster than the GF1 and the touch screen is very nice for choosing your focal point vs. the GF1. If you have other lenses you can take this and several lenses with you for a very light-weight travel kit. I put this and 3 lenses in a bag and that weighed less than my Nikon D700 and one lens. I do wish the viewfinder wasn't extra but that's a personal preference. High ISO on this is much better than the GF1. There is an Intelligent Auto (IA) button on the top. You can push that while in any other setting and have it quickly switch to IA. Push it again and you are back to your previous mode. Very easy to use if you are stepping up from a point and shoot camera too. Great choice for all levels.

DEBBIE Y.

2013-05-06T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Great Intro to Micro 4/3

This is my first m4/3 camera, and so far I'm very happy with it. With a 20mm/1.7 pancake lens attached, it's not too much bigger than an advanced P&S, but the IQ is leaps ahead. It also feels very solid and well-built for its small size. There's a bit of a learning curve with the UI, but that's true of any advanced camera these days. My biggest negative is with the LCD screen. The screen resolution is not very high and the touchscreen not terribly responsive, so I end up using the scroll wheel and buttons for most operations. I've only used a prime lens so far so I can't really speak to the in-body vs. lens stabilization divide between Panasonic and Olympus. Overall though, I think for the combination of features, build quality, IQ, and price, you really can't go wrong with this camera body. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could.

LinSeattle

2013-05-06T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

lovely, versatile, well thought out

Lens adaptability is a marvel, mounted my Summicron 50 f2 c. 1970's what a combo, great auto exposure metering on Aperture priority as well as manual. Also using a Nikon Varifocal viewfinder c 1960's can live without EVF so far. Also tried a Nikon AIS 50mm f1.8 works great as well.

Jeff B.

2013-04-29T21:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

GO FOR A LARGER SENSOR

I tried using this indoors at a basketball game and even with a EVF, focusing was way off, extremely noisy at ISO 800 or higher. Focusing in dim light was not good. Tried it the next day at a daylight soccer game and the camera performed much better, grabed focus very fast although not always accurately. I expected a much better performing camera at the higher ISO levels and was disappointed. I cannot recommend this camera to my photo students.

DoctorJerry

2013-03-18T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great little camera

Good walk around camera

RENE M.

2012-09-29T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Take the time to learn the camera

I also bought the electronic viewfinder with the camera and find it is invaluable. Because it is hinged it is great for macro and low level work. Due to the many menus it pays to review the extensive and well done manual and fully learn the capabilities of the camera.

Daniel C.

2012-03-07T19:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

noisy 20mm 1.7 lens

my panasonic 20mm 1.7 lens works great on my gf1 camera but when using my new gx1 there is focusing noise tech support at panasonic told me to live with it that it is normal.it is annoying and should not be happening.also battery went dead after 2 weeks and i never used it for video.new replacement battery cost $62.00.off brand batteries do not show up on screen.original battery will not take charge after 2 weeks .64 photos only.

bob f.

2012-02-23T19:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

The camera I really wanted to love

Only 4 weeks old and a small bump shocked the camera enough that it will not power up. Sadly Panasonic wont cover it as it is considered as an external event and wants half the retail price to repair it. My jaw hit the ground. I have enjoyed the camera quite a bit but sadly I would have to classify it as highly shock prone after my experience. A light tumble may cost you $350. It cost me a write off of $700 since an exorbitant repair cost coupled with the manufacturers lack of empathy simply didn't buy brand loyalty from this customer. Its a shame too because I was well on my way to becoming fanboy. My advice if you own it: get a protective case. If you dont own it, pre-order the Olympus OM-D.

Paul P.

2011-12-25T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Great SLR replacement

Sold my Canon T2i setup (body, 18-55, 55-250, 50 prime, and flash) to go to this body plus the Panasonic 14-140. Micro 4/3 sensors are a bit smaller than APS-C so the noise levels aren't going to be quite as good, but honestly I'd say it's at most a 1-stop difference between the T2i and GX1. Buttons galore and a decent amount of customization makes the body a breeze to use. Highly recommended!

kniffendor

About Panasonic DMC-GX1

FEATURED REVIEWS

Excellent choice

By DEBBIE Y.

Fantastic deal at the current prices! It's a no brainer if you have any of the Panasonic lenses. If you don't, pick up the 20mm and you have a great small camera with excellent image quality indoors and out with great video. I have been using the GF1 since it came out and wasn't sure I wanted to upgrade but since the prices on the GX1 are so low now, I couldn't resist. It's a great choice. It focuses slightly faster than the GF1 and the touch screen is very nice for choosing your focal point ...

View full Review

Great SLR replacement

By kniffendor

Sold my Canon T2i setup (body, 18-55, 55-250, 50 prime, and flash) to go to this body plus the Panasonic 14-140. Micro 4/3 sensors are a bit smaller than APS-C so the noise levels aren't going to be quite as good, but honestly I'd say it's at most a 1-stop difference between the T2i and GX1. Buttons galore and a decent amount of customization makes the body a breeze to use. Highly recommended!

The Panasonic DMC-Gx1 16MP Camera with 14-42 Zoom Lens (Black) records 1920 x 1080 full-HD video with stereo sound in AVCHD format which is superior in both compression efficiency and friendliness with AV equipment for playback. Advanced AF system including practical full-time AF and tracking AF is available in video recording so that every photographer can enjoy high quality video recording with minimum ease.

As a camera from the new premium line of LUMIX G Micro System, the external design of the camera has been developed with no compromising on grip, dial, coating - everything to detail. The hot shoe on the top lets you attach the optional tilt-shift Live View Finder (DMW-LVF2) of approx. 1.4x (approx. 0.7x), 1,440,000-dot equivalent, 100% field of view. It is now compatible with UHS-I standard for the SDXC/SDHC Memory Card taking its advantage to extend performance.

What's in the box:

  • Panasonic DMC-GX1 Camera
  • LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. Lens
  • Lens Cap
  • Lens Hood
  • Battery Charger
  • Battery Pack
  • USB Connection Cable
  • Shoulder Strap
  • CD-ROM
  • Panasonic Warranty