GX1: Work in Progress

Image Courtesy of PanasonicLooking at it, I really like the new GX1. But it won't have me rushing out to buy one. The GX1 doesn't have the kind of new features or the substantial performance improvements that will make a difference out in the field. That Panasonic finally equipped a body with an orientation sensor is nice, but in itself not enough reason to replace my GF2 or GH2. Even more than just replacing one or the other, I would have welcomed a camera that could have replaced BOTH at once: more compact like the GF2 but with the integrated EVF and tilting screen of the GH2. This is what I was hoping for from Panasonic.

Reinforcing │ GH2 + Konica Hexanon 40mm F1.8 │ 40mm F2.8 1/250s ISO160So far, only Sony has introduced a body for serious photographers that combines the advantages of a compact form factor with the flexibility of framing photos either on a tilting screen or in a high resolution, integrated viewfinder. Yes, the NEX-7 is more expensive, but the difference will shrink somewhat when you factor in the cost of Panasonic's new external LVF2 viewfinder - never mind the inconvenience of having a big lump growing out of the top of the camera.

Building Blocks │ GH2 + Konica Hexanon 40mm F1.8 │ 40mm F2.8 1/1000s ISO160 I had also hoped that Panasonic would launch their next generation screen and EVF technologies alongside the high end GX1. Unfortunately though, we still have the same 460,000 dot LCD screen and the same 1.44 million dot EVF resolution. They're not bad, but the competition is moving forward with various performance enhancements. It's important; better screens allow you to judge things like exposure, colour and focus more accurately. So if I'm going to be spending a lot of money, I want those kinds of improvements. Otherwise I'm better off investing in a new lens right now and waiting for the GX2.