At initial glance, sitting all upon the lonesome like which, a GF2 competence forgivably be perceived as just an additional mundanely incremental upgrade on what was already a lauded predecessor in a Lumix GF1. But, for once, our melancholy was not borne out by a contribution — far from it. With the GF2, Panasonic has someway managed to shrink the smallest Micro Four Thirds shooter even further, by a reported 19 percent, as well as a difference in handling is discernible. The Japanese hulk has also lightened the load by 7 percent, thrown in a brand-new touchscreen-centric UI, as well as, predictably, upped the video ante to 720/60p or 1080/60i recording in AVCHD format. Join us after the mangle to see what we thought of this delicious new recipe for pseudo-pocketable large-sensor sharpened.

Please note: Panasonic has not yet finalized the GF2’s firmware, meaning that a sample images as well as video below may not necessarily be indicative of a quality you’ll get from a final product.Panasonic GF2 hands-on

Panasonic GF2 sample images

Whereas a GF1’s dimensions sometimes tricked the actuality which it was stoical of veteran internals downsized to a some-more portable form cause, the GF2 truly feels similar to the compress camera, despite the massive a single. It may appear odd to indicate there’s the poignant difference in between a tiny pro camera and a large point-and-shoot, though a weight as well as feel of the GF2 really have it easier to handle with just a single hand. Its improved ergonomics aren’t without concede, however, as a new GF has dropped a lope dial adorning the top of its elder sibling. We can’t nonetheless decider how big a sacrifice that’ll be, mostly since we kept the GF2 in the iA fully automatic mode and relegated the own duties to pointing and shooting.

It’s value saying that our sample shots were taken late on an cloudy day, nonetheless still the GF2 managed to focus remarkably fast and in all done a right decisions for us. Startup time is also fabulously fast — we were able to go from branch the camera on to taking the initial shot within about a second — and the sheer responsiveness of a GF2 creates it the wish to operate. The dedicated video button kicks you true into recording from the moment it’s pulpy, which creates accessing it an immediate and hassle-free affair.

We were taken by surprise the little by a difficult-to-decipher icons gracing the touchscreen UI when we got into it, though Panasonic has implemented a customizable quick menu where you’ll be means to curate your the one preferred functions and thereby facilitate operation. On the whole, you get the feeling which moving to a touchscreen as well as abandoning a earthy dial will have this the less accessible and informed camera for most, but it additionally seems that a little judicial make use of of the manual would heal any ailments that movement from this shift. Where a newly responsive 3-inch display unequivocally shines is in allowing you to appropriate between photos. It requires a firmer touch than your typical smartphone, but it behaved very nicely and there’s only something a lot more healthy about flicking images with your fingers instead of pushing the button.

The GF2’s building a whole additionally merits praise, as its aluminum body looks to have been accomplished to the really tall customary, charity us flattering most nothing to criticize. Its pop-up flash jumps open in the satisfyingly aggressive demeanour as well as can be retracted manually, while a couple of your standard-issue covers strengthen output ports as well as a battery and memory card slots. Speaking of a battery, it has a capacity of 1010mAh, that seems only about right for the device that’ll be relying on its LCD for both picture composition as well as examination. In actuality, we might have wished for an even bigger cell, though then which might have come at a losses of a GF2’s delightfully streamlined proportions.

The 14mm pack lens is as light as a feather and a little bit smaller than a 20mm pancake section typically provided with a GF1. We also got the hands on Panasonic’s 3D lens (which a GF2 is additionally concordant with) as well as it too was light sufficient to be confused for a component of the toy, rather than semi-pro, camera. Hey, if you can get great image quality from something which doesn’t import as most as a developed h2o melon, more energy to you, Panny.

We usually tested out a GF2’s peep with the integrate of shots, though it seemed to hoop itself well, illuminating a theme but washing out (too much) item. Professional users will regularly be better off with the apart bit of pack, but for make use of in infrequent or puncture resources, it looks to be more than enough.

This is the pretty easy one to promulgate, unequivocally: Panasonic has ticked a major boxes of reducing bulk and together with HD video (at 60fps, no less) whilst seemingly sacrificing small of what done a GF1 such the richly appealing camera in the initial place. Our greatest complaint, therefore, has to do with a GF2’s January recover date — it’s as well far divided, dammit!

Via Engadget