Thank you so much for explaining all of this. I have the the same camera but the lens I'm using is the 14-45 and I find the video isn't quite as good as the pancake lens. I'm definitely going to have to pick it up!
The main factor in the depth of field is the sensor sie, not the aperture of the lens used. There can't be more than a 3rd of a stop between F2 and F1.7 (F1.8 to F2.8 is one stop,which is twice the light).
The key to the depth of field and low light capabilities (and price) is that the GF1 uses a HUGE sensor compared to the point and shoot, so it can gather more light with less noise and it also makes the depth of field a lot shallower (due to basic optical principles).
I've had mine 2 weeks now and I love it, I'm still learning about all the features but you can use the iA for pretty much everything while playing around with the A S M dial.
question- when using the A S do you use one at a time or do you need to adjust both before taking a picture?
I enjoyed the review thank you. At the moment I am trying to decide on which camera to buy: Panasonic Lumix GF-1,Olimpus Pen E-PL1 or Canon S90 or Canon IXUS 300 HS. I have a little daughter so I would need camera that can capture her moving around and have a good video too. Can you help? Please advice
The Canon image is really bad - if that's focused. Very soft. The Panasonic is ultra sharp and I didn't mind the sound - someone called it tinny - it's actually more clear, despite making your voice a little more - well, tinny. Lol. The Canon's sound was deeper and less distinct - harder to separate out words. Not that it mattered in this instance - as, everything was easily understood. I use Sony DSC-H20 and H10 for my videos - and they're quite sharp if manually focused. Auto = no. Cheers
Thanks for the tips and info. Still working with a cannon SD400 and DVD92 Sony but, working on upgrades with a newer camera with changing lenses for video's. The cannon is a very convenient size for all time carrying.
The sound from the s90 (?) was far superior to the Lumix. I was actually quite surprised that it was so good as it was. That's the problem with cameras without an external mike, the audio is usually so tinny. I think I'll wait for the Scarlet (and wait...and wait...).
Yeah - the canon DSLRs with video take lovely video and you have a lot of flexibility with being able to use different lenses on them too. I'm waiting for canon to bring out a 5D Mk III to replace my Mk 1 :-)
@Zorgadoni no it cannot. the gf-1 is no longer being produced so you'll need to shop for a used one if you are interested. otherwise you can look into the new gx-1 which has stereo recording, but i don't believe they added a mic jack on that either. that's the one feature that really should have been added along with the other improvements imo.
yeah thats great ... i am not really a camera person but my misses is and she should be getting the canon mark II soon, which i assume will have better quality still???
i use the gf1 as well. i pre-ordered it before it was released to avoid the rush last year. had to get it from the states as it was quite expensive in nz at the time. love it!
Thanks for the info Darren, in the market for a new Digital camera for @SquiggleMum so will investigate the GF1. Like you prefer to have a good stills camera that can take slick video too rather than carrying around multiple units.
will a 300mm be used on it for wildlife photos?
micmoable 4 weeks ago
Can it accomodate 300mm lens for animal photography?
micmoable 4 weeks ago
Thank you so much for explaining all of this. I have the the same camera but the lens I'm using is the 14-45 and I find the video isn't quite as good as the pancake lens. I'm definitely going to have to pick it up!
patenaudedanielle 1 month ago
The main factor in the depth of field is the sensor sie, not the aperture of the lens used. There can't be more than a 3rd of a stop between F2 and F1.7 (F1.8 to F2.8 is one stop,which is twice the light).
The key to the depth of field and low light capabilities (and price) is that the GF1 uses a HUGE sensor compared to the point and shoot, so it can gather more light with less noise and it also makes the depth of field a lot shallower (due to basic optical principles).
willieturnip 6 months ago
I've had mine 2 weeks now and I love it, I'm still learning about all the features but you can use the iA for pretty much everything while playing around with the A S M dial.
question- when using the A S do you use one at a time or do you need to adjust both before taking a picture?
megasimon999 7 months ago
can you zoom whilst recording? or can you zoom with this camera at all??
Sky300 11 months ago
i just bought my lumix dmc gf1. but i still dont know how to use it. i hope you could post videos on how to use this camera for beginners. =)
eseong 1 year ago
very nice review - easy and clear to understand... takes me one more step to get the GF1. Ta!
sealjack 1 year ago
I enjoyed the review thank you. At the moment I am trying to decide on which camera to buy: Panasonic Lumix GF-1,Olimpus Pen E-PL1 or Canon S90 or Canon IXUS 300 HS. I have a little daughter so I would need camera that can capture her moving around and have a good video too. Can you help? Please advice
ivalinki 1 year ago
The Canon image is really bad - if that's focused. Very soft. The Panasonic is ultra sharp and I didn't mind the sound - someone called it tinny - it's actually more clear, despite making your voice a little more - well, tinny. Lol. The Canon's sound was deeper and less distinct - harder to separate out words. Not that it mattered in this instance - as, everything was easily understood. I use Sony DSC-H20 and H10 for my videos - and they're quite sharp if manually focused. Auto = no. Cheers
thaipulsedotcom 1 year ago
So is there no way to focus the background at all when taking pictures with this camera? Is it always as fuzzy as the video you took?
patenaudedanielle 1 year ago
fantastic results from this camera. love the DOF!
Durkin 1 year ago
Great camera, love it. Nice video quality too, perfect for video blogs, maybe more.
kandarv 1 year ago
Thanks for the tips and info. Still working with a cannon SD400 and DVD92 Sony but, working on upgrades with a newer camera with changing lenses for video's. The cannon is a very convenient size for all time carrying.
Rjstnclrk 1 year ago
Awesome picture quality on the Lumix. The sound quality is clear as well, do you use an additional mike or is it built in?... :]
asittingducktv 1 year ago
The sound from the s90 (?) was far superior to the Lumix. I was actually quite surprised that it was so good as it was. That's the problem with cameras without an external mike, the audio is usually so tinny. I think I'll wait for the Scarlet (and wait...and wait...).
Tony Page
Travelsignpostsphoto 1 year ago
Comment removed
Travelsignpostsphoto 1 year ago
Yeah - the canon DSLRs with video take lovely video and you have a lot of flexibility with being able to use different lenses on them too. I'm waiting for canon to bring out a 5D Mk III to replace my Mk 1 :-)
darrenrowse 1 year ago
@darrenrowse
Can the GF-1 accept an external stereo mic, and if so, what is the port ( 1/8 plug or usb ). Thanks!
Zorgadoni 2 months ago
@Zorgadoni no it cannot. the gf-1 is no longer being produced so you'll need to shop for a used one if you are interested. otherwise you can look into the new gx-1 which has stereo recording, but i don't believe they added a mic jack on that either. that's the one feature that really should have been added along with the other improvements imo.
rustysilo 1 month ago
yeah thats great ... i am not really a camera person but my misses is and she should be getting the canon mark II soon, which i assume will have better quality still???
JohnPaulGrant 1 year ago
i use the gf1 as well. i pre-ordered it before it was released to avoid the rush last year. had to get it from the states as it was quite expensive in nz at the time. love it!
markuslowe9 1 year ago
Thanks for the info Darren, in the market for a new Digital camera for @SquiggleMum so will investigate the GF1. Like you prefer to have a good stills camera that can take slick video too rather than carrying around multiple units.
Cheers,
Damon.
doehlman 1 year ago
The difference from your previous camera to the one now is great. I like it.
driftapex 1 year ago