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Last review was sent on 12 July 2010

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 reviews

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Overall rating:

- 4.5

You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Camera. Here are the reviewers:

DPReview	- 12 July 2010 -	- 3.5
PhotographyBLOG	- 08 July 2010 -	- 4.5
ePhotozine	- 21 June 2010 -	- 4
DigitalCameraReview	- 18 June 2010 -	- 4.5
PhotoReview	- 09 June 2010 -	- 4.5
WhatDigitalCamera	- 02 June 2010 -	- 4.5
Pocket-lint	- 20 May 2010 -	- 4.5
TrustedReviews	- 17 May 2010 -	- 4.5
DCResource	- 07 May 2010 -	- 0
Imaging Resource	- 04 May 2010 -	- 0

“ Despite the limitations of its sensor at higher ISO settings mentioned earlier, as an alternative to an entry-level (or mid-range) DSLR the G2 delivers with a dose of panache. It's an easy camera to like and represents an evolutionary - but significant - upgrade to the ground-breaking G1 (the first of its kind). Since the G1 ushered in the era of the mirrorless system camera the Panasonic GF1, Olympus PEN and Sony NEX have taken the concept in ever more compact direction, and Samsung has launched a direct competitor (the NX10), but the G1 (and now G2) still has a lot to offer. With excellent handling, a comprehensive feature set and excellent performance it feels and acts like a 'real' camera, but it also works surprisingly well as a superior 'point and shoot' for the novice user too.

In conclusion then, the G2 is very much the camera we'd hoped the G1 would be. The touch-screen is a nice (if often redundant) bonus, and if the sensor and kit lens was just a little better we'd be giving it our very highest award. As it is, I'd have no qualms about recommending it to a friend, and whilst it lacks the glamorous design or ultra compact dimensions of some mirrorless system cameras, it is a far better all-rounder and has the real, unarguable advantage of an excellent viewfinder that you'll be thankful for when the sun shines brightly. My only final comment would be that if you can live without the video mode, right now the G1 is an absolute bargain by comparison, so don't write it off just yet... ”

DPReview's rating:

- 3.5

Complete review here

“ The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 adds a genuinely useful interactive touchscreen interface and high-definition movies to the already proven design of the G1, resulting in a fast, intuitive and fun DSLR-like experience in a light and compact package.

The new touch-sensitive screen further enhances the refined interface of the G1 and G10 cameras, delivering all the convenience and more of a compact camera shooting experience in a DSLR-like package that is smaller and lighter than most DSLRs. Panasonic have wisely ensured that only certain key features can be configured by tapping the screen, rather than simply making everything accessible in this way, creating a hybrid interface that genuinely speeds up the camera's operation. You don't have to use the touchscreen at all, but you'd be mad not to.

The free-angle, rotating LCD and high-resolution electronic view-finder of the 18-month old G1 have thankfully been retained on the G2 (they were both dropped from the new entry-level G10). Subsequently the near-seamless Live View experience doesn't feel as though it has been literally forced into the overall design, as with the Live View function on the majority of DSLRs, so users looking to move-up from a point-and-shoot compact should definitely consider the G2.

As with the G10, the G2 can also record 720p HD movies, with the added extra of being able to so in the more memory-card friendly AVCHD format, radically reducing the overall file sizes that Motion JPEG creates. There's also the added bonuses of stereo sound and a socket for an external microphone, making this the most video-friendly G-series camera, with the exception of the even better-specced GH1 model.

At £699 / $799, the G2 is substantially more expensive than the new entry-level G10 model, £200 / $200 more expensive in fact, so if you don't need the touchscreen interface, articulating LCD or AVCHD format movies, the G10 makes more financial sense whilst delivering otherwise identical functionality and image quality. If your budget allows, though, we'd recommend that that you opt for the more capable, more intuitive and ultimately more fun Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2... ”

PhotographyBLOG's rating:

- 4.5

Complete review here

“ During testing the G2 provided me with plenty images with excellent sharpness across the frame, all without breaking my back die to the small size and light weight. Priced at £590, it is a little more expensive than an entry-level SLR costs, but whether this represents good value or not will entirely depend on your personal outlook.

If size (and weight) mean everything to you and the other, less SLR-like Micro Four Thirds cameras don't appeal, this may well be the camera for you... ”

ePhotozine's rating:

- 4

Complete review here

“ I was impressed with the Panasonic Lumix G2. It's a solidly-built, well constructed camera. All of the controls work smoothly and quickly. The camera's many dedicated buttons mean that you rarely have to consult the menu, something I greatly appreciated. The swiveling LCD is a pleasure to use, as is the high resolution electronic viewfinder.

While the touch screen technology built into the LCD did not appeal to me, I imagine there are those who would find it a very attractive feature. The G2's image quality is very good - perhaps not DSLR quality, but not far behind. The camera's outdoor images are uniformly sharp with very little distortion and natural (though perhaps slightly saturated) color. I found the white balance to be a bit off in the indoor images but, like the outdoor images, they are sharp with good color. The G2's high definition video works well.

My only real issue with the G2 is its price. With a list price of $200 more than the very similar G10, I wonder how many buyers will opt for the G2 based on its higher resolution viewfinder and articulated touch screen LCD monitor. However, I'm sure those who do decide to purchase the G2 will be very happy with it, as it is an excellent camera... ”

DigitalCameraReview's rating:

- 4.5

Complete review here

“ Buy this camera if:
- You're transitioning from a digicam to a more sophisticated camera and want straightforward controls and logical, easy-to-use menus. The touch screen is a big plus for buyers in this category.
- You're interested in capturing and adjusting raw files (there's plenty of potential in the G2's raw files but you need better software than the bundled application to exploit it).
- You want to shoot high-definition video and don't demand Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels).
- You wish to make a style statement (red and blue DSLR-like bodies will still generate interest).

Don't buy this camera if:
- You plan to leave the camera on full-auto for all shots.
- You need a pocketable camera (the G2 isn't).
- You want to use ultra-wide lenses (the only ones available are Four Thirds System lenses).
- You only shoot JPEG images... ”

PhotoReview's rating:

- 4.5

Complete review here

“ At first glance the Panasonic G2 may seem like a G1 with an HD Movie mode latched on - but it's oh so much more of a success than that. After getting to grips with the new touchscreen LCD it becomes apparent that both first-time and more advanced users can garner a lot from this system. The variety of lenses available to expand on the system puts current competitors in the shade, Panasonic's contrast-detect AF system is class-leading and the new Movie mode is highly functional. At just under £600 it's not the cheapest Micro System camera on the market, and the highest ISO settings do suffer from excess image noise. These small issues brushed aside, though, and if you're willing to work with an Electronic Viewfinder, the G2 is a standout Micro Four Thirds camera... ”

WhatDigitalCamera's rating:

- 4.5

Complete review here

“ The G2's touchscreen functionality aligns it with where all current technology is headed - from the mobile phone in your pocket to the ticket machine you buy train tickets from. Far from being gimmicky, touch adds that extra dimension that makes perfect sense for quick-selecting AF points or utilising the camera's subject-tracking AF mode.

The G2's contrast-detect AF system is very snappy when compared to much of the competition out there and, while it's not going to see off a nippier DSLR system, it's certainly a class-leading, decent, useable alternative.

Sure the electronic viewfinder may not be to everyone's taste and high ISO image quality is a let down, but with a decent tilt-angle LCD screen, quality 720p HD movie, a whole bunch of customiseable Scene and My Color modes to add to the creative fun and a batch of decent (albeit expensive) additional lenses available the G2 shows the continued success of Micro Four Thirds. We like it a whole lot... ”

Pocket-lint's rating:

- 4.5

Complete review here

“ The Panasonic Lumix G2 is only an incremental upgrade from the original G1, but most of the changes are for the better. The touch-screen is, as always, just a gimmick, but the video mode is good. Build quality, performance and image quality are all still of a very high standard, but you can get better results from a full-size DSLR of the same price... ”

TrustedReviews's rating:

- 4.5

Complete review here

“ From most angles, the Lumix DMC-G2 nearly identical to the G1 that came before it. While it's compact for an interchangeable lens camera, there are "regular" D-SLRs that are smaller, and then there's the DMC-GF1 and Olympus E-PL1, that can fit in your pocket. The camera body is composite (plastic), yet it feels well put together. The body has a smooth, rubberized finish, though the grip feels a little slippery in your hand. The camera has more than its share of dials and buttons, but they're well labeled and usually serve just one function. The G2 has a Micro Four Thirds lens mount, which supports a growing collection of lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and Leica. It also supports "classic" Four Thirds lenses, and very classic Olympus OM and Leica M/R-mount lenses via optional adapters. Whichever lens you attach, there will be a 2X focal length conversion ratio. Unlike its Olympus counterparts, the DMC-G2 does not have image stabilization built in, relying instead on the lens to provide that feature... ”

DCResource's rating:

- 0

Complete review here

“ Its predecessor set new benchmarks for EVF quality, and also established a whole new category of mirrorless, interchangeable-lens digital cameras, so its natural that we'd expect a lot from the Panasonic G2. In many ways, the Panasonic G2 delivers, with the same high-resolution electronic viewfinder and the wide, articulating LCD, now enhanced with the magic of touch to set things like focus and simple Quick Menu selections.

Minor interface tweaks also make the Panasonic G2's operation a little more obvious, like making the Front dial into a Rear dial. Controls that are seen are more likely to be used, and this one was lost out on the front of the grip. We also like how they placed the Record button on the top deck, matching the GF1; what we don't like is how they slowed down video activation time, taking a second to start up and chopping more than a half second off the end of videos. Overall, though, the video performance of the Panasonic G2 has indeed improved, with good image quality, better subject tracking, and quite competent focus performance.

Autofocus is fast, still faster than most of the SLD competition, with much less wobbling as it seeks for focus than we see in the Olympus Pen cameras (though their performance has recently been improved with a firmware upgrade).

Where we have a little trouble is one of the areas they didn't perform a significant upgrade: The sensor. From what we can tell, this is the same sensor as is used in the Olympus and Panasonic cameras, save for the GH1, and it's starting to show its age, especially at higher ISOs. When we first looked at the G1, it was the first and only example of high ISO quality in a Micro Four Thirds sensor. Then came the Olympus E-P1, which did noticeably better at high ISO and at color rendition. The G2 still has the same high ISO problem that plagues its brethren starting at ISO 1,600, and it also inherits something from the Panasonic line in general: trouble with yellows. Indeed, yellows look green, and oranges look brown; very unflattering.

Still, printed performance is great, and if you shoot in RAW and develop in a program like Adobe Lightroom, you won't need to worry as much about the colors.

Optical quality went down just a bit from the original 14-45mm kit lens that shipped with the Original G1 and the GF1. It's still pretty good, though, especially after its tweaked a bit by software post-capture. The lens is light and simple and small, hiding in almost any pocket, which is the beauty of the system over an SLR.

Aspiring videographers should probably look into a GH1 while they're still around. They cost a pretty penny, but perform pretty well for video. Overall, the Panasonic G2 is a big improvement on the G1, offering a refreshing new way to interact with the camera. It will serve the needs of the enthusiast photographer and the consumer shooter looking for a high quality, yet light weight digital photography solution, whose accessories and lenses will fit in the smallest of camera bags. It's a Dave's Pick... ”