Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Review - Features

This would be the second part review of my trusty Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 which have been with me for the past couple of weeks. If you haven't yet, do check out my unboxing and first looks post linked here (Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Review - Unboxing & First Looks). I must say, after using it for numerous events snapping everything from food pictures, portrait photos, some random model catwalk show, the outcome was satisfying to say the least. 


Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Review - Features
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Review - Features


One thing I love about this camera, being a Micro Four Third camera type, all Micro Four Thirds lenses will work, and are interchangeable. I'm still on the 12-32mm F3.5-5.6 default kit lens though. Switching on the camera itself will not engage the lens, requiring a simple twist of the barrel to extend the front portion of the lens and engage it. The 12-32mm lens is of almost equal depth to the GM1 with the front portion retracted. Fully extended, it's almost twice the depth of the camera itself!

 Switching on the camera itself will not engage the lens, requiring a simple twist of the barrel to extend the front portion of the lens and engage it
Switching on the camera itself will not engage the lens, requiring a simple twist of the barrel to extend the front portion of the lens and engage it
The Lumix GM1 with lens extended, flash popped up, photographed with my matching Seiko Orange Monster watch
The Lumix GM1 with lens extended, flash popped up, photographed with my matching Seiko Orange Monster watch

The features of the Lumix GM1 includes a fixed 3.0 inch touchscreen LCD with 1040dots. The touch screen even though useful, but my fingers keep on accidentally touching it and activating some of the on screen functions. It wasn't until much later that I figured out a way to lock the screen during photo taking. The camera can take go up to max. shutter speed of 1/16,000 sec (electronic shutter) and 1/500 sec (mechanical shutter).


The rather large touch screen size in comparison with the small camera size.
The rather large touch screen size in comparison with the small camera size.

As there are very few buttons and dials located on the Lumix GM1 due to its tiny size, majority of its function can only be accessed in the menu inside. Fortunately there is 6 customizable Fn buttons (1 physical, 5 virtual) for me to set my favourite feature or settings. Using the camera, even for newbies is a breeze, especially using the Intelligent Auto mode which gives commendable images, smart enough to give an almost perfect setting for great picture quality. 


In-built flash
In-built flash
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 in-built flash which can be tilted using the finger to 'bounce' off surfaces
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 in-built flash which can be tilted using the finger to 'bounce' off surfaces

Most camera's in-built flash can be too harsh and bright due to its fixed location, and its inability to 'bounce' off surfaces when we need to. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 in-built flash has this flexible spring mechanism which can be tilted using the finger to shoot upwards or any angle from 0 to 90 degrees upwards. 


The simple to use menu interface of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
The simple to use menu interface of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1

The Lumix GM1 offers a useful silent mode (at least to me), turning off all camera beeps, AF lamp and enabling the electronic shutter. It's really quiet, something I appreciate after using my other cameras. As with most cameras of this type, there are the usual retouch feature, which I rarely use, as I prefer to do my touch ups post shots on the PC. 

My favourite function, the Wi-Fi capability of the Lumix GM1
My favourite function, the Wi-Fi capability of the Lumix GM1
Sending a photo direct from the camera to my smartphone is a breeze with the Lumix GM1
Sending a photo direct from the camera to my smartphone is a breeze with the Lumix GM1

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 offers Wi-Fi for sharing photos wirelessly and taking control of the camera remotely. Yes, you can control the camera direct from your smartphone! It offers access to a comparatively wide array of shooting settings in remote shooting mode, available for iPhone or Android users by way of Panasonic's free Image App. I love the Wi-Fi connectivity option, and use it extensively to send photos taken from the camera to my iPhone to share on my social media platforms. Thumbs up for this feature. 

For now, I must say, I'm pretty well pleased with this latest acquisition of mine and will be using it frequently during the events I attend. Do look out for my subsequent posts on the image quality and performance of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1. 


Comments

  1. Wah!! This camera looks and sound good! What's the retail price?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oops! That's me by the way :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yup! How much? Maybe I should consider getting a new one, been using the old one for quite a long while already.

    ReplyDelete
  4. the only thing i hate is the battery life.. huhu..

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bro Suituapui and Foongpc,

    the retail price for the GM1 with kit lens is RM2499 :)

    ReplyDelete

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