Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 coming in November at $799 according to booth rep
By Joshua Fruhlinger 
posted Sep 30th 2008 3:39AM
posted Sep 30th 2008 3:39AM
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So this is loaded with Android, yeah?
I guess everyone is stuck in serious mode at this time of the morning...
"...but the proximity sensor that turns off the big display"
I thought most Sony dSLRs have that feature?
Most dSLR's have that feature... Both Canon EOS 450D and Nikon D60 that are within my reach distance at least have it.
"Most dSLR's have that feature"
Actually while the feature is found on most entry level DSLR now, it's rather uncommon to see it on a higher end bodies. Of course since most of their settings can be adjusted in either the viewfinder or top-mounted LCD, these cameras also aren't as dependent on their color LCDs in the first place
Can you elaborate on the "disorienting" part?
He's most likely referring to the slight video lag you get with an electronic viewfinder (compared to the instant "response time" of an optical one).
Any word on the G1 with video capability?
This is my big question as well. Sounds like it won't be on the G1 from the start, but Panasonic has been a little vague, saying only that it'll be available in the future. not sure if they mean on future models (like the G) or as some sort of firmware upgrade for the G1 as well. I really hope it's the latter.
Seeing those sturdy double-thick rings for the strap I wonder how heavy this thing is.
I think it is "optical illusion." Probably this are standard strap rings, but since camera is relatively small, the rings look big.
I dunno about that.
Not that I won't accept one if you give it to me though
But they do draw the eye somehow, those rings, even in the other shots they look very, perhaps overly, sturdy.
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/09/p1020558.jpg
Manly might be the word.
$799? So I gather the price was already adjusted to falling USD. Otherwise it is bit too expensive.
Even optical in-lens IS doesn't justify the price.
At this price it might become "toy camera of choice" for professionals, but I wouldn't expect it to have any significant impact.
The people who influence opinions with regards to photography, i.e. serious photographers, already have so much vested in standard mounts. They need to get this price point lower, and introduce some serious loss leader glass to lure ppl away from 35mm mounts to micro 4/3.
It's a bad choice for someone just getting into the more serious end of photography because the fate of the format is unknown. It's a bad choice for serious photogs cause none of their glass will work.
Panasonic has a *huge* hump to overcome with this, and so far it doesn't seem like the project has enough backing to make it. IMHO it will be just a side note in the evolution of photographic technology.
Im sorry I just find this to be the fugliest thing, im looking forward to olympus's micro 4/3 camera but this one is just soo ugly.
according to my panasonic rep this is actually a olympus camera in disguise... from what he told me it actually can/does use olympus lenses...
dont know how true this is but it might be a pretty similar camera...
also on a side note my proximity sensor on my nikon d60 seems to work just fine...
Is it me, or a D-SLR which is not black, doesnt really look like a camera that wants to be taken seriously?
It's avaible in black, but also in other colours, has full dslr functionality (save the optical view finder) and has no sensitive and heavy mechanical SLR components. For someone like me who wants to take their camera camping, canoeing, and mountain biking, this is the first "dslr" I've ever seriously considered...specifically because it's not technically a dslr.
@jorvay, it is an SLR in every way I can imagine. just because the image you're seeing through the viewfinder is digital rather that reflected off a mirror, that changes things for you? the form factor is exactly the same...
and yes, that color is hideous.
No, this camera is NOT a DSLR. DSLR stands for "Digital Single Lens Reflex: the mirror /prism combo that allows you to see the optical image directly through the lens to the eye piece. This camera does not contain a single lens reflex system. That's the whole point of micro-four-thirds cameras.
I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Those sensitive, moving optical components that make a camera an SLR are exactly what I want to avoid in a high-end, take-anywhere camera.
I just don't like the idea of lugging around a camera, bag full of lens, flash etc. I currently use a Panasonic FZ-50, 35-420, has a hot shoe. Yes, it has a little noise, in low light conditions, but I can fix that with photoshop. I only shoot 1-2000 photos a year, so I don't really "need" a D-SLR at this point. I lugged around a heavy camera & bag back in the 80's, SLR, lens, flash, do-dads etc. a "superzoom" is about all I need these days.
Dude, get a macro lens for this camera. My old man uses one with his FZ30: best macro results out there. The crazy depth of field makes macro shots so much easier. I'd argue that you have the most under-appreciated digital camera ever made.
Isn't $800 a bit expensive for an unproven format that could go the way of the Kodak Disc, APS, and many other "new" formats before it.
It's a nice concept, but I would rather buy a low end Canon or Nikon for the money.
Despite the picture of camera in-hand, I'm still having difficulty imagining the size of the camera. Also, what is the purpose of the fugly threads on the end of the lens?
For the use of filters...like all removable lenses have them.
That's where you mount this lenses hood and filter...
*lens's
Some sweet specs, but... why is it red?
Panasonic upgraded their game in the field of SLR. This camera is close to the Canon G1 and Nikon DLSR. This camera is a is very light compared the regular ones and this one comes with a additional lens and it's very tradional.