Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

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    Highlights

    • 12 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
    • 23 Focus Points
    • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
    • Electronic (Optional) Viewfinder
    • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
    • 30 min Video Recording Limit
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 was announced in 2009 and is a Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) Mirrorless camera with 12 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 3,200. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and built-in Electronic (Optional) viewfinder.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 can capture video up to 1280 x 720 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Panasonic -GFx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Panasonic -GFx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GF8
    Compare
    		February
    2016    		 16 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GF7
    Compare
    		February
    2015    		 16 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GF6
    Compare
    		April
    2013    		 16 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 160 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GF5
    Compare
    		April
    2012    		 12.1 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 160 - 12,800 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GF3
    Compare
    		August
    2011    		 12 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 160 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    460k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GF2
    Compare
    		February
    2011    		 12 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    460k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GF1 October
    2009    		 12 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    460k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 vs Lumix DMC-GF7 vs Lumix DMC-GF6 vs Lumix DMC-GF5 vs Lumix DMC-GF3 vs Lumix DMC-GF2.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)

    CONS

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 54
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   23 Focus Points
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

    Successor

    In 2011 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 was replaced by Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
    Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
    Touch Screen vs
    Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
    Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
    Lighter 310 g (0.68 lb / 10.93 oz) vs 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
    DOWNGRADES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
    Viewfinder vs Electronic (Optional)
    Lower Max Continuous Shooting 2.6 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Lower DxO Low Light ISO 506 vs 513
    Shorter Battery Life 300 shots vs 380 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 vs Lumix DMC-GF2.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 460k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Electronic (Optional) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Electronic (Optional) viewfinder.

    Sensor

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 features a 12 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1's Micro Four Thirds sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.3 x 13 mm224.9 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with Venus Engine HD processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2248, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1504 x 1504 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1.

    Panasonic GF3
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12 MP

    Panasonic GF7
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16 MP

    Panasonic GF2
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12 MP

    Panasonic GF5
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12.1 MP

    Panasonic GF8
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16 MP

    Panasonic GF6
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16 MP

    Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    20.4 MP

    Hasselblad X1D II 50C
    Image cannot be found

    Medium format

    50 MP

    Samsung NX10
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    15 MP

    Fujifilm GFX 100
    Image cannot be found

    Medium format

    102 MP

    Nikon D100
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6.1 MP

    Leica T Typ 701
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.3 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1's shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


    Flash

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has dimensions of 119 x 71 x 36 mm (4.69 x 2.8 x 1.43"). It weighs 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    119 mm (4.69")

    71 mm (2.8")

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    71 mm (2.8")

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    36 mm (1.43")

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    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 dimensions

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    64

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 gets a score of 64 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   23 Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    56

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 gets a score of 56 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   23 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    75

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 gets a score of 75 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   23 Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   23 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Evaluation

    We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and give score of 58 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    58

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 a score of 65 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 54

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    59

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 a score of 59 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

    Video

    BAD
    9

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 a score of 9 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 a score of 69 for Focusing parameters.

    •   23 Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    66

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 a score of 66 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    61

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 a score of 61 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    42

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 a score of 42 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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