Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

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    Highlights

    • 16 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
    • 160 - 12,800 Native ISO
    • 23 Focus Points (23 Cross-type)
    • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
    • 4.2 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 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-GX1 was announced in 2012 and is a Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) Mirrorless camera with 16 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 160 to 12,800. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 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 -GXx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Panasonic -GXx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GX9
    Compare
    		February
    2018    		 20.3 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    1,240k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GX850
    Compare
    		January
    2017    		 16 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GX85
    Compare
    		April
    2016    		 16 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GX8
    Compare
    		July
    2015    		 20.3 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Articulated 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GX7
    Compare
    		November
    2013    		 16 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Tilting 3.0"
    1,040k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GX1 February
    2012    		 16 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 160 - 12,800 Fixed 3.0"
    460k dot
    Touchscreen

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 vs Lumix DMC-GX850 vs Lumix DMC-GX85 vs Lumix DMC-GX8 vs Lumix DMC-GX7 vs Lumix DMC-GX1.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Light - 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz)
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   Small Sensor
    •   160 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 55
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   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 - 300 shots

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

    AVERAGE

    •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   23 Focus Points
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.2 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

    Successor

    In 2013 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 was replaced by Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
    Higher Native ISO 25,600 vs 12,800
    Timelapse Recording vs
    Center Autofocus vs
    Image Stabilization Sensor Shift vs
    Screen Type Tilting vs Fixed
    Higher Resolution Screen 1,040k dot vs 460k dot
    Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/320 sec vs 1/160 sec
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 718 vs 703
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.6 vs 20.8
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.2 vs 10.6
    Higher DxO Overall Score 70 vs 55
    Built-In Wi-Fi vs
    Longer Battery Life 350 shots vs 300 shots
    DOWNGRADES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
    Higher Native ISO 200 vs 160
    Heavier 402 g (0.89 lb / 14.18 oz) vs 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 vs Lumix DMC-GX7.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed Touchscreen

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 has a 3.0" Fixed touchscreen with 460k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.

    Camera does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

    Sensor

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 features a 16 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 160 - 12,800.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1'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 FHD processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3448 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4576 x 3056, 4576 x 2576, 3424 x 3424, 3232 x 2424, 3232 x 2160, 3232 x 1824, 2416 x 2416, 2272 x 1704, 2272 x 1520, 1920 x 1080, 1824 x 1368, 1824 x 1216, 1824 x 1024 , 1712 x 1712, 1712 x 1712 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 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-GX1.

    Panasonic GX85
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16 MP

    Panasonic GX8
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    20.3 MP

    Panasonic GX7
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16 MP

    Panasonic GX9
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    20.3 MP

    Panasonic GX850
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16 MP

    Sony FX30
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    26 MP

    Olympus OM-D E-M10 II
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16.1 MP

    Leica SL Typ 601
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24 MP

    Panasonic GF3
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12 MP

    Panasonic GF6
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16 MP

    Samsung NX200
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20 MP

    Sigma sd Quattro H
    Image cannot be found

    APS-H

    44.8 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 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/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1's shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 4.2 fps.


    Flash

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 7.60 m and also accepts external flash. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 has dimensions of 116 x 68 x 39 mm (4.57 x 2.68 x 1.54"). It weighs 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    116 mm (4.57")

    68 mm (2.68")

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    68 mm (2.68")

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    39 mm (1.54")

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    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 dimensions

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 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-GX1 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    69

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 gets a score of 69 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

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

    Sports Photography

    GOOD
    72

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 gets a score of 72 and is GOOD choice for Sports photography.

    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   23 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.2 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   23 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.2 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

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

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    83

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 gets a score of 83 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   23 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    83

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 gets a score of 83 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Evaluation

    We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and give score of 62 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
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    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 a score of 65 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Sensor Resolution - 16 Megapixel
    •   160 Lowest Native ISO
    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 55

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    55

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 a score of 55 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.2 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

    Video

    BAD
    16

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 a score of 16 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    GOOD
    75

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 a score of 75 for Focusing parameters.

    •   23 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    79

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 a score of 79 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

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

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 a score of 65 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-GX1 a score of 42 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 318 g (0.70 lb / 11.22 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots


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

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