Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Review: More of a Good Thing

The GX1 features the micro four thirds lens mount and sensor, in this case a 16 megapixel live MOS sensor and Venus Engine processor. The camera has a 160-12800 ISO sensitivity range, and as with all Four Thirds/Micro Four Thirds system cameras a 2x crop factor (35mm equivalent). The camera can capture still images in JPEG, RAW or RAW/JPEG formats and video in full 1080 HD resolution. The GX1 uses a contrast autofocus (AF) system that includes a new AF flexible (AFF) mode that locks focus with a half push of the shutter button but then automatically re-adjusts the focus point if the subject moves. The 3.0-inch LCD monitor offers a touch control interface that can be used to set focus and trip the camera shutter.

Intelligent auto (iA) and intelligent auto plus (iA+) modes offer fully automatic shooting for both still and video capture along with scene and creative control modes - full manual controls are also available.

Video recording is a one-step operation via a dedicated video capture button and the camera accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC memory media including UHS-1 standard SDHC/SDXC cards. Lens compatibility includes Lumix G lenses as well as any interchangeable lens that complies with the Four Thirds System standard via an optional mount adapter.

Panasonic includes a battery and charger, body cap, USB connection cable, shoulder strap and CD-ROM software with each camera. The GX1 is slated to be offered in black and silver variants as a body only, in kit form paired with powered or manual zoom versions of the Lumix 14-42mm lens or as a two lens kit adding the Lumix 14mm prime lens to the manual zoom.

MSRP for the body only is $700; the body with 14-42 power zoom lens is $950 while the body and the 14-42 manual zoom are $800. No price was given for the double lens kit.