Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 12Mp µ4/3s camera

Tried and tested

"there’s also a lot to be said for sticking with tried and tested technology - that’s why computer manufacturers kept the typewriter's Qwerty keyboard."

I doubt that. It was nothing to do with sticking with it for technological reasons, and rather more to do with the fact the masses are already used to keys being in certain places.

The technology attached to the keys of your modern PC keyboard is - you'll be shocked to learn - quite different to what you'll find attached to the keys of an old typewriter.

No thanks

If your samples are anything to go by, I think I'll stick with canon.

Crop factor 2x = inconvenient

To get a useful wide angle lens you're going to need something like a 12-24 as equivalent to a 35mm 24-48. Not cheap. If you want a fisheye, you're stuffed.

Oh, and £500? Way overpriced.

Exposed Sensor

Surely the mechanical shutter is in front of the sensor, meaning the sensor isn't exposed to the elements?

Paris, because she wouldn't put up with a micro four thirds.

Nice but...

I looked at one when I recently bought a DSLR camera although it is a good idea, you forgot to mention there are currently only 2 lens available at launch and they are quite pricey. I felt it has potential to go the way of Betamax

The advantage of the camera I eventually got it takes generic lens.

Overpriced, but possibly the dawning of a new era.

Yes its odd that the shutter is normally open, as it is when you swap lenses. It must close just before an exposure, open for the exposure then close again, then re-open to allow the viewfinder to work. Go figure.

Rumour has it that Olympus have some very nice looking micro-four-thirds cameras ready for launch.

And I'm sure Leica and Zuiko will come up with some very nice and compact wide angle and telephoto lenses before long.

Exposed sensor

The mechanical shutter is indeed normally open - it needs to be for the live viewfinder images to work!

Not quite there yet

I am quite excited by the concept of Micro Four-Thirds, and would love to get rid of my huge DSLR and monster lens in favour of something as small as this. But I think they need to cut the apron strings and try something more revolutionary. I'll wait till the G2 comes along!

foolish foolish foolish

Foolish taking pictures of a police car!

Many police think this is illegal! Such an act could have you fall downstairs on the way to the cells, or worse, as it is a digital camera - your entire IT equipment could be confiscated for years while they work out how to copy the hard disks.

if you need your IT equipment for business or employment, there risk that you will suffer bankruptcy!

If you need your IT equipment to file an accurate tax return, there is the risk that you might provide false information to the Inland Revenue!!

And finally, you may forget any passwords in the intervening years and then get years in the cells under RIP legislation!!!

!!!!

It's not worth it - much better to keep your head down and don't draw attention to yourself.

Or use a false ID when you take the photo - maybe of Jacqi Smith, or Jack Straw

I see you didn't take my advice

You should have taken my advice!

You've gone and taken pictures of money! European money!!

You'll have the European Secret Police after you!!!

!!!!

Hm...

I still don't see the point of this camera.

Only slightly smaller than a DSLR -- so why bother? It looks huge with that lens attached. Saving a few cubic centimeters is not so compelling. Want small, good camera then buy a Lumix (I used to have a DMC-TZ3 and it was quite decent, with a 10x zoom).

Some people mentioned it uses only its own (two) lenses. Even worse. Buy a DSLR and it usually uses legacy (and cheap and good) lenses, even if with some obvious limitations.

It might be that I'm not seeing something here, but either you're after something cheap(ish) to carry everyday/ to parties/ family vacations -- of which there are many nowadays with great image quality (mine is a Canon SX100 IS) -- or you are taking pictures "seriously", in which case the proper (D)SLR is the way to go (Pentax K10D for me).

Otherwise, why bother?

Revolutionary

This is as revolutionary in its way as the Sigma/Foveon cameras.

And the potential is fantastic. Given a couple of years design work and miniaturization (of price as well as size), this will be the one to beat.

Now if Panasonic and Sigma could work together to create a G-series/Foveon model - we'd be drowning in drool...

(Paris cos she's one to beat...)

soft focus?

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed the lack of sharpness. I found myself scrolling round a 1:1 magnified image trying to work out what the camera had focussed on!