It has had to wait a month after the announcement of technological Micro 4 / 3 appear to see the first goal to bridge digital interchangeable. Launched jointly by Olympus and Panasonic, partners long enough for what is the design of reflex, this technology is now concrete in the form of Lumix DMC-G1.

What is the G1, hybrid aircraft, mid-reflex mid-compact? One could almost say it is an apparatus "manifest" that addresses the myths that want a powerful device is bulky, cumbersome and complex to use. As far as congestion, this model reduces it by abandoning the mirror SLR in favor of a system referred electronic (+ viewfinder screen rear), which helps reduce congestion by 50%. In making this choice, G1 deprives us of the undeniable qualities of the referred reflex (foremost among them the brightness) and replace them with those of the electronic referred well known to all users of compact and bridges: the preview in real time and displaying information on the screen.



The thorny issue caused by this change is that the clarity of sight, knowing that so far covered electronic devices have never matched the optical devices. Only tests can say what is in the case of G1, but given the fact sheet, we can now imagine that a step was taken, his viewfinder and its screen with a special resolution high, a cooling of about 60 frames per second and an automatic adjustment of brightness depending on the environment. It also notes that Panasonic has opted for a device that automatically switches the display on the viewfinder or on the screen depending on the position of the eye. The original framing (raz soil, above a crowd), would then be facilitated by the fact that the screen is tilted (180 degrees horizontally and 270 degrees vertically).



Regarding the simplicity of use, G1 then forward to having a smart automatic mode which includes six devices: the optical stabilization, which is activated when moved, that of Iso Intelligent if there is a moving subject, that of detecting faces for better development and better exposure, the detection of the scene for a commutation in the automatic mode most appropriate, the detection of light to an automatic adjustment of one of the screen and the auto tracking to facilitate the capture of moving subjects. It also notes that while it is complete in terms of priority and manual modes, G1 makes extensive use of scene modes (about 25 are present here), intended to reassure users beginners. However, strangely, at a time when the video remains the main argument of compact and bridges, and where it becomes possible on the same reflex (see the announcement of the Nikon D90), the Lumix G1 is dead on the mode. This is a compromise surprising for a device that appeared well placed to enjoy the best of both technologies and that its manufacturer equipped with a mini-HDMI output for connection to a TV.



This bridge, which draws upon the principle of reflex interchangeable lenses for the coup becomes vulnerable to dust that may be deposited on the sensor when changing lens, Panasonic responding to the problem by providing a protective device using a filter supersonic. As far as the compatibility of optical, we note that the G1 uses new Micro 4 / 3 and may also accept the conventional 4 / 3 provided to use an adapter. A gain in space and weight is again made possible because of the reduction in the diameter of the mount. This gain may be particularly interesting in the case of wide-angle and telephoto super whose construction optical complex has an impact on congestion. It finally holds that two objectives have now been announced, a Lumix G VARIO 14-45 mm f / 3,5-5,6 ASPH and a Lumix G VARIO 45-200 mm f/4-5, 6, both stabilized.



  • Here are the main specifications:
  • Catcher: Live MOS 4:3 of 12.11 million pixels
  • Display: LCD 3 "460 000 pixels
  • Viewfinder: Electronic 100% 1 440 000 pixels, 1.4 x magnification
  • Sensitivity: 100 to 3 200 Iso
  • Flash: synchro 1 / 160 seconds
  • Shutter speed: 1 / 4 000 in 60 seconds
  • Support registration: SD / SDHC / MMC
  • Power: Lithium Ion battery


Still to report an unusual characteristic for this type of aircraft, see quite unusual: the declination of the housing in three colors, black, red and blue. As the price and availability of Lumix G1, they are not yet known, this device has for now been announced that only by the Panasonic Japan.