++++++++++++ PROCESSING / haptics ++++++++++++
As soon as you touch first, you realize that you hold here a serious camera in hand. Everything is super processed and the metal casing feels great. The imitation leather that the GM1 clothe, gives it a very sophisticated look.
Is clouded this impression only of the little fiddly rotating wheel made of plastic on the back.
# Interim conclusion: Overall, there is therefore little to complain about what I have at the price but also expected.
+++++++++++ HANDLING / Ergonomics +++++++++++++
> Handling
With the size of course you can not expect a perfect handling. Overall, the camera is but still quite good in the hand. The Ummantlung ensures a good grip. With the optional handle this can be improved again. Too bad this was not integrated with the same. Because through the bottom plate of the handle one adds unnecessary weight and barred even the battery / SD card Fack. For people with large hands, the camera is also not recommended to handle rather less.
> Keys
The keys are already advised quite small, but can also prevent bad. The arrangement fits but all are within easy reach. Unfortunately, the mode dial is not above the edge of the case, so you could turn it from behind with the thumb. One must always take for the second hand to help and turn from above.
Also at the top there is a dial for the AF mode, which can be operated somewhat cumbersome also. Also I would have wished for a setting here with the changing more frequently than or equal to a general command dial instead of the small on the back. This is in fact very small fiddly to use. It takes quite a flair for the turn not to press one of the buttons, which are also on. Sony gets these rotary wheels at at its cameras much better way.
> Ergonomics
Despite some shortcomings in the handling that goes adjust the parameters with the GM1 very well out of hand. Many important settings are already on a button and the rest is done via the touchscreen. This is an excellent intuitive and all parameters can be adjusted in a few seconds. Panasonic has come up with as many think of little things that I do not want any mention to take you to your destination with a minimum of clicks. This allows the Quick Menu Customize to his wishes and on the touch screen are five Fn keys are available, each can be assigned with functions as desired.
# Interim conclusion: From the handling ago So there are quite a few deficit, to which one can get used to more and less. Through many subtleties it is Panasonic but managed to produce a very good workflow, in which you can adjust all parameters with just a few clicks.
+++++++++++ EQUIPMENT ++++++++++++++
> Functions
When functions with Panasonic cameras are already since the tip. This also makes the GM1 no exceptions you really find everything you could possibly imagine. Only when the video function the little towards the larger Panasonic cameras must be something springs. So no 50p video are possible, but only 50i. Otherwise was in GM1 but nothing worth saving. Personally, I've missed anything, even though I'm always very meticulously since.
> Hardware
The display has just over 1 million pixels at very high and therefore very sharp and brilliant. In strong sunlight can be seen then, but not much. A folding function is missing also, what I think is a pity. However, the camera acts as at least as a unified whole.
Furthermore, does the mechanical shutter only to 1 / 500s, what a meaningful way, the area is the one needed for most images. With faster shutter speeds, the electronic shutter is automatically used.
A weak built-in flash is also available. I would rather have liked instead a hot shoe, but this is certainly a matter of taste.
The battery is due to the size a bit small and weak. I managed never more than 300 shots on a single charge.
# Interim conclusion:
Technically you get so well conditioned, something little offered by the size. No folding screen, no hot shoe, no viewfinder (not optional), low battery power. For every represents the functional Compact and DSLR's also much in the shadows.
+++++++++++ Autofocus / SPEED ++++++++++
As with all Panasonic cameras, the autofocus of GM1 is very fast. Above all, it is very fast even in low light. The burst rate is max. 5 B / s most certainly not top, but more one also seldom actually need to never.
The switch is also exemplary, less than 1 sec. and the camera is ready.
The AF is solely based on contrast measurement without phase detection. This can happen sometimes that you accidentally targeted the background, if you have limited the AF not accordingly. This can be adjusted fortunately very fine. From almost complete coverage of the image to focus on a point, anything is possible. There are then also the great Touch AF, in which you can select whether you want to move the AF point with your fingers or whether it should trigger the same touch.
# Interim conclusion: The autofocus responds quickly and very precisely, even in low light. Combined with the Touch AF makes photography easy then only fun class!
+++++++++++++ IMAGE QUALITY / LENS +++++++++++++++++
> Lens
The new 12-32mm covers a fairly small range of focal lengths from, but has quite a lot with 12mm wide angle and is this very compact. Unfortunately this was not no place for a manual focus ring. Although you can focus manually via the touchscreen, but that's really no revelation. I'm not at all got along in my few days of testing it. Probably because you need a lot more settling time.
From the imaging performance fro the Small, however, can again convince mostly. In the center it is about the entire zoom range really very hot. Only towards the corners takes the focus quite strongly from what also changes only slightly dimmed. In some tests, is 40-50% loss of sharpness in the corners of the speech, which is already quite a lot. A visible barrel distortion hardly occurs especially at 12mm, about then. Chromatic aberrations were corrected very well and I almost did not noticed.
> Image Quality
In the GM1 the same sensor shall be installed as in the more expensive GX7. This I have not at hand, but after comparing some test pictures I can attest to that.
Compared to other compact cameras, the image quality is worlds better. Even compared to the good and about the same expensive Sony RX100 II image quality is visibly better.
It has also been due to the larger sensor of course a much better potential exemption, than comparable cameras in the order. Equipped with a corresponding fixed focal length great sharpness curves are possible.
Until ISO 1600 really are great and very low-noise images possible. At ISO 3200 the recordings for smaller printouts are still good, but at higher ISO values you should engage only in an emergency. Although you can wegbügeln the noise with the noise reduction, but doing the pictures will be high level of detail and the colors quite queasy.
# Interim conclusion: The GM1 make it the first camera the size advantage of the MFT format towards larger sensors exploit much image quality in a compact camera housing with dimensions. The image quality of compact it provides this easy in the shade and can compete with many much larger cameras.
++++++++++++ CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++
Panasonic has done with the GM1 a step in the right direction. A camera with excellent picture quality that you simply can put in your pocket and is made for it to be always at hand. One feature that is often underestimated. Whether one makes a bike ride, visiting a city or simply only goes to college or to work, good motives are waiting everywhere. A camera to capture this in better quality and with nice blur course but it has often not there.
The price is certainly not without, but who is looking for a take-along camera with excellent image quality could certainly be happy with the GM1.
But I recommend everyone the camera is in retail time to look at and to hold in your hand, because it is really small and the handling does not appeal to everyone. That's the price you have to pay for compactness but.
++++++++++++++ ALTERNATIVES +++++++++++++++
>>> Sony RX100
The RX100, there are now for almost 400 EUR. In the low ISO range, the RX100 and GM1 take certainly not much. But starting at ISO 800 and even at ISO 1600 and higher, the GM1 can sell something and simply shows more details that were already weggebügelt by the RU with the RX100. This is mainly due to the smaller sensor which also allows less potential exemption. The GM1 provides more professional approach - all parameters can be adjusted quickly by the touch screen and the feature set is even more extensive.
For this, the RX100 is still more compact and its lens is brighter (F1.8-F4.9) and also covers a wider focal length range (28-100mm vs. 24-64mm).
>>> Sony RX100 II
The RX100 is the most direct competitor to GM1 for me. In the RX100 II applies the same as to the RX100. However, it costs about 600 EUR. For the RX100 II provides a folding screen and a hot shoe, to which, an external viewfinder can attach.
Another disadvantage of RX100er is that you can screw any filter on the lens.
The choice between one of the RX100er and GM1 is certainly a matter of taste.
Who is the English speakers find the following link a very nice comparison video:
[Link will not be displayed here, which is why I wrote it in a comment to the review.]
>>> Olympus E-PM2
Another cheap alternative for only close to 380 EUR. The picture quality is at least as good as that of the GM1 and a hot shoe for an optional external viewfinder she also owns. In addition, the image stabilizer component is integrated, so that prime lenses are stabilized.
However, the E-PM2 has no mode dial and the touch screen control has been poorly integrated. Thus, it takes much longer for the setting of many parameters and everything is a little more complicated than in the case of GM1.
Last and definite problem is that the camera is not as compact as the GM1 and therefore rather less pocket fit.
