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+++++ PROCESSING / HOUSING +++++
If you take the camera in your hand you are usually pretty surprised how easy it is, as one would expect from a pure sight ago but slightly heavier. At first she works by something cheap, because it is completely made of plastic. But if you look more closely you can see it, that the camera is meticulously crafted. The buttons and the triggers have a pleasant pressure point and the swiveling display can be moved great. The dial on the back is only a little stiff and does not move quite as smoothly. The rocker on the top feels to set parameters bit spongy, but has the advantage that you can zoom while filming her with liquid (with power zoom lens). On these things but you get used to usually fast, so that they a short time no longer notice.
My critical words likely to stir rather from the fact that I'm spoiled by the Olympus OM-D something, but that is also a bit more expensive. Overall, the Panasonic G6 is processed very good for the price.
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++++++ HANDLING / Ergonomics ++++++
Through the molded and rubberized grip the camera lies comfortably in the hand and all buttons and knobs are very good erreichtbar. It can happen, however, that you accidentally hit the Disp button is pressed, as this is very close to the thumb rest. Also, the distance between the handle and the lens, become smaller compared to G5. I had no problems, but people with big hands have since come into the enclosure with the lens. So rather earlier to try the specialty.
Since a total of five buttons on the back are assignable to any function, you really have all the functions that you use frequently, in any key. So is a lightning-fast parameter setting possible and there is a wonderful workflow. This one gets offered by other manufacturers only in cameras in the range of over 1000 EUR. Through the electronic viewfinder you have not even look at the display for the settings.
Overall, I found the handling and workflow while shooting just perfect and has me again much better liked than with my Olympus OM-D. The buttons have to be pressed for setting of certain parameters are chosen the right place. I never had the feeling that it would have otherwise fallen better. As for what I am usually very fussy and find otherwise at each camera something which would otherwise have been better during handling, but not in the G6. However, I must admit that the one might be a little overwhelmed by the abundance of features, keys and Einstellmöglickeiten beginning. If one has but once purely worked and hits it!
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++++++ EQUIPMENT / configurability ++++++
> Functions:
Here the Panasonic G6 can boast very large. It offers the best currently featured in this price segment. There is absolutely not what I was missing. It has absolutely everything I lack at the OM-D. I would like to now make any miseries long list, but the Panasonic G6 provides in terms of functionality and configurability currently any direct competitors in the shade. Of course, this suffering something the clarity of the menu, but can hardly avoid. However, I'd rather have a confusing and full menu as a simple and sparse. After a while one has since been incorporated and unerringly finds this menu item.
> Viewfinder:
In addition to the intrinsic values of course also include the outer. The viewfinder has a resolution of 1.44 million pixels, delivering through OLED technology, a high-contrast image. With a viewfinder magnification of 0.7x it is very large. In contrast, the exit pupil is only 17.5mm, making it to capture the entire viewfinder image for spectacle wearers how hard makes me. Without the eyes to move the corners remain outside the field of view, which is somewhat anstengend beginning. You get used to it after a while, but all spectacle wearers the viewfinder should first look at himself Specialists.
Switching is done by pressing a button or automatically by the eye sensor whose sensitivity can even change.
> Display:
The display has pixels with 1,040,000 on very fine and has a touch function. This is not as phoney as the Olympus OM-D, but was super integrated. Thus, all settings can also be very good to make by touching the screen. The display that also can be swiveled is a great touch and much more flexible than a folding function.
A particularly ingenious feature is that you can look through the viewfinder and can move with your finger on the touch screen the focal point. So the Touch focus is to use even if it is too bright to see anything on the screen - class!
Overall, the Panasonic G6 provides equipment that leaves nothing to be desired. Only a function I could not find the setting of squelch easy. Perhaps times can someone tell me where to find the, because I can not imagine that there is no such thing is not easy.
Wen is exactly what interested the G6 everything can and can not do so, which should be easy times Download the manual on the Panasonic website.
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++++++ Autofocus / SPEED ++++++
The autofocus works with a scanning frequency of 240 Hz. In my OM-D is only 120 Hz. Whether the autofocus thus is much faster I would not say now that I found out just no difference with my methods. What is certain, however, is that the Panasonic G6 the mirrorless competition from Sony and Fujifilm loosely dependent and most SLRs leaves behind.
However, one must keep in mind that you are dealing with a contrast auto focus which has many advantages, but also some drawbacks, of course. For example, is not the distance to the subject measured and it can happen that one focuses the background even though you did not want that. Therefore, the setting of the AF-right field is particularly important. Luckily here you have many options. In addition to face recognition and the entire AF area can also select only one field. This can be adjusted in size in 4 stages and move freely in the frame. In addition, you can also focus directly on a specific point, making extremely precise focusing is possible.
What I particularly noticed is positive, the short Einschaltedauer. Only about 1 sec. And the camera is ready. By contrast, my OM-D is downright lame.
The Serienbildgewindigkeit has 7 frames / sec (JPEG) and 6 frames / sec (RAW) very well. It is particularly impressive that they long so indefinitely by holding in JPEG. My OM-D is just under 9 frames / s somewhat faster, but after 15 frames it has reached its limit.
You get here so served a rapid autofocus which brings all the advantages and disadvantages of a contrast autofocus with it.
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++++++ IMAGE QUALITY / LENS ++++++
First of all, to the objective. I had the version with Lumix G F3.5-5.6 / 14-42mm, so the cheapest kit variants. The lens is meticulously crafted and the focus and zoom ring rotate very smoothly. From the imaging performance wise, it is certainly not the measure of all things, but overall it offers quite decent image quality and in the kit, it cost you only around 100 EUR.
My first tests with the camera showed sharp images. Especially to ISO 1600, the image quality is great and also ISO 3200 is still absolutely great for printing. Furthermore it is then something marginal. ISO 6400 is for smaller prints maybe just fine, but is about to be used only in absolute emergencies yet.
To give more significance to the test the image quality of course have always comparisons. That's why I picked four more or less direct competitors for comparison. Since I neither possess all cameras, still have laboratory conditions, I am referring to the additional test shots of imaging-resource.com, fotoMagazin and "color photo". And I've always compared the recordings 100-3200 (JPEG) with the lowest noise suppression and in the range of ISO together.
############## G6 vs. Panasonic Olympus OM-D E-M5 ################
Same sensor size, same number of megapixels and the test images were taken with the same lens. So a very fair comparison. The Olympus OM-D is also equal to deputy for the Olympus E-PL5, E-P5 and e-PM5, as these use the same image sensor.
>>> ISO 160 (200) 400
In this area, the noise is more visible than in the OM-D in the G6 in the 100% view. The OM-D is a bit sharper and more detailed. However, the difference is quite small.
>>> ISO 800 - 3200
From ISO 800 noise reduction engages (RU) at the G6 a visibly stronger, so that the images from here less noise as the OM-D. This is reflected negatively on the details though down, but less strong as I would have thought. The RU of Panasonic therefore works very well. The OM-D RU responds here somewhat more reserved and can be spared more details. Overall, even here the images of the OM-D are a little sharper and more detailed.
Though just barely, the OM-D can prevail in Micro Four Third duel against the G6.
################# Panasonic G6 vs. Sony NEX 6 ####################
A larger sensor, but the same number of megapixels provides the NEX 6. That should be reflected generally in estrus.
>>> ISO 100 (160) 400
Here, the images of the G6 little more noise, but this is really only available in the 100% view. Although the two cameras are here almost identical to has something better I like the G6. The test shots were a little sharper and more detailed.
>>> ISO 800 3200
By-increasing RU the G6 from ISO 800 is losing ground. The test shots of NEX 6 I liked consistently slightly better here. However, the difference is again quite low.
Overall, no clear winner here can determine what is remarkable for the G6, as it as it has a 1/3 smaller image sensor.
###################### Panasonic G6 vs. Samsung NX300 ######################
A larger sensor and 4 MP longer offers the NX300. That sounds like a pretty unfair duel. Let's see what comes out.
>>> ISO 100 (160) 200
Here the NX300 makes the benefits of which are on paper. The images are detailed and are characterized by lower noise. The Samsung NX300 is here again.
>>> ISO 400-3200
The NX300 rushes in this area a lot less. But that is at the very aggressive RU, who fall victim to many details. Even at ISO 3200 noise is barely recognizable, but also hardly Details. Many stands perhaps on those blank polished pictures, my case it is not. The RU of G6 operates much more reserved and can get so much more details. The pictures of the G6 are clearly better here.
For me here is the G6 is the clear winner against the NX300.
#################### Panasonic G6 vs. Canon EOS 100D ######################
A settlement which almost aufgrängt, because after all, take the two in terms of size very little. The Canon is, through the mirror, only slightly thicker and has larger sensor with two megapixels more. Well priced they are pretty close together. The 100D is also the same representative of the Canon 700D, which uses the same sensor.
>>> ISO 100 (160) - 400
The G6 is here much sharper, but this could be due to the different test objectives. However, the images of the G6 are somewhat detailed and the fine drawing of the details like a lot better than the 100D me. Overall, the images of the 100D noise (in the 100% view) less visible, but this is barely visible in the overall view.
>>> ISO 800
The RU of G6 intervenes more, so these are hardly make out differences between the two cameras at the noise. However, I like the pictures of the G6 in terms of details still better.
>>> ISO 1600 - 3200
The Canon 100D quite easy, but unpleasant color noise now even identify. When G6 is no trace. In terms of sharpness and detail the camera are on par now. The color noise of 100D disappears when the RU revs up a level.
Overall, I am very surprised. Up to ISO 800, the G6 is visibly better and even at ISO 1600-3200 it can only be obtained from the Canon 100D, but not obsolete.
The Panasonic G6 offers a total of a truly outstanding image quality, even if they have to admit defeat in the MFT-duel the Olympus OM-D. At the same time it also shows that you can take with APS-C format cameras it thoroughly.
Who really should be interested for the camera might just own time take a picture and compare the test shots on imaging-resource.com or other sources.
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++++++++ CONCLUSION ++++++++
The G6 is really the best Panasonic camera to date and is the larger and more expensive in GH3 little after. Especially the super features and great handling knowledge to inspire. Is garnished all with a rapid autofocus. Especially when it comes to facilities and handling it can not hold a candle to the spieglelose competition. For this purpose it is also currently one of the best mirrorless with integrated viewfinder. Therefore, of course, must also be made taps. Thus, the processing is very good, but not quite as high as with a Sony NEX 6, Fujifilm X-E1 or Olympus OM-D. But in terms of image quality they need to hide from anyone, because at a high level. From me there is therefore a strong buy recommendation.
Finally for lovers of hard numbers, my final vote:
Processing / Case >> 4.3 stars (12.5%)
Handling / ergonomics >> 4.9 stars (15%)
Features / Configurability >> 5.0 stars (15%)
Autofocus / Speed >> 4.8 stars (12.5%)
Picture Quality / Lens >> 4.5 stars (45%)
TOTAL >> << 4.6 stars
Note: The final rating is very subjective, since I as a benchmark may take only what I myself have been tested. Tests the camera but rather himself, if you do not you are uncertain:
Processing / Handling / ergonomics / AF - try> camera Specialists
Try Facilities / configurability download --------> manual / camera Specialists
Image quality -------------------------- compare> Test Images
