Which camera is the best - that's pointless to discuss - if you write a review, then they should stay in the league of compact system cameras - and I am doing here again.
It has become something a lot of text - but I have tried to describe the functions to the extent - that was missing so far here in the reviews in detail.
As a reason for acquiring the Lumix G2 I had made different specifications that had to be met. A reflex camera was not an option due to the fact that the SLR brands Canon and Nikon etc. somewhat larger and especially heavier was not filled with these and other DSLR manufacturers the first set. The Micro Four Thirds system, the G2, which I possess 14-45 kit Pbjektiv with that is compact and meets all requirements as follows:
The requirements:
1) Lightweight and compact
2.) Small Lenses
3.) Of the options broadly
4.) HDR with Autobracketing
5.) Large image sensor
The Lumix G2:
Well packed in a cardboard box came the camera with the 14-45mm kit lens on the lens with the dust cover on the bayonet and the lens and a lens hood is additionally provided with a sturdy nylon bag as a lens case. Also included is the battery and charger and a shoulder / carrying strap. A dust cover for the camera without a lens is also included. A manual in multiple languages is also included - but the instructions are very slaying and not really suitable for the beginner. Here we are working with screens and exposures and shutter speeds and incredibly many symbols to explain in writing. For beginners, I recommend a book by Frank Späth, the "Lumix system Fotoschule"
For the complete layman and for beginners there is a smart mode, which can be activated with a single button [iA], the mode will automatically detect the selected scene and really works amazingly accurate. It is differentiated automatically between landscape, sunset, macro, and faces - the face recognition is doubly intelligent - it differs baby and adults and may even notice some faces. This mode is made impressive - Respect -
In addition, an advantage the swiveling display which is a touch screen and the viewfinder with diopter compensation is also suitable for eyeglass wearers, even the touch screen automatically turns dark when you look through the viewfinder.
The touch panel can be folded completely turned with the display to the camera and thus has good protection in the pocket.
For the functions of the camera, there are five dials, two for autofocus, a. For the modes, one for continuous shooting and Autobracketing and one for the adjustment of the aperture and / or shutter speed This has the advantage that you can make without the menu to visit quick settings
The battery has a good capacity and so I have on average a photo yield of about 650 images.
Functions modes:
Who would like to try it without the automatic, which can also determine the different modes yourself:
1) Programmed Auto as known from DSLRs
2.) Manual determination of aperture with automatically adjusted shutter speed
3.) Manual determination of shutter speed automatically adjusted aperture
4) Manual determination of aperture and shutter speed
5.) personally programmable setting that is stored
6) Video function
7. Can choose) Scene selection manually (one sunset, Party, baby1, baby2, animal, portrait with background blur)
(Select 8) night mode can be portrait, landscape, lighting, creative)
(Select 9) macro can flower, food, objects, creative)
10. to select) Sports (one normal, outside, inside, creative)
(Select 11) landscape can normally Naturaufnahme, architecture, creative)
(Select 12) Portrait can be normal, beautiful skin, outside, inside, creative)
13) own colors (here you can set various color spaces, such as retro or Exopressiv or define yourself, etc.)
A wealth of features that you can also initially left the [IA] -automatic - so both are possible out of the box good results as well as by self-set parameters.
The video function is actually not bad, the videos have a good quality - but I use this feature very rare. Photos are my priority and that's why I'm not going to continue this function.
Sample videos recorded with the G2 can be found partly in the Internet.
Features auto focus and flash:
Manual Focus and Auto Focus can be adjusted - with the AF with several settings is also possible. There are four different AF settings, sufficient of facial recognition on more field to the whole picture - very extensive and in turn adjustable in each case a number of parameters. In addition, there is a touch autofocus that works really awesome - just type in the object and the autofocus follows the object no matter where it moves.
The flash can be programmed, both in brightness and in the flash sequence - so you can for example in the evening a longer exposure with a flash generate to the end of the exposure time, the so-called curtain flash one uses for example for portraits with a skyline as a backdrop. Again, there is an impressive setting.
HDR and Burst:
For the more adventurous photographer, there is a feature that helps HDR images - it's called Autobracketing - here are seven of the camera photos taken at different exposures, there is here a range of -2 to +2 stops. The seven images you can create an HDR image with a program (eg Photomatix).
Continuous shooting of three images in a row also works, the series is not limited to three pictures - in holding the shutter release button makes the camera as many pictures as you want - three frames per second.
Formats:
Be added depending on the setting in format JPG or RAW and that means - you can pick up to two levels of quality JPG (high and normal), or two levels of quality in JPG and RAW at the same time or just RAW. This is a great feature because you so not have to decide whether one should use RAW or JPG - for continuous shooting, however, is for JPG and RAW at the same time a very fast SD card necessary (Class 8 or 10)
The objective:
The lens is very well made, the bayonet is made of metal. In practical operation shows up grade with this kit lens, the light intensity, it is impressive luminous intensity and the autofocus is very fast, the lens is optically stabilized. Here I have noticed no distortion or the like. With an additional close-up lens +1 diopter I do with it even macro studies at short distances of about 6 cm. (To which I have images published)
The field of application of the kit lens is applied relatively wide, you can with 14mm already talking about a very slight wide angle and 45mm objects already slightly remote pick get close - the field of application is intended for universal - A telephoto of 45-200 I bought additionally for longer distances.
Conclusion:
A good camera with potential that need not fear comparison with semi-professional DSLRs and can - it's a completely different system - The advantage here lies namely in the system ansich - the sensor, the adjusted in conjunction with the lenses and the system, which made Therefore was kept compact, speaks a clear language - compact with potential - and that is certainly also the application range of this camera.
A DSLR for professional photography it will surely not replace - but they will be able to be the supplement.
Two professional photographers who I know well, the G2 bought as fast camera to supplement the camera arsenal and these two have me just advise to buy this camera system.
There is a price for the system certainly many points of view - but the difference in choice of lenses and their prices is not very large compared with the DSLR competition - one should keep in mind how much is in the Micro Four Thirds technology of G2 lenses.
For me there is therefore no reason to deduct a star.
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Added on 15.12.2010
The camera with the kit lens 14-45mm and 45-200 mm zoom lens a telephoto lens has arrived 100-300 mm for at least one month yet. The photographs are all sharp and have natural colors, the camera does exactly what it should - it's fun.
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Added on 03/03/2011
To avoid misunderstandings, I have the 14-45mm kit lens G2 which has a metal bayonet. The lens has a plastic bayonet 14-42.
As before - buy recommendation
