First Steps
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But let's start at the beginning of time, with unpacking. The package consists of
- Panasonic G6 Body with cap
- Kit lens 14-42mm / 3.5-5.6 Mega OIS f with 2 lids
- Battery
- External charger
- USB cable
- Shoulder strap
- Software CD-ROM, manual and warranty documents
Installation is quick, and after charging the battery it starts.
It is noticeable that the kit lens is very light and a plastic bayonet connection has.
With the major manufacturers this is now standard practice.
Reveal the first images that look is surprisingly good.
Sharpness, color fidelity and low vignetting in the "Tele" range take the first steps to success experience.
Of course, you must not ask too much of the small optics. The focal length range ISTR now time strak limited, and the light intensity is not record-breaking.
In particular, one needs therefore no thought to available-light photography, bokeh to waste exemption of the subject, etc.
But for the first steps it's just good.
Service
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The operation of the camera can be configured almost intuitively. But you should take the time to learn about the details more closely, because this camera offers plenty.
So z. B. 7 soft keys, with each photographer can make their personal settings as it sees fit.
The combination of touch and key operation I find enjoyable, the readability of the display is very good.
A special highlight is the high-resolution OLED viewfinder, which can arise almost feel like you are working with an optical viewfinder.
In contrast, however, he has to offer distinct advantages, such. As a 100% coverage and the ability to focus-zoom, of gold is worth just as Live View for Verweendung manual focus.
In addition, of course, he acts like a low-light situations in twilight un attending allows a significantly more comfortable working than with an optical viewfinder.
From the feel of her, we are dealing with a lightweight body that can not hide the fact that it is made entirely of plastic.
The control buttons are, however, provided with positive click action, and the switches have the advantage over previous models gained usability.
Only with the adjuster in the upper right corner on the back, times can be set with the z. B., I will probably not close friendship.
It drags a bit and catch steps act soapy and poorly defined. That's better, and Panasonic itself has such controls already realized in significantly better shape.
Otherwise, the service is fun and the camera is really very good in my hand (I have an average hand size in glove size 9.5)
The camera offers a wealth of scene modes and effects that you can read on the manufacturer's website.
In addition one can also refer to the manual, which is attached to printed but only in the form of a Quick Start Guide (approx. 50 pages).
Can download it at present either, but it is included on the gray CD as a PDF file.
This version is extensive and has at least 356 pages, which should be displayed at a quiet hour once.
The transmission of images and the remote control via WiFi with smartphone or tablet (tested on Motorola Defy + and Nexus 7) function properly. Just the app for Android (Panasonic Image app) for free download, install and connect the devices.
Picture quality and video
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Most important on a camera is for me always the picture quality, which I have made an extensive comparison test with the following cameras:
- Nikon 1 S1 with kit lens 10-30 mm (Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm)
- Nikon D 5100 with kit lens 18-55 mm (sensor size APS C, ie 23.1 x 15.4 mm)
- Olympus E 520 with kit lens 14-42 mm (sensor size Four Thirds, ie 17.3 x 13.0 mm)
- Panasonic G6 with kit lens 14-42mm (Micro Four Thirds sensor size, ie 17.3 x 13.0 mm)
As a result, one can note the following:
- The kit lenses irritate the capabilities of the cameras does not completely
- The smaller the sensor, the greater the problems in low light (noise)
- The ISO capabilities increase with the sensor size.
It is worth noting that compared between Oly E 520 and Pana G6 a significant development thrust has been recorded.
Despite having the same sensor size, the Panasonic is much better at higher ISO ranges than the Olympus.
At low ISO values up to 200 are no substantial differences between the Panasonic G6 and the Nikon D 5100 to determine with APS C sensor.
Here the results are even better than Nikon 1 and Olympus E 520th
For ISO values to 800 the Panasonic G6 rushes already slightly stronger than the Nikon D5100, ISO 1600, this effect is even more significant.
The performance, however, is superior to that of Nikon 1 and Oly E 520.
The videos produced are the best thing I've ever done himself. The 50 frames per second produce smooth video, but these are only stable Siert when the optics used in each case has a stabilizer, as a stabilizer, the camera itself is not on board.
The sound is surprisingly good and makes the idea of a studio recording arise. In addition, IBT is the distinguishing feature a connection for an external Micro.
Flash photography
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There is both a built-in flash and a hot shoe. The built-in flash is sufficient for normal spaces out completely and can be metered into the starch.
There is this, however, a feature that I do not fail to mention möchtem, because it has a panikartieg search for sources of error given me:
The camera has the option to set the shutter to "electronic shutter".
The manual states that you thus suppressing the shutter sound. That's right and I have already applied to take pictures umbemerkt can.
But what is concealed: When the elektroischenm, used noiseless lock, you can not use the flash!
Simply re-enable the normal closure So before using the flash and the flash photography is no more obstacles.
Additional lenses and adapters
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Panasonic and other manufacturers like Olympus offer a series of lenses for Micro Four Thirds. But you should keep in mind always that Panasonic no image stabilization in the housing built (unlike, for. Example, Olympus), so you should look at longer focal lengths it at least to have an OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) aboard the jew. Optics.
These optics are all delicate than comparable items for the APS C system and therefore for vacations etc very interesting.
I have two (fairly) complete equipment from Olympus (Four Thirds) and Nikon, so I initially wanted to make use of the possibility to use these lenses on the Panasonic G6 before I fill another closet with an additional system.
Therefore, I first invested time in two adapters:
- Olympus MMF-2 (use of Four Thirds lenses with data transmission)
- Quenox Lens Adapter Nikon G / F - Micro Four Thirds (purely manual adjustment)
With two adapters photographing fun! With my Sigma 50mm / f 1.4 (Four Thirds) the Pana G6 grows on top form and revealed the tremendous potential in it, which can never be exhausted from the small kit lens.
Even more significant, it is with my Samyang 85mm / F1.4 (Nikon), which is manually anyway.
Here is a nice feature of Pana G6 becomes clear that goes down in the advertising anyway: The focus will be with the Zoom Loupe in Live View of OLED viewfinder for pleasure, even in difficult-to-open aperture, and shutter speed by Aperture priority on the lens simply determined automatically.
My Samyang Optics, which was with the D5100 is not easily usable and poorly with the D7000 has since frequently delivered really nice results at the Pana G6 and has.
The image quality is to be distinguished only with pixel-peeping from which are obtained with an APS C sensor (ie z. B. Nikon D5100 or Nikon D7000).
Conclusion:
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The Panasonuc Lumix 6 is small, handy and lighter than previous DSLR.
With the kit lens makes beautiful pictures that are almost as good as that of a DSLR with APS C sensor and definitely much better than that of any bridge camera.
The videos are top notch.
The system can be either through additional optics Panasonic (OIS note) or expand access through adapters to existing optics of other systems.
For every ambitious amateur photographers who seeks a handy alternative to DSLR, this camera is worth a look.
