Compact System Cameras : Panasonic’s New GX1 Compact System Camera Is Built for Speed, Image Quality & Size
Marketed as the “Ideal ‘Everyday’ Digital Camera for Professionals and Photo Enthusiasts Alike”
November 7, 2011“Panasonic expects the Lumix GX1 to please a lot of photo enthusiasts who have been eager for a technology upgrade comparable to the Lumix DMC-GF1, which continues to be a very popular digital camera with dedicated followers who appreciate the compact size, yet high quality of photos and video,” said Darin Pepple, senior product manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics. “The Lumix GX1 is an extremely flexible and capable digital camera with fast AF speeds and outstanding image quality. Plus with a built-in flash and a hot shoe allowing for accessories like an external view finder, the GX1 is a powerful compact system camera that is small enough to be a photographer’s everyday camera choice.”
The GX1, like all Panasonic Lumix G-series models, adopts contrast AF for its focus system, so focusing is controlled by the image sensor. When compared with phase-difference AF, contrast AF is said to achieve higher accuracy, especially when shooting with a bright lens with small f/ value; e.g., the accuracy of contrast AF is approximately 90% while phase-difference AF is approximately 60% at f/1.4. Panasonic also states that with contrast AF, the GX1 “achieves high resolution through an optimal balance of resolution and noise reduction, thus producing lifelike image rendering and highly precise autoexposure and white balance.” The GX1 also incorporates full-area focusing, making it possible to set focus on any point in the field of view.
According to the specs, the GX1 can autofocus in 0.09 second. Its new focus mode AFF (AF Flexible) locks on the focus when the shutter button is half-pressed, but if the subject moves, the focusing is reset to get the best results.
With the camera’s touch-control system users can set focus on a subject by touching it on the 460,000-dot LCD, and they can release the shutter by touching the screen. Once locked on the subject with a touch, the GX1 tracks the subject, even when it moves, using AF tracking. And with a touch on the screen, users can select the part and the size of the AF area, choosing from 1-area AF, multi-area AF with 23 areas, and pinpoint AF for precise focus.
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