Canon G11 or Lumix G1/GF1 or Fujifilm HS10 ???

jimihat

jimihat

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Jim
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Hi Guys

I started a thread yesterday which has now taken a bit of a turn so thought it best to start up another.

I've decided to go a little more upmarket than I originally planned.

I'm looking for a great all-rounder with the emphasis being on great picture quality in low light situations without a flash.

I've narrowed down my search to the Canon, the Panny, and the as yet unreleased Fuji. Although the Fuji is a super zoom I'm unlikely to ever use more than a 5x zoom (which the Canon has) but I guess around 10x would be nice...
I believe the Panny G1 lens is 14-44mm; any ideas what this converts too roughly in terms of optical zoom (ie 3x, 4x etc???) The Panasonic G1/GF1 looks the best of the bunch btu I'm worried I'll need to buy extra lenses that I'm sure will be very expensive.

YUour thought's are more than welcome!!!!! HELP ME!!!

Thanks in advance

Jim:thinking:
 
...one other thing...is the standard Panasonic Kit Lens any good...anyone???
 
Have a look through this thread if your wondering about the GF1.

Dont know about the 14-45 on the GF1 since i only have the 20mm, which is an amazing lens.
 
zoidberg said:
Have a look through this thread if your wondering about the GF1.

Dont know about the 14-45 on the GF1 since i only have the 20mm, which is an amazing lens.
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it does sound superb biy I'm guessing it gives zero zoom function? do you find it restricting?
 
The GF1 and 20mm f1.7 is just one of those combinations that is hard to beat. f1.7 will give good low light capability and the lens produces very high quality images. The 14-45mm f3.5 is a fair bit slower so would need a mono or tripod for low light shots but the image quality is still very good indeed.
 
AndyWest said:
The GF1 and 20mm f1.7 is just one of those combinations that is hard to beat. f1.7 will give good low light capability and the lens produces very high quality images. The 14-45mm f3.5 is a fair bit slower so would need a mono or tripod for low light shots but the image quality is still very good indeed.
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Andy, would you consider the performance of this camera to be better than that of say a Sony A380 DSLR or Nikon D3000 with kit lenses?
 
jimihat said:
it does sound superb biy I'm guessing it gives zero zoom function? do you find it restricting?
Click to expand...

I have the 14-45mm and the 20mm, The 14-45mm is a great lens and the AF is faster than the 20mm, it is much better suited to outdoor life but i'm also a big fan of the 20mm too especially for shooting indoors without a flash :)

Both good lenses, both have the uses, I don't find the lack of zoom restrictive as I can always walk backwards, forwards, crop etc to get the shot I'm after

My real only gripe with the panny is that it has no PC socket on it, so i could use the EVF and off camera flash at the same time. Being as its my only gripe that's pretty good going I think, and I do tend to use it much more than my 5D setup now

I really do like the 20mm and Panny combo, its small unobtrusive and takes great images, you don't need much more tbh

wyatt.jpg

20mm, indoors & no flash

Scott
 
I only have experience of the GF1 but I love mine. As said the 14-45 lens is very good but makes the camera a fair bit bigger and isn't very fast. Great for outdoor/landscape stuff though imo.

You can get a G1 kit with the 14-45 with the £50 cashback at the mo for a pretty good price - but it is widely rumoured to be being replaced/discontinued fairly soon.
 
grum said:
I only have experience of the GF1 but I love mine. As said the 14-45 lens is very good but makes the camera a fair bit bigger and isn't very fast. Great for outdoor/landscape stuff though imo.

You can get a G1 kit with the 14-45 with the £50 cashback at the mo for a pretty good price - but it is widely rumoured to be being replaced/discontinued fairly soon.
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Thanks for the advice, I think I;d go for the G1 with the 14-45 but I really need the pancake too which takes my budget up to about £750....about £300 more than it actual is!!!! :(
 
You can buy the G1 and 14-45 from Mathers for £399, plus you get £50 cashback at the mo. Then the cheapest I have seen the pancake for is £267.99 - so 'only' £616.99 in total.

I can't see you being disappointed tbh. Might be worth finding out when the cashback deal finishes though, it's widely rumoured that a replacement for the G1 is coming out in the next month or two, so you might get some mega-bargains on the G1 and cashback on top! :)
 
grum said:
You can buy the G1 and 14-45 from Mathers for £399, plus you get £50 cashback at the mo. Then the cheapest I have seen the pancake for is £267.99 - so 'only' £616.99 in total.

I can't see you being disappointed tbh. Might be worth finding out when the cashback deal finishes though, it's widely rumoured that a replacement for the G1 is coming out in the next month or two, so you might get some mega-bargains on the G1 and cashback on top! :)
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Thanks for that Grum, we're getting closer!!!!

One other thought....I know but I just have too.....what about a 450d with the kit lens and a 50mm f/1.8 lens at about £480 for the lot......any ideas on how that would compete.
 
Well, I'm no expert but from my extensive geeking before buying the GF1:

SLR cameras will have faster auto-focus and burst modes, better high-iso performance because of the bigger sensor, less shutter lag, and more availability of lenses etc

The G1/GF1 is still capable of taking amazing photos though - have a look in here. http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=201050

The main advantage of the G1 is that it's considerably smaller/lighter than most SLRs, and the GF1 is smaller/lighter still. Disadvantage of the GF1 is no viewfinder apart from an expensive optional one with not great res, and no flip out screen. It does shoot HD video though and is just generally really sexy and nice. :)
 
grum said:
Well, I'm no expert but from my extensive geeking before buying the GF1:

SLR cameras will have faster auto-focus and burst modes, better high-iso performance because of the bigger sensor, less shutter lag, and more availability of lenses etc

The G1/GF1 is still capable of taking amazing photos though - have a look in here. http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=201050

The main advantage of the G1 is that it's considerably smaller/lighter than most SLRs, and the GF1 is smaller/lighter still. Disadvantage of the GF1 is no viewfinder apart from an expensive optional one with not great res, and no flip out screen. It does shoot HD video though and is just generally really sexy and nice. :)
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wow, some great shots on there; is there any difference at all in picture quality between the G1 and the GF1 or are shape/size/video/viewfinder the only actual differences?
 
I went from D80 plus assorted lenses to the GF1 + 20mm.
Missed the D80 a few times, but more than happy with the GF1. Less obtrusive/in your face than a dSLR especially at school plays etc.

Picture quality is great.
Going to get this one blown up and mounted on wall at work at some point.

4319397442_42016490d9.jpg
 
zoidberg said:
I went from D80 plus assorted lenses to the GF1 + 20mm.
Missed the D80 a few times, but more than happy with the GF1. Less obtrusive/in your face than a dSLR especially at school plays etc.

Picture quality is great.
Going to get this one blown up and mounted on wall at work at some point.

4319397442_42016490d9.jpg
Click to expand...

the force is gettign stronger; I think I might actually NEED one now rather than just want one :)
 
jimihat said:
the force is gettign stronger; I think I might actually NEED one now rather than just want one :)
Click to expand...

Aaaaaaannd...

We're done here - it's all over now. Enjoy your new camera. :thumbs:

But just to answer this question:

wow, some great shots on there; is there any difference at all in picture quality between the G1 and the GF1 or are shape/size/video/viewfinder the only actual differences?
Click to expand...

As I understand it they are exactly the same apart from the things you mention. If you type G1 vs GF1 into google I think there are a few comparisons around.

Can I post a pic too please? :)

4373467247_3aa6aeaec2.jpg


Taken with GF1 and 14-45

BTW I find the GF1 and 20mm perfect for most occasions and I take it with me pretty much everywhere. If I am going out specifically to take photos sometimes I will take the 14-45 and a few other bits too.
 
grum said:
Aaaaaaannd...

We're done here - it's all over now. Enjoy your new camera. :thumbs:

But just to answer this question:



As I understand it they are exactly the same apart from the things you mention. If you type G1 vs GF1 into google I think there are a few comparisons around.

Can I post a pic too please? :)

4373467247_3aa6aeaec2.jpg


Taken with GF1 and 14-45
Click to expand...

Wow, SOLD!!!!! I'm going to order a GF1, sod it, I can always get another wife I suppose.....and he'd have some nice pics of the next wedding...

Thanks alot for your help guys, especially Grum. I think I'll get the GF1 with the 14-40mm and buy the 20mm in a couple of months or something.
 
I recently sold my 5D after having the G1 for a couple of weeks, I said all along if I was shooting in low light I would not have sold it, the G1 is a cracking camera but gets very noisy over 800 iso imo, I guess it depends what you are shooting.
The G1 with the 14-45 is a nice little setup, compared to other manufacurers glass the panasonic glass is increadibly good vfm and being very sharp (except the 7-14m which is way overpriced :()
IQ is something I really don't have an issue with as I could hardly tell the difference between it and the 5D, I think one problem with these cameras is the psychological barrier, this thread being a great example http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&thread=34570872
If anyone were to doubt the G1's ability here is some nice shots http://www.pbase.com/picnic/temp_g1
 
jimihat said:
Wow, SOLD!!!!! I'm going to order a GF1, sod it, I can always get another wife I suppose.....and he'd have some nice pics of the next wedding...

Thanks alot for your help guys, especially Grum. I think I'll get the GF1 with the 14-40mm and buy the 20mm in a couple of months or something.
Click to expand...

:lol:

No probs - happy to tempt a new recruit to the growing cult. :D

Enjoy, I'm sure you will - and make sure you post some pics up in one of those threads.

Here's a few more links to get you more excited...

http://craigmod.com/journal/gf1-fieldtest/
http://boxedlight.com/gf1/index.htm
http://www.davidclapp.co.uk/blog/reviews/43-panasonic-gf-1-in-the-landscape.html

The low light thing is not too much of a problem with the fast 20mm if you are happy shooting wide open. I've got some gig pics I was fairly happy with.

4334532126_4deae32667.jpg
 
my powers are weak!!! NY trip in May so will post plenty after that!
 
I wouldn't use mine above ISO800, the noise is pretty offensive. I actually like grainy noise, but the GF1 exhibits a lot of chroma noise from ISO1600. 800 and below you're fine and with the 20mm pancake you should be good for most low light situations, just don't be expecting to crank the ISO and get good results.
 
jimihat said:
Andy, would you consider the performance of this camera to be better than that of say a Sony A380 DSLR or Nikon D3000 with kit lenses?
Click to expand...

Sorry i have no idea about Sony or Nikon as i have never even touched either a Sony or Nikon camera.

Just buy a GF1 and make me happy!! :D :D :D :D
 
Ordered a GF1 (+20mm pancake) thanks to some of the shots on here and the craigmod field test.

It'll arrive tomorrow and I can't wait.

(Of course I'll be out and get a 'You Weren't In' card and have to negotiate with the sorting office to pick up same day, but it'll be mine... soon.)
 
ohood said:
Ordered a GF1 (+20mm pancake) thanks to some of the shots on here and the craigmod field test.

It'll arrive tomorrow and I can't wait.

(Of course I'll be out and get a 'You Weren't In' card and have to negotiate with the sorting office to pick up same day, but it'll be mine... soon.)
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Congrats!! Did you order any decent weather? I did but it's stuck in transit until next week :(

:D
 
AndyWest said:
Congrats!! Did you order any decent weather? I did but it's stuck in transit until next week :(

:D
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Decent weather looks like it's out of stock until next week.

Shots of work and home are going to have to keep me busy.
 
I just ordered the GF1 with the 14-45mm lens and the 20mm :)
£769 from thedigitalcamerashop.co.uk and I'll have it on Weds - ooo la la!!!!

Just need to break the news to my wife...and then find a new one...

At least I'll get £50 cashback from Panasonic :)
 
jimihat said:
I just ordered the GF1 with the 14-45mm lens and the 20mm :)
£769 from thedigitalcamerashop.co.uk and I'll have it on Weds - ooo la la!!!!

Just need to break the news to my wife...and then find a new one...

At least I'll get £50 cashback from Panasonic :)
Click to expand...

Well done, you won't regret it - the combination of the 20mm and the 14-45 covers most bases and both are great quality lenses.
 
"At least I'll get £50 cashback from Panasonic"

Ah! There you go then! I'm sure your Mrs will see it as a saving. :)

I hope that you're very happy with your new gear.
 
Give her the £50 cash back for a pair of shoes!! :thumbs: :D
 
yeah, it's great, very much still gettign to grips with it though. I seem to get more blurry sploges than nice clear pics at the moment but I'm sure things will improve.
The AF target area seems to be my main issue at present but as I say I'm sure things will improve.
 
jimihat said:
Here it is, the first piccy with my new GF1; taken with the 20mm lens. It's her indoors sat at my desk facebooking or something....

http://usatips4brits.co.uk/mandy.jpg
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Great shot, and I see she is still wearing the wedding ring. Result!

I had a play with a GF1 and 14-45 today at Jessops. Still trying to get my head round there being no viewfinder, ( I know one is available as an extra, but the camera starts to grow and detract from a small pocketable jobby) I hate looking like a tourist with a camera at arms length.

It felt nice and looked nice, but........ does anybody else have "no viewfinder" issues and if so, how do you cope without it? Will I need counselling?
Or should I just get the Canon G11.

Allan
 
Allan: I recently got a GF1 and it took me a few hours to get used to not having a viewfinder, but for the kind of photography I do I found it very liberating to not have to hold the camera at eye level. The LCD is very good, even in bright sunlight, and the viewing angles are also pretty good which makes up for the lack of a tilt screen.

One thing I do miss is the added stability of having the camera close to your face, but hopefully its just something else to get used to.
 
I went into a local camera shop with the intention of trying out another GF1 and a G11 and talking to a proper camera shop owner this time.
Seems nearly all the staff have a GF1 now and after trying out the camera again, I didnt even look at the G11. Rear screen is easy to use even in strong sun and after 2 days, i dont even miss the viewfinder ( much)
I love this camera, D300 will be going in the FS section soon!

Allan
 
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