[JohnR]

Hm. So that one would replace the G1? What would you be looking for that the E-P1 doesn't have? (Just curious.)

[BradJudy]

Hm. So that one would replace the G1? What would you be looking for that the E-P1 doesn't have? (Just curious.)

I think the G1 forks into two lines - the GH1 nicer one and the GF1 more compact one.

The GF1 is still a bit of a mystery until it is announced, but it looks like it would gain at least a basic flash for fill over the E-P1.  My main hope is that Panasonic worked out the autofocus better the Olympus - the E-P1 reports indicate the autofocus is rather slow.  There's also a rumor that the GF1 will have an add-on EVF, but that's firmly in the rumor category still.

My local shop still hasn't received any E-P1's, so I haven't had hands-on yet. 

[BradJudy]

The GF1 was announced today and DPReview has a hands-on preview already posted:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/PanasonicGF1/

It addresses the major shortcomings of the E-P1 (flash, EVF, AF speed), but has a couple of its own (less serious) shortcomings (less lens support).

Overall, it looks like a worthwhile improvement over the E-P1.  Now I just have to decide if I definitely want to take this direction or go for a DSLR-sized camera.

[Russell Dawkins]

I'd be looking at the Sigma DP2, too, based on the images I've seen from it.

[BradJudy]

I'd be looking at the Sigma DP2, too, based on the images I've seen from it.

I looked at it and eliminated it for a few reasons:

fixed lens - single focal length and not interchangeable (effectively like my 35mm range finder, but I'd like something more flexible)

only 4.5MP - I'm not an insane MP person, but I consider 8MP a minimum

mediocre feedback - I got the impression that usability lags behind the pack (the words clunky and slow are used a lot in reviews I have read)

[Russell Dawkins]

I understand all your points except the MP one. Most consider the sensor to be roughly equivalent to a conventional 10MP sensor which doesn't surprise me given that each of those 4.7 million sites is sensitive to all three colors, whereas with a conventional 10MP sensor 5 million of those sites are for green, 2.5m for red and 2.5m for blue.

To my eyes, the 4.7MP Foveon sensor performs like a conventional sensor of about 12 MP, plus I like the color rendering and am willing to forgo all those known characteristics to get that image.

That said, I can certainly see why many wouldn't. It's one of the more interesting trade-offs!

[JohnR]

The GF1 was announced today...

It addresses the major shortcomings of the E-P1 (flash, EVF, AF speed), but has a couple of its own (less serious) shortcomings (less lens support).

Cool. To a Lumix owner, it looks just like a Lumix

Images with the 20mm look pretty good, from a quick flick through the gallery.

What do you mean by "less lens support"?

[BradJudy]

What do you mean by "less lens support"?

Currently it supports AF on all m4/3 lenses, but only on 4/3 lenses that support contrast-detect AF (the DPReview article references this Panasonic page about G1/GH1 AF compatibility http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/connect/g1.html so I guess the same issue exists for the G1/GH1).  Conversely, the E-P1 does AF on all m4/3 and a wider group of 4/3 lenses (albeit slow).  There is speculation on both sides that future firmware might improve the AF situation, but who knows. 

[BradJudy]

To my eyes, the 4.7MP Foveon sensor performs like a conventional sensor of about 12 MP, plus I like the color rendering and am willing to forgo all those known characteristics to get that image.

I guess I haven't been impressed with the DP2 photos I have seen as compared to other large sensor cameras.  Perhaps comparable, but not better, so not worth the other compromises for me.  It would be nice to see some true side-by-side photos, but I haven't found that. 

[JohnR]

The GF1 is available in AU now although as usual Panasonic Australia have set the retail price too high (AUD1649).

[JohnR]

The GF1 was announced today and DPReview has a hands-on preview already posted:

The full review is now up:

  http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicGF1/

[Russell Dawkins]

From looking at the comparisons in that review, it does look like you have to shoot in RAW mode to get images on par with the E-P1, though.

[JohnR]

I thought everybody shot RAW anyway... 

[Russell Dawkins]

I thought everybody shot RAW anyway... 

I'd rather not have to, though! I guess I'm more of a casual photographer - not looking for the ultimate result but just a subjectively pleasant one, and something distinctly better than any point and shoot.

The DP2 seems promising to me for its image quality, but I have one major hesitation and that concerns the lens extend/retract mechanism which I gather uses a plastic gear rack and is somewhat prone to wear. I wish they had used metal, because otherwise I can live with all the usually mentioned limitations of the design.

[JohnR]

Hi Russell, fair enough Once you get a productive RAW workflow it's actually easier to stick with it, I think. Having said that I'm thinking about "forking" my workflow for "casual" vs "serious" shooting.

I'm not all that familiar with the Sigmas. But I do expect that my next "compact" may well be one of the micro-4/3 models, although I'm going to wait a while now in the hope that they really take off and prices drop.