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Panasonic GF2
Digital Camera! |
The Panasonic GF2 Micro
4/3rds Camera - When this camera first came out, I like many
others did not rate
 it very much, I compared it against my GF1 and felt
that it did not have the 'manual controls' that I liked.
Once the G3 was announced and I started to address what I could live
with, simply because I wanted a similar camera to my GF1 but
with a built in viewfinder, I then out of curiosity re-visited the specifications of the
GF2.
When you realise that it is designed to compete in an 'emerging' smaller
and smaller micro interchangeable lens market, it is not
that bad, in fact it is excellent and its 'main' controls are very near to the
GF1.
I have listed the GF2 differences -
-
The
single shot/burst shots/timer/exposure bracketing small switches on
the top of the GF1 have all been
moved to the rear SET array onto the lower button and then LCD
menu selected.
-
The
AE (exposure lock) toggle button can be assigned to the Fn rear
button at the base of the camera
-
The
AF/MF button on the GF1 is now menu driven on the GF2
-
The
exposure metering button,
which I had programmed into the GF1 rear SET array lower button,
is now menu driven on the GF2
If there was any one control that I have listed above that is important
to avoid blown highlights and out of balance
 exposures (bright skies
against very dark foregrounds) it is the AE exposure lock button. For
me, the rest are not usually accessed that often.
The GF2 has an improved LCD
coating which is an improvement on the GF1 to cut down on glare.
Those control changes will suit a great number of
photographers who are moving up to improve their photography or even
considering purchasing a smaller sensor, compact camera. The GF2 is a
step above a compact camera and will deliver the same quality of images
to that of my GF1.
The touch screen makes it very attractive to the
'younger set' who are very much into that newer
 technology!
The kit lens, the Lumix 14-42mm is very compact, lightweight and easy to
put in your pocket. The 'even smaller' Lumix 20mm f1.7 'prime' lens is an obvious
'second' lens choice. I use the 20mm lens with my GF1 which is fantastic
for low light.
There is an external viewfinder from Panasonic that can be clipped onto
the GF2 'hot shoe' with an electronic socket interface. The viewfinder mimics the LCD and it comes with a button that allows you
to toggle between the two. There is also a adjustment for your eye focus
on the viewfinder.
A good GF2 review with excellent 'product' images
at
Dpreview
You can see sample images from my GF1 camera and lenses in my
GF1 Diary Article and also more information that I am gathering in my
Panasonic G3 Digital Camera
article!
If you have enjoyed this article - please donate to my
Charity of Choice -
The Sick Kids
Richard Lawrence
Scotland
United Kingdom
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