HELP! Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

[DJMC]

[zuiko-holic]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

The price is reasonable and Panasonic 14-45 is a very good kit lens.

I used to own it for some time and its VF is surprisingly good.

JPEGs are mediocre. They do not provide the resolution and tonality of Olympus JPEG engine.
RAW files are excessively noisy at ISO800 and above.

Lightweight and easy to handle because of the grip which make the use of small and light telephotos much easier than PEN bodies.

Overall, it is a good camera if you can live without in-body IS and stay below ISO800 (till ISO640 it is pretty good).

I didn't keep it because I mostly use legacy lenses on my m4/3 kit (M39) and in-body IS is very important to me. That and the far superior hi-iso performance of E-P1 made me choose the latter.

I would keep an eye for a G2 if I were you so you can at least get usable ISO800 and ISO1600.

[StephenL]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

Is it the 14-42 or 14-45 lens? The G1 was issued with the 14-45 lens, which many say is superior to the 14-42 (though only if you're pixel-peeping, imo!).

The G1 was a good camera but soon superceded by the G2, which is a superior camera. It sounds just a touch on the pricey side, but not bad.

I can't comment on jpegs as I have only ever used raw on these cameras.

[DJMC]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

It's the 14-45.

I'm thinking I may hold on until I find an E-PL* at the right money.

Also, if the VF-2 comes down to sensible money, I can use it on both the PEN and the XZ-1.

Apart from the tilting screen, what else does the E-PL3 do that the 1 doesn't?

[Ulfric M Douglas]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

BUY now

[DJMC]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

Yes it IS the 14-45 lens!

Shall I... shalln't I.....

[DJMC]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

I've now found an E-PL1 with its 14-42 lens for a little cheaper.

I'm thinking this would be a better bet for my Oly lenses, but it wouldn't have the EVF, or flexi screen, or dials....

Any more input? The E-PL1 does seem more comfortable to hold, just Tried a G2 and G3 today in Currys. Tiny little things, as was the Pany FZ45.

[Ulfric M Douglas]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

Even with autofocus lenses I find the G1 better to use : the EVF makes it easier to 'look' at the target and frame right, and once the lens is longer than a pancake the proper grip is a bonus.
Having said that, this e-pL1&17mm is coming everywhere with me at the moment rather than the G1 which is used specifically for manual focus lenses.
You could buy both cameras ...

[DekHog]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

I'd never buy a camera based on OOC JPEG's, it's just so pointless these days. There are endless options in the camera to tweak the colour, and if not to your liking, any number of programs (Lightroom, etc) will sort it out for you on import by applying a preset.

Buy the best camera for you; the one with the best features, handling and ergonomics, not the one you think gives the best colours, as that's the easiest thing in the world to fix....

[DJMC]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

OK.... bought an E-PL1, not the G1 (anyone wants it I'll pass your details on to the seller).

Can I use an EC-14 with the PL1? Have one coming to me from my dad who also decided to buy an XZ-1 as his E-620 has become too heavy for him at 83!

[StephenL]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

Can I use an EC-14 with the PL1? Have one coming to me from my dad who also decided to buy an XZ-1 as his E-620 has become too heavy for him at 83!

Don't think this combo is supported. Only one way to find out!

[lightwriter]

Re: Panasonic G1 with 14-45 lens - Any good?

Do you still have the information about the seller of the panasonic G1 + lens? Thanks in advance