Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Last updated

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
Panasonic G2 + Konica Hexanon 501.7.jpg
Panasonic DMC-G2 + Konica Hexanon 50 F1.7
Overview
Type Micro Four Thirds System
ReleasedMarch 2010
Lens
Lens Micro Four Thirds System mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor 17.3 × 13 mm Live MOS
Maximum resolution 4000×3000 (12 megapixels); 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1 image format
Film speed ISO 100–6400
Storage media SD, SDHC
Focusing
Focus modes Automatic or Manual Face detection / AF Tracking / 23-area-focusing / 1-area-focusing Touch (1-area-focusing in Face detection / AF Tracking / Multi-area-focusing / 1-area-focusing)
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesManual, Program, Automatic, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority
Exposure metering Intelligent Multiple (Center weighted, average and spot)
Flash
Flash Built-in-Flash, TTL, GN 11 equivalent (ISO100 · m)
Flash bracketing ±3.0 EV in ⅓ EV steps 3,5,7 frames* • 1/3 or 2/3 , +/−2.0 EV steps
Shutter
Shutter speed range60–1/4000 sec
Viewfinder
Viewfinder EVF color display, 100% field of view, 0.7x (35mm equiv), 1.4x magnification, with 1,440K dots equivalent; LCD or articulated multi-angle 3-inch (76 mm) inch color LCD (460,000 dots equivalent)
Image processing
White balance custom modes
General
Battery Li-Ion 7.2 V, 1250 mAh
Weight body+battery 428 g; 14–42 mm zoom lens 165 g

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) design standard developed by Olympus and Panasonic. [1] It was announced by Panasonic in March 2010 [2] along with the Lumix DMC-G10. [3] The G2 was introduced as the successor to the Lumix DMC-G1 camera, with upgrades such as 720p high-definition video recording capability in AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG formats.

Contents

Key features of the G2 include a touchscreen interface that allows control of many camera functions including touch-based selection of focus points within the live view frame. This duplicating the control options provided by the physical dials and buttons on the camera body. The G2 was sold with a redesigned 14-42mm Panasonic kit lens that was lighter and less expensive than the 14-45mm lens included with the G1.

At launch, the suggested retail price for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 with 14-42mm lens kit was $800 USD [4] in the United States market. It was available in black, red and blue color options.

The Micro Four Thirds system

The Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system is a camera design standard jointly developed and announced in 2008 by Olympus and Panasonic as an evolution of their previous Four Thirds System. Like the Four Thirds System, [5] it uses a 4000 x 3000 pixel sensor, but in a more compact camera body design enabled by eliminating the reflex mirror and optical viewfinder.

A key advantage of the smaller MFT sensor is that it allows for more compact and lightweight native lens designs compared to larger APS-C and full frame sensors used by Canon, Nikon and others. The smaller image circle of MFT lenses also enables slimmer camera bodies. The 2X crop factor of the MFT sensor compared to 35mm full frame means that lenses can be designed smaller and lighter for any given angle of view. For example, a typical MFT 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens weighs 112g and measures 50mm long, while an equivalent Canon APS-C 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens weighs 190g and is 80mm long.

Unlike the Four Thirds System which was optimized for DSLR designs with a mirror box and optical viewfinder, the MFT standard pursues a mirrorless approach. MFT cameras use an electronic viewfinder or LCD screen for live view, eliminating the complex optical path required for an optical viewfinder. This enables more compact camera bodies and lenses. The MFT standard is also designed for seamless switching between stills and HD video recording.

The short 20mm flange focal distance of MFT cameras, compared to over 40mm for most DSLRs, allows virtually any existing interchangeable lens to be mounted via an adapter, albeit with only manual focus and aperture control. This means legacy 35mm film lenses and lenses for larger format cameras can gain a second life on MFT bodies, providing high quality optics at low cost. The 2X crop of MFT effectively turns a 50mm full frame "standard" lens into a 100mm portrait telephoto lens.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 features

Upon introduction in March 2010, [2] the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 was marketed as the world's first interchangeable lens camera with an articulated, touch control LCD. Also added was 720p HD video and a redesigned physical user interface, changing placement of dials and button controllers, and an electronic viewfinder. Notably, the G2 was not capable of full 1080p HD video as was the then top-of-the-line Panasonic GH1. The ability to choose the focus point by touching the desired area on the screen was implemented in all Panasonic MFT cameras introduced after the G2. Other manufacturers such as Sony with its new NEX family of cameras, and Olympus in its PEN E-P3 MFT camera also incorporated use of the touch screen feature for camera controls.

The "new" 14-42mm kit zoom lens was less expensive than the original optical image stabilized 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 kit zoom lens that came with the G1. The 14-42mm kit lens is lighter, but longer than the original 14-45mm kit lens, features a plastic, rather than metal lens mount, and omits on-off switch for the in lens optical image stabilization system. However, the 14-42mm optical image stabilization system on-off could be controlled through camera menus. Many enthusiasts regard the 14-42mm kit lens as a step down in both optical image quality and build quality from the original 14-45mm kit lens.

Body colors and MSRP

The camera is available in three colors — black (suffix K), red (R) and blue (B). MSRP in the United States for the body and 14-42mm kit zoom lens was $USD 800.00. [4]

Successor model

The G2 camera's successor model is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 which was announced in May 2011. [6]

Video recording formats

AVCHD Lite Format (.MTS files)

M-JPEG Format (.MOV files)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumix</span> Brand of digital cameras made by Panasonic

Lumix is Panasonic's brand of digital cameras, ranging from pocket point-and-shoot models to digital SLRs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1</span> Camera model

The Lumix DMC-L1 is Panasonic's first DSLR camera, and was announced in February 2006. This camera adheres to the Four Thirds System lens mount standard, making it the first non-Olympus Four Thirds camera, and thus confirming that the Four Thirds System is a semi-open standard such that compatible camera bodies can be built by different companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10</span> Camera model

The Lumix DMC-L10 is Panasonic's second digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR), a follow-up to the previous Lumix DMC-L1 model. It was announced in August 2007, and, like the Lumix DMC-L1, this model uses the Four Thirds System lens mount standard and contains some basic parts provided by Olympus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micro Four Thirds system</span> Digital camera design standard

The Micro Four Thirds system is a standard released by Olympus Imaging Corporation and Panasonic in 2008, for the design and development of mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras, camcorders and lenses. Camera bodies are available from Blackmagic, DJI, JVC, Kodak, Olympus, OM System, Panasonic, Sharp, and Xiaomi. MFT lenses are produced by Cosina Voigtländer, Kowa, Kodak, Mitakon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samyang, Sharp, Sigma, SLR Magic, Tamron, Tokina, TTArtisan, Veydra, Xiaomi, Laowa, Yongnuo, Zonlai, Lensbaby, Venus Optics and 7artisans amongst others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 was the first digital mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC) adhering to the Micro Four Thirds system design standard. The G1 camera is similar to the larger Four Thirds system format DSLR cameras, but replaces the complex optical path needed for the optical viewfinder with an electronic viewfinder EVF displaying a live view image directly from the sensor. Eliminating the mirror box and optical viewfinder allows for smaller and lighter camera bodies, while the less complex optical path also allows for smaller, lighter lens designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the Olympus and Panasonic developed Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. Panasonic classified the GH1 as a hybrid stills/video camera and the GH1 was introduced and marketed as a higher end camera than Panasonic's first MFT camera, the stills only, non-video capable Lumix DMC-G1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-P1</span> Camera model

The Olympus Pen E-P1 announced on 16 June 2009 is Olympus Corporation's first camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The first camera to use the Micro Four Thirds mount was Panasonic's G-1 camera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1</span> Camera model

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 was introduced in September 2009 as the third camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series, using the Micro Four Thirds system. It was the first model in the "GF" line, which is primarily distinguished from the other Lumix G cameras by the lack of an integrated electronic viewfinder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-P2</span> Camera model

The Olympus Pen E-P2 announced on 5 November 2009 is Olympus Corporation's second camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-P2 succeeds the Olympus Pen E-P1 a little over five months after the introduction of the EP-1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2</span> Camera model

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 is the sixth camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series, using the Micro Four Thirds System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is a digital camera with HD video recording capability that is part of the Micro Four Thirds system. Though commonly referred to as a DSLR camera, it has no mirror or optical viewfinder, but has instead both a fold-out LCD screen and a electronic viewfinder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is the eighth Panasonic MFT camera introduced under the standard and the thirteenth model MFT camera introduced by either Olympus or Panasonic, as of the G3 product announcement date.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 is the sixth digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera introduced that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard, and the fourth Panasonic model MFT camera. The G10 model was announced concurrently with its more capable sibling, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, in March 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-P3</span> Digital camera model

The Olympus PEN E-P3 announced on 30 June 2011 is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-P3 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-P2, and was announced in concert with two other models, the Olympus PEN E-PL3, and the Olympus PEN E-PM1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3</span> Camera model

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 is the eighth camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series adhering to the Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) design standard, and was announced in June 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-PL3</span> Camera model

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 announced on 30 June 2011 is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-PL3 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-PL2, and was announced in concert with two other models, the Olympus PEN E-P3, and the Olympus PEN E-PM1. The E-PL3 is commonly said to be the "Lite" version of the E-P3, much as the E-PL1 and E-PL2 were "Lite" versions of the E-P1 and E-P2, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) manufactured by Panasonic. It is the successor to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and was announced in September 2012 at photokina. It was available from November 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that adheres to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System design standard. It is identified as the twelfth Panasonic MFT camera introduced under the standard and the nineteenth model MFT camera introduced by either Olympus or Panasonic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7</span> Digital camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 announced in August 2013, is a Micro Four Thirds compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. It was Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera with a built-in in-body stabilization system (IBIS) and has a built-in EVF. Panasonic uses 2-axis in-body stabilization allowing the use of shutter speeds 1 to 2 stops slower than without stabilization, compared to the 4 to 5 stops of improvement offered by Olympus' 5-axis stabilization.

References

  1. "Four Thirds – Micro Four Thirds – Benefits of Micro Four Thirds". Four-thirds.org. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Lumix Dmc-G2, World's First* Interchangeable Lens System Camera With Touch-Control Movable LCD" (Press release). Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  3. "Panasonic Lumix G10, World's Lightest* Digital Interchangeable Lens System Camera with a Viewfinder" (Press release). Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Panasonic G2 Review". Imaging Resource. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  5. "Four Thirds – Four Thirds – Standard". Four-thirds.org. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  6. "Panasonic Introduces Company's Smallest and Lightest Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera with a Viewfinder,*1 Complete With Easy-To-Use Features and HD Video" (Press release). Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System cameras
November 2008–present
Succeeded by