Panasonic G1 vs G2

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2008 and March 2010. Both the G1 and the G2 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 12 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Panasonic G1		Panasonic G2
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses		Micro Four Thirds lenses
12 MP – Four Thirds sensor		12 MP – Four Thirds sensor
no Video		720/30p Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)		ISO 100-6,400
Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)
3.0" LCD – 460k dots		3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second		2.6 shutter flaps per second
410 shots per battery charge		360 shots per battery charge
124 x 84 x 45 mm, 360 g		124 x 84 x 74 mm, 428 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Panasonic G1 and the Panasonic G2 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The G2 can be obtained in three different colors (black, blue, red), while the G1 is only available in black.

In this particular case, the Panasonic G1 and the Panasonic G2 have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. However, the G2 is markedly heavier (19 percent) than the G1. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the G1 nor the G2 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Panasonic G1	124 mm	84 mm	45 mm	360 g	410	n	Sep 2008	US$ 599	ebay.com
2.		Panasonic G2	124 mm	84 mm	74 mm	428 g	360	n	Mar 2010	US$ 599	ebay.com
3.		Panasonic G3	115 mm	84 mm	47 mm	336 g	270	n	May 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
4.		Panasonic G6	122 mm	85 mm	71 mm	390 g	340	n	Apr 2013	US$ 599	ebay.com
5.		Panasonic G10	124 mm	84 mm	74 mm	388 g	380	n	Mar 2010	US$ 499	ebay.com
6.		Panasonic GF1	119 mm	71 mm	36 mm	385 g	380	n	Sep 2009	US$ 749	ebay.com
7.		Panasonic GF2	113 mm	68 mm	33 mm	310 g	300	n	Nov 2010	US$ 549	ebay.com
8.		Panasonic GF3	108 mm	67 mm	32 mm	264 g	300	n	Jun 2011	US$ 549	ebay.com
9.		Panasonic GF5	108 mm	67 mm	37 mm	267 g	360	n	Apr 2012	US$ 499	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic GF6	111 mm	65 mm	38 mm	323 g	340	n	Apr 2013	US$ 499	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic GH1	124 mm	90 mm	45 mm	385 g	300	n	Mar 2009	US$ 899	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a Four Thirds sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 12 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the G1 and the G2 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the G2 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 5 months) than the G1, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Panasonic G1	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	none	21.1	10.3	463	53
2.		Panasonic G2	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	21.2	10.3	493	53
3.		Panasonic G3	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60i	21.0	10.6	667	56
4.		Panasonic G6	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	21.3	11.5	639	61
5.		Panasonic G10	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	21.2	10.1	411	52
6.		Panasonic GF1	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	21.2	10.3	513	54
7.		Panasonic GF2	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	21.2	10.3	506	54
8.		Panasonic GF3	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	20.6	10.1	459	50
9.		Panasonic GF5	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	20.5	10.0	573	50
10.		Panasonic GF6	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60i	20.7	10.6	622	54
11.		Panasonic GH1	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	21.6	11.6	772	64

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The G2 indeed provides for movie recording, while the G1 does not. The highest resolution format that the G2 can use is 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The G1 and the G2 are similar in the sense that both feature an electronic viewfinder, which is helpful when framing images in bright sunlight. Moreover, their viewfinders offer an identical resolution of 1440k dots. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Panasonic G1 and Panasonic G2 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Panasonic G1	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
2.		Panasonic G2	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	Y	1/4000s	2.6/s	Y	n
3.		Panasonic G3	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	Y	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
4.		Panasonic G6	1440	n	3.0 / 1036	swivel	Y	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	n
5.		Panasonic G10	202	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.6/s	Y	n
6.		Panasonic GF1	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
7.		Panasonic GF2	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	2.6/s	Y	n
8.		Panasonic GF3	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	3.2/s	Y	n
9.		Panasonic GF5	none	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
10.		Panasonic GF6	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	4.2/s	Y	n
11.		Panasonic GH1	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The G2 has a touchscreen, while the G1 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The G1 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the G2 uses SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Panasonic G1	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Panasonic G2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Panasonic G3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Panasonic G6	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Panasonic G10	Y	mono / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Panasonic GF1	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Panasonic GF2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Panasonic GF3	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Panasonic GF5	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Panasonic GF6	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Panasonic GH1	Y	stereo / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

Both the G1 and the G2 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The G1 was replaced by the Panasonic G2, while the G2 was followed by the Panasonic G3. Further information on the features and operation of the G1 and G2 can be found, respectively, in the Panasonic G1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic G2 Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Panasonic G1 and the Panasonic G2? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1:

• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 2.6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 68g or 16 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (410 versus 360) on a single battery charge.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2008).

Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2:

• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 720/30p video.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 5 months) more recently.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G1 comes out slightly ahead of the G2 (4 : 3 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic G1 and the Panasonic G2 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the G1 or the G2 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Panasonic G1	..	+ +	..	70/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2008	US$ 599	ebay.com
2.		Panasonic G2	..	..	..	72/100	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2010	US$ 599	ebay.com
3.		Panasonic G3	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4.5/5	5/5	May 2011	US$ 599	ebay.com
4.		Panasonic G6	4/5	+ +	..	..	5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2013	US$ 599	ebay.com
5.		Panasonic G10	3/5	..	..	70/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2010	US$ 499	ebay.com
6.		Panasonic GF1	..	85/100	..	69/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	US$ 749	ebay.com
7.		Panasonic GF2	3/5	82/100	..	70/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Nov 2010	US$ 549	ebay.com
8.		Panasonic GF3	3/5	82/100	..	71/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2011	US$ 549	ebay.com
9.		Panasonic GF5	3/5	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2012	US$ 499	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic GF6	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2013	US$ 499	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic GH1	..	+ +	..	72/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	US$ 899	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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