Panasonic DMC-G10

With AF Tracking,the Panasonic DMC-G10 can lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves.The camera can record 1280 x 720 HD video in Motion JPEG, QVGA, VGA and WVGA formats.

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Our Rating (4/5)

Good: Currently the most affordable entry point into the Micro Four Thirds compact camera system

Bad: Lacks some of the convenience and usability of its very closely specified big brother in the G2 – but then it is cheaper with it

One of the specifications that distinguish the  G10 from the DMC-G2 is the file format in which video is saved, namely Motion JPEG instead of the G2’s AVCHD Lite. The HD video clips are saved in a 1280×720 pixels resolution with the possibility of recording in QVGA, VGA and WVGA resolution. The recording of a video clip is kept very simple. The separate video recording button may be missing, but functions such as iA mode (Intelligent Auto) are present, such as the effective optical stabilizer (O.I.S.) with which movement blur is prevented.

Face detection can be activated for photography as well as the recording of a video clip. Face detection has been developed extensively in the past few years and it works very well in practice. The accuracy with which detection works is remarkable. Photography with the use of face detection has such advantages that not only allow for the face to be in focus, but also the lighting, contrast and skin color are calculated optimally and recorded. Despite the trademark beginner’s level model, the camera has extensive possibilities, but the emphasis is especially on the simplicity and completely automated programs.

The 12 Megapixels resolution is in accordance with the average resolution that system cameras have that we know. This is an excellent resolution; it is more than enough for the type of photography that you could achieve with the G10. More and more often, manufacturers dare to claim that a resolution of about 12 megapixels is optimal for DSLR and system cameras such as the G10. Strangely enough, these same manufacturers make these statements seem invalid for their compact camera assortment. It seems to be a bit of a double standard. The camera’s Live MOS sensor is low-energy and delivers a level of performance comparable to the standard CCD sensor.

Whichever photographer has outgrown the Auto mode can live it up in the pre-programmed scenes. The camera has 26 scenes. This is a large amount that was previously unknown, and when you use the inexhaustible possibilities of the P/S/A/M mode next to that, you can only conclude that you can express yourself creatively with the G10. And if you aren’t such a creative type, then the iA mode and the Intelligent Scene Selector can make a good choice for you. In that sense, there are limitless possibilities. Just take a couple of hours with the camera and try out some of the functions.

Reviews

Slashgear writes :
“The G10 is touting 12.1 megapixels with Live MOS sensor, Venus Engine HD II technology, and a 3-inch rear LCD that lacks any kind of tilt, swivel, or touch options. There’s not much to rock the socks in the features department, and sadly, we’ll have to end it there.”

PocketLint writes:
“The Samsung has the higher resolution but, for us, the Panasonic has the better image quality and a more comfortable grip. The G10 therefore comes highly recommended..”
Rating: ★★★★½

PCMag writes:
“Priced at just under $600, the DMC-G10 is a great choice for photographers on a budget that would like to avoid the heft of a full-size D-SLR without compromising on image quality. Micro Four Thirds cameras from Olympus offer better ISO performance, but their autofocus is painfully slow when compared to the G10.”
Rating: ★★★½☆

PhotographyBlog writes:
“It produces noise-free images at ISO 100 to 400, with limited noise starting to appear at ISO 800. ISO 1600 exhibits quite visible noise and loss of fine detail, and the fastest settings of ISO 3200 and 6400 are even noisier but still usable.”
Rating: ★★★★☆

ePhotozine  writes:
“First impressions look promising. I still like the style of the camera, there are certain elements included on the G series that you simply don’t see on a DSLR such as the continuous shooting having a switch instead of a button.”
Rating: N/A

 

Videos

Specifications:

Sensor:
• 4/3 type MOS (‘Live MOS sensor’)
• 13.1 million total pixels
• 12.1 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array

Image sizes:
• 4000 x 3000 (4:3)
• 2816 x 2112 (4:3)
• 2048 x 1536 (4:3)
• 4000 x 2672 (3:2)
• 2816 x 1880 (3:2)
• 2048 x 1360 (3:2)
• 4000 x 2248 (16:9)
• 2816 x 1584 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
• 2992 x 2992 (1:1)
• 2112 x 2112 (1:1)
• 1504 x 1504 (1:1)

Image sizes (Motion):
• Motion JPEG:
1280 x 720 (30fps)
848 x 480 (30fps)
640 x 480 (30fps)
320 x 240 (30fps)

Aspect ratios:
• 4:3
• 3:2
• 16:9
• 1:1

File formats:
• RAW
• RAW + JPEG Standard
• RAW + JPEG Fine
• JPEG (EXIF 2.2) – Standard
• JPEG (EXIF 2.2) – Fine

File formats (Movie):
• QuickTime Motion JPEG

Lenses :
• Micro Four Thirds mount lenses
• Four Thirds mount lenses via adapter (DMW-MA1PP)
Autofocus only available with:
- Olympus Zuiko 25 F2.8 ‘Pancake’
- Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6
- Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4-5.6
- Panasonic Leica D Summilux 25mm F1.4 ASPH
- Panasonic Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-50mm F3.8-5.6 ASPH. Mega OIS
- Panasonic Leica D Vario-Elmar 14-150mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. Mega OIS

Focus modes:
• Auto Focus (Contrast AF system)
• Manual focus
• Face Detection
• AF Tracking
• 23-Area-Focusing/1 Area Focusing

AF assist lamp:
• Yes, dedicated lamp

Image stabilization:
• Optical Image Stabilization

Extended optical zoom:
• Yes

Digital zoom:
• Up to 4x

Exposure modes:
• Program AE
• Aperture priority AE
• Shutter priority AE
• Manual
• Auto

Scene modes:
Portrait
• Normal
• Soft Skin
• Outdoor
• Indoor
• Creative
Scenery
• Normal
• Nature
• Architecture
• Creative
Sports
• Normal
• Outdoor
• Indoor
• Creative
Close-Up
• Flower
• Food
• Objects
• Creative
Night Portrait
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Illuminations
• Creative
SCN
• Sunset
• Party
• Baby 1
• Baby 2
• Pet
• Peripheral Defocus

Sensitivity:
• Auto
• Intelligent ISO
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200
• ISO 6400

ISO steps:
• 1/3 or 1.0 EV

Metering range:
• 0 to 18 EV

Metering modes:
• Multiple-Weighted
• Center-Weighted
• Spot

AE Lock:
• AEL/AFL button
• With shutter release half-press

AE Bracketing:
• 3, 5, 7 frames
• in 1/3 or 2/3, +/-2.0 EV steps

Exposure compensation:
• -3.0 to +3.0 EV
• 1/3 EV steps

Shutter speed:
• 60 -1/4000 sec
• Bulb (up to 4 mins)
• Flash X-sync 1/160 sec

White balance:
• Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Halogen
• Flash
• Custom 1
• Custom 2
• Kelvin temp (2500 – 10000 K, 100K steps)

WB fine tuning:
• Yes (blue/amber bias, magenta/green bias)

WB Bracketing:
• 3 shots
•+/-1 to +/-3 in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis

Color space:
• sRGB
• Adobe RGB

Image parameters:
• Color mode (Standard, Dynamic, Nature, Smooth, Vibrant, Nostalgic)
• Saturation (5 levels)
• Contrast (5 levels)
• Sharpness (5 levels)
• Noise reduction (5 levels)
• Monochrome (Standard, Dynamic, Smooth)
• My Film (2 memories/Multi Film)

Drive modes :
• Single
• Continuous H (3.2 fps)
• Continuous L (2.6 fps)
• Continuous L (2 fps)

Continuous buffer:
• 7 RAW images
• Unlimited JPEG images with a fast card

Self-timer:
• 2 sec
• 10 sec
• 10 sec, 3 images

Flash:
• Manual pop-up
• TTL auto / manual
• Guide no. 11 (ISO 100, m)
• Sync modes: Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro
• Flash power: Up to +/- 2EV in 1/3 EV steps

Flash X-sync speed:
• 1/160 sec

External flash:
• Hot shoe
• TTL Auto with FL220/FL360/FL500 (Optional)

Viewfinder:
• Electronic Viewfinder
• Color LCD Viewfinder
• Field of view 100%
• Eye point 17.5 mm at -1 dioptre
• Magnification 1.04x (equivalent to 0.52x on a 35mm camera / 50mm lens)
• Dioptre adjustment -4 to +4 dioptre
• 202,000 dots

DOF preview:
• Yes

Orientation sensor:
• Yes

LCD monitor:
• 3.0″ TFT LCD monitor
• Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD
• 460,000 dots
• Approx 100% frame coverage
• Auto Power LCD (optional) adjusts brightness in bright light
• Brightness (7 levels), Color (7 levels)

Playback functions:
• Single
• Magnify (2 – 16x)
• Thumbnail display (30,12)
• Slide show
• Title Edit
• Text Stamp
• Resize
• Trimming
• Aspect Conversion
• Rotate
• Rotate Display
• Favorite
• Print Set
• Protect
• Face recognition Edit

Connectivity:
• USB 2.0 (High Speed)
• Video Out (NTSC / PAL)
• Wired remote control DMW-RSL1 (optional)
• HDMI

Print compliance:
• PictBridge
• DPOF

Storage:
• SD / SDHC / SDXC

Power:
• 1250 mAh 7.2v Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
• Supplied charger / AC adapter

Dimensions:
• 124 mm x 84 mm x 74 mm (4.88 x 3.29 x 2.91 in )

Weight (camera body):
• Approx. 336 g (11.85 oz)

Weight (inc supplied lens, card and battery):
• Approx. 558 g (19.68 oz)