Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

Lumix DMC-G10: compact interchangeable optical finally cheaper!

If G2 is attractive with its touch screen, the G10 scores points at checkout.

The Japanese manufacturer Panasonic updates its compact interchangeable optics. The G series will get rich in June 2010 of two new cases: the Lumix DMC-G2 and the DLC-G10. The first is the successor of G1First unit of the race micro 4 / 3, and the G10 is the economic version, in competition with the Pen E-PL1 Olympus.

Panasonic continues to develop its compact optical interchangeable with a rotating touch screen G2 and G10, economical version of the format micro 4 / 3.

Panasonic G2: video and touchscreen

The G1 G2 succeeds, a device that was devoid of video mode. It is therefore correct that shortcoming. Retaining much of the physical characteristics and technology of its predecessor – rotating screen 460 000 points, 12 megapixel sensor, etc.. – The G2 integrates not the mode of 1080p Full HD GH1 we tested, but the same video mode as GF1, That is to say the HD 720p (1280 x 768 pixels) in AVCHD.

Another novelty introduced in the series by this device is its touch screen. A screen that allows you to focus on the area and trigger pressed (though useful when you can not put the camera in the eye) or to browse photos as an iPhone.

G10: micro 4 / 3 cheaper

A fixed screen, a less accurate EVF (202,000 pixels 1.4 MP cons for G1/GH1/ G2) and a video mode a little less powerful (720p MJPEG and not AVCHD): G10 is the consumer version of the series.

But far from being a cheap version, it incorporates the same sensor and same electronics (even with the new Venus Engine HD2) as its big brother, the picture quality will be the same and the videos will be default that weigh twice as heavy – AVCHD compresses twice more with the same quality.

New standard optics: almost the same, and cheaper

Panasonic unveiled its new lens comes in kit, the 14-42 mm F3.5-5.6, which replaces the 14-45 mm. An optical parallels what Olympus has in terms of length and which, if it has the same optical part that his grandfather lost his bayonet becomes metallic glass, hand made entirely of plastic.

The micro 4 / 3 finally cheaper?

If the touch screen G2 is an innovation friendly and higher-end device, the G10 is, paradoxically, we expect the most. For proposed at 550 euros with its optical core, the G10 is, in our opinion, the first real camera micro four thirds of the available marks. The G1 was indeed released too expensive – 800 euros – to shade the entry-level SLR. Here, the G2 arrives at a floor price – 50 euros less than the Pen E-PL1 Olympus (But it will line up quickly) – and offers the quality of an SLR camera and video capabilities of a compact. It could become the surprise of the summer and who knows, lower prices help the bestseller winter.

The G2 and G10 will be available in June: G10 to 549 euros with the 14-42 mm and the G2 to 599 euros naked 699 with 14-42 mm and 999 mm with 14-42 and 50 – 200 mm.

Positive points

* The new image processor
* HD video
* The compact size and flexibility of the micro 4 / 3
* [G10] attractive price
* [G2] The rotating screen touch

Negative points

* [G10] Video MJPEG and not AVCHD
* Plastic Optics

Specifications

Sensor format
4/3
Definition of sensor
12.1 Megapixel