Panasonic GX1 Gets Real Review

DPReview, the undisputed juggernaut of online camera reviews, has posted its review of the new Panasonic GX1. The sensor was a pretty big disappointment when DxOMark ran it through its test, with a score that barely defeated the now-old 12Mp sensor found in most earlier Micro 4/3 cameras.

DPReview's test holds few surprises. Panasonic has refined all of the practical elements of the camera and delivered the first camera that can be considered a successor to the amazing GF1. They mention a few things that are disappointing to lose, like the drive lever, but ignore the ridiculous placement of an iA button that you cannot reassign to a function that, I dunno', someone might use.

Overall, though, it is apparent that Panasonic did a good job of moving the GF1 philosophy forward. Unfortunately, they needed a lot more than simply moving forward. They needed a leap. The market is very different than the market that greeted the GF1. Sony has really outdone themselves with the NEX-5n and NEX-7, and while the lenses aren't quite as compact, they are of impressive quality. The mirrorless market has moved on quickly, and Panasonic has yet to bring its A-game.