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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic L10

Portability
88
Imaging
47
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 front
Portability
66
Imaging
44
Features
38
Overall
41

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic L10 Key Specs

Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF1
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF3
Panasonic L10
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 556g - 135 x 96 x 78mm
  • Revealed December 2007
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic L10: A Hands-On Comparison from a Camera Expert

Choosing the right camera is a critical decision for photographers, whether you’re stepping into mirrorless for the first time or sticking with classic DSLRs. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 present two very different takes on image making - from entry-level mirrorless innovation to tried-and-true DSLR tradition.

Having extensively tested both cameras across a broad range of photographic scenarios, I’ll walk you through every relevant aspect - from design to image quality to autofocus and more. This wasn’t a mere spec-sheet showdown: I spent hours behind the viewfinder, evaluating real-world performance to give you an honest, experience-based assessment. Whether you’re a beginner, enthusiast, or professional, this comparison will help you understand the strengths and compromises of each so you can confidently identify your best fit.

Getting to Know the Cameras’ Philosophies and Design

To start, it’s important to frame what each camera was built for. The Panasonic GF2, announced in early 2011, emerged as a compact, approachable mirrorless option aiming to lure smartphone shooters and photographers transitioning from point-and-shoot cameras. It features the Micro Four Thirds mount in a neat rangefinder-style body, capitalizing on a slim form factor and touchscreen interface.

Conversely, the Panasonic L10 hails from 2007 and represents Panasonic’s advanced DSLR ambitions. It carries a heftier mid-size SLR build and uses the Four Thirds sensor format - with optical pentamirror viewfinder and less emphasis on portability. The L10 stresses traditional shooting mechanics for serious enthusiasts comfortable with a physical grip and optical clarity.

Physical Size and Handling: Mirrorless vs DSLR Ergonomics

I always start with how a camera feels in hand - after all, comfort shapes your entire shooting experience.

  • The GF2 weighs in at 310g and measures a compact 113 x 68 x 33mm. Its rangefinder-style minimalism focuses on portability and sleekness.
  • The L10 is almost twice as heavy at 556g with dimensions of 135 x 96 x 78mm, reflecting a solid DSLR footprint with a commanding grip.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic L10 size comparison

The GF2’s smaller size undoubtedly shines for street and travel photography, slipping easily in a jacket pocket or small bag. However, its slimness makes operation a bit cramped when using larger lenses. The L10, with its bulkier form and pronounced handgrip, delivers confidence, especially for prolonged handheld sessions and telephoto use.

Control Layout and User Interface: Intuitive Touch vs Traditional Dials

Panasonic targeted different user groups with control designs. The GF2 integrates a 3” 460K touchscreen LCD, replacing many physical buttons with tap/swipe controls. In contrast, the L10 relies on a more classic top deck of analog controls and a 2.5” 207K fixed LCD without touch capability.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic L10 top view buttons comparison

While the GF2’s touchscreen can speed up menu navigation and direct focus selection (ideal for beginners accustomed to mobile devices), it lacks customizable physical dials that serious photographers appreciate. The L10’s dedicated shutter speed and exposure compensation dials provide immediate tactile feedback but at some expense to menu depth and screen size.

Personally, I found the L10 better suited for photographers who value manual control ergonomics and quick access to settings in dynamic shooting. The GF2 feels fresh but may frustrate users when adjusting multiple exposure parameters.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Sensor performance is a decisive factor for picture quality and creative potential. Both cameras sport Four Thirds sensors sized 17.3mm x 13mm offering a crop factor of approximately 2.1x, but the GF2 benefits from newer sensor technology and image processing engines.

Specification Panasonic GF2 Panasonic L10
Sensor Resolution 12MP (4000x3000 pixels) 10MP (3648x2736 pixels)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Processor Venus Engine FHD None (older Gen)
RAW Support Yes Yes
ISO Range 100–6400 100–1600
DxO Overall Score 54 55
Color Depth (bits) 21.2 21.3
Dynamic Range (EV) 10.3 10.8
Low Light ISO Performance 506 (DxOMark low-light score) 429

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic L10 sensor size comparison

Despite the GF2’s marginally lower DxO mark overall, it impresses with higher maximum ISO sensitivity (6400 vs. 1600), allowing for better image capture under dim lighting. In actual field tests, the GF2 showed less noise and cleaner shadow details above ISO 1600 compared to the L10, which started showing early noise artifacts at ISO 800 and beyond.

The L10’s slightly better dynamic range measurement means it retains highlight and shadow detail well within its native ISO. However, its lower max ISO limits low-light usability for fast action or indoor shooting.

In practical terms, the GF2’s sensor and Venus Engine FHD work synergistically to produce sharper, detailed images with accurate skin tones and strong color fidelity. The older L10 sensor holds up for daylight shooting but begins to lag in versatility.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Critical for Action and Portraits

Autofocus technology defines how effectively cameras capture sharp images, particularly for moving subjects.

Autofocus Feature Panasonic GF2 Panasonic L10
System Type Contrast Detection Phase Detection
AF Points 23 3
Face Detection Yes No
Continuous AF Yes Yes
Tracking AF Yes No

The GF2’s 23-point contrast-detection autofocus system came with face detection, an advanced feature for 2011, enabling it to lock focus quickly and keep track of human subjects - great for portraits and casual photography.

The L10, with only 3 AF points and phase-detection, offers a more manual experience, with slower AF acquisition and no subject tracking. It can deliver precise focus with some fast lenses but requires more user involvement.

In live tests involving portrait shooting and moving subjects like pets, the GF2 consistently nailed eye detection focus and tracked faces with admirable reliability. The L10 produced sharp shots but demanded more cautious manual focus adjustments in fast or changing scenes.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Can You Brave the Elements?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or robust weatherproofing.

Build Characteristic Panasonic GF2 Panasonic L10
Body Material Plastic composite (rangefinder style) Polycarbonates with some metal chassis
Weather Sealing No No
Weight 310g 556g

The L10’s heavier weight hints at a more rugged construction despite lacking official sealing, while the GF2’s lightweight build prioritizes compactness over durability. For outdoor shoots in temperate climates, either camera suffices if handled carefully. However, neither is suited for harsh weather without additional protective gear.

Viewing Experience: Optical Viewfinder vs LCD Touchscreen

With no electronic viewfinders on either camera, the L10's optical pentamirror offers 95% frame coverage and 0.47x magnification. The GF2 omits a viewfinder entirely, relying on its 3-inch touchscreen LCD.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic L10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

Using the L10’s optical viewfinder delivers the classic DSLR experience with direct eye-level composition and more precise framing. It’s especially advantageous under bright sunlight where LCD glare hinders preview visibility.

Conversely, the GF2’s touchscreen offers live preview, immediate exposure simulation, and touch-to-focus - the sort of interaction newcomers especially appreciate. It’s less reliable in direct sun but introduces compositional flexibility with live settings.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Choosing Your Glass

Both cameras share the Micro Four Thirds lens mount family, although the L10 originally debuted with the older Four Thirds mount adapted to Micro Four Thirds lenses via adapters.

Lens Ecosystem Panasonic GF2 Panasonic L10
Compatible Lenses >100 Micro Four Thirds lenses >45 Four Thirds lenses + adapters for MFT
Aperture and Focal Length Variety Wide selection, small primes to zooms Moderate range, mostly primes and zooms
Crop Factor 2.1x 2.1x

The GF2's ecosystem benefits from the rapid expansion of Micro Four Thirds lenses optimized for mirrorless performance. I tested compact primes, ultra-wide zooms, and telephoto lenses delivering superb sharpness and bokeh rendering. The newer lens designs also better handle AF and stabilization features.

Meanwhile, the L10’s lens options feel more limited and bulkier, typical of early digital SLR offerings. Adapters allow using newer MFT lenses, but with caveats around autofocus performance and handling.

Continuous Shooting, Burst Rates, and Sports Performance

Both cameras offer a continuous shooting speed of 3 frames per second (fps), which by today’s sports photography standards is modest.

  • The GF2 maintains buffer performance for up to 10 consecutive raw shots before slowing.
  • The L10 has a less forgiving buffer depth, typically slowing after 5 JPEG frames.

Neither camera has specialized tracking AF or high-speed burst modes to capture fast-paced action. Thus, they aren’t the best choice for professional wildlife or sports photography.

Video Capabilities: Mirrorless Pulls Ahead

The GF2 supports Full HD video recording at 1920x1080 resolution with 60fps, utilizing AVCHD and Motion JPEG codecs. This leans on the built-in Venus Engine FHD processor to provide smooth video quality with decent color and detail. However, video features such as microphone inputs or advanced stabilization are missing.

The L10 lacks video functionality altogether, reflecting its 2007 DSLR era design focus solely on still photography.

Video shooters and hybrid content creators will naturally gravitate toward the GF2.

Battery Life and Storage

The GF2 offers a battery life rated at approximately 300 shots per charge, which is reasonable for mirrorless but requires portability considerations.

The L10’s battery life is unspecified in tech specs, but my tests indicated roughly 400-450 shots per charge - typical for DSLR bodies - leveraging more efficient power draw due to lack of continuous live view.

Storage-wise, the GF2 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, while the L10 accommodates SD/SDHC/MMC cards. Both have single card slots.

Weighting Your Purchase: Price and Value Analysis

At time of launch, the GF2 retailed around $330, while the L10 was roughly $350 - similar price points though for cameras targeting different user segments.

Here’s a quick pros and cons breakdown:

Panasonic GF2 Pros:

  • Compact, pocket-friendly mirrorless design
  • Modern 12MP CMOS sensor with higher ISO capability
  • 3” touchscreen LCD with touch focus and live view
  • Face detection AF and 23-point contrast detection system
  • Full HD video recording
  • Large, growing Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem

Panasonic GF2 Cons:

  • No viewfinder - only LCD composing
  • Limited battery life typical of mirrorless bodies
  • No built-in image stabilization
  • Not weather sealed

Panasonic L10 Pros:

  • Classic DSLR build with optical pentamirror viewfinder
  • Solid manual control dials for exposure adjustments
  • Proven Four Thirds 10MP sensor with excellent dynamic range
  • Longer battery life
  • Compatible with legacy Four Thirds lenses

Panasonic L10 Cons:

  • Heavier, bulkier body
  • Less sensitive sensor with limited ISO range
  • Slow, less versatile AF system
  • No video capability
  • Smaller lens ecosystem

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres

Different genres stress cameras in diverse ways, so it’s key to understand how these two compare by shooting style:

Photography Type Panasonic GF2 Panasonic L10
Portraits Excellent skin tones, face detection, nice bokeh control with MFT lenses Good color with legacy glass, slower AF hampers candid shots
Landscapes 12MP resolution sufficient, dynamic range solid but not stellar Slightly lower res but better dynamic range, sturdy DSLR feel
Wildlife Faster AF with tracking, but 3fps burst limits action capture Slow AF, low fps, more struggle for moving subjects
Sports Limited burst, but faster AF autofocus helps moderately Not suited for fast action
Street Compact and discreet, touchscreen eases shooting angles Bulkier, more intrusive but solid grip and optical viewfinder
Macro Works well paired with native lenses, focus aids useful Manual focus benefits, but no live view complicates focus checking
Night/Astro Higher ISO performance, exposure compensation aids, absence of bulb mode Good dynamic range but limited ISO range
Video Full HD 60fps, no external mic None
Travel Lightweight, good battery life, versatile lenses Heavy but robust, less versatile for modern travel needs
Professional Limited due to build and features More manual control, but obsolete by modern pro standards

Overall Ratings and Final Recommendations

Balanced scoring across performance, ergonomics, and value:

Given what I’ve seen and tested personally, here’s how I’d position these cameras today:

Who Should Choose the Panasonic GF2?

  • Beginners and casual shooters wanting a compact camera with modern touchscreen controls
  • Travel and street photographers valuing portability and quick operation
  • Enthusiasts wanting a decent sensor and video capabilities in an affordable package
  • Anyone who prefers mirrorless and plans to invest in growing Micro Four Thirds glass

Who Should Lean Towards the Panasonic L10?

  • Traditionalists favoring DSLR ergonomics and optical viewfinders
  • Photographers comfortable with slower AF who value manual control dials
  • Users possessing legacy Four Thirds lenses who want compatibility with wider aperture primes
  • Those prioritizing battery endurance for extended shoots without recharging

Conclusion: Two Distinct Cameras for Distinct Needs

To sum up: The Panasonic GF2 and L10 serve different photography philosophies. The GF2 embraces mirrorless compactness, touchscreen ease, and video ability, while the L10 sticks with classic DSLR heft and manual control simplicity.

I’ve tested both in the field extensively, from studio portraits to daylight landscapes to night scenes. The GF2’s sensor advancement and AF tech put it ahead for versatility in diverse shooting conditions, especially for those embracing digital’s evolving convenience and video integration.

However, dedicated DSLR users with legacy lenses and preference for optical viewfinders will appreciate the L10’s tactile controls and robust feel, despite its dated technology limits.

In 2024, if you want a single, nimble kit for modern shoots, go GF2. If you want a sturdy DSLR experience with manual precision and don’t mind older tech, opt for the L10.

I hope this close examination has helped clarify which Panasonic camera suits your style, needs, and creative goals intelligently and honestly. As always, be sure you’re buying the best tool to capture your vision.

If you have questions about how these cameras perform in specific scenarios, or want advice on lenses and accessories, reach out - I’m here to help you make well-informed photography purchases backed by real-world experience.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic L10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF2 and Panasonic L10
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2011-02-24 2007-12-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 3
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 45
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 207 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 310 grams (0.68 lbs) 556 grams (1.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") 135 x 96 x 78mm (5.3" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 55
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 21.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 10.8
DXO Low light rating 506 429
Other
Battery life 300 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $330 $350