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Panasonic GF1

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Panasonic GF1 summary

Panasonic GF1 is Panasonic's Entry-Level Mirrorless camera initially introduced on October of 2009. The camera has a 12MP, CMOS Four Thirds size sensor with a full resolution of 4000 x 3000.

Panasonic launched the updated Panasonic GF2 (Read Full Comparison) as a way to replace this camera.

The GF1 is ranked #108 out of 117 in Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras & overall #484 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our collection. Please try our Smart camera finder to see camera listings based on your personalized criteria.

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Below is a diagram of different factors used in the rating system.

Panasonic GF1 family

The Panasonic GF1 is part of a family of cameras. You can read the full list underneath.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Panasonic-Lumix-DC-G100 front thumbnailPanasonic G100
GF1 vs G100
20MPFour Thirds10.0 fps2020
Panasonic-Lumix-DC-GX9 front thumbnailPanasonic GX9
GF1 vs GX9
20MPFour Thirds9.0 fps2018
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Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX850 front thumbnailPanasonic GX850
GF1 vs GX850
16MPFour Thirds10.0 fps2017
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX85 front thumbnailPanasonic GX85
GF1 vs GX85
16MPFour Thirds8.0 fps2016
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF8 front thumbnailPanasonic GF8
GF1 vs GF8
16MPFour Thirds5.8 fps2016
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX8 front thumbnailPanasonic GX8
GF1 vs GX8
20MPFour Thirds12.0 fps2015
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Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF7 front thumbnailPanasonic GF7
GF1 vs GF7
16MPFour Thirds5.8 fps2015
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GM5 front thumbnailPanasonic GM5
GF1 vs GM5
16MPFour Thirds5.8 fps2014
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GM1 front thumbnailPanasonic GM1
GF1 vs GM1
16MPFour Thirds5.0 fps2013
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX7 front thumbnailPanasonic GX7
GF1 vs GX7
16MPFour Thirds5.0 fps2013
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G6 front thumbnailPanasonic G6
GF1 vs G6
16MPFour Thirds7.0 fps2013
Photography Glossary
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF6 front thumbnailPanasonic GF6
GF1 vs GF6
16MPFour Thirds4.0 fps2013
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G5 front thumbnailPanasonic G5
GF1 vs G5
16MPFour Thirds6.0 fps2012
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF5 front thumbnailPanasonic GF5
GF1 vs GF5
12MPFour Thirds4.0 fps2012
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GX1 front thumbnailPanasonic GX1
GF1 vs GX1
16MPFour Thirds4.0 fps2012
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF3 front thumbnailPanasonic GF3
GF1 vs GF3
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2011
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G3 front thumbnailPanasonic G3
GF1 vs G3
16MPFour Thirds4.0 fps2011
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF2 front thumbnailPanasonic GF2
GF1 vs GF2
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2011
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G10 front thumbnailPanasonic G10
GF1 vs G10
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2010
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G2 front thumbnailPanasonic G2
GF1 vs G2
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2010
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF1 front thumbnailPanasonic GF112MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2009
Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-G1 front thumbnailPanasonic G1
GF1 vs G1
12MPFour Thirds3.0 fps2009

Panasonic GF1 Pros and Cons

Here is a collection of upsides and downsides of the Panasonic GF1 based on criterias which are typically regarded as necessary in a camera.

built-in flash
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
does have HDMI support
good minimum ISO (100)
good sized screen (3")
great battery life (380 per charge)
has face detect focusing
has manual focus
has tracking focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
low resolution screen (460 thousand dot)
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
no headphone jack
no mic jack
no Time Lapse recording
screen does not articulate
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Panasonic GF1 Sensor specs

The Panasonic GF1 is run by the Venus Engine HD chip. The sensor spec on the Panasonic GF1 is 17.3mm x 13mm (Four Thirds). The 225 mm² sensor can capture 4000 x 3000 pixels with aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

The CMOS sensor has 12 megapixels and has a native ISO range of 100 to 3200. RAW files are saved so you have more margin for error.

The image underneath illustrates the GF1's sensor size compared to other common sizes. The GF1 sensor has a crop factor of 2.1 and is displayed in green.

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To get a sense of various aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Panasonic GF1 dimensions

Panasonic GF1 weighs around 0.85 lbs (385 gr / 13.58 oz) & the overall size of the camera is 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4"). The weight of average Entry-Level Mirrorless camera is 329 gr and the Panasonic GF1 is heavier than its rivals.

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Underneath is a image of the Panasonic GF1 next to a soft drink to help you to get a feel for its size.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 dimensions scale

The top view under will highlight the button arrangement on the GF1.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 topview buttons dials

Panasonic GF1 Lens details

The GF1 works with the Micro Four Thirds mount and has 162 lenses available on the market. Here is a small number of the lenses we have in our database that will fit the GF1.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Lensbaby-Velvet-56-Micro-Four-Thirds lensLensbaby Velvet 5656mmf/1.6 400g
Olympus-Body-Cap-Lens-15mm-F8.0 lensOlympus Body Cap Lens 15mm F8.015mmf/8.0 22g
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Rokinon-7.5mm-f3.5-UMC-Fisheye-CS-Micro-Four-Thirds lensRokinon 7.5mm f3.5 UMC Fisheye CS8mmf/3.5 197g
Panasonic-Lumix-G-Vario-14-42mm-F3.5-5.6-II-ASPH-Mega-OIS lensPanasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 II ASPH Mega OIS14-42mmf/3.5-5.6 110g
Panasonic-Lumix-G-Vario-14-140mm-F3.5-5.6-ASPH.-Power-O.I.S lensPanasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. Power O.I.S14-140mmf/3.5-5.6 265g
Olympus-M.Zuiko-Digital-ED-12-40mm-f2.8-PRO lensOlympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO12-40mmf/2.8 382g
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
Venus-Laowa-4mm-F2.8-Fisheye-MFT lensVenus Laowa 4mm F2.8 Fisheye MFT4mmf/2.8135g
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Panasonic GF1 Connectivity

The GF1 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes

Digital cameras which include NFC and / or Bluetooth support are able to be controlled wirelessly with smartphones. You will be able to transfer photos and sometimes adjust settings without connecting directly with the camera.

Several apps also allow a Liveview and release the shutter when you are not close to the camera. If the camera comes with a HDMI port, it can easily be hooked up to an external display. A good number of cameras enable you to charge the battery pack using the USB socket.

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Panasonic GF1 Video details

The highest possible video quality on the Panasonic GF1 is 1280 x 720 and you can save in AVCHD Lite format. 720p is terrible for today's requirements. You should really strive for at least 1080p quality for video recording. The body does not offer a microphone and / or headphone port so you get zero control over the audio. It is probably a better idea to find another model in case you require decent audio for your video clips.

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Panasonic GF1 Weather Sealing

There is no environment proofing in the Panasonic GF1 so you have to be careful in wet and dusty conditions.

Panasonic GF1 Display and Viewfinder

The Panasonic GF1 has a 3 inch fixed display screen with a resolution of 460 thousand dots.

Please note that the display has no touch support.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 screen and viewfinder Photography Glossary

The ViewFinder details for Panasonic GF1 are as follows:

  • ViewFinder None

For sunny outdoor conditions that make the camera displays washed out and hard to see, viewfinders can be quite useful.

Panasonic GF1 Shutter details

Panasonic GF1 continuous shooting rate is 3.0 fps. The maximum shutter speed is 1/4000s.

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Panasonic GF1 Flash and Hot shoe details

Panasonic GF1 comes with both inbuilt flash along with external flash support. The maximum flash sync is 1/160s.

Panasonic GF1 Autofocus details

Panasonic GF1 comes with only Contrast Detect AF & is missing Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection autofocusing is more faster & exact than Contrast Detect autofocusing. The camera has Face detect which can be helpful for portraits.

The Sensor has 23 focus points to pick from. It also features Tracking AF for moving things. Panasonic GF1 has the ability to use manual focus when required during low light occasions or you want to have more precise control on focus.

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Panasonic GF1 Battery life

The battery life in the Panasonic GF1 is fashioned to last for 380 clicks as per the CIPA specifications which is higher than the usual for its class. The average Entry-Level Mirrorless camera battery life is 343. Fujifilm X-S20 offers the best (750) battery life within this kind of cameras.

Following is a collection of Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras that have the strongest battery life:

Panasonic GF1 for different styles of photography

The following diagram gives a summary of the Panasonic GF1 for different styles of photography. To see more, check out the specific section underneath.

Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography information

The Panasonic GF1 gets a score of 60 which is modest, and means the camera is relatively acceptable for portraits. Photographing portraits leans greatly towards sensor dimensions, RAW support together with the option to use off-camera lighting.

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has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)

Panasonic GF1 Street photography info

Coming in at a above average score of 64, the Panasonic GF1 is a respectable option to buy for street photography. A good street photography camera offers a good balance of image quality plus portability.

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sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization

Panasonic GF1 Sports photography features

A low sports photography points total of 44 indicates the Panasonic GF1 is simply not very good for taking photos of sports. A camera needs good tracking and fast continuous shooting for sports photography.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery life (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have phase detect autofocus

Panasonic GF1 Travel photography factors

Weight is super critical in picking a travel camera. All things considered, the Panasonic GF1 gets a reasonable 59 for a travel camera which makes it reasonably acceptable to purchase for your journeys.

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good battery power (380 per charge)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly

Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography details

When you're planning to choose a camera for landscape pictures, the most significant aspect will no doubt be image quality. The Panasonic GF1 at it's average grade of 60 for a landscape camera is fairly adequate in the current market.

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manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
good battery (380 shots)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode

Vlogging with Panasonic GF1

A camera for vlogging should have a articulating display, mic port and preferably IBIS. Considering every thing, the Panasonic GF1 is simply not very good as a vlog camera as it receives a low score of 25.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
provides face detect autofocus
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port

Panasonic GF1 Alternatives

If you are interested in replacements to the GF1, here is a selection of the top placed cameras that fall into the family of Entry-Level Mirrorless.

The diagram just below will give you an overview of the GF1 compared to it's highest rated rivals listed earlier.

There are a bunch of cameras you may take into account as alternatives. To browse through a full comparison, visit the "compare" link.

Photography Glossary

Specifications

General Information
Make
Panasonic
Model
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Category
Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced
2009-10-14
Body design
Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor
Venus Engine HD
Sensor size
Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions
17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area
224.9mm²
Sensor resolution
12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio
1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW support
Maximum native ISO
3200
Min native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points
23
Lens
Lens mounting type
Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses
107
Crop factor
2.1
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display size
3"
Display resolution
460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology
TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall score
54
DXO Color Depth score
21.2
DXO Dynamic range score
10.3
DXO Low light score
513
Features
Minimum shutter speed
60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed
1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed
3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation
Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range
6.00 m
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync
1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution
1280x720
Video format
AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight
385 grams (0.85 pounds)
Dimensions
119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
Other
Battery life
380 pictures
Form of battery
Battery Pack
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage media
SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots
One
Retail price
$400