Panasonic GF1: First tests, first photos

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We've had the chance to use a pre-production version of the Panasnoic GF1 for several hours.  It was just a preview, but the firmware was listed as being version 1.0.  With just a few days to go before it's officially launched, though, it's likely that the results we had with the version will be very similar to those that will soon be on sale.

We tested the same scene at different sensitivities, and you can open the full-size version of each image by clicking on it to compare the details.

The new compact has the same 12 Megapixel sensor as the G1.  However, the image correction chip is the Venus Engine HD … as found in the GH1.  In general, though, the photos produced by the GF1 are closer to those of the G1 than the GH1: the electronic noise is more noticeable with coloured patterns in busy areas of the frame at 400 ISO and even more visible at 800 and 1600 ISO.  All of the photos are better quality than on today's digital compact cameras.

We haven't had the time to make any prints at A4 or A3, but we'll be looking at these results again very soon.

100 ISO	200 ISO	400 ISO
800 ISO	1600 ISO	3200 ISO