Lumix G1: Initial Impressions

I picked up a new G1 this evening. I am thinking it might take a place between my Canon 30D and my Ricoh GRD II . The 30D is heavy enough to be occasionally left at home when I hike, and that's a bad thing. The GRD is always at hand, but has its limitations, even if I am often hesitant to admit it.

The Lumix G1 is a bit of a wild card, as is the whole Micro 4/3 thing. Even though I now own one, it's gonna take a bit doing to get me to admit that this is going to work for me.

Anyway, let me share some of my initial (the battery is still charging) impressions:

I could tell that the G1 was made in China just by handling its packing materials. They reminded me of the packing that delivered my GRD II, which is also made in China. I confess that this is a tad disappointing, even though I have found the GRD to be a solidly built and reliable device. Why am I disappointed?

Simple. I know that the only reason for a Japanese company to build their stuff anywhere but Japan is labor costs. We can argue all day about how there are skilled workers everywhere, but the fact is that Canon makes their humble XS in Japan yet Panasonic makes their somewhat less than humble G1 in China.

Panasonic saves a yen or two and we hope that the quality matches what can be done in Japan. Maybe someday but not today. By the way, the kit lens is made in Japan. The jury is out on whether the XS or the G1 represents the better value , but that's another subject for another time.

The G1 is fairly well put together and the plastic and rubber surfaces have a nice feel to them. The little, tiny kit lens is cute as all get out (is that a good thing?) but doesn't strike me as being any better made, or comprised of higher quality materials than the ubiquitous Canon 18-55 kit lens.

Even with the lens mounted, the G1 is both light and small, something like half the weight of my 30D and its usual partner, the Tamron 17-50. This little beauty will fit anywhere. I am thinking that a tidy, little belt pouch would be perfect .

Tomorrow, with any luck, it won't rain. My plan is to get out and get a few shots of downtown Los Angeles and maybe a few in Pasadena. With a lot of luck, I'll get out for a hike over the weekend and will try the G1 in what should be its natural habitat...out on the trail.

I am assuming (hoping?) that the comments and reviews lauding the IQ of the G1 and its lens are true. Still, what I really need is for the G1 to shoot, handle and feel right. I've got my fingers crossed about the G1's EVF, too.

Look. No camera is going to make me a better photographer, but I am hoping that the G1 makes shooting on the go a bit more pleasant.

Stay tuned.