Claim Check: Does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 offer "SLR power?"
When Panasonic announced the Lumix DMC-G1 (click on the image at right for a closer look) in September, it was hard to classify—was it a digital SLR camera, a point-and-shoot, or an entirely new camera type?
Now that it's here in the labs, we're still not sure how to classify it, but we can tell you whether it lives up to Panasonic's claim that it offers consumers "the power of an SLR."
The answer: Yes.
But that doesn't mean you should necessarily buy this camera instead of an SLR.
To check the claim, we compared the Lumix to the Olympus E-520, $600, a very good SLR that uses a similar lens design.
Highs
In comparing any camera with an SLR, image quality is a key issue. Our tests confirmed that the G1 matched the image quality found on the E-520. Indeed the G1's resolution, color accuracy, noise and dynamic range were all very close to the E-520's. The G1 also matched the E-520's sensor sensitivity, which lets you set the camera as high as 800 ISO with very good results.
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Next, we looked at the G1's performance and the quality of its viewfinder.
The G1 uses a different autofocus system than SLRs, including the E-520, one that's more like those found on point-and-shoots. That fact raised concerns that the G1 might suffer, as many point-and-shoots do, from noticeable first-shot delay (often called shutter lag) or next-shot delay. However, we were impressed with how quickly the G1 responded. As with the E-520, it had no noticeable delay.
The quality of the G1's electronic viewfinder was also impressive. That's important because the G1's unique design makes it impractical to have the sort of optical viewfinder, which lets you see exactly what your 
shooting, found on SLRs. The G1's electronic viewfinder is very clear, sharp and smooth. With a resolution of 1,440,000 dots and refresh rate of 60 frames per second, the image didn't stutter or display excessive flickering when panning in decent light. However, it's not perfect (see Lows).
The G1's interchangeable lens system provides superior optical quality and flexibility compared with fixed-lens point-and-shoots. However, the new lens system is not yet mature (see Lows).
The G1 has other nice features, such as a swiveling LCD (click on the image at right for a closer look) and the ability to view a histogram inside the viewfinder, something an SLR doesn't have.
Lows
As with many gadgets this innovative, Panasonic had to make several compromises:
Although the camera is somewhat smaller and lighter than a number of basic SLRs, it's not significantly smaller or more compact. We think it's still big and bulky, especially compared with most point-and-shoots. Even some SLRs are about the same size as the G1.
While the electronic viewfinder is better than any we found on previous point-and-shoots, it still can't compete with an SLR's real-viewing experience. For example, in low light, the G1's viewfinder becomes jerky and somewhat spotted with image noise, since the camera has to crank up its ISO setting. Some will argue that this viewfinder may actually be an aid for those with eye problems. Nevertheless, it doesn't match an SLR's through-the-lens viewfinder experience.
There are other limitations. There's no video capability. (Panasonic says the next version, scheduled to debut in 2009, will have this feature.) Its lens system offers a choice of just two lenses: the 14-45mm kit lens that comes with the G1 and a 45-200mm zoom lens, $350. Finally, at $800, the G1 is pricey.
Bottom line
The DMC-G1 indeed rivals an SLR in image quality and performance. However, at $800, it costs twice as much as many advanced point-and-shoots and more than most basic SLRs, even when you include the cost of a kit lens. Also, far fewer lenses are available for the Lumix than for an SLR. Even "early adopters" curious about the Lumix's unique qualities might want to hold off on buying it. Panasonic has made it known that its next G-series model will include high-definition video capability, which may make the next model the one to wait for. Plus, more lenses will be available for the Lumix at that time, according to Panasonic.
—Terry Sullivan
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