Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 review

PANASONIC GM1 PICTURE QUALITY

With the same sensor and processing engine as the GX7, this little camera produces photos that compare well with SLRs’ output. Colours were lifelike, with expertly chosen automatic settings and impeccable autofocus performance. Details in JPEGs were crisp and smooth, and the lens performed superbly into the corners of frames. Processing RAW shots in Lightroom 5 gave a further boost to details and let us recover blown out shadows and highlights.

Focus is extremely sharp in the corner of this shot – click to enlarge

Automatic exposure in this tricky high-contrast scene couldn’t be better – click to enlarge

Details are a little sharper in the RAW shot (via Lightroom 5) but the JPEG is pretty good too – click to enlarge

Processing RAW really pays off for revealing details in the dark tree trunk and for rescuing the over-exposed sky – click to enlarge

Noise at fast ISO speeds was marginally higher than from the best CSCs at this price, such as the Fujifilm X-M1. Still, with usable results up to ISO 6400, the GM1 delivered the goods for typical indoor shooting challenges.

Skin tones are a little scratchy at ISO 3200, but we appreciate how the camera automatically raises the shutter and ISO speeds to avoid blur when it detects a moving subject – click to enlarge

Noise levels are still reasonably low at ISO 6400. The camera’s own noise reduction gives Lightroom a run for its money – click to enlarge

PANASONIC GM1 CONCLUSION

The main benefit of a CSC is to deliver SLR quality in smaller packages. To that end, the GM1 still represents a major milestone with its genuinely pocketable dimensions, and that’s over a year after its initial launch. The fact that image quality, video quality and performance show no signs of compromise is even more impressive. Other CSCs have better physical controls, but while this camera won’t suit avid tinkerers, key settings are still quick to access. We did miss having an articulated screen, though.

There are lots of other great CSCs at this price, but the GM1’s closest rival is probably the Sony RX100 III. Its sensor has only half the surface area but its lens is four times brighter for wide-angle shots and remains over twice as bright as they zoom in. Another competitor closer to home is the Panasonic LX100, which again is a high-end compact with a smaller sensor but a very bright lens.

However, it’s the GM1’s interchangeable lenses that, for us, bring it out on top. The kit lens performs well, but the ability to swap it for a macro, telephoto or wide-aperture prime makes this camera far more versatile than either of teh options above, that said if buying additional lenses doesn’t interest you, then those are both better buys.

More recently there’s also the GM1’s successor, the Panasonic GM5. it is a little larger but includes an electronic viewfinder. However, overall we prefer this original design, with its built-in flash. It’s still a great little camera, and better still now that you can pick one up for just £429.