[level-non-member]
Members, remember to log in to view this post.
[/level-non-member]
[level-membersupporter]
BY JON LAWTON
Panasonic is a company that many people may not generally associate with photography, but during the past three years they have released some of the most popular cameras on the market. Their development of the mirrorless Micro Four Thirds system helped introduce an entirely new class of camera that blends the image quality and control of a digital SLR camera with the size and portability of a point-and-shoot. Similar to a DSLR, the Micro Four Thirds system allows for the use of interchangeable lenses, but it does away with the reflex mirror and optical viewfinder making the body of the camera much smaller than even the most compact DLSRs.
The Panasonic G10 is the fourth Micro Four Thirds camera released by Panasonic to date. It is the lightest camera featuring a built-in electronic viewfinder. The G10’s body is constructed of metal and is wrapped in a grippy rubber compound, making it easy to hold. Its back features a three-inch LCD screen that either displays the camera settings, or when in live view mode, allows you to compose your photos. The heart of the camera is its 12-megapixel CMOS image sensor with an impressive ISO range of 100-6400. In addition to taking great still images, the G10 also has a video mode that can capture 1280-by720 pixel high definition video files at 30 frames per second. The G10 comes with an image stabilized 14-42mm 3X zoom lens, and can accept any Micro Four Thirds lens on the market.
The G10 is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can take an average 350 shots per charge. It can record in either JPEG or RAW image format and accepts SD memory cards. The small size and image quality of the Panasonic G10 makes it a great camera for someone looking to step up from a point-and-shoot without having to deal with the size and complexity of a full size DSLR. It’s also a fine choice for a DLSR shooter who wants to downsize their camera equipment without sacrificing their creative control and image quality. ♦
—Jon Lawton is a sales associate at Hunt’s Photo and Video in Melrose, Mass. Contact him at jlawton@wbhunt.com or 800-221-183
[/level-membersupporter]
Product review: Panasonic Lumix G10
