We know that it's possible to make small cameras using the Micro Four Thirds system, but it was only today when we saw the brand-new Panasonic Lumix GM1 that we appreciated just how small that could be. This is the first camera we've seen with interchangeable lenses that is truly just the size of a compact camera. In fact, Panasonic even had to have new lenses designed for it to match the new tiny body.
PANASONIC LUMIX GM1 SIZE
Despite being the smallest Micro Four Thirds camera that we've seen, it's not a cut-down camera with a lower-resolution, cheaper sensor than other cameras in the Panasonic's range. In fact, it has the same 16-megapixel sensor as the Panasonic Lumix GX7.
Getting the size down has meant some clever engineering, particularly as the size of the physical sensor is fixed by the Micro Four Thirds standard. Panasonic first reduced the surrounding sensor electronics by 30 per cent, then managed to reduce the mount by 40 per cent. The company also managed to reduce the circuit board size by 80 per cent.
Re-engineering the shutter system also played its part. On a traditional camera a spring mechanism is used for the shutter system, but the GM1 has a two-part shutter system. This includes one physical curtain that's controlled by a stepping motor and a second curtain that's created electronically. As well as an 80 per cent space saving on the old-style spring design, it means that the GM1 can shoot at a super-fast shutter speed of 1/16,000s.
Compared to the GX7 (left), the GM1 is a lot smaller
All of this describes how much smaller the camera is, but it's only when you see the GM1 that you really understand how small it has been made. It's fair to say that this camera's body is no bigger than that of a regular compact's. That's some impressive engineering and at 274g including the lens, body, battery and SD card, this is one camera that you can happily carry everywhere.
PANASONIC LUMIX GM1 CONTROLS
Controls on top let you choose the shooting and autofocus modes
Any worries that something so small would be hard to handle or use were gone the moment that we picked it up. There's still a good deal of manual control on the camera, with a dials to choose the shooting and autofocus modes, and quick access to the burst mode, white balance and exposure compensation.
It's good to see the thumbdial on the rear of the camera
A thumb dial, a common feature on Panasonic cameras, is there for quick access to settings; for example, in aperture priority mode, you can use it to select the aperture.
Pretty much everything else can be changed quickly on screen using the 3in touchscreen display. This means a little bit of tapping to get through the menus, so it's not really a camera that's designed for photographers that want to tweak and adjust settings between every shot. This makes it more of a point-and-shoot camera, but you can take more manual control when you want to. The screen has a 1036k-dot resolution, so it's sharp and detailed, which is good as it's the only way to compose shots as there's no EVF.
An optional grip makes the GM1 more comfortable to hold, but it's expensive
For a more comfortable grip, Panasonic will sell an optional grip, which screws into the tripod mount on the camera. It makes the GM1 that little bit more comfortable and stable to hold, but it costs an eye-watering £89. We understand that manufacturer camera accessories can be on the expensive side, but this still feels like a lot.
Wi-Fi is built-in, but not NFC as with the GX7, so you can use the Panasonic app to remotely control the camera. Still, once you've set your camera up once with your phone, NFC's not strictly needed; besides, for Apple users there's not even an iPhone that has NFC built-in.
Battery life should be around 230 shots on a full charge, which is a good 120 shots less than the GX7. That's down to a smaller battery being fitted. Those looking to get more life will most likely have to carry around a spare battery with them.
PANASONIC LUMIX GM1 IMAGE QUALITY
We didn't really get much chance to take proper test shots with the camera, so we're going to wait for our full review before we pass judgement on the camera. However, with the same sensor and processing engine as on the GX7 we're expecting good things from it.
One area that may not be so good is video. While the GX7 can shoot 1080p at 50fps, the GM1 can only manage the same at 1080i, although it can shoot Full HD at 25fps. The reason for this disparity, we're told, is down to heat, with the GM1 having less space for sensor cooling. While 50fps is rather pointless in a lot of situations, particularly as you can't upload this frame rate to YouTube, we'll be interested to see if there are any differences in image quality.
The GM1 has a slightly less powerful flash than the GX7, too. This is because Panasonic has had to make it smaller to fit it in the body. It's a rather clever design, and the flash is actually stored inside the body, having to spring up and out to be activated; in most cameras the flash merely has to spring out.
PANASONIC LUMIX GM1 LENS
In order to match the new small body, Panasonic had to develop new lenses. This is because, while the GM1 will take all Micro Four Thirds lenses, even the current smallest pancake lens sticks out above the body.
Retracted, the 12-32mm lens looks like it's a pancake
Shipping with the camera is the 12-32mm (24-64mm equivalent) f/3.5-5.6 lens. Although it’s a zoom lens, the zoom part can be manually retracted back into the lens body for storage. When at its thinnest, the lens is pretty close in size to a pancake lens. We're looking forward to our full review to find out how this lens performs. Following the launch of the camera there will be a 15mm Leica lens and a 35-100mm lens. Neither have pricing or release date information.
PANASONIC LUMIX GM1 CONCLUSION
Available on the 18th November for £629 including the 12-32mm lens, the Lumix GM1 seems pretty well priced to us. Given its incredible small size, we can see it appealing to people that want the flexibility of a CSC, but want something more the size of a compact camera. If it can match the image quality of the GX7, too, Panasonic could have the must-have portable camera on its hands.
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