DLux 4 or Panasonic G1

[peterb]

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Hi, I've been using the Digilux 2 for the past several years with great success (although I was never a big fan of its EVF or RAW capability). The M8, much as I love it however, still requires waaaaaay too many boxtops for me. The DLux 4 has yet another f2.0 lens and is svelte, silent and all with a finder available (I'd fashioned my own jury-rigged finder on an LX 1 using the Voightlander finder holder and some glue which fit nicely between the mode dial and flash) and can shoot RAW with aplomb.

 

But the Panasonic G1 with an adapter will accept the Leitz 14 - 25mm zoom made for the D3. And with the camera's apparent superb EVF (borrowed apparently from Panasonic's HD division so it's not 'grainy' like the D2 I'd used), thinnish body thickness (1.8 inches...on a par with the M8 for the most part), a larger sensor (micro 4/3's but still 4/3's) and quiet, M6-like shutter it could be another valid consideration. (Plus you could use the high end Zuiko optics which from what I've read are pretty impressive in terms of resolution, contrast and bokeh at 35mm equiv. lengths of 14mm - 200mm with several zooms as fast as f2.0) And it's apparently also a RAW processing champ.

 

Has anyone here had the opportunity to use the both the G1 and DLux 4 who can share their impressions of the image output and handling.

 

With its kit 14-45mm lens included (the Leica 14-50 would be extra of course) the basic G1 is about the same price the DLux4.

 

Would appreciate your thoughts.

 

Thanks

 

Peter

[enboe]

I've had the opportunity to play with the Dlux4 and G1 in the store. The focus response on the Dlux4 doesn't seem up to action. The images posted here are quite nice, however, and if I didn't shoot moving subjects, it would be a good choice.

 

I played with the G1 yesterday. I will echo Greg Gebhardt's experiences posted elsewhere. The viewfinder is still an EVF, and the camera does not have the speed of a DSLR or an M. The viewfinder has a couple of unique, troublesome phenomena. The first is what people call color-tearing. This happens when panning. The second is noise on the screen in room light and below. I don't know if this is a sensor phenomenon or a display phenomenon.

 

I did buy a Canon G10. Quicker to focus and take a picture, and a little less expensive. So far, so good. The shot to shot speed is a little slow, something like 1-2 seconds. That could be a deal breaker for some.

 

Also near your $800-$850 price range would be a clean, user M2 and lens, that is if you're willing to consider film.

 

Have fun.

 

Eric