Panasonic Lumix GM1
Announced October 17, 2013
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Panasonic Lumix GM1 packs a large Micro Four Thirds sensor and interchangeable lens capability into a body the size of a playing card. While its ultra-compact design and impressive image quality make it a standout for everyday carry, the small footprint necessitates compromises in battery life, physical handling, and the omission of an electronic viewfinder.
Weighted from 30 reviewer scores
Pros
- Responsive touchscreen and useful Wi-Fi connectivity
- High-quality image output with excellent high ISO performance
- Fast, accurate autofocus and snappy performance
- Extremely compact and lightweight body
- Versatile Micro Four Thirds lens compatibility
Cons
- Lack of electronic viewfinder or hotshoe
- Short battery life
- Fiddly, cramped controls and handling issues
- Limited video specifications and features
- Launch price $749 (USD)
- Sensor 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS
- Stabilization In-body IS
What the Reviewers Say
All 30 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 78/100
The GM1 offers many of the features and image quality of its Lumix GX7 sibling in a much smaller, lighter package.
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Panasonic finds a way to squeeze the power and performance of the GX7 into a lightweight, slim and well-built body.
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Panasonic’s Lumix GM1 is a very canny camera, appealing both to those who are looking for a small interchangeable lens camera and those who want a compact with better quality and features than a typical point-and-shoot.
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With its stylish design and compact body, it is fair to say that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 will go down well with its target audience – the style-conscious young professional.
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The Panasonic Lumix GM1 offers all of the advantages of a compact system camera, including access to one of the largest ranges of lenses for mirrorless cameras, from Panasonic, Olympus and others.
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The 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds format Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1, its maker's smallest CSC ever, provides proof that good things really can occasionally come in small packages – in this instance a body the size of a pack of playing cards.
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The Panasonic Lumix GM1 is a very impressive CSC. It’s small and light, yet still offers a wealth of features.
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The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 is the smallest interchangeable lens digital camera you can buy. It's not as full-featured as some other models, but you can't argue with its size or performance.
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Move over Nikon 1 and Pentax Q, Panasonic has made a fantastic small compact system camera but managed to include a large sensor that produces excellent images.
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Other than the battery life issue, the GM1 is a cracking little camera and would make a top choice for those stepping up from a basic point and shoot compact or those seeking a model that’s smaller and less cumbersome than the camera they already own.
- Digital Trends 7.5/10
It may look like a pocket camera, but Panasonic’s Lumix GM1 is a serious Micro Four Thirds shooter that lets you swap lenses.
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The general impression of the Lumix DMC-GM1 is a very positive one—it feels like nit picking to describe the battery life as so-so at just over 200 images, which is no better than a humble snapshot camera costing a quarter of the price.
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The Panasonic Lumix GM1 is a sterling example of a camera that can be compact, well-made and powerful at the same time.
- Photo Review 88%
Despite being targeted at point-and-press photographers, the GM1 is of interest to serious photographers, particularly those with existing Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) lenses as they will fit on the GM1.
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This is a camera built for carrying every day, and among pocketable cameras, it is perhaps the very best out there.
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Saying that, given the choice of a GM1 or a similar price high-end compact camera we don't even need to think for a second about which we'd go for. The GM1 wins out every time.
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Portable yet powerful is the pitch and indeed in that best-of-both-worlds respect the GM1 for us comes close to being its maker's most perfectly realised and truly compact, compact system camera to date.
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Crucially, this is the first CSC with a zoom lens that will fit in most trouser pockets.
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The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 squeezes excellent image-quality comparable to modern mirrorless digital cameras and fast performance into a compact camera-size body. This alone justifies this digital camera as a compelling offer.
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I enjoyed the Panasonic GM1 tremendously. [...] I think it complements the OM-D very well.
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The GM1 is a bit of a conundrum. Most certainly there are compromises in the features and design, but compromises of some sort are necessary to get a high performing camera with interchangeable lenses down to this size.
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What does ‘compact’ mean to you? If it means pocketable, this isn’t the right camera.
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[...] I can really recommend the Panasonic Lumix GM1.
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[I]mage quality is better than adequate, and a big step above any of the small sensor (including 1″) compacts – even with the kit pancake.
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It's this that makes the GM1 hands down the best compact camera solution in the world right now.
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Take it as a whole, the Panasonic Lumix GM1, and it is a very clever quart in a pint pot.
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I really really like taking pictures of this camera. I've never tried a camera this small they can actually produce amazing pictures like how I have on my blog post.
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[R]ight off the bat, here's the good news: the image quality on the Panasonic Lumix GM1 is freaking awesome.
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As a stepping stone to more advanced photography there is considerable appeal in the GM1 however.
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Like I said, to say I’m obsessed with this little camera is understatement. For the size and features, the quality is fantastic and my favorite go to camera for travel and every day now.
