Suspected whether G2 and G10 can compete, provided that the appearance is exactly like G1. I would rather keep using my G1 and wait for upgrade to GH2 for more advanced video shooting experience. Just wonder why Panasonic would keep the more conservative approach to new products, again.

Well, if the body is built more like the GF-1, and less like the plasticky G-1/GH-1, it will be a worthwhile upgrade.

I suppose the GH-2 will be the same body shell.

Damn, so they look just like the G1/GH1? Sheesh, the design of the GH1 is the main thing people don’t like about it. Who gives a flip about a touch screen…I wan’t a m4/3′s body built like a Zeiss Ikon ZM with a 920k dot LCD and built in EVF….grrrr.

Touch MF assist sounds interesting..I wonder if that means a half shutter press will activate manual focus mode on adapted lenses. I hope so. But man, why stick with such a boring generic design?

How do we know if this is a new sensor?

This is really boring news. I want a camera that is better for taking pictures not one that has a fancy touch screen.

Touch Screen = Epic Fail

@pdc
It’s not about a fashion statement, it’s about making a product that people have wanted for as long as I’ve paid attention to digital cameras….an affordable digital rangefinder (or EVIL in the same form factor). The GF1 is close, but without a built in view finder it doesn’t fit the bill. Plus, none of the m4/3′s cameras are anywhere close to the build quality of a Zeiss Ikon ZM or even a Voigtlander Bessa R3A (or a Pentax K7, Canon 50D, or Nikon D300 for that matter). Those camera’s feel like solid chunks of metal when you use them. The plastic conservative faux DSLR design of the G1/G2/GH1/G10 is just extremely frustrating because there is absolutely no reason m4/3′s cameras can’t be built like a Leica M9 for example. It’s just very lazy design. “Ah, just make it look like a Canon Rebel since those sale well”.

Also, I wouldn’t yet call the G system great. It has the potential to be great, but counting the new 14-42mm zoom 7 out of the 11 currently available lenses all hit f/5.6 on their zoom range and their is only one fast prime under f/2. That simply just doesn’t get the job done. Panasonic and Olympus have a head start on everyone, but really all they’ve done is catered to the mid to low end market. It wouldn’t take Canikon long at all to match the amount of interesting glass the system currently offers (4, maybe 5 lenses by my count). IMHO they have certainly left the door wide open for everyone else to catch up; at least in the enthusiast market.

I’m still a bit sceptical about touch screen. PCs are still faster to manipulate by shortcut keys even if they have touch screens…

Not to mention I was hoping for some change in design of the bodies.

But I hope the sensors are even better than the ones of older models!

I have got G1, and use it everyday, It is small enough for me. It has great body design and now I’m happy that Panasonic improves this body design and not changed it in a big way. They improved controls, which they did in fact – especially left wheel controls two functions now (metering and focus). It means faster operation and this is very important for me.
The video capability is also of my interest. I’ve been to glider competition lately and I’ve tried to take photos and making video of that event. It was a big pain using camera and camcorder as separate devices, I’ve ended up with no good video nor good pictures. I wish I have had one hybrid equipment So in my case video is becoming more and more important form of expression and I’m glad to have it in one body. It is a trend and in my opinion this is the evolution that can’t be can stopped now. It is the future of consumer cameras to have combined photo and video functionalities.
Touch screen and touch operations… I’ve got Sony HD camcorder and it has this feature implemented. As I touch the screen the focus changes accordingly to the point of the touch on the frame. It is really cool! So don’t be afraid of that It is really great and as far as I see the way Panasonic implements new features it will be even better than Sony’s solution.
I’m excited of the new cameras of the G-line. And contrary to many others I prefer G1 body design to GF-1a bit smaller but compromised design. I appreciate very much having now about 1 kg less than several months ago in my hand / bag / strap on shoulders. That’s great times I’ve been waiting for since 2001 when I realized the trends and decided not to buy DSLR anymore! I’m very happy with G1 and definitely buy next this type of body gear with video capability but now I wait for global shutter, or whole electronic shutter (this will increase video quality and removes flash sync limitations we have now) that will be in my opinion next huge improvement. Small steps, but Panasonic is going in the direction I desire

Greetings and have fun!

I really have to say that I’m disappointed as usual…we, meaning my colleagues and I don’t want another SLR, we are waiting for the rangefinder.
I have owned so many SLR’s and even a smaller one is just not going to do it for me, touch screen, HDV, I don’t care. I want a m4/3 camera that I can take to work, and use for work, and that means street, travel, and yes even possibly conflict photography! And I don’t, and cannot afford to upgrade every 6 months. The EP-1 is good, the GF1 is good, the M9 is good, but where is the Contax style rangefinder? I would bet a lot of money, that the company that comes out with that camera, will win, overall!
Thanks for letting me rant! G2-G10, no difference for me, LX5? Hmm let’s see what comes up.