GF2 not selling well (and where to find the GF1)
I am in touch with many dealers to talk about the present and future Micro Four Thirds cameras. We are not talking about rumors only but also about hard facts. The dealers confirmed the Panasonic GF2 is not selling as well as the older Panasonic GF1. They are currently selling more NEX cameras than GF2. Most of the dealers do think that Panasonic should make two kind of GF cameras, one ultra-compact and tiny model to compete against the NEX-C3 and a more advanced and bigger model with full manual controls and maybe built-in EVF. The current GF2 simply is neither fish nor fowl. Let’s see what kind of GF camera Panasonic will announce! In times like this I am having a lot of fun working on rumors. I really feel that some of the products we will see during June will be very much appreciated by the Micro Four Thirds folks.
And if you like me are looking for good cameras for a cheap price you have to look on current GF1 deals. You can get that camera for less than any high end compact with tiny sensor:
Silver GF1 body for 249 Euro at Foto Video Digital Mundus (Click here).
Black GF1 body for 279 Euro at Der Foto Brell GmbH (Click here).
Red GF1 body for 249 Euro at Foto Video Digital Mundus (Click here).
Silver GF1 with 14-42mm lens for 429 Euro at Foto Video Digital Mundus (Click here).
Feel free to add links to other stores if you can find come nice deal! Thanks! And stay tuned on 43rumors!!!
UPDATE: And take a look at the mirrorless roadmap at MirrorlessRumors.com!
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Joel
2 years ago |I guess the marketing monkey who told them that “people don’t want manual controls, they want a dumbed down camera with a touch screen like their mobile phone” was wrong after all… go figure??? LOL
Winston Loo
2 years ago |This statement may only be true for USA and Europe. In Japan GF2 sells better than any other Mirrorless, including NEX5.
Lastest BCN rankings for last week. GF2 is #7 ePl2 ePl1 tied #9 No NEX in top 10
http://bcnranking.jp/category/subcategory_0008.html
Mistral75
2 years ago |It’s only one specific week, so not that meaningful. You should rather have a look at market shares for the whole April month:
http://bcnranking.jp/news/1105/110520_20063.html
You would find the following figures (rank in top ten, market share)
- Sony NEX-5: #3 8.1%
- Panasonic GF2: #6 5.5%
- Olympus E-PL2: #8 4.4%
- Olympus E-PL1: #10 3.9%
admin
2 years ago |I do agree. The dealers I am in touch with are not from Japan.
Thom Hogan
2 years ago |Right. But this gets back to the whole “who are you designing for” question that the Japanese seem to keep getting wrong. They believe that cameras are universal, so if they design something that resonates in their home market it will globally, too. They’re only about 30 years behind the Japanese auto makers in that thinking.
The US is about a third of the global camera market. Europe is about another third. Japan/SE Asia is another quarter at best. Other emerging markets and third world are the rest. But thinking that what works in A works in B, C, and D is incorrect. The Japanese camera makers do basically this: design for the home market, distribute globally, and take their lower-end and end-of-life models (all lower cost) into emerging and third world markets (e.g. Nikon pushed D3000, D5000, and D90 models into those markets in the last six months).
But we’re not all the same. Japan and parts of Europe certainly value smallness. When you travel on a train all the time you tend to restrict what you carry, as opposed to the American “we’ll just drive there” mentality. Plenty of space in our SUVs ;~(
Even more true: different cultures have different tastes in color (e.g. skin color), and value different aspects in an image itself. They use and value different features.
On the flip side, classically great design works almost anywhere.
So, the Japanese need to up their game in design, design for regions, or both.
Joey
2 years ago |Yes, if only the Japanese could learn from other countries maybe they would finally get some penetration into the eruo/usa markets which are completely dominated by non japanese companies, oh wait…..
frosti7
2 years ago |Look at the biggest camera manufactures, canonikon, the latest editions to their DSLR cameras in the past 10 years have been “adding movie mode” and “upping megapixels”
Seriously, it seems that Japanese camera companies are as good as brain-dead as it comes to creativity
It seems to me that M43 was born because Panasonic’s huge failure in the DSLR market, rather then just being creative,
I would have thought otherwise but cameras such GF2 (just trying to emulate NEX) just shows for lack originality
ha
2 years ago |To me there’s nothing wrong on having cam in m43 system similar to one in the NEX system. The NEX system sells and m43 could suffer from not covering the same customers.
Compared the the Olympus offerings Panasonic G/GF/GH/AF lineup provides a wide range of users and uses. This is one way of listing to users: Cover a wide range with your offerings.
G1 founded the system, still a very usable cam
GF1 added for smaller non-DSLR cam and video
GH1 added for quality video and multi aspect sensor
G2 replaced G1 adding consumer video and touch
G10 was a big mistake. no market for this anywhere on earth
GH2 replaced GH1 having better sensor and faster AF
GF2 added for simpler and smaller P&S upgrade
G3 added for improved sensor and improved AF in entry DSLR
This whole lineup makes sense since it’s reusing software and processing technologies available in P&S and video systems.
The new GF replaces the GF1 for improved sensor, AF speed, touch screen and we’ll see manual controls like a G3. The GF2 will stay for some time, like G2.
What panny needs in the GF line is a more suitable kit zoom. Something like a collapsible 12-3Xmm should work well. No OIS, light and half the price of the 14 or 20mm would work.
A GR rangefinder cam similar to X100 is not just low hanging fruit. It needs a stills optimized sensor while keeping the high readout for fast AF (maybe the 12Mpix updated to current technology, would allow Oly to stay with 12Mpix is enough) and suitable video. And of course a shrinked EVF.
Depends lot on X100 sales if we’ll see such a system from Olympus and/or Panasonic. Or someone else (like Voigtländer) has to step in and fill the place.
PS: Just bought a GF2 for video and a system my wile can use. The G1 is to complicated…
Thom Hogan
2 years ago |The Japanese essentially enjoy what would be a septopoly. Other than Leica, there really aren’t any non-Japanese competitors in the interchangeable lens camera market. This makes you lazy and inwardly-centric. You watch what your other Japanese competitors do, not what the world wants. You might want to study what happened to the American triopoly in automobiles when they did the same thing. In their own home market, no less.
pdc
2 years ago |But Japanese photographers are in love with German legacy cameras. Go figure, as most Americans want Canon or Nikon. I’m waiting on Cosina to build a Voigtlander Bessa D. (just kidding)
Calvin
2 years ago |Whilst I agree that the GF-LIne should be split into two (I own a GF1 and GH2), what Winston said is undeniably true. And being a Japanese Company, they no doubt care a lot more about their home country than others. Even if the Profit Share isn’t the largest there.
Lets hope the rumored new GF coming out will be the ‘real’ GF1 replacement!
Andrew
2 years ago |Since many owners who have cameras with interchangeable lenses generally only stick with one lens, I can imagine the 14mm being too wide of a lens. The 20mm seemed to be the sweet spot.
Paul
2 years ago |What a surprise! They took a brilliant tool in the GF1 and made it into a toy with the GF2. Not mode dial?! I also regularly use the exposure lock button. I don’t want to be tapping away at a screen to take pictures. I have to do that on my phone and it’s terrible. By all means make it smaller, but not the expense of functionality.
The GF3s brief should be simple as far as I’m concerned. Take the GF1 and:
1) Add a built in EVF.
2) Better autofocus, especially in video mode.
3) Remember it’s a tool, NOT a toy.
4) Make smaller if possible.
5) 1080p video.
6) Add image stabilisation, especially for video (I realise this is potentially moon on a stick).
If you add a built in EVF into a package similar to the GF1 you’ll sell them by the truck load. It was the only obvious thing missing from the GF1. I know it’s been considered as there was that leaked image on here the best part of a year ago from a patent application that was assumed to be for the GF2. Just do it, you know you want to!
Paul (UK)
stickytape
2 years ago |Is there any room for a built-in EVF? It doesn’t seem so unless they ditch the built-in flash. And I would much rather the new GF retain the profile of the GF1 with an add-on EVF than enlarge the overall form of the camera
Nick
2 years ago |Hi Paul, isnt it the new G3 you are referring to?
kesztió
2 years ago |+10 and LOL
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |Exactly.
The crappy Panasonic add-on EVF is a bigger issue. Hopefully they make a new version on-par with the G3 EVF.
I was shooting with my GH2 yesterday with a “new” (inherited) Pentax 50mm f1.4 SMC screwmount lens (wow!) in manual mode and once I set the aperture, all you use is the control wheel to adjust exposure and get instant feedback (with Constant Preview enabled). It’s brilliant, simple and incredibly intuitive.
Once I select a shooting mode, the need to access external wheels is lowered considerably.
Milos Janata
2 years ago |I had gh2+0.95 in my hands yesterday and I must say I had trouble with focus. I have feeling that current evf or displays are not enough for such a fast premium lenses. Stock 14-42 could be ok. Anyone share this opinion?
Ulli
2 years ago |cant imagine you have trouble with it, i use mf all the time on my ep-2 with vf-2 finder, also with a very fast lens at 1.1….its possible that wideopen the lens shows tendency for glow at highlighted details which can lessen sharpness…i think there is no better way to do precise mf then doin it on the sensor plane itself with magnified view
Gman
2 years ago |It’s really the 20mm kit lens that made the GF1 sell like hotcakes. The 14mm just isn’t as desirable.
People complain a lot about the touch screen, but the GF2 isn’t really all that different from the GF1 in actual use. I wonder how many who scream for manual controls and damn the touch screen have actually owned a GF2 or used one for longer than 10 minutes in a camera store. It’s kind of funny after all the complaints when you read reviews that actually enjoy the touchscreen and list it as a “Pro” (DPReview for one).
Thom Hogan
2 years ago |+1
The Other Chris
2 years ago |I think it’s akin to Blackberry users chiding the iPhone/touchscreen phones because they lack a physical keyboard.
Without a touchscreen, new text input interfaces like Swype couldn’t be possible. I find that, aside from the occasional lousy word prediction, using Swype allows me to input text much faster than a cramped physical keyboard.
I think what’s needed is an open mind and new innovation when it comes to camera interface design, not a strict stick to your guns old-school approach of knobs and buttons for everything. Especially in a tiny camera such as this.
spam
2 years ago |GF1 had a lot less competition when it was launched. The missing features in GF2 might of course also be a reason for lower sales, but the GF2 has advantages too, like Full HD vide and smaller size (which appeal to many people).
Thom Hogan
2 years ago |Can’t speak for Europe, but the low GF2 sales in the US are due to one thing: Panasonic ineptitude in the US. Little or no marketing, no sales distribution worth talking about, beyond terrible dealer relations where they do have dealers, the list goes on.
Sometimes products fail not because of the product.
Luke
2 years ago |+100
No camera dealers in my town (nearly 1 million potential customers) carry them and the big box retailers don’t have them either. I bought mine online, but don;t underestimate how many people still shop in bricks and mortar stores.
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |Ineptitude indeed!
Undercutting list prices with the Panasonic Direct program is a real stick in the eye to their dealers!
With the dollar circling the bowl at $1.40 to €1.00, there a lot less incentive to push product in the US, especially given the $1 = €1 pricing structure.
Hell, I’d go where the money is and it ain’t the USofA.
43RC
2 years ago |This explains the recent GF2 price drop.
This also means that the June announcement will be either the true GF1 successor, or an even more dumbed-down GF3
YouDidntDidYou
2 years ago |I think they need to be more imaginative with camera model names this would make it easier for consumers to differentiate between camera models like they do with mobile phones – instead of G2, GF2, GH2 etc
Esa Tuunanen
2 years ago |No need to start messing up further with letters.
They should just use logical and consistent (instead of all the time changing) numbering for differentiating product levels like for example in Canon/Oly DSLRs in which “hundred” serie was that consumer entry level, “ten” serie enthusiast serie etc.
Thom Hogan
2 years ago |I agree that they don’t need any more letters, but tell me this, what do all those letters mean? What clear marketing message has Panasonic executed anywhere that tells those paying attention what they mean, let alone the general mass audience? At least with numbers, higher is better ;~) (Except for Nikon, of course, who thinks 3 is better than 700 is better than 7000 ;~).
These are Marketing 101 things the Japanese companies are screwing up.
TheVoiceoverman
2 years ago |Whole-heartedly agree. Oly starts out with something simple like Pen and sticks E-PL1 behind it. You have to be a geek to remember the different models. Try talking to someone who has no geek gene and see how long they can keep up.
Pen Travel, Pen Plus, Pen Pro, would all be better than a meaningless string of digits and numbers.
Luke
2 years ago |+1 …… seriously, I have the geek gene and the model numbers, letters game is ridonkulous
Thom Hogan
2 years ago |One reason the Japanese like letters and numbers has to do with their issues with globalness. They’re afraid to give names to things because those names might mean something different in different countries, and they think that more generic names need translation amongst regions. It’s a silly, old-school way of thinking. When we did the QuickCam, we didn’t call it the SchnellCam in Germany, it was still a QuickCam.
admin
2 years ago |Schnellcam…hehehe that made my day
frank
2 years ago |It only is clear to me now that the GF2 does not have the control dial. I never really looked at the GF2 in detail, but now that I see them together on the picture I see it’s missing. Hmm, not my kind of cam. I really like the double control dial where you can switch between modes and bracketing etc in a simple interface.
The GF1 with 20/1.7 is the reason I bought in to this system and added a EVF and 7-14/4. I don’t want a GH2, or any DSLR like cam, so I hope they come with a nice GF1 successor with built in EVF and good high ISO performance, and then I’ll upgrade.
JM
2 years ago |One of the biggest let down for me in case of GF2 is the lack of remote shutter..
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |Do any of the third-party add-on wireless shutter releases work on a GF2?
What about the Panasonic wired remote?
kristoffer
2 years ago |Why dont they make a smaller lcd screen? Then there will be more room for both more controls and vf in a smaller body.
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |If your only method to compose a shot, and now manipulate controls, is the LCD, WHY would you want to make it smaller? Even most P&S cameras these days have 3″ LCDs.
A body as small as the GF2 has no room for a good quality EVF. That’s where the G3 comes in.
MJ
2 years ago |I like how the Canon PowerShot SX210 added their mode dial. It works perfectly and needs hardly any space. Takes terrible photos tho.
Nat
2 years ago |We are the group of people that know how to use the camera BUT most of customers don’t! If I don’t know how I use the camera but only know that if I click on it, I can get the photos then I will want my camera to do everything for me! That is why NEX is so popular it look just like p&s but with IQ and the design look clean luxury that most of people like (photographer like us may not.
Chris
2 years ago |I think I must be about the only person who really doesn’t like mode dials. They have to be huge in order to be twistable, and since the primary use is to switch between just five modes (P,A,S,M & iA), there’s either a lot of empty space or embarrassments like the ‘scene ‘ mode.
Almost all the time I’m in ‘A’ mode, and I’m surely not alone in that. The dial takes up a lot of space, and hardly ever gets used. When I do use it I have to change my hand position, effectively take all my other fingers out of action whilst I twist, and then rearrange my hand position before I can shoot.
This isn’t too much of a problem if I want to capture movement blur or override the exposure settings, as both of those situations imply I have a bit of time to think about the shot anyway. It is a problem for those ‘decisive moments whilst drunk’ shots when I generally turn to iA. It’s so much faster to press a GF2-type iA button and then the shutter an instant later.
Plus putting iA on the mode dial is socially embarrassing – if I give the camera to a non-photographer and want to put it on iA then twisting the dial is a very obvious sign that I don’t trust this person to be able to capture a good photo. If there’s an iA button then I can press it without him/her noticing at all.
Mode dials are enormous, slow and embarrassing, and I’m glad that the GF2 got rid of its. I would miss the GF1′s switch to burst mode though. For those moments when something interesting passes quickly by, changing hand position to peck at a button on the back doesn’t compare to flicking a finger across.
mahler
2 years ago |Mode dials are embarrassing, socially discriminating – come on, you really don’t think that. If so, you seem to be a bit paranoid. If I give my camera to other people, they either ask, if I can setup the camera so that they can take the picture without hassle, or they are thankful that I did that beforehand as an act of politeness. Even if I get a compact camera in my hand, which operates very different than system cameras, I am usually glad, that someone quickly brings the camera in a immediately usable state. So this is not really an argument against a mode dial.
To call a direct mode dial slow, is funny either, it is evidently the quickest way to change a mode and you can do that even, when the camera is not turned on (how can you do that with a touch screen?)
Mode dials are enormous? Here again, we have the miniaturiation dogma, which would drive camera designs close to unusability, if the manufacturers would listen to the ultra-pocketability fraction.
I think mode dials aren’t mandatory, if the camera has no view finder. You hold the camera away from you, looking at the LCD, and then you can switch the mode easily on the touchscreen. However, as soon you use a view finder (build-in or attached), a mode dial is mandatory, because yopu want to change the mode without taking the eye from the VF. In this case a physical dial, which you can feel is ergonomically the best.
So, the decision to omiit the mode dial from the GF2 is acceptable, because the camera will be operated mostly via the LCD. I think only a few will buy the Panasonic external view finder for it.
However, I don’t think the lack of manual controls is the only reason, that the GF2 isn’t selling as much as the NEX cameras. The latter have popular gimmicks, such as sweep panarama and HDR, something which the GF2 (same target group) lacks completely. Additionally, the GF2 uses an outdated sensor with visible less good IQ. This fact has been reported widely in most test magazines the people read, and they don’t ignore this. This is someting Panasonic did not anticipate: it can be harmfull, if they don’t improve their sensor for a too long time. Also G2 sales suffered from this.
Chris
2 years ago |Eh? I never said they were “socially discriminating’, and I don’t see why it’s paranoid. You think it’s being polite to change all the settings for them, I think it’s patronising. Maybe there are some situations when one approach would be appropriate, other situations when the other would be.
Mode dials are enormous relative to what they need to do, – i.e. switch between 5 settings. I don’t think they should be made smaller, I think other ways to do this job should be found.
As I said, I don’t often change the dial from ‘A’, but the top of the camera is where it’s easiest to access settings because you don’t need to change hand position much. The camera’s ‘prime real estate’ is taken up by something I rarely touch. If you do change modes often maybe you do indeed need the mode dial in that position.
kesztió
2 years ago |A point of wiew worth to think about…
MP Burke
2 years ago |I agree. Ever since I had my first camera with aperture priority in 1982, I have used that mode ever since. The mode dial on my G2 remains on A 99% of the time. I would be quite content for it to be removed, but the clever thing would be to replace it with a customisable dial, which could be configured to act as a second control wheel, for shutter speed, exposure compensation, etc. Looking at the G3, my main concern would be the lack of the switch that I use, quite regularly, to change from AF-S to manual focus. If that function could be mapped to one of the customisable function buttons, that would be fine.
The GF2 has been designed to be as small as possible to compete with the NEX models, which have been a great success despite the lack of control dials on the body.
I regard it as highly unlikely that Panasonic will launch a camera with a viewfinder that is smaller than the G3, (until next year). Since the majority of mirrorless cameras sold don’t have a viewfinder, it is logical that they should have a second GF type camera in the range. This will presumably turn out to be one with the 16MP sensor which is priced a bit less than the G3.
Chris
2 years ago |I’m not alone!:-) I’d replace the mode dial with the ISO/WB/Fn/metering/quick menu(set) buttons arranged in a circle a bit like the back of the GF1. The size is roughly comparable. If they put these buttons on top then you could press them whilst holding the camera tightly. As it is, in order to press those buttons you’re taking the thumb away from its support duties and introducing lateral movement to the camera. Compensating for downward pressure is unavoidable due to gravity; having to compensate for lateral pressure is not. After control adjustments you’d be able to take stable shots more quickly than at present.
Creatingdvds4u.co.uk
2 years ago |Is it in Stock???
Well not a lot of people have money at the moment and Japan is were they are all maid and they dont have much of a place to manufacture cameras do they.
ssj_george
2 years ago |While Canon and Nikon constantly improve image quality on the sensor (yes Raw files as well as the JPEG processor), Panasonic only comes out with the same sensor and same (and in terms of Raw files even worse) image quality. This is unacceptable! If the GF2 could offer better Raw and JPEG files how the sales in USA and Europe be? Much better I guess. So Panasonic for once should start working on the sensor instead of the things that surround it!! GF, GH, G series ALL lag behind all the other Canon Nikon Sony Pentax sensors in terms of image quality in Raw and JPEG performance. Come on Panasonic… Get real.. It’s called photography what we love, so photos are the important thing here…
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |The GH2 and G3 sensors have major IQ improvements over the previous 12MP sensor. M4/3 sensors are smaller than than APS-C sensors, so we’re talking different animals, but differences are less pronounced with the new GH2 and G3 sensors.
Yes, NOT upgrading the GF2 sensor was a mistake. The GF1 could have been kept in production a bit longer and Panasonic could simply have waited for the G3 sensor to be ready. The GF2 with the G3 sensor would be a hot little camera!
Maybe we’ll see a resurrected GF1 as GF3 with the GH2 sensor and a new EVF.
Bob B.
2 years ago |From what I can see…there are improvements in the IQ on the GH2 and G3 but they are really quite moderate from the tech comparisons I have seen. The focusing and frame rates are a huge improvement …but not the IQ.
Micro 4/3′s REALLY needs a major IQ improvement and we are just not seeing that….and that doesn’t mean more pixels. Give us better ISO performance and dynamic range!
fta
2 years ago |wow admin!! way to take marketing data out of context! seriously, if you don’t know what your talking about…. just don’t…
First of all this is a sales comparison of m43 and NEX. You only have 2 NEX models where you have, let’s see… (E-PL1,E-PL1s,E-PL2,E-P1,E-P2,GF1,GF2) say around 7 models depending where in the world you are buying.
Now think of the consumer going into a camera store and seeing 9 CSC cameras.. You want the GF2 to beat the other 8? This makes no sense.. The fact is that m43 is outselling NEX and NX. It’s called choice.. In NEX you have 2 choices, in m43 you have 7… argh.. why am I even explaining this.. yeah your right, the GF2 is crap and it not selling
Thom Hogan
2 years ago |Unfortunately, data doesn’t necessarily back up your claim.
One single NEX model (the NEX-5) has been outselling all of the entry m4/3 models. It’s why you see the sudden drop in price of the m4/3 models. And by the way, the Admin said “NEX outselling GF2″ not “NEX outselling m4/3.”
And calling multiple generations of the same thing “choice” isn’t really correct. But if it is correct, you’ll be able to claim 4 NEX models going against 7 m4/3 models soon ;~).
tmrgrs
2 years ago |If I was Panasonic, I’d quickly introduce a GF2 mkII with the new sensor and improved jpeg engine of the G3 along with the 20/1.7 for a kit lens instead of the ridiculous 14/2.5. I’d also get it on the shelves of the large discount retailers in North America like Target and Best Buy without any unnecessary delays. And I’d say to hell with profit margins at this time and go for market penetration with a price of around $500 USD. Panasonic is a large enough corporation to get these things done if they want. Too bad they don ‘t have me running things for them . . LOL
Winston Loo
2 years ago |GF2 is in BestBuy.. at $499 with 14-42
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |Black GF2 for $650 @ B&H with 14-42mm and 45-200mm.
@tmrgrs Yep, GF2 MarkII makes perfect sense! You have to wonder how much engineering would be involved to put the nee G3 sensor in the thing. I doubt it’s anything like a computer where you just swap out the processor.
safaridon
2 years ago |Pany really needs to bundle the small 14mm and kit zoom lens together for the GF2 which has proved to be very popular in Japan but not offered here?
The more I think of it GF2 with the new G3 sensor and processor seems more likely to occur for announcement this June with the GF1 replacement rangefinder model with EVF to be announced in August?
The G3 was made similar dimensions to GF2 in width and base body height so the processor board would easily fit it. Although some previews claim it is the same processor board as the GH2 I don’t think so as different output and that one looks quite large to fit into a GF2. So I hope it is an easy change and certainly one Pany likely should have considered when designing these two cameras.
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |Actually Panasonic needs à la carte body and lens “kits”. Sort of like Apple’s online build-to-order Mac system.
Paying extra for a body alone or saddling people with marginal (14mm) or mediocre lenses (14-42mm) does not serve the customers or the platform. Sell kits with the best lens (20mm), don’t force customers to choose between which lens you hate less.
tmrgrs
2 years ago |I know the GF2 is already in Best Buy Winston but it doesn’t compare very well to the NEX. Old sensor & not very attractive lens specs & dull/lifeless jpegs won’t sell to the 80% who buy mirrorless without a previous background with RAW files & DSLR’s. Experienced enthusiasts are going to pass on these entry level compacts and go for a PEN or faux-DSLR Panny anyway for the most part. The 20/1.7 kit lens would be a good way to increase the attractiveness of the GF2. It’s what what made a lot of us buy the original GF1 and could do the same for the GF2 as well.
Winston Loo
2 years ago |+1
safaridon
2 years ago |I fail to see why so many are down on the 14/2.5 pancake lens which reportedly is much better than the even wider and slower NEX 18/f2.8? According to surveys the 28mm (effective 35mm) focal length is the most used of all by a wide margin. With the GF2 you can instantly increase that optical focal length by X1.3 or 35mm equivalent by using smart zoom with little or no loss in image quality. The smaller size of the 14mm lens is a better fit on the GF2 than the larger 20/1.7 which likely will be the kit lens for the GF3 or GF1 replacement. Pany is selling all the 20/1.7 lenses they can make to both Pany and Oly users at a good price point for profit so why give it away at cost in a camera kit form? Yes I think Pany should offer the GF2 with any kit lens one wants.
Chris
2 years ago |I’m a bit sceptical of such surveys, as so many zoom lenses start at 28mm (effective focal length). A lot of people don’t change the default position in lots of things unless they feel confident enough to ‘override the experts.’ Unless you are really paying attention to the framing, are looking for the effect a particular focal length gives, or the subject is far away, many people will just shoot at minimum focal length. Perhaps prime buyers are more picky about focal lengths; perhaps the tiny size of the 14mm overrides any such worries…
safaridon
2 years ago |I agree that admin telling only part of the story in claiming the GF2 is not selling well. As others have pointed out, in the US this has more to do with Panasonic’s abysmal sales practices in the US and lack of availability of the GF2 in more stores then it has to do with the product. Even in the US the GF2 was leading the other mirrorless products until Oly started heavily discounting their price on both EPL1s and EPL2s by up to $100 which Pany has just matched.
The April sales figures in Japan again not particularily representative of the current picture as the NEX5 soared in first two weeks while GF2 dropped maybe because of supply problems with the earthquake. Since then the GF2 has been selling very well with the 3 models in the top 20 and the EPL2 very close while the EPL1 high sales have been because of clearout firesales dropping its price.
Again the drop in current NEX sales may be due to the early leak of details of a very attractive NEX3S with new sensor due out soon. So maybe if Pany is putting the G3 sensor into GF2 at this time it is because of expected competition with the new NEXs.
While many including myself feel Pany should have continued the GF1 in production, Pany looking at the sales in Japan saw that the GF1 had dropped considerably in comparison to the NEXs and EPL1 inspite of reduced price with bundled 20/1.7 lens. Enter the smaller GF2 and it soon climbed to the top in mirrorless sales. I think putting the G3 sensor into either or both the GF1 and GF2 would make these terrific models.
With all the excitement created by the new excellent sensor for the G3 I think many will now wait for that sensor to appear in all Panys line ASAP so that will slow current GF2 sales as does all the speculation of what is to come with rangefinder models with EVF? It would make more sense to me for Pany to put the new sensor and processor into the GF1 with new higher rez EVF if that is feasible.
What is surprising to me is inspite of all its technical excellence and HD video capability the GH2 has dropped out of the top 80 sales in Japan?
Pany foresaw that G3 would eat into GH2 sales and chose not expand its production for US market. As a result I can’t see Pany continuing the GH series in its present design form unless putting into same body as the new G3 and a rangefinder style model like that shown in their patent drawings?
rUY
2 years ago |For me, GF-1 is a surprised to the market. GF-2 just too similar to his brother with a fancy touch screen that I don’t even care.
curriergroh
2 years ago |Anyone else, not already in possession of a m43, think that the GF1 body is not cheap, but rather overpriced, considering its age? And throw in the ever rising price of the 20mm on ebay too. I’ve been watching ebay for the last week and it is rare to see GF1 and lens to go for less than $800. I wish the G3 shipped with the 20mm, but then NOTHING is shipping is it.
patrick
2 years ago |I have a chance to play with a GF2 display at a store. I find the touchscreen unresponsive since it is resistive, the icons are too small for my thumb plus the animation is slow. This is not for someone who wants to change a lot of settings.
broxibear
2 years ago |It’s not surprising that the GF2 isn’t as popular as the GF1.
The GF1′s a quality camera, enthusiasts like it, many professionals use one as their carry all the time type camera, well laid out controls and a stunning 20mm f1.7 lens…the GF2 got rid of the features people liked and added a few they hated like the touchscreen ?
I tried both a few months ago and it was very obvious the GF1 was the better camera…it’s no wonder the prices of the GF1 have shot up while the GF2 is on sale.
popeye
2 years ago |cos is a rubbish. has am touchscreen and ugly design.. is an downgrade. i’ll hope pana will learn and release a real follower of the gf1 soon
Bob B.
2 years ago |The GF1 is a photographer’s tool. The GF2 is a girl’s accessory. End of story. ( I mean that in the nicest way possible…
).
M43Photo
2 years ago |People comparing the Sony NEX and GF2 will notice the higher megapixel count of the NEX models. Yes, I believe some people use megapixel count as a buying guide, sadly.
The newer Panasonic G3 appears to answer this, with higher MP count, as well as a slick, “feminine” shape, small size and good high ISO performance.
alex
2 years ago |I consider myself a fairly serious amateur photographer and have owned both the GF2 and the GF1. For me the GF2 is a much better camera. I didn’t lose any “hard” controls that I really care about…losing the mode dial is actually a benefit because the camera never leaves my preferred A mode. The biggest loss is the AE/AF button, but you can map that to Fn. Since interacting with the Q.Menu requires using the screen I don’t see it as a big deal to have that one on the touchscreen.
I really like the touchscreen focus/exposure point. I otherwise can mostly ignore it.
Most GF2 haters that I’ve read from haven’t really used the camera. I’d be curious to see what they think actually after using one for a couple of days.
EVR
12 months ago |The main reason I wouldnt buy GF2 is the touch screen
Matt
12 months ago |I have a GF1, It’s become my go everywhere camera. Used it for documentation last year while at sea for the oil spill in the gulf and love it. I was really disappointed with the gf2, my father has it now. Too many of the controls moved to touch screen. I like the tracking focus and the improvements in video. However, it does not work well as a work horse camera. touch screens do not make a good replacement for manual control. I do like resistive screens in that you can operate them with gloves on.. Important in places like the arctic (yes an issue for me). However, I do prefer full manual control. @Alex. I can understand that you would like it better, you are much more the target market. My father loves the GF2, as well. He also wants a super zoom lens and doesn’t understand why I like my primes. Those of us who started with film and shot a lot with full manual (I still use my Leica IIIb and Hassie) don’t shoot in intelligent auto primarily. My camera rarely leaves full manual or at most goes to aperture or shutter priority mode, depending on what I’m doing. most auto modes misinterpret what I’m trying to do. The GF1 was amazing because it was like my Leica but digital with all the fun that goes with that. I could operate most of the controls without looking at them and most things were not hidden in a menu. I had hoped the GF2 would be a true successor to the GF1 but instead was more EP-L1 to EP1… (I do have to say, pannie should’ve designated their amateur/consumer modely from their semi-pro/prosumer model like oly did.)…. Anyhow… does that make sense why some people got so grumpy about it?
Mungo
12 months ago |I have absolutely no understanding for GF-2. I think it was a lousy substitute for GF-1. The same goes for Sony NEX cameras: I see no reason in them. I really think the manufacturers have taken the wrong turn there.
The good thing is, there is absolutely no need to upgrade my GF-1!