Lumix G1 and G2 advice

[dodgyviper]

Right Chaps and Chapesses

My t'other half has been playing with photography for a little while now - doing the odd night class and trundling off shooting at dawn and dusk.

At the moment, we've a Lumix bridge camera which has a few too many limitations.

Money is a little tight but we have enough to perhaps go to £700-800 and she has her eyes on the new 3/4 Lumix camera's mentioned in the title. We can pick up a G2 with an extra lens or two for approx £700, or go for a G1 with several lenses.

My question is obvious - are these worth while. Does the fancy digital processing make up for the loss of the internal mirrors that define a DSLR? Or would we be better off going a secondhand route and going straight to a DSLR?

Appreciate your advice in advance

[mmertens]

I'd say forego the 3/4 system and go for a 2nd hand Nikon (D90?) or Canon (450D?) or something the like. MUCH more choice in (2nd hand) lenses and better viewfinders. Start with a cheap but supersharp 50mm f1.8 or a budget zoom.

[JimexPL]

I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I've got a G1, and use various Canons 400D, 450D, 4D on a regular basis.
The 4/3rds has it limitations, but I see it as a very good bridge camera that also has a few lens options.
The electronic viewfinder is great in practice (IMO after using it for a few months the way forward for amateur SLRs), the flip out screen is also very handy, and the user interface is pretty easy to use.

For me the size of the Panasonic has meant that is gets used all the time, rather than taking a compact out and only using an slr occasionally. However, if I was going to a race circuit I'd try and borrow the 4D and a decent lens from my cousin.

You just need to decide what best fits the intended purpose.

[Elderly]

JimexPL said:

For me the size of the Panasonic has meant that is gets used all the time,........

You just need to decide what best fits the intended purpose.

That sums it up very well.

In many cases you may be able to achieve a slightly 'better' quality image from an entry level DSLR
but you do have to have that DSLR with you and at the ready to get the picture in the first place.

I bought a GH1 to take on a trip and it fitted its intended purpose perfectly.
Quality control or build quality problems meant that I rejected it when I got back
but recently after carrying my heavy & relatively large DSLR on another trip, I look forward to getting another
micro 4/3rds so I can leave my DSLR at home on those occasions.
The G1 now at only about £350 with the rather good (for a kit lens) 14-45 lens is excellent value.

[Simpo Two]

mmertens said:

I'd say forego the 3/4 system and go for a 2nd hand Nikon (D90?) or Canon (450D?) or something the like. MUCH more choice in (2nd hand) lenses and better viewfinders. Start with a cheap but supersharp 50mm f1.8 or a budget zoom.

Agree with this (unless size is a deal breaker, which if you're serious about photography, it shouldn't be). Plus, you mention photography classes and shooting in low light, both of which will be easier if you atart with a 'proper' system you can expand and develop as you learn.