Scenes Seen/Vintage Digital: Panasonic DMC GF1 – 14-42mm PZ O.I.S…. Different, Not Better.

Lens 2.

I was not seeking better. What I got was different, as I expected.

In the last post about the GF1 and 20mm f/1.7 said:

I say vintage digital in the title since a camera from 2009. But here is the thing. This camera does not feel… old.

Similar to the GF1 and 20mm,…

…the GF1 and 14-42mm PZ definitely ticks off the low price box. I went over my being happy with the speed and performance of the 20mm f/1.7 and the same applies here.

So… why?

I am glad I imagined you asked. Welp:

• I really like this camera and wanted to a little more focal length flexibility.
• I wanted access to a few features not available with the GF1/20mm combination.
  • AFC, which is not available with the 20mm f/1.7.
  • O.I.S., mainly for the rare video and it also seems to do a good job of offsetting the slower variable aperture.
• It offers all of the above with little sacrifice in portability, powered off anyway.

The only downside on paper, compared to the 20mm, is that slower variable aperture as mentioned above. And as stated above I was able to get some decent low light pics.

Once again, I will spare you my gosh golly this camera is neat ramblings, and share a resulting moment I experienced yesterday that did not fully sink in until I was on my way to my destination.

The occasion was meeting up with a cousin in town for a convention.

The moment came when choosing what to bring. As I explained in a text to my friend Anthony:

So. My cousin is in town for a sorority conference nearby and I met her for dinner last night. Where I would normally hem and haw on what camera and then what lens to bring I brought the GF1 and the two lenses without hesitation.

I imagine some here may understand, or perhaps it is just me… but I often risk being late pondering what image capturing contraption to bring with me. Went on to describe the proceedings.

I kept the camera and one lens in hand and the other in my pants pocket. Definitely had a, “I really wish I had done this sooner.”, moment.

I repeat. No bag and had access to a 40mm FF EQ fast prime and a 28-84mm FF EQ zoom. And the zoom performs just fine. Now I will hush and share more images taken with the GF1 and <inhales deeply> Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S…

Sheesh.

…followed by my thoughts on using the lens.

My thoughts on this lens.

• Plenty sharp.
• Power zoom extends very quickly on power up and closes quickly when powering down.
  • Had been concerned with missing a pic when turning the camera on, but I did not need to be.

• IBIS works well with stills and video.
• I like the colors.
• As stated previously it is tiny.
• AFC is not as fast as recent offerings but is serviceable and far quicker than other compact, non-DSLR vintage digital cameras.
• O.I.S. does a fine job also.
• I prefer the focus and zoom toggles over the rings used on the Olympus 14-42mm power zoom I had before.

Sum up.

That is about it. A straightforward lens for a reasonable sum capable of pleasing results.

Happy capturing.

-ELW