Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2: A Compact Mirrorless Camera for Stunning Photography

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 is a popular mirrorless camera that’s small in size but big on features. With its compact design, advanced autofocus system, and 12.1-megapixel resolution, the GF2 is a great option for photographers who want to capture high-quality images without the bulk of a traditional DSLR.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 article cover photo

Key Features

Feb 24 2011

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPanasonic
Sensor TypeFour Thirds
SensorCMOS
Weight310g
MSRP$499USD

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Overview of the Lumix DMC-GF2

In the world of photography, size isn't everything. Sometimes the best camera for the job is the one that's compact, portable, and easy to use. That's where the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 comes in. This mirrorless camera is small enough to fit in your pocket, but powerful enough to capture stunning images that rival those of bigger, bulkier DSLRs. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at what makes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 such a popular choice among photographers and explore some of its key features and benefits.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-resolution image sensor
Fast autofocus
Lightweight and compact design
Touchscreen LCD display
Interchangeable lenses
Good low-light performance
HD video recording
Affordable price point

Cons

Limited battery life
No built-in flash or viewfinder
Limited range of lenses available
No weather sealing
No headphone jack for audio recording
Slower continuous shooting speed compared to some competitors
Menu system can be overwhelming for beginners

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Weather sealed
Dimensions113 x 68 x 33mm
Weight310g
Thickness33mm
Weight
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Lumix DMC-GF2 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 has a 12MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Feb 24 2011

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

SensorFour Thirds
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4000 x 3000 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

54 / 102

Color Depth

21.2 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

10.3 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

506 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Lumix DMC-GF2 is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Four Thirds

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life300 shots
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 uses the undefined model of battery pack. This is rated for 300 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 23 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 weather sealed?

No the Lumix DMC-GF2 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 announced?

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 was announced on Feb 24 2011

Does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Lumix DMC-GF2 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2?

The Lumix DMC-GF2 has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 article cover photo

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