There seems to be some confusion about the basic differences amongst the four currently available Micro Four Thirds cameras. I've tried to summarize the major points in the table below. Unique strengths and weaknesses are highlighted.
Serious Compacts contributor Wouter Brandsma has posted his extended use impressions of the Ricoh GR Digital III over at his personal blog. Be sure to have a read to get his insights about this exciting camera and see some great photographs!
As cameras get progressively loaded with new features, there will naturally be some push back from the old-fashioned types who enjoy the "authentic" photographic experience of manually controlling everything. Face detection may best exemplify the new wave of features which so many of us have smugly dismissed as useless. However, as Björn Utpott recently suggested, it's difficult to argue against the usefulness of face detection when one has experienced a good implementation of it.
Here's a simple example. I mounted the Zuiko 17mm lens on the Panasonic GH1 in 'P' mode and snapped four photos, two in 'Dynamic B&W' mode and two in 'Standard' (color). All were in camera JPEGs with automatic exposure. On the left, you can see the results using face detection. On the right are the results using center point AF to focus on my wife, followed by recomposition.
Sure, the same can be easily accomplished the same without face detection. One can judge the lighting and dial in exposure compensation on just about any camera. Some cameras will allow spot metering, which can accomplish much the same, and still others allow customization in how metering is linked to focus points. However, there is a beautiful simplicity to having the camera automatically properly expose any detected faces in the frame.
I'm not yet sure where features like face detection fit for me. I'll always enjoy the fully manual experience, but new features like face detection have their place. I expect that DVIL (direct view interchangeable lens) cameras will continue to lead the way in implementing these technologies.
DPReview has published their review of the Lumix 20mm f/1.7, which is arguably one of the most important lens releases ever for any camera system. It is one of DPR's finest lens reviews yet in my opinion. Check it out here.
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While browsing the 'Buy and Sell' forum at Fred Miranda, I came across a thread which began, "Due to my never ending quest for the perfect hiking / mountaineering camera I am selling my GH1 in anticipation of my new GF1 and the recent acquiring of an Olympus EP1". After seeing the photographs in that thread started by Vern Dewit, I went and had a look at his Zenfolio gallery and asked to feature his work on Serious Compacts.
Vern lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and enjoys spending time outdoors in the Rocky Mountains west of the city. Looking at his photography, it's easy to see why. A few of his recent photographs, all taken with the GH1 (and various Micro Four Thirds kit lenses) are shown below. Click a photo to view a larger version.
You can see more of Vern Dewit's photography at http://verndewit.com. If you'd like to buy his GH1, which was used to make most of the photographs in his '2009 Favorites' collection, see the Fred Miranda thread here.
