Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Erik: So what are the relative scales that you're talking about. Are the 4/3 options half the size/weight, and 80% of the quality? The DMC-GF2 looks pretty bad ass. Nov 9, 10

Yale: slight correction: I thought the G1/G2/G10 etc were four thirds whereas the GF1 and GF2 were micro four thirds - simply based on the fact that the cameras are considerably smaller. I knew the G10 etc didn't have mirrors, but it turns out the four thirds design is used with mirrors, like any SLR, and is all but extinct.

A comparison based on weight (body only - no lenses):

Canon G12 (professional P&S w/ lens): 351g
Panasonic GF1 (slightly larger than the GF2): 285g
Panasonic G1: 385g
Nikon D3100 (latest, lower-end full dSLR offering - smaller than other models in the line): 455g
Nikon D7000 (prosumer upgrade to the D90): 690g
Nikon D3s (professional full frame camera): 1,240g
Nov 9, 10

Yale: As for comparing image quality - that's probably very difficult even for an expert on optical electronics / optics to make. Personally I would say 80-90% is a fair assessment. The photographer's knowledge and ability to photograph properly, the specific subject / environment they shoot most often (eg/ portrait, landscape, low light, etc...), and how well their lens is suited to said type of photography, play much larger roles in the quality of the image, bigger than any technical differences by far.

Here are some direct technical comparisons which should have some meaning, if all else is equal:

DxOMark (which some believe is an arbitrary measurement) gives the GF1 a score of 53 overall - with the ability to capture 21.2bits of colour data with a dynamic range of 10.3EVs. The D3100 has an overall score of 67, 22.5 bits and 11.3EVs. It also almost doubles the GF1's score for low light sensitivity - most likely due to the larger sensors ability to soak up more light.

For interest and comparison to more expensive cameras: the brand new D7000 gets a score of 80 (second highest to date for a APS-C sensor), 23.5bits, 13.9EVs, and the slightly older, professional full frame D3s - used primarily for low light / fast sports photography - gets an 82, 23.5bits, 12EVs, but a low light sensitivity almost 3x that of both the D7000 and D3100 - again not only due to the fact that it generates the image with a full frame sensor much larger than both of those cameras - but a lower resolution one (12MP vs ~14-16MP).

While there are no full reviews of the D3100 out right now, I'd probably point an interested amateur photographer in that direction first.

Nov 9, 10