Buzz
Basic Information about the Panasonic Lumix G100
While you might think that the Panasonic G100 is a replacement for the Panasonic G90, it actually sits below it in the Lumix mirrorless camera lineup. It targets new vloggers and those looking to start video recording. With that in mind, it features a multi-angle touchscreen that can be seen from the front of the camera and a new audio technology called OZO Audio by Nokia designed to enhance sound without the need for an external mic.
Panasonic is keen to emphasize that the Lumix G100 can also be used for still photography, featuring a 20.3Mp Four Thirds sensor along with an integrated viewfinder.
Key Features of the Panasonic Lumix G100
Vlogging is a booming field right now, and Panasonic has a strong reputation among filmmakers. To capitalize on these two points, Panasonic has introduced the Lumix G100, while having features suitable for still photography, targeting both filmmakers and new vloggers.
Of course, that means it's capable of shooting 4K or Full HD video at frame rates. However, one thing to note with 4K recording, though, there's a slight crop applied to the 12-32mm kit lens making it look a bit longer than its effective 24-64mm usual focal length.
Handy, the Panasonic G100 has a Rec Frame Indicator outlining the frame in red when you start recording. Additionally, there's a Frame Mark feature that can be set to indicate the frame of a preferred aspect ratio favored by some social media channels. Videos are recorded as usual but you can preview what's within the frame with your chosen aspect ratio.
Additionally, there's a Slow & Quick option on the mode dial for easily creating slow and fast motion. When selected, there are menu options to enable recording at 2x, 4x, and 8x speed or slow motion at 2x and 4x. The camera adjusts or increases the frame rate accordingly, and the footage is output at the intended viewing speed, thus eliminating the need to adjust the playback frame rate in post-processing.
While, as usual, audio is not recorded in Slow & Quick mode, the autofocus system operates, making the mode more versatile.
Another good news is that the Panasonic G100 features a 5-axis hybrid image stabilization system. This combines in-camera electronic stabilization with lens-based stabilization when using stabilized lenses.
Video Features
As the Lumix G100's various angle screens are rotated towards the front, the camera switches to selfie mode. And if the video record button is pressed, a 3-second countdown will appear on the screen before recording starts.
If activated through the menu, the G100 also seeks out faces and eyes in the frame and focuses on them.
While the G100 has a 3.5mm port for connecting an external mic, it also has a spatial audio recording system called OZO Audio by Nokia. This is a first for mirrorless cameras.
In the G100, OZO Audio utilizes three internal microphones. It can also operate in tandem with face detection autofocus to track the speaker and optimize sound for them.
Additionally, the mic can be set to Auto, Surround Sound, Front, or Rear, depending on where you anticipate the most important sounds will be coming from.
While some video features are designed to assist beginners or those unfamiliar with filmmaking in creating content, there are some enticing features for more experienced shooters. For example, among the usual Photo Styles (Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, L. Monochrome, L. Monochrome D, Landscape, Portrait, and Custom), there are Cinelike D, Cinelike V, and (notably) V-Log L. The latter creates low contrast, low saturation scenes better suited for post grading than results from other modes.
Additionally, while the camera can be set to control exposure when shooting video, you can also have full manual control if desired. Aperture and shutter priority modes are also available.
Stills Features
Despite targeting vloggers, the Panasonic G100 still has features you'd expect from a still camera.
Being a Micro Four Thirds camera, the G100 can also accept any Micro Four Thirds lenses currently available from Panasonic, Olympus, and others.
Crucially, there's an integrated 3,480,000-dot electronic viewfinder. That's really helpful when the sun is shining on the camera's rear screen. It makes it much easier to evaluate exposure and color as well as composition.
Additionally, there's a small pop-up flash and hotshoe for attaching external flash.
It's great to see a customizable button that's by default set to send images or videos to a previously paired smartphone or tablet.
Design
Panasonic has designed a mini DSLR-like camera for the Lumix G100. That means the electronic viewfinder sits in the center of the top plate and there's a grip on the right side (when you hold the camera).
Although clearly made from plastic, the G100 doesn't feel particularly cheap. There's a nice textured coating on the grip and thumb rest, and the dials on top are chunky with a positive feel. The buttons, especially those on the back of the camera, are a bit small on the petite side and somewhat fiddly to use, but all respond quickly when pressed.
The dials on the back of the camera, however, move quite freely and lack the reassuring feel of the top dials. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on the settings if you don't power off the camera between shots.
As mentioned earlier, on the back of the G100, there's a 3-inch screen that can flip out and tilt up or down for easier viewing from above or below head height. This design means it can rotate fully to view from the front of the camera (important for selfies) and it's used when shooting in both portrait or landscape formats.
The screen provides good visibility, but in bright sunlight, it's best to use the viewfinder. As mentioned earlier, evaluating exposure, composition, and color will be easier. Both display good detail and provide an accurate preview of the captured image.
Control Layout
The Panasonic G100 isn't cluttered with buttons and dials but has enough to allow you to adjust settings quickly. It's handy, the dials on the top and back of the camera let you adjust shutter speed and aperture value directly in manual exposure mode without having to press a button.
By default, you have to press a button to adjust exposure compensation, but this can be changed via the menu. I switched to using the top dial to adjust exposure compensation in aperture priority and shutter priority modes as it speeds up the exposure compensation you want.
This leaves the exposure compensation button (Fn1) available for customization.
There are two additional physical buttons, labeled Fn3 and Fn4, on the top panel that can be customized. There's another (Fn2) on the back of the camera (it doubles as the delete button). Panasonic makes it easy to change the purpose of these buttons, press and hold the available options, and then you just select the button you want via the screen.
That approach also means you can quickly change settings without having to go into the menu.
There are an additional five function buttons on the screen. They're accessed by pressing 'Fn' on the screen to bring up the tab and you just tap the one you want to use. The purpose of these virtual buttons is changed via the menu.
It's nice to see the record button on the top of the camera is quite sizable. It's not as big as the shutter release button, but it's not one of those annoyingly small buttons you find yourself searching for.
Performance
The Lumix G100 produces video and stills that I'd expect from a modern MicroFour Thirds camera with a 20.3Mp sensor. There's a good level of detail and while not groundbreaking, noise is well controlled for this type of camera.
Panasonic has been stuck with contrast-detect autofocus for the G100's autofocus system and while it's generally reliable, it's not as fast or as reliable as a phase-detect system.
Additionally, while the camera showed a box around my face and highlighted my eyes when I was shooting some 4K video in a dimly lit forest, it didn't make my face or eyes tack sharp straight away. It took a few moments to sharpen me up and sometimes it wobbled.
Further testing shows it can struggle to detect your face or eyes if you're wearing glasses. And in light dimmer than perfect, while there might be a box around your face and a cross on your eyes, the focus can shift around a bit.
Another issue when shooting 4K video on the G100 is there's a slight crop at the top of the 2x digital zoom that comes with the Four Thirds type sensor. That means the widest point of the 12-32mm kit lens is actually a tad longer than the expected 24mm. It makes the framing a bit tight for vlogging for a camera at arm's length.
The solution is to either get a wider lens or switch to shooting Full HD.
Audio Performance
I tested the internal mic in its tracking mode on a windy day and while there was plenty of audible wind noise, it did a great job of capturing my voice and tracking me as I or the camera moved. That said, using an external mic with a windscreen would be even better.
The green brackets on either side of the face detection box let you know the audio system is tracking you.
On another occasion, I walked along a dam with lots of water rushing below me. The internal mic handled it extremely well, delivering natural ambient sound with my voice clearly above it.
When the mic is set to record sound from behind the camera, the G100 delivers clean, beautiful audio. I was particularly impressed with how it maintains the same tone and volume of my voice as I move around.
Of course, wind noise can still be an issue with the G100's internal mic, but the Ozo system works really well.
Image Quality
Raw conversion software isn't available for the Panasonic G100 yet, so I could only test Jpeg and video. For still images, the results look great up to around ISO 3200. I'm even willing to push it to ISO 6400. However, for video, I prefer to keep the sensitivity (ISO) a bit lower if possible as temporary noise can spoil the outcome.
Final Thoughts
I haven't been able to test raw files from the Panasonic G100, so I won't pass final judgment on it. However, the G100 is really all about its video and vlogging capabilities, and that's truly impressive.
Autofocus performance may be better in low light conditions and face/eye detection may be challenged by glasses, but overall it's still good.
Using stabilization feature will crop the frame a bit and if you're shooting your own 4K video with the camera at arm's length, it will feel a bit tight around your face with the 12-32mm lens at its widest point. It's better to shoot at Full HD resolution from a composition perspective.
Of course, wind noise is still an issue when using the internal mic (even with the camera's noise reduction activated), but the Ozo audio system does very well. Under conditions that aren't really windy, you can get excellent results from the onboard mic.
The review unit provided came with the DMW-SHGR1 tripod grip, and I found it to be very useful. I kept it on the camera most of the time I used it, and I recommend you to get it. However, it doesn't feel as sturdy as I hoped, and the control over the grip is lacking. Nonetheless, it provides a very comfortable way to hold the camera at arm's length and trigger the shutter or start and stop recording.
It's great to see a quality viewfinder on board along with the excellent logging information of the G100. It means the camera is just as at home shooting stills as it is video.
