Lumix GF2 and GF3 (2011-2026)

The good old days when Panasonic knew how to produce tiny micro four-thirds cameras
You could tell he believed in the µ4/3 system and its many advantages.

Lumix GF1 (2009) / Lumix GF2 (2011)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157715307186563

Minolta RD-175 (1995) / Lumix GF2 (2011)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157716759731113/

Olympus E-300 (2004) / Lumix GF2 (2011)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157712636076702

Fujifilm x100 (2011) / Lumix DMC-GF3 (2011)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157679623424445

Lumix GF3 (2011) / Nikon 1 J1 ( 2011)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157688958703426

Lumix GF3 (2011) / Nikon D500 (2016)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157675212799895

Olympus E-P1 (2009) / Lumix GF3 (2011)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72177720328983822/

I bought a SH GF3 back in the day to use for work. It was a fun little camera that was a gateway into M43. I believe M43 worked when the cameras were small. Bloat then took hold ending in that huge Olympus body.

Yes, Olympus (OM SYSTEM) and Panasonic. Seems to have forgotten the primary reason for Micro Four Thirds.
And that's a real shame for us consumers.

😍

Because I know the GF3 is m43 and I know the size of that mount, and even though that's about as compact as you could make an m43 camera, that still makes those other two absolute monsters...

Was their release date a long time before the GF3?

If one is shooting smaller lenses, there's a valid argument for a smaller body alongside the bigger OM-1's and G9's and GH's. Heaven forbid I ever promote an OM but the OM-5 is somewhat smaller. Panasonic do have the G100 but it is light on some features like IBIS.

However as I nearly always use the 100-400mm lens, the G9s seem just the right size / weight to support it. All up the body and lens is only about 1.5kg

The Kodak DCS 760 dates from 2001 and the Canon EOS-1 N DCS 5c from 1997
It represents the symbol of professional digital photography of that era.
It was best for the photographers to be in good physical condition to lug these behemoths around all day.

Good for you if you find what you're looking for in today's Panasonic world.
But for the past few years, it's been difficult to find a small Micro Four Thirds camera to accompany our full-frame cameras.
Since Panasonic decided to compete with Canon, Nikon and Sony.

I hear you.

I read posts from a lot of people who are still happy with their G90 (g90, 95, 97 depending where you are). It is still available. I wouldn't be interested in a rangefinder type but there is the new LX10 if you could be happy with a fixed zoom lens...

This new LX10 is the perfect representation of everything that repels me, I don't like zoom lenses, and I like cameras with this type of lens attached all the time even less.
It's ideal for vacuuming dust inside the camera, but cleaning the sensor is impossible. And finally, a swivel screen for video enthusiasts, and selfie lovers! No thanks, not for me! Panasonic and Canon are two companies that have been a huge disappointment to me for several years.

I used an FZ300 (internal telescopic lens) for quite some time with no dust issues. I agree, after having a couple of ILCs I wouldn't go back to a fixed lens.

Personally I am happy enough with Panasonic's offerings but I understand the lack of a small rangefinder for those that want them.

I am sure their decisions are economic based on shipped units...

I completely agree: enthusiast forums and stores rarely agree, and companies make their living from what they sell...

Modern sensors need more power and cooling, it makes camera bigger and additional video features only make the things worse. I dont think that we will ever see another GM size camera. But I think there will be an LX10 size ILC Panasonic.

That's why it is so difficult to make a camera that is loved by everyone. I love zoom lenses especially 14-28 (FF terms) range and flip screens (the best design flip and tilt)

Fortunately, there are still three manufacturers who still think about photographers.

Fujifilm, Hasselblad and Leica 😇