p.1 #1 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
Been thinking about this recently, looking at my beloved GF1 and thinking where Panasonic could go from here. Here's my vision of what I'd like to see them, and what I think they're capable of doing from a technical level and a product positioning standpoint. This is based on the DMC-FX150 as the starting point for a compact Panasonic look (but obviously larger than the FX150).
Product Description, in relation to GF1
* Identical sensor and processing from GF1
* Smaller RAW buffer
* No hot shoe flash
* No optional EVF
* Smaller battery, more compact dimensions
* Shooting mode selection via menu, no dial
* Shooting speed selection via menu, no dial
Assuming they can fit everything in this small package, I think it's a reasonable idea. The focus is on ultimate compactness, at the expense of some functionality some users are likely to demand - making the GF1 or GH1 a better choice.
p.1 #2 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
Smaller battery? Isn't the battery life already not-so-stellar?
Seems like ones fingers would block the flash.
When the body gets that small, you can't fit a large screen along with controls big enough to use. The camera would be too heavy to have tiny elph-like controls along the side.
p.1 #3 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
Sam N wrote:
Smaller battery? Isn't the battery life already not-so-stellar?
The battery life currently isn't bad. Most users report around 6-800 shots per charge. Certainly not as good as some dSLRs, but even a 50% reduction would most likely fine for most users coming from a P&S. If not, they're likely candidates for getting a GF1 instead.
Sam N wrote:
Seems like ones fingers would block the flash.
It probably should be placed closer to the lens, but it would then likely prove to cast a shadow with some lens hoods. But when I look at how I naturally hold the GF1, there's a gap right in that position - and indeed, Panasonic does place flashes close to that position with their P&Ses.
Sam N wrote:
When the body gets that small, you can't fit a large screen along with controls big enough to use. The camera would be too heavy to have tiny elph-like controls along the side.
The screen likely would need to be smaller than the GF1's, and yes, the controls would be a bit more compact. Smallness brings compromises, but people already using P&Ses likely would be used to that sort of compromise.
p.1 #4 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
Dont know much about Panasonic operations, but the word is that EP1 has largely sold out already. Its thought that EP1 was a stop gap solution whereas EP2 was the intended mFT vehicle for Olympus. That would make EP1 subject to batch production, whether or not this applies to the rest of the Pen models remains to be seen.
I think we will find that EP2 will also move very quickly, and this will trigger Oly will attempt to widen the groups line in mFT, one could surmise models one up and one down from EP2.
The very least they can do is a fixed lens mFT which might be more pocketable and cheaper, and a 'more' semi-pro oriented model that offers better control and perhaps features like weathersealing, logically Panasonic would follow suit. Some of these ideas are already being speculated at Zone10
p.1 #5 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
Rob Riley wrote:
Dont know much about Panasonic operations, but the word is that EP1 has largely sold out already. Its thought that EP1 was a stop gap solution whereas EP2 was the intended mFT vehicle for Olympus. That would make EP1 subject to batch production, whether or not this applies to the rest of the Pen models remains to be seen.
Largely sold out where? From Olympus' inventory? B&H has every E-P1 kit in stock right now - that's 8 different configurations. Can't keep the GF1 in stock, which is probably largely Panasonic's inability to produce them in sufficient quantities.
p.1 #6 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
I also heard the E-P1 had a finite run; a batch production. I also am certain it would not have sold as fast and as well if it came after the GF1: timing was everything.
p.1 #7 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
Sam Bennett wrote:
Largely sold out where? From Olympus' inventory? B&H has every E-P1 kit in stock right now - that's 8 different configurations. Can't keep the GF1 in stock, which is probably largely Panasonic's inability to produce them in sufficient quantities.
There is a difference between forward warehousing kept for putting stock in position for a global region, than a carrier like B&H. Its being said that, some parts of the world didnt get any product at all, and now they never will.
Most important for a manufacturer to hold some stock in reserve, this keeps their pipeline alive and makes their inventory management more cost efficient. If they are out already they are not running efficiently and they need rather larger batches to balance their marketing/inventory/operations costs.
Consider that empty warehousing still costs money to run, and it all looks silly if the marketing campaign organised perhaps 6 months earlier is still in gear. Its an unusual position for any manufacturer to be in, but kinda more likely for a batch manufacturer.
They push the market out as far as they can, in Panasonic's case, they dont need to or never got that far. I bet most are sold domestically to mainland Japan, why should they bother to ship to the US with the added costs to that and then to be dudded on the exchange rate?
Given this climate prices will not fall. I bet the saki is flowing freely back home in Japan...
p.1 #8 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
I don't think making it much smaller would be wise unless they are turning it into a fixed lens system, something to directly compete w/ the DP2 for instance.
I'd much rather see that from a "GX1." The GH2 can have minor shrinks as it starts to lose too much in function otherwise. The GX1 could be left for the real "super p&s" camera. In fact, I almost got a DP2, but it's UI clunkiness kept me at bay. And the lens wasn't the 201/.7 =)
Anyway, what REALLY should be next from Panasonic is a new logistics and supply chain manager.
p.1 #10 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
I would not like the GF1 to be smaller; I have small to medium sized hands and it is small enough to be comfortable without being bulky.
Even though I would prefer a flat (or collapsible) fast f2 zoom around 24-90 (35mm equiv) that when collapsed would be flush with the body I do think it works with the existing lenses.
It is like a miniature version of a SLR, bar the viewfinder of course.
p.1 #11 · DMC-GX1 - My guess of what's next from Panasonic
FWIW, I agree that I wouldn't like the GF1 to be any smaller - I think it's perfect the way it is. But this is my prediction of where Panasonic will go next and that means a new line, aimed at a different market segment and would not be a replacement for the GF1. I would buy one for my wife - she's really enjoyed the GF1 so far and I'm sure would appreciate an even smaller version.
