lumix gf2

[specialman]

Don't know much about this style of camera but with sub-£300 prices for them on amazing (with the 14-40 something lens) I was thinking it would be a decent buy for the missus as a step up from her compact.

Reviews says its more evolution than revolution from the gf1 and that the sensor is good but nothing groundbreaking. Looks like a nice compact option to a dslr but just wanted dome user views

 

[Llamaman]

Sorry if this seems like stating the obvious, but it's significantly larger than a compact with the 14-42 lens, as the lens doesn't contract. Too big for most handbags, I would think (if that's how she planned on carrying it). It's a nice size with the 14mm or 20mm primes, but these may be too restrictive?

An alternative might be a Fuji X10?

 

[postcardcv]

I use mine with an Olympus kit lens as this folds down when not in use making it a smaller package than if using the Panasonic lens. The image quality is very good and the camera is very easy to use, but with full manual controls available when wanted. It is too big for a trouser pocket but fine in a coat pocket (so I suspect would be fine in a handbag). My wife used to take my GF1 with 20mm out when going out for the evening but now takes that GF2 with Oly zoom as it is a bit smaller.

 

[specialman]

So you can use Olympus lenses? Interesting.....

I saw a red version in the black Friday sale with the zoom for £280ish and because the wife misses the instant shutter that her old Sony compact had (plus she's moaning that we don't have a take-everywhere camera) I thought it a good Xmas pressy.

It'll go in her satchel no worries and might help her do a bit more togging (and will come in handy when were Snowboarding), something she wants to do more of these days. Her little compact is okay but this might be a nice step up

Llamaman - x10 is too pricey for me, although it looks a nice bit if kit.

 

[Llamaman]

Bear in mind that if you use Oly lenses on a Panasonic m4/3 body, you won't get any VR/IS. Panasonic put it in the lenses, Oly went for in-body...

If you want to go super-small, there's also the 14-42X pancake zoom, but I think that'll cost an arm and a leg for a while yet.