Lumix GM1, Ergonomic Problems

 

New Camera, Old Mistakes

Photo Courtesy of Digital Photography Review, dpreview.com

This shows very clearly that you don't actually hold the GM1 and cameras of similar configuration. You get some fingertips onto it and hope for the best. 

 

Small Camera, Big picture....The Dream   Photographers are forever lusting after the elusive tiny, take everywhere camera which takes pictures just as good as you can get from a big DSLR.  Camera makers try to fulfil this dream with tiny camera bodies shrink wrapped around large sensors.

The Ergonomic Problem  Many of these cameras are so small you can't get a proper grip on them. Most don't have a viewfinder. Their user interface and control set is compromised by their small size.

Can it be Done ?I recently conducted a little ergonomic experiment with a compact camera mockup and wrote about it here. I think this showed that it is possible to have  decent ergonomics in a very small camera.

This mockup has a smaller box volume than the GM1 as it's lens module is smaller. But it provides a vastly better user experience. There is an EVF of decent size and a main control dial located where it is in easy reach of the right index finger. There is a built in handle of ergonomic design. The multi (4 way) controller has been replaced by the ergonomically more elegant JOG lever, shown here under the right thumb.

 

Recent small camera, large sensor compacts  Sony is leading the charge with the RX1 and RX100 cameras. Nikon, Ricoh, etc are all in the race. Now Panasonic wants to join the fray. 

The Lumix GM1  Unlike Sony's offerings which have fixed lenses, the GM1 is a Micro Four Thirds camera with interchangeable lenses. It's very small and kind of cute.

Pocketable ? Some people think they might want to carry it in a pocket.  I have never been a fan of this idea. Pockets  accumulate all kinds of detritus which could  be harmful to a camera. With a filter and lens cap on the kit 12-32mm lens,  the GM1 has a depth of about 55mm which is too deep for most pockets anyway. So it will end up in a pouch of some kind, just like a larger camera. And of course if you mount any other zoom lens the camera ends up being way too small for the lens.

Holding  The photograph at the top of this blog, courtesy of Digital Photography Review, shows very clearly that you can't actually hold  a camera shaped like the GM1. You apply the fingertips and hope it doesn't fall on the floor. The same comments hold for several recent very small compacts with no handle and with most of the rear of the camera being occupied by the monitor.

Viewing  You get a fixed, non articulated monitor only, and no EVF.

Operating  There is no main control (command) dial. All the buttons and the 4 way controller are very small and difficult to find by touch.

I Wish They Would:

* Forget about having interchangeable lenses on such a small body. A fixed lens can occupy less space when retracted as it can collapse right down till the rear element almost touches the sensor.  I doubt the GM1 is particularly attractive as an interchangeable lens body anyway. I would guess most buyers of the GM1 will leave the kit 12-32mm on the camera all the time. Maybe some will fit the 20mm f1.7 and tolerate the poor ergonomics of the body.

* With a fixed zoom lens the rest of the body can be reworked for much improved ergonomics, as shown in the photo above. This includes an EVF, a decent, functional handle (built in)  and a much improved user interface. The box volume of the mockup is actually smaller than that of the GM1 with 12-32mm kit lens fitted.

 

Camera	Width  mm	Height  mm	Depth  mm	Box Volume WxHxD  cc
GM1 with 12-32mm	99	55	52	283
mockup Compact with fixed zoom	102	60	42	257

 Please Try again Panasonic  I have often read on M43 user forums that there is an ongoing interest from consumers in the idea of a compact camera with 4/3 [diagonal 21.5mm] sensor and a fixed zoom lens of moderate zoom range and aperture.

I believe this would be a more viable proposition than the GM1.