Will Panasonic own the digital still camera market?

Water over autumn leaves, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Looking at the first previews of the new Panasonic Lumix G1 digital interchangeable lense camera (Dpreview and Imaging Resource, update: also Camera Labs and Dcresource), I started to feel a sense of wonder. Even if the G1 does not hit all the spots, it shows already what can be done with the micro four thirds technology. And I feel that Panasonic (a HUGE company) has a real possibility of taking over the still camera market from the likes of Canon and Nikon.

These are the spots which were missed but can be corrected in the next cameras: no video recording, a bit large compared to what can be done, and old lenses will not work with the new autofocus. Also, in-body sensor-based image stabilization would have been nice to have.

But lets go to the good parts. First of all, the contrast detect autofocus system works fast, that is, fast enough for be competitive with DSLR (though not the high-end ones). And contrast detect is precise and exact, which gives it an edge over current DSLRs (remember Canon DSLR focus problems...).

The biggest advances given by the all-electronic new system are evident in the new high-quality EVF and in the new live-view features like shutter speed and aperture previews. These features will make photography even more enjoyable than it currently is. And it is easy to predict that camera software will advance by leaps when the old mechanical stuff (mirrors etc.) is left behind.

The attached photo was taken today at Lake Kaitalampi in Espoo. This small brook is at the south end of the lake, in the wilderness park area.