![\"G2-7D](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/G2-7D-comp-603.jpg\" "\\"G2-7D")
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Most photographers who are hardware junkies eventually acquire a small “walk around” camera, something compact to carry when you don’t want the bulk or \u00a0obtrusiveness of the “real” camera. The problem is that when the big opportunities present themselves the compacts are too slow, don’t have the lower light ability, or other deficits and you miss the shot and vow to always carry the good stuff.<\/p>\n
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We’ve had a variety of smaller cameras over the years, none of which really satisfied. Last winter Arctic expert and photographer non-pareil John Harries, mentioned he was really pleased with a new Panasonic compact. John is a Canon 5D shooter, so if he says the new Panasonic is OK we figured we needed to check it out.<\/p>\n
When Elyse and her photographer hubby Todd Beveridge came to visit a few weeks ago they brought us a Panasonic G2 to add to our collection, along with the 14-140mm zoom lens John suggested. The G2 is to the right in the lead photo, next to our Canon 7D body. There \u00a0is a huge difference in size and weight.<\/p>\n
![\"G2-7D](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/G2-7D-comp-604.jpg\" "\\"G2-7D")
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The camera has a processor half the size of a 35mm negative, so about 25% smaller than the Canon 7D. There is no mirror. You either look through an electronic viewfinder – not bad but takes some getting used to – or use the LCD screen on the back. There are a series of interchangeable lenses available.<\/p>\n
In good light the results are stunning. In difficult conditions you want the big bodies and heavy duty glass if you have them. The focusing speed, light meter, and ability to record a wide range of lighting are all close to a good quality \u00a0SLR from a few years ago – think Canon 30D, and way ahead of any of the fixed lens compacts we have recently used including the Canon G10.<\/p>\n
Images are noisier than the bigger cameras, but so far our anti-noise filters have been able to handle it with ease.<\/p>\n
The Panasonic G2 is easy to operate as long as you stay with the auto settings. Where you control shutter speed, aperture, and ISO it takes a little getting used to.<\/p>\n
Bottom line, we get a lot fewer keepers compared to the bigger system, but we are getting many more than was the case with previous compacts.<\/p>\n
About 10% of the photos we have shown you over the last three weeks have been from this system.<\/p>\n
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