For the grip on my GM1 I use a grip from Sony - the black rubbery one you can buy as the accesory for the RX100. It fits seamlesly :) The original one from panasonic is hard to find and has a major flaw. It blocks the bottom "door" so you have to unscrew it every time there is a need for baterry change. the grip from sony looks great and does not have that disadvantage :) As for the flash it's suprisingly useful indoors. as it's on a hinge and you can point it straight up in order to bounce the light from the ceiling witch makes it not as intrusive and gives pleasing results :)
Those little cameras are increasingly popular. The GM1 went from 250 Euros in 2023 to 350 in 2024 at MPB. And the GM5 from 350 to 550. And they are selling. I have a GM5 which I take with me at work every day. It is a pleasure to be able to shoot when I am inspired. The GM5 is a little gem. Unfortunately I don't have the eyes to use the GM1 because of the lack of EVF. A more modern alternative would be G100. That camera is a bit taller but I consider it as the spiritual successor of the GM5.
I find myself curious about this. I have a Sony RX100 V but I don't love it. It's a technical marvel but I always have to think about how to use it. I have an underwater housing for it though, as I like scuba diving. I got a GoPro 11 now as well, for underwater use as well, but I'm not sure I like it either. It's very good for video, but not so great for photo, and the sensor is quite small. I think I want a compact camera that can do both, to take on trips, besides my Nikon D750. And there has to be an underwater housing for it. The GM1 does tick a few of those boxes, as even Amazon has an underwater housing for it. But I wonder how good the video is. And I wonder if I'll like it better than my Sony. So I'm not yet sure. Also because it has no viewfinder. I could go for the GM5, but I can't find a small underwater housing for that. Another option would be a Nikon 1 camera. They're cheaper, but the sensor is smaller, to the point where my RX100 should have better image quality than a Nikon 1 with the kit lens. But I can use my Nikon DSLR lenses with it, via an adapter, which may be interesting for wildlife. Nikon has an underwater housing for the J4 as well, though the J5 or V3 would be my preferred model. Unfortunately, the AW1 can only go 15 meters underwater, which is something, but not always enough.
I still have my GM5 bought in 2016: love it better than GM1 because of the evf. It's always one of my most used camera for street and my everyday camera alongside with its brother GX800 which has a tilting screen and 4K and is only merely larger. The GX800 is a solid option VS the GM5 nowadays, except the lack of evf and the stupid nano-SD card! Just remember none has IBIS: for lowlight an OIS lens would be welcome... I tend to take both cameras in a tiny bag with 12-32m, 7.5 fisheye, 15 or 20 and 42.5mm f/1.7. The aperture ring on the 15mm is a plus on Manual mode as the cam has only 1 wheel, but it's a little loosy.
To be honest, I don't really understand the GM1, I get it's small and all but I don't get how that's a big benefit when the lens mount is just as big as its peers, and the price also seems high for something released a decade ago. Maybe there's something I'm missing?? So far I don't understand why this would be a better option than any of the m4/3 cameras released at the time
I still use the GM5 and love it. I do stock photography with it and when used with noise reduction software, the images look like from a 24mp camera. It’s so compact and versatile with other lenses. It fits in a coat pocket and easy to travel with.
I've never seen an offer so low for an GM1, you have to help me find one to. Prices are more around 300. How did you score that? I'm looking for years now.
I had both GM1 and GM5 but I sold the first one. EVF and rear dial were the reasons why I still keep the GM5 and I still love it! About the grip I have the original one from Panasonic but I don’t use it. It’s 100 times better to buy a rubber grip, less bulky and better ergonomics, at least for my hands.
I had the GM1 and the GM5. Loved both, but sold the GM1 as it wasnt getting used. I bought a Sony RX100 rubber grip for both. Worked a treat. I love the 14mm Pancake and the 20mm f1.7 Pancake, where I get great bokeh. A really fun camera. Thanks for the review.
For grip, you can get the official one for the Sony RX100 and cut it down to fit. I use this on a GM5. It's better (for me, who values the tiny size) than adding the bulk of the full Panasonic grip and mount, which is also quite hard to find.
Thank you Bob. Always interested in the early year cameras. I wonder if the individual pixel size is what make the shots look like film & not digital. Earlier camera's had larger pixels? I really do not know.
A couple of years ago I bought a Lumix GX9 because I was wanting a smaller camera and I love it! However, I recently saw a video of the GM1 and thought damn, now I want an even smaller camera! I found a beautiful blue colored GM1 on Ebay this afternoon with the 12-32 kit lens and it was too pretty not to purchase. Can't wait to get it!
For the grip on my GM1 I use a grip from Sony - the black rubbery one you can buy as the accesory for the RX100. It fits seamlesly :) The original one from panasonic is hard to find and has a major flaw. It blocks the bottom "door" so you have to unscrew it every time there is a need for baterry change. the grip from sony looks great and does not have that disadvantage :) As for the flash it's suprisingly useful indoors. as it's on a hinge and you can point it straight up in order to bounce the light from the ceiling witch makes it not as intrusive and gives pleasing results :)
Those little cameras are increasingly popular. The GM1 went from 250 Euros in 2023 to 350 in 2024 at MPB. And the GM5 from 350 to 550. And they are selling.
I have a GM5 which I take with me at work every day. It is a pleasure to be able to shoot when I am inspired. The GM5 is a little gem. Unfortunately I don't have the eyes to use the GM1 because of the lack of EVF.
A more modern alternative would be G100. That camera is a bit taller but I consider it as the spiritual successor of the GM5.
I find myself curious about this. I have a Sony RX100 V but I don't love it. It's a technical marvel but I always have to think about how to use it. I have an underwater housing for it though, as I like scuba diving. I got a GoPro 11 now as well, for underwater use as well, but I'm not sure I like it either. It's very good for video, but not so great for photo, and the sensor is quite small. I think I want a compact camera that can do both, to take on trips, besides my Nikon D750. And there has to be an underwater housing for it. The GM1 does tick a few of those boxes, as even Amazon has an underwater housing for it. But I wonder how good the video is. And I wonder if I'll like it better than my Sony. So I'm not yet sure. Also because it has no viewfinder. I could go for the GM5, but I can't find a small underwater housing for that.
Another option would be a Nikon 1 camera. They're cheaper, but the sensor is smaller, to the point where my RX100 should have better image quality than a Nikon 1 with the kit lens. But I can use my Nikon DSLR lenses with it, via an adapter, which may be interesting for wildlife. Nikon has an underwater housing for the J4 as well, though the J5 or V3 would be my preferred model. Unfortunately, the AW1 can only go 15 meters underwater, which is something, but not always enough.
I still have my GM5 bought in 2016: love it better than GM1 because of the evf. It's always one of my most used camera for street and my everyday camera alongside with its brother GX800 which has a tilting screen and 4K and is only merely larger. The GX800 is a solid option VS the GM5 nowadays, except the lack of evf and the stupid nano-SD card! Just remember none has IBIS: for lowlight an OIS lens would be welcome...
I tend to take both cameras in a tiny bag with 12-32m, 7.5 fisheye, 15 or 20 and 42.5mm f/1.7. The aperture ring on the 15mm is a plus on Manual mode as the cam has only 1 wheel, but it's a little loosy.
To be honest, I don't really understand the GM1, I get it's small and all but I don't get how that's a big benefit when the lens mount is just as big as its peers, and the price also seems high for something released a decade ago. Maybe there's something I'm missing?? So far I don't understand why this would be a better option than any of the m4/3 cameras released at the time
I bought the GM1 out of curiosity. Had same problem with the rear dial. I worked it by resting my thumb flat across the wheel and rotating my thumb.
I have two of these, a brilliant camera. If you need a view finder there is the Gm5.
Nice video!
I got this 10 years ago and recently pulled it out of hibernation. Works a treat💯
My first camera 💙
I still use the GM5 and love it. I do stock photography with it and when used with noise reduction software, the images look like from a 24mp camera. It’s so compact and versatile with other lenses. It fits in a coat pocket and easy to travel with.
I've never seen an offer so low for an GM1, you have to help me find one to. Prices are more around 300. How did you score that? I'm looking for years now.
Luck I guess, the listing said it had a faulty flash but I don't use flash so was not concerned, the camera works perfectly
I had both GM1 and GM5 but I sold the first one. EVF and rear dial were the reasons why I still keep the GM5 and I still love it! About the grip I have the original one from Panasonic but I don’t use it. It’s 100 times better to buy a rubber grip, less bulky and better ergonomics, at least for my hands.
Just got my GM1. camera, 12-42lens, 3 batteries, and a gorgeous carrying case. $560. It is a wonderful little camera.
I had the GM1 and the GM5. Loved both, but sold the GM1 as it wasnt getting used. I bought a Sony RX100 rubber grip for both. Worked a treat. I love the 14mm Pancake and the 20mm f1.7 Pancake, where I get great bokeh. A really fun camera. Thanks for the review.
Luv this little camera.... 👍👌
For grip, you can get the official one for the Sony RX100 and cut it down to fit. I use this on a GM5. It's better (for me, who values the tiny size) than adding the bulk of the full Panasonic grip and mount, which is also quite hard to find.
Thank you Bob. Always interested in the early year cameras. I wonder if the individual pixel size is what make the shots look like film & not digital. Earlier camera's had larger pixels? I really do not know.
Looks to be the same size as the G100 which I returned. Even for my small hands, the dials feel too small. Thanks for the review!
Significantly smaller than that...
A couple of years ago I bought a Lumix GX9 because I was wanting a smaller camera and I love it! However, I recently saw a video of the GM1 and thought damn, now I want an even smaller camera! I found a beautiful blue colored GM1 on Ebay this afternoon with the 12-32 kit lens and it was too pretty not to purchase. Can't wait to get it!