Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6
Price: Rs 59,990
Specs: 16MP four-thirds CMOS, 1/4000, ISO 25600, 1080p 60fps, SD/SDHC/SDXC
Reviewing the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 can be an intimidating experience. To start with this, this camera has so many features and I have a stiff word limit. The DMC-G6 is a micro four thirds camera, a breed almost created by Panasonic. We had tested the DMC-GX1 a few months back and that camera had shown us what pedigree means in this range.
The G6 is a bit different from the GX1, both in look and in features. To start with, this camera seems to have a slightly more robust body as well as a 3-inch tiltable capacitive touch LCD. Another noticeable difference is the addition of a zoom rocker just behind the shutter button. This is does a lot of things depending on the mode you are in.
The camera comes loaded with Wi-Fi and NFC and we use the Panasonic Image App to click pictures remotely using an iPhone. This is an amazing feature to have and comes in handy when you want to click family pictures with the photographer also in it. Plus, the app also gives you a lot of controls, even manual settings. The app also lets you access the playback and save pictures to the phone. Another winner if you are one of those looking to click and share on the fly. However, we noticed that after you lock the camera to a phone it has a tendency to freeze without even switching off.
We tested the G6 with a 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens and the results were really good. I was more impressed by the colour reproduction of this camera that anything else. The low-light performance is also great, but we have come to expect that from these cameras. The one thing that was a put off was the time take to get the focus right while shooting anything in macro. There is no macro mode in this camera and that is a letdown. On the other hand the low-light AF is unlike anything we have seen before, locking on to the subject in a jiffy. You can also use the touchscreen to select the area you want to focus, as well as to click the image.
If you are one of those who just relish the filters on Instagram, this camera will offer you so much tweaks to play with that you will be spoilt for choice. The cameras a creative controls option to select the picture style as well as a comprehensive scene mode that take care of most common use-case-scenarios in case you want to stick to the full auto. There is also the usual manual control as well as two custom modes.
The FullHD video quality is also better than peers going up to 50fps. You can also change most of the setting even as you are shooting and there is a even a digital zoom in case you need to go extra close. Then the camera has a full time lapse mode and HDR, though we will not recommend the latter much.
The G6 is a great camera to spend your money on if you are looking for something that will cover all your imaging needs.
Rating: 4.5/5
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