The GX1 marks the return of the full-size hot shoe, however, which made its way from the GF1 to the GF2, but was notably absent on the GF3. While it's certainly an upgrade, Panasonic didn't intend the GX1 to replace the GF3 - the company's more, shall we say, beginner-friendly model, from both a price and design standpoint.

Still, the control layout and instrument placement is very efficient, albeit a bit cluttered, so there's very little wasted space. This should of course come as no surprise to GF1 vets, but the GX1 is far too large to fit in your pocket. The GX1's metal construction makes it heavy enough to feel solidly built, but it's still light enough to be worn comfortably around your neck. Panasonic didn't exactly take many risks when it came to the camera's physical appearance compared to the GF1, but if we have any complaints about that model, design doesn't come to mind. This left the GF1 faithful without a worthy successor - until now.Ĭanopied in varying shades of matte black paint, the GX1 has a sleek and elegant retro design. But following that successful first model, Panasonic opted to take the GF series in a different direction, launching a dumbed-down GF2 (and later GF3) in what was likely an attempt to appeal to the much larger amateur category. Surprisingly, Panasonic's pioneering days were far stronger than those of recent past, with the company's GF1 melting the hearts of compact-seeking professionals. But long before the likes of Sony and Fujifilm launched their first cameras, Olympus and Panasonic dominated the then-infant mirrorless category, developing the Micro Four Thirds sensor standard, that, for better or worse, has failed to catch on among other manufacturers.

We're particularly taken with the technology's compact footprint - we're focusing our camera reviews on mirrorless models, and even outfitted our entire CES team with Sony's NEX-C3. These compact, pro-featured ILCs undoubtedly have a strong future, with mass consumer appeal and a widening assortment of price points. It's no surprise that the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera category is continuing to grow at a rapid pace.

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