By using the Micro Four Thirds System standard and developing a camera body that eliminates the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit, the DMC-GF1 was able to achieve the world's smallest, lightest body as a system camera with a built-in flash. It also features classical, but new artistic flat design. This new-generation system camera features Full-Time Live View, high-speed Contrast AF, HD movie recording, and more. It is small enough to take anywhere, yet sophisticated enough to take you as far into photography and movies as you want to go.

The DMC-GF1's 4/3-type Live MOS sensor with 12.1-megapixel gives you the high image quality. It also adds a high-speed readout for HD movie recording. The Dust Reduction System helps maintain image quality by placing a Supersonic Wave Filter in front of the sensor. An image processing LSI, Venus Engine HD, incorporates two CPUs. This does not only boost image processing speed, it also helps achieve an exceptional noise-reduction performance. Also, it allows long-time movie recording in AVCHD Lite while maintaining low power consumption.

The DMC-GF1 can record HD movie of 720P in AVCHD Lite with high sound quality of Dolby Digital Creator. Motion JPEG format is also available (1,280 x 720 pixels). Just press the Motion Picture Button, and shooting begins. In the Motion Picture P Mode, the aperture can be adjusted easily. The iA Mode can also be activated in motion picture recording. When the DMC-GF1 is connected to a Panasonic VIERA via an optional mini HDMI cable, the TV's remote control unit can be used to enjoy playing back with greater convenience.

The 3.0-inch 460,000-dot LCD gives you a Full-time Live View of what you're shooting, with approx. 100% field of view. In addition, versatile creative functions are possible with the DMC-GF1. My Colour Mode makes it easy to customize colour effects to match your preference. The Peripherical Defocus Mode automatically adjusts the focus to match the AF area while gently defocusing to emphasize the subject. The iA Mode, featuring Face Recognition function, serves as a combination of functions that makes it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos.

The bright F1.7/20mm (35mm camera equivalent: 40mm) fixed focus lens, based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard, produces bright photos with a dramatic soft focus even in dimly lit locations. Its compact, easy-to-carry size is also ideal for capturing everyday scenes and snapshots. This lens uses a lens drive system to enable a compact and bright F1.7. As a result of this, operating sounds are recorded when autofocusing during motion picture recording.