*This post is sponsored by Nuffnang and Panasonic*
Sometimes my life is a little crazy; well actually it is a little crazy all the time! But the other week I was given a great opportunity to capture it all for you.
Thanks to Nuffnang and Panasonic, I was sent the brand spanking new Panasonic Lumix G2 12.1 mega pixel camera. It is half way between a point and shoot and a DSLR. I’ve had the old point and shoot camera here for quite some time and never find I can get the result I wanted, so I switched to a big DSLR. I haven’t had any spare time to really learn how to use this yet, and find I always have to mess around quite a bit. And while those shots are lovely, carrying around a whole camera bag full of equipment does rather cramp my style. The sorts of events I get around to aren’t really the type of things where I want to be schelping around extra bags. So I’ve been trying to figure out the perfect solution for something that would fit into my handbag, but still do a cracking job at capturing my moments no matter what the conditions.
When it comes to taking photos I may have an eye for composition, but I certainly don’t have any technical knowledge. In fact when someone asked me the other day what aperture speed I’d used to capture an image (after seeing it on the LCD camera screen), I blushed and said, “A good one?”. Yep, no technical knowledge whatsoever. I went home and told Mr.SKM this while he had a very good giggle at my expense.
Funnily enough, while we were watching TV the other night, a commercial came on with a guy showing an exhibition of his photography, being asked similar questions and giving similar answers to mine. Mr.SKM and I were both laughing going, “hey that’s you!” The extra funny bit was when at the end of the commercial, we saw it was for the Panasonic Lumix G2 – the exact camera they had just sent me to assist my novice ways! This is the ad here.
Okay, so this new camera arrives looking like a baby SLR, all black, fancy and miniaturised. Of course the first thing I did was to experiment with which handbag was the best fit for it before even taking a shot. But I’m not going to bore you with technical details I don’t understand, instead I’m going to take you with me on my weekend and show you how the Panasonic Lumix G2 captured it along the way.
*(None of these photos have been altered in any way – they are RAW, straight from the camera)*
On Thursday I had a bunch of errands to run including a little ‘research’ at Chapel Street Bazzar. The chaps there were kind enough to let me photograph some of my favourite things as I went along. I hadn’t had the time to experiment much with the camera, so this was a great opportunity to check out how it would handle close ups, things behind glass and to mess around with all the auto artistic photo settings.
Then it was on to a quick cup of tea with Violet Le Beaux before dress fittings for Friday night’s big event.
Come Friday it was time to hit the town for Miss Burlesque Australia. I was privileged to be a part of the judging panel for the Victorian heat, watching the girls get their spangles on.. and off… for the title. Given that it was held in a nightclub it was quite dark, so it was time to see if the Panasonic Lumix G2 could capture the ambience without any flash or me having to worry about ISO stuff. I just set it on auto and shot. Did I mention the camera has an articulated LCD touch screen? This fantastic feature meant I could angle the screen to make sure I could get my friends and myself into those arm length shots! I can just touch the screen to move the focus area and make sure it is all working, even while still in front of the lens.
Saturday morning I was up early for another big day, heading out for a radio interview first up. I had about two seconds to get an outfit shot before heading out the door, so I handed the camera to Mr SKM to snap my favourite new vintage dress.
Of course, I couldn’t photograph myself while I was on air, so again I passed the camera across to the studio assistant and asked her just to press the GO button. Easy peasy!
I raced off from the interview to the shops where I had to pick up food and a very special cake as Saturday was also Miss Three’s big birthday! Time to capture some colour, action and festivities. Because the Panasonic Lumix G2 has Intelligent Auto Mode, which means automatic light, shutter speed, focus blah blah blah.. I only needed to worry about playing with Miss Three and not spending all the time playing with the camera settings. Oh and because it also captures HD movies I didn’t need to go and find my video camera as well. It was all there, at my fingertips, ready for those classic birthday moments.
After all that there was still Sunday to go. I’d been asked to come and perform in a friends Tableau Vivant gallery evening – A Doll House. Time to break out the super huge hair, massive lashes and work it as Dolly Varden! Again, I had little time to take photos and so the twisty LCD touch screen came in handy to snap away and get some shots of the wild hair and makeup creation. I often find that taking photos indoor of an evening can create really harsh shadows and be difficult to light. So I wanted to see how the Panasonic Lumix G2 would handle these conditions under pressure. Once again, I set it to Intelligent Auto Mode and tis is what happened. Not bad hey?
The best thing about all this playing around is that I managed to get all these great pictures while on the run, without extra bags, without lots of messing around and with very little knowledge. (I have to admit I didn’t read the whole manual) So what this means is that I know I can get fantastic results with little effort, but that because the Panasonic Lumix G2 has so much of the functionality of a DSLR too, I can spend the time to play around and learn at my leisure.
So, how would you like one of these all for yourself? You would? Well, thanks to Nuffnang and Panasonic you have the chance to WIN one for yourself!
All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me how the Panasonic Lumix G2 would make you a better photographer! Make sure that your comment is linked to your blog, twitter, email or some other contact method.
Worth $1200.00 RRP this is one Fantastic prize!!
The Panasonic G2 retails for $1299 with a 14-42mm (which is what I was using) or the Twin Lens Kit $1599 with both a 14-42mm & 45-200mm Zoom Lens.
The competition is open to Australian residents only, (sorry guys, I have something else great coming up for my international readers before the end of the month) and there is one camera to give away between the nine blogs hosting the contest.
All the T’s & C’s can be found here.
The Panasonic Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer for similar reasons you love it. It’s sounds easy to use and doesn’t have 1000 settings that need to be fiddled with before taking a good photo, it sounds basically fool proof = awesome photos from me!!!
I am on the hunt for a good quality camera as my wedding is coming up shortly and would like to have a good camera to hand to my brother to snap some good photos for us… This one sounds superb!! It would be wonderful to win such a smart camera!!
Oh SKM, those last two photo’s are just gorgeous! Love those lashes
And if I had a Lumix G2 … I would feel less like a poser with my little point and shoot and more like an “Arteeeeeist!” (said with my bestest Frenchy impressionist accent) Oh the thrill of adjusting the focus to where I want it… a luxury!
Wow SKM those lashes are incredible wherever did u get them? and that shade of blue that your dress is looks fab on you. Now for my comp entry:
I think that the Panasonic Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer as it would enable me to take better quality photos without needing an vast knowledge of photography. It also means I have a fab portable camera for when I’m on the go which would enable me to take better pictures for my blog!
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WOW! I love contest!!
If I have G2, I would bring it with me everywhere I go. As I love picture taking, subjects are varies from food (cause I’m also a part-time food blogger!), scenic view, historic building, friends and family, and strangers. It would be my travel buddy when I visit the United States, Japan, Egypt and Europe in 2011.
Cheers
I’ve always been a poor photographer, and so I’ve never owned a decent camera because I felt like it would, in my hands, be a waste of money. As a result a lot of precious moments have passed me buy without a chance to record them so I can look back and enjoy them all over again in years to come.
From your post it sounds like the Panasonic Lumix G2 could be the answer to my problems! A camera that gives such beautiful results even without delving too deeply into the special features? Yes please! Plus, if I ever get brave enough (which, with the Lumix G2, I just might) there’s all those additional features to explore!
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Hey SKM!
Thanks for posting up such a great comp!
I’d love to win the Panasonic Lumix as i don’t have the patience or time to be a great photographer. The Panasonic Lumix would make my products shoots of my little accessories sooo much better, and great photos would definitely be an incentive to update my website and blog more. This camera sounds like the perfect tool for an ambitious (yet busy and not so technically minded) lady!
Wow such a busy weekend, and all looking fabulous!
The Panasonic Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer because it does all the hard work for me! My Dad is a photographer (he hasn’t gone to digital yet- talk about old fashioned!), he has passed me the camera before and it’s hard work worrying about the light and focusing the picture. It took me ages so when trying to take a photo quickly i would always end up with blurry photos. But with the Panasonic Lumix G2 this wouldn’t happen!
From julez_mez@hotmail.com
A Panasonic Lumix G2 would make me a vastly better photographer as my ancient camera obscura leaves a lot to be desired. I hear cameras have come a long way since the time of Aristotle. I’m told the Lumix G2 is superior even to daguerreotype, and by all accounts it will be able to compensate for my own technical ineptness with its enlightened automatic systems, and this is no mean feat and the mark of true craftsmanship.
It is in the realm of possibility that, if the accompanying manual is produced with an equivalent degree of elegant sophistication to the camera and its automatic systems, I may even begin to grasp the concepts behind photography. Regardless, at long last, I might be able to photograph my feline companions in such a way which does not lead viewers to believe they are merely artistically arranged fur coats. Hope stirs within when I think maybe, just maybe, I might be able to take a photograph not featuring my thumb as the central actor, with the Lumix G2.
Hi SKM, first of all a quick hello! I’ve been a ‘silent reader’ – always getting inspired but not having the guts to ever comment! Thanks for reminding me how beautiful we can make our lives! Oh, and my husband also says thanks for the glamour inspiration that is filtering more and more into our home!
Anyhow, as for the Lumix, I actually posted about this on my blog just last week! I did my degree in art photography and have been wanting to get back into it ever since. Sadly, my 6-megapixel camera from 2003 just doesn’t cut it these days and I’m too embarrassed to even book in shoots anymore. I’ve been dreaming about getting a Lumix ever since they came out – so beautiful! – and my aim is to get back into vintage and pin-up photography. Besides, my husband and I have no photographs of ourselves… big SLRs are just too bulky to take anywhere! It would be sad to look back in a few decades and wish I’d taken more photographs.
Anyhow, thanks for the constant inspiration!
Lauren
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as a film student the lumix G2 would be a bouy in the huge ocean of life. having used DSLRs and point and shoot to film short films before, the g2 would be the most amazing tool to start really working on my portfolio. i have friends with the G2 and the work they produce from a seemingly ‘simple’ camera is astonishing and if i was priviliged enough to own one, the film industry better watch out!
not only would it help my film career it would give me the perfect tool to start my own blog. im a total fashion addict and i would love to be able to share my finds with the blogosphere and give back to what provides me with so much continuous inspiration.
love you SKM you new what was what way before mad men came along and made all things retro cool again.
Happy Birthday to Miss Three! Also agree that the last two shots are gorgeous! <3
I'd love a Lumix G2! I think it would make me a better photographer in that it would allow me to be more spontaneous with pictures. As it is, I only take my camera with me on special occasions because it is too heavy and bulky to carry in my bag. The Lumix G2 is something I could fit in my bag easily for those classic spur of the moment shots!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Candice DeVille, Bunny. Bunny said: RT @SuperKawaiiMama: Thanks to @nuffnangau you can follow me on a week of craziness & WIN a $1200 Panasonic Lumix Camera!!!http://bit.ly/cXjiVc [...]
I am a hopeless photographer….so this camera sounds like it’s designed just for me!!
Love that new vintage dress
The Panasonic Lumix G2 would definitely make me a better photographer with the handy fliparound screen. No more to photoes foreheads, chins & the pink thumbs!
I used to be able to borrow my sister’s digital camera but she’s moved to Melbourne so I’ve been using my mobile phone since her move. I still love to take snapshots, especially with my friends and of the sky, but my tiny mobile phone camera is woefully lacking in quality and capturing brilliant colours.
I’ve lusted after DSLRs for sometime now after seeing the quality of photoes compared to digital, the Panasonic Lumix G2 would be ideal for me as I’d be able to take quick snapshots with its auto mode and its fliparound screen as i’m constantly missing point.
You are super-busy, SKM!!!
And, looking absolutely fab every step of the way!
Happy Belated Birthday to Miss Three!!!
Great photos.
What lipstick did you wear on Sunday? That is a gorgeous color!
Ciao!
Melissa
*sigh* Your blog always makes me wish I lived in Australia. There always seems to be fabulously wonderful things going on there. But, I love your new dress and perhaps I’ll have better luck with your next give away.
[...] Spending a Week with SKM & the Panasonic Lumix G2 | Super Kawaii Mama [...]
I am new to the blogging arena and to photography, so I would love the Panasonic Lumix G2 to boost my talents! I take a lot of photos of my children who are 2 and 4 and whatever projects I happen to be working on. I would ADORE the intelligent Auto mode for chasing my little ones around, or capturing great shots of my musician husband on stage!
The photos you took came out just fabulous! Hope I have a chance at winning!
( and by the way your eyes look amazing in that last photo, like the color indigo!)
Wow, that sounds like an amazing camera! It would make me a better photographer simply by inspiring me to take more pictures. Often I forget my camera or just don’t want to deal with it (it’s pretty old and the settings are finicky. It’s hard to get a really good shot). It seems like it would take a lot of the hard work out of taking nice pictures.
Also, mine is currently held together with duct tape! Glamorous.
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[...] Spending a Week with SKM & the Panasonic Lumix G2 | Super Kawaii Mama [...]
[...] Spending a Week with SKM & the Panasonic Lumix G2 | Super Kawaii Mama [...]
[...] Spending a Week with SKM & the Panasonic Lumix G2 | Super Kawaii Mama [...]
Oh wow these are pretty! The Panasonic Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer because my little point and shoot has met an untimely death. I am a film and tv teacher and my photography “skillz” are not where they should be. I can see this lovely camera and I would have quite a happy relationship!
Thanks SKM!
You are kiiiiiiilling it in the blue dress!!
The G2 would make me a better photographer because I am often without my bulky DSLR because it’s too heavy to carry and takes up too much room in my already bursting-at-the-seams handbag! The G2 sounds like just the thing!!
Wow! This camera sounds amazing! The night shots came out so well!
I would love love love this camera! I am currently studying Graphic Design and a unit in photography- all i have to use is a el-cheapo camera and i can’t afford a new one! So the G2 would no doubt make me a better photographer!
Thank you SKM! You look gorgeous as always! xoxxo
You know that G2 ad is my favourite ad at the moment. First time I saw it I thought that’s how the creative process is meant to be! Easy, flowing, inspiring without logical effort, it just happens….and I feel that’s how I would love to use this Lumix G2.To capture the beauty in the same way I see with my eyes. That’s what would make me a better photographer….
The G2 would make me a better photographer, because at the moment all I have to take photos with is my phone and it is baaaaad!
The blue dress is gorgeous, I can see why it’s your favourite!!
I make accessories as a hobby business and my pics are put to shame using my $100 dollar point and shoot cannon camera! I need something easy to use that takes vibrant clear pics not only for this but for holidays, familiy, friends and nights out on the town! Perhaps something a little stylish that still fits into my handbag and can take around to most places for those unexpected outings or funny moments. It would make me a better photographer and save me the clutziness of a DLSR. It will fool those around me that I know what Im doing when taking pics even though secretly the camera is doing the extra work for me
The LumixG2 sounds perfect for me, like you I know what looks pretty I just have a hard time switching and figuring out settings. Having one I’m sure I’d be much more confident taking photo’s as you’ve shown how simple and quick it is to use! I acutally stopped taking FOTD’s a while back because my old camera is hard to change the settings back after they have been altered!
The Lumix G2 would be so much easier to carry around! I have a Canon 20D with a 50mm lens that I like to carry around just in case something exciting happens, but it’s starting to get too big and too heavy
Hello lovely lady, what a treat you have up for grabs!
At the moment I rely mostly on more poor old iphone for most of my pics and although I am loath to hurt her feelings, she i not the best when it comes to photography (reminding me of errands and deadlines is more her forte!)
As I design my own burlesque costumes and am on the brink of opening up shop to other burly girls in need of a fabulous frock or set of bejewelled nipple tassels I am in dire need of a technology boost! As I will be selling mainly online it will be so wonderful to be able to capture all the detail and sparkle I put in to each costume with such a lovely camera!
I do have a good eye for composition and styling, but it would certainly help if I had a smart little buddy in my pocket helping make what my eyes see come out on film (or rather, pixels!) does that make sense?
I hope so! I would love to send you some well-photographed images of my creations! xx
YES!!!! FINALLY A CAMERA WITH ALL I’M LOOKING FOR! If I don’t win one I’m definately going out and buying one.
Taking pictures inside and at night has been the bain of my existence and I was ready to go out and spend upwards of $3,000 on a camera for this purpose. My search is over, thanks Candice! Your examples are fantastic. Crossing my fingers! and toes… and knees… and eyes…
Just thought I’d quickly say that I absolutely love your hair and makeup in the last few photos. Is there a tutorial for either?
And I think the Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer because I currently don’t have a working camera. It’s very hard to take good pics relying purely on your phone!
Loli – Yes, that was my huge Himegyaru hair
I will get around to doing a tutorial on that as it was the most successful to date. Took me all of 10-15 minutes to create! Also I was using my new circle lenses for that extra wide ‘doll eye’ effect. <3
It would make me a better photographer easily, because i know nothing to begin with but really want to take some good photos of food i make and outfits.
I bought a point and shoot camera to take photos in europe, cause the saleswomen gave me a good deal, and it is terrible! it takes ages to shoot and is always blurry. it was actually quite expensive and fancy, and now I know why she wanted to get rid of it haha.
Love your makeup and hairstyle were you are wearing the Tiara!!! Life should have more occasions were Tiaras make appearances.
The Panasonic Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer cause it would make my life easier to capture all those special moments as it fits into your hang bag (maybe even for a Tiara moment!). There is nothing more special than photos and if they are of good quality it’s even better!
xoxoxo
How the Panasonic Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer?
I love photography,
It’s the only creative thing I do
The chance to document an important event,
To provide a different view.
The chance to shoot HD video,
Or provide a memory, a snap shot
Taking an awesome slice of life?
A Lumix g2 is the one chance I’ve got.
I would just take this camera everywhere. Seriously, I would take it everywhere, and constantly be taking photos of my life and the things I’m seeing & experiencing. I’ve been without a camera for ages, and now there’s a massive photo shaped hole. I’ve got to make up for lost time! Oh, and I’ve travelling through India for a month over Christmas, and I would LOVE to have the Panasonic Lumix G2 for that trip. Imagine the clear, beautiful, colourful shots I’d get over there!? The beaches, the temples, the palaces, the markets, the people, the colours! Whoah, that’d be incredible.
So I guess that’s the main reason I’d like to win it. But I’d REALLY like to win the camera ‘cos I never win competitions! EVER! Please pick me! Pick me! I deserve it!
I love your new favourite vintage dress, the colour looks gorgeous on you.
The Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer by making self-portraits esier to take. I tend to look awful in photos and don’t like to make anyone take my photo because it takes so many goes before I get one where I don’t have my eyes half-closed closed or look slightly crazed.
Also, I’m awful at remembering instructions, and no one wants to have to re-read the instruction book each time they want to take a picture.
Oh SKM, you & NuffNang are always teaching me about new and wonderful things! This is such a great competition, getting first hand reviews from bloggers who take photos of things I want to take photos of has given me a far better understanding of how this camera functions than I’d get from an overly-technical sales assistant! I’ve just started looking to upgrade to a ‘real’ camera and this could be the one…
After lugging my boyfriend’s DSLR up to Sydney for fashion week and fiddling around with the settings for days to perfect catwalk shots in dark venues I found I couldn’t reset it to take normal street fashion photos (with still subjects and lovely daylight!), which was one of the main purposes of my visit. I get nervous enough asking stylish people for photos without the added pressure of camera-fumbling and looking like a complete amateur! After reading your review I can confidently say that the Panasonic Lumix G2 would keep me free from embarrassment and looking like the pro I am in my mind
The Panasonic Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer because I would be abe to whip it out and snap on the go ~ no fuss, no fiddling! I love taking photos, but find it so frustrating when you miss the perfect shot because you are too busy fiddling with your camera to try and get the settings right.
But even worse is when you think you’ve captured the photo, but then it’s burry, or too dark and you are out of time…
The G2 would help me get that perfect shot almost everytime and if I didn’t get it, then I am pretty sure it would be my fault and not the fault of the easy to use camera!
xox,
b. of Depict This!
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The Panasonic Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer because I would be inspired to get out and take more photos!! My current camera is old and useless so happy snapping just isn’t as fun as it used to be. The Lumix G2 is a sexy little camera, I’d say it would make anyone a better photographer
x
Hi SKM
I love reading your Blog. I don’t know how you do it 2 kids and looking so fab what time do you have to get up? I have 2 kids and strugle to look alive everyday….
I think the Lumix G2 would make me a better photographer because i have a little vinatge market stall in Cairns, and I have a little cheap camera and when I take photos for oline they look so different and sad. But if I had a awsome camera like the Lumix G2 it would make my life and business a little bit more glam and fabulous.
Love Lucy
What a brilliant giveaway! Let’s face it, with a Lumix G2, the pictures would virtually take themselves – but it would certainly encourage me to get out there and find the photo ops!
Thanks Ms SKM – you are the best!
Oh Lordy! The Panasonic Lumix G2 would be perfect for me. It’s compact and would be a fabulous replacement for my current point-and-shoot, but really huge, DSLR ‘style’ camera. Or my iPhone. Which has a very lame camera and np flash (which is just criminal).
I love taking photos and the G2 would allow me to experiment a bit more with different lighting conditions and lenses without the bulk of a full DSLR kit. Plus, I would offer to take lots of photos of people I meet (it’s not stalking) and blog them and not be embarrassed by my current camera options!
Oops… I forgot to mention that I would love the red one, and if they decide to make me a special purple one I would not complain!