Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 review: Wireless remote shooting
From an imaging point of view, the Lumix DMC-G6 hasn’t built on the G5 that much. The biggest differences are in the new viewfinder and capacitive touchscreen, and most of all in the new support for Wi-Fi connectivity. Don’t think of this simply as a convenient, spaghetti-free way of getting images off the camera, or a simpler and quicker way of getting photos onto Facebook and Twitter. It is all these things plus a lot more. Users with a compatible smartphone or tablet running Android or Apple iOS can download and install Panasonic’s free, and rather plainly named, Image App. With Image App, the G6 can be used wirelessly, with access to a surprisingly wide range of camera settings and controls.
Remote live view on a smart device screen is the first benefit. It’s pretty much like viewing the camera’s own LCD screen. Users can move the AF point around the frame, change metering zones, white balance and ISO settings, review shots on the memory card, switch GPS geotag logging on – which uses the device’s GPS facility – and switch between movie and stills mode. In fact, there are too many options to list them all here.
There are many possibilities for using the remote-shooting feature. For instance, to capture wildlife scenes out in the country or even in your garden, you could set up the camera near to your intended subject, then remove yourself to a covert position or possibly a hide. In this way, really close-up shots are possible without frightening your targets with your presence.
Similarly, when photographing an event, such as a stage or school production, you could set up the camera almost anywhere – especially in areas where it would be difficult to stay close to the camera without getting in the way – and shoot from the comfort of your seat in the audience. Battery power might be a concern for long periods of remote shooting, but a Panasonic mains power adapter is available if necessary.
