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Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review

Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review

crabs-sandakan-market-sabah Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
During a recent trip to Sandakan, on the east coast of Sabah Borneo, I had the opportunity to visit one of the busiest markets in a town called the Sandakan Market or Pasar Sandakan. Here, most of the townspeople come to buy fresh foods and supplies.

The market is located by the sea, so fresh seafood is one of the highlights here. In this article, you will see various pictures relating to the busy lifestyle of the market traders, some even showcasing the fresh seafood for sale.

Lumix GF1 Camera Review Malaysia

cray-fish-lobster-sandakan-market-sabah Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Slipper Lobsters at Sandakan Market
I found the Panasonic Lumix GF1 easy to handle as I am a DSLR user, and the functions were quite simple. The specifications are also similar to the standard DSLR Cameras out on the market, but it is much smaller and lighter to use in this case.

I think female photographers would fancy this as it is not bulky and heavy. Overall, the camera can easily fit into a normal-sized handbag or knapsack without issues.

The start-up is quick when you want instant shots, and walking around the Sandakan market with this camera posed no intrusion with the traders compared to another day when I went there with my huge chunky DSLR camera; some of them thought I was a reporter covering a story and were reluctant to even look at me.

 Below are a series of random shots taken with the Lumix GF1 on a typical day at the market. Please click on the pictures to see the full size.

fresh-lobster-sandakan-market-sabah Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Trader posing with his fresh lobster

kok-kok-fish-sandakan-market Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
An uncommon ‘goldfish 

monster-chickens-sandakan-market-sabah Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
 In the meat section, check out the size of the chickens.
parrot-fish-sandakan-market-sabah Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Parrot Fish in Green-Turquoise

puffer-fish-sandakan-market Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Puffer Fish the size of a shoebox

red-grouper-fish-sandakan-market Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
 Red Groupers and Ikan Merah (Red Fish)

sandakan-market-fish-prawns Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Trader washing his hands

sharks-sandakan-market Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Sharks on sale 
octopus-sandakan-market-sabah Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
A trader holding up an Octopus for sale

stingray-fish-pieces-sandakan-market Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Sting Ray pieces for sale – 4 species available here

sting-ray-skin-sandakan-sabah Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Sting Ray Skin

stingray-tail-sandakan-market-sabah Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Stingray Tails – They are sold too

stingray-tub-sandakan-market Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Trader showing his stingray stock

dry-section-market-sandakan-sabah Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
1st floor of the Sandakan Market, dry area

Lumix GF1 Specifications;

  • Extended H.D. Movie Recording with S.L.R. Quality
  • A Peripheral Defocus Mode Gives You the Soft Focus of an Interchangeable Lens
  • Full-time Live View: See How the Image Will Turn Out Before You Shoot
  • iA Mode Helps Prevent Shooting Mistakes in a Variety of Situations
  • Ultra-Portable Pancake Lens: LUMIX G 20mm/F1.7 ASPH.
  • LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm/F2.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.
  • Versatile Functions and Superb Images. Uncompromising Performance in the World’s Smallest, Lightest System Camera
  • A Built-In Flash in a Stylish Body
  • H.D. Photos and H.D. Movies with VIERA Link Networking
  • Easy H.D. Image Viewing with the SD Card Slot
panasonic-lumix-gf1-camera Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review

You can also check out my MalaysiaAsia Facebook page for more pictures taken with the Lumix GF1 and some beautiful Scenery Pictures around Sandakan, which I took during my one-week trip there in October 2010. 

digiscope-lumix-camera Sandakan Market with Lumix GF1 Camera Review
Digiscoping with Panasonic Lumix Camer
Photo by manchesterbirding.com
Another interesting point is that women who want to get into Bird Watching can opt for this unit, as you can easily add a DigiScoping team. All because of the interchangeable lenses, you can purchase a Digiscope and fit it onto the body of your Lumix GF1 to get more zoom.

DSLR units for Digiscoping can cost you a whopping RM15-20k, so if you are a beginner or just starting Birdwatching, this set-up would only cost you around RM3-5k without having to mortgage your house.

Conclusion
Overall, I would recommend the Lumix GF1 to those who prefer something light and small but with the specifications of a DSLR Camera. I think women would find this camera sexy yet powerful and easy to handle due to its size.

The battery life was pretty decent as one on a full charge; I took over 500 pictures throughout the day and still had some juice left when I got back to the hotel.

One thing that impressed me was the click sound produced when you took a picture; it did not feel like the little compact camera sounds. Bottom line – Great for daily and hobby use, the Panasonic Lumix GF1 is very friendly and easy to use.

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comments user
CathJ

Very interesting…. wah seafood!!!! heaven…

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Thanks Cath! The selection changes daily so when I went here 2 days in a row, I saw many different things. Only one day I used the Panasonic Lumix GF1.

David

comments user
Erin

I have a Panasonic Lumix and LOVE it. Side note – have you tasted all the things you photographed? The variety of seafood is amazing!

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Erin, thanks and I'm thrilled to know you own one! Actually, I only tasted half of the items I saw here, the other half… no appetite for it.

Cheers,
David

comments user
Nancie

Nice shots David. I'd say that anyone in the market for a new camera should add this one to their list.

http://budgettravelerssandbox.com/2010/11/wanderfood-wednesday-sampling-a-local-bejing-dish/

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Hey Nancie, thanks for that. You have some nice shots of the food too. I believe that it is the person and not the camera at most times and food is one of the interesting subjects to shoot. I actually have a ton of other food pictures taken with the Lumix GF1 too.

David

comments user
Devin the Travel Writer

Hey David,

You photos just remind me how much I miss Malaysia. And yes, I do need a new camera.

comments user
Kimberly

Lovely shots! This is a seafood haven, i'm envious=)

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Devin, thank you. What camera are you planning on getting? I hope it's a Lumix 🙂

Kimberly – It sure is, now if only I had more time to spend there buying the seafood and cooking it.

Cheers,
David

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