MORE: Watch our video review of the Panasonic Lumix GF1

Those who used to take photos before digital cameras became popular may remember that there were two popular kinds of high-quality 35mm film camera.

SLRs provided a through-the-lens view for focusing, but were bulky and heavy, while rangefinders were smaller but tougher to focus with any lens other than the one that was coupled to the focus mechanism.

Today, digital SLRs pack all the advantages of their film predecessors, but rangefinders have largely dropped from view. Leica makes a digital version of its classic model, the M9, but this is phenomenally expensive.

Although it lacks a rangefinder focus mechanism, Panasonic’s GF1 is as close as we have seen to a reasonably priced alternative for the digital age.

With no mirror mechanism inside, the GF1 is almost exactly the same size and shape as an old film rangefinder and its largely metal body has a pleasant weight and feel.

Although we have never liked Panasonic’s system of clicking the command wheel to adjust the exposure compensation, the rest of the controls are well-thought out and uncluttered. A second shutter control allows the user to record high-definition video in the AVCHD-Lite format.

This video capability is nice, but for us the GF1 is far more suited to still pictures. There is no focus-coupled optical finder, so photos are composed on the 3in screen on the back. There is also an optional ‘live view finder’ that fits onto the accessory shoe - this contains a second screen with diopter adjustment.

The GF1 relies on contrast-detection to autofocus, so it can suffer a bit in very poor lighting, but this was not often a problem. And, conveniently, this through-the-lens system means that the GF1 can autofocus with any Micro Four-Thirds lens or six Four-Thirds lens models via an adapter.

This makes it possible to switch between several available lenses, but if you buy the GF1 with the 2mm f/1.7 H-H020 model we tested we are not sure you will want to change.

It’s wide enough to be a versatile carry-around lens, adds very little bulk to the camera and, with a very wide aperture available, is fantastic in low-light situations.

At £800 the GF1 is not particularly cheap, but we found the 20mm kit at lower prices online. Although it cannot quite match a DSLR for creative photography, and it is really rather expensive, it’s a brilliant alternative for anyone who wants to take great pictures without lugging a heavy camera around.

MORE: Watch our video review of the Panasonic Lumix GF1