Of course, there's always the self timer. But it is more of a hassle to use, and it doesn't give you any control over the autofocus.
I have previously tried the JJC JR series Infrared Controller. While it does do the job, it is awkward to use, somewhat unreliable, and has a poor build quality. Also, since it is an IR controller, you need to point the remote towards the receiver.
So I was not happy with the JJC JR remote.
I decided to try an RF remote from Pixel, called "Pixel RW-221 Wireless Remote Control". It is made for the Panasonic G series, as well as the older Panasonic DSLR cameras.
When unpacking, it is immediately clear that this is a higher quality product than the JJC JR remote. The parts have a better look and feel, and the buttons operate better. Also, the cord is spiraled, and has gold plated contacts. It comes with batteries, two sets of two AAA units. Here are the contents:
Clockwise from top left: Spiral cord with 2.5mm jack connectors, the remote receiver with a power button, and a shutter release button, the wireless remote control, batteries (4xAAA), and the operation manual.
The following picture shows the two units open, with batteries installed. You can see the dip switches, which are used to change the RF frequency. This is useful if you have several units, or if your neighbour has the same product.
If you are practical, like me, you can operate the unit without reading the manual. It is very intuitive. The video shows how to use the remote:
The remote is used on a Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1 in the video above, but should work with all Panasonic G series cameras. I have confirmed that it works with the Lumix GH1, GH2, and GH3. The latter has a separate remote control socket, not combined with the mic. It also works with the Lumix GX1, GX7, G5 and G6. The Lumix GM1 does not have a remote control socket, and cannot use this remote.
The right angle plug goes into the camera, and you must make sure to insert it fully. Some times, this requires pushing it in quite hard.
The remote receiver unit doesn't need to sit in the flash socket. But as long as you don't need to mount a flash, it is a practical place for it to stay. When pressing the power button, the red LED flashes to indicate that it is on.
The remote shutter can be half pressed for focus, and pressed fully for triggering the shutter.
There is an auxiliary shutter button on the receiver unit, which works in the same way.
I could not get the Bulb mode to work. It appears to trigger the shutter quickly over and over again. So if you need the Bulb mode, this remote might not solve your needs.
Conclusion
This product can be bought at a reasonable price from various auction sites. It has a good quality feel, and works in an intuitive way. All in all, it is highly recommended for those who need a remote control.
