[1] The two G-series cameras have titanium-clad bodies and use the Contax G-mount, an electromechanical autofocus mount.

The in-body finder shows 90% of the captured frame at 0.59× magnification when the "normal" 45 mm lens is used.

[2] While there is an electronic connection between camera and lens to transmit data, the lenses have no AF motor and no means to adjust focus on the lens itself; both autofocus and manual focus are driven by a motor in the camera through a mechanical "screwdriver" coupling.

[2] The very high optical quality of the G-series lenses makes them excellent candidates for use with high-resolution digital sensors.

A modified ROM was required to use autofocus with the 21 mm and 35 mm lenses;[9] modified G1 cameras are marked with a green sticker inside the film door, and are known as "green label" G1s to distinguish them from unmodified "silver label" G1s.

Contax marketed a line of accessories dedicated for the G series of cameras and lenses.