72%
Highly Recommended
|
|
|||
 |
|
|
72%
Highly Recommended
Reviewed:
Jul 2009
|
HD video capable version of the innovative DMC-G1 mirrorless interchangeable lens system camera. The GH1’s 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor can record up to 1080/24p or 720/60p high definition videos, with continuous AF and a built-in Dolby Digital Stereo Creator for quality sound recording. This is further supported by Panasonic’s designed-for-video Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm kit lens. The camera includes a new Face Recognition feature that remembers individual faces, and offers four different aspect ratios with the same angle of view using a system similar to that in the company's DMC-LX3 compact. Pricey but unique alternative to a digital SLR.
| Quick links: | Announcement | Review | Sample gallery 1 | Sample gallery 2 | Forum |
| Announced: | Mar 3, 2009 |
| Price range: | $1,000 |
|
Average rating:
4.09
|
|
Opinion: Recently had a chance to use this camera and found getting used to it, especially the menus and Electric View Finder (EVF) to be a bit perplexing. Difficult to find my way around the various menus. The camera appears to have alot of potential, but actually shooting and bringing out that potential is easier said than done. When you are used to a standard DSLR, this piece of equipment was quite challenging.
Problems: 1. The EVF makes accurately determining + or - Exp. Comp. a bit difficult. Although you can see the differences in EC as you change in either directiion it's hard to tell their effect accurately.
2. As it turned out, focusing accurately was apparently a problem for me. No problem feeling confident of focus lookin through the EVF, but when I printed the images, most were out of focus at infinity. Don't know exactly why at this point. I think I probably set up the focusing wrong.
Opinion: Not been using the camera, having been studying it thoroughly, though, and am using the Panasonic DMC-LX2.
Release of this camera in Japan is only april 24th, so how Ellis Feibush could have been "getting used" to this camera is quite impossible... Probably meaning the G-1? Anyhow, he shouldn't have been giving this poor 3 out of 5 rating for the evaluation on all scoring items, I am here compensating this image ;-)))
Am convinced this is marvellous camera, could very well revolutionize and convince as well higher compact users as real DSLR users, through its portability, photo quality and extra features. As exact previsible result, before taking the actual picture. Very satisfied of my DMC-LX2 now, which has 25MP/cm² density, while the micro four thirds GH1 cam has 5MP/cm², which says it all, in terms of resolution/noise relation.
Besides the full HD video feature with continuous focusing (no other compact nor DSLR has this) with one-button start even while in photography mode, on top with doubled recording capacity for the same memory card, it especially has the very useable 16:9, 3:2, 4:3 and even 1:1 easily switchable positions for flexible artistic photo composition. I am convinced this will be a very very succesful camera, beating a lot of "real" DSLR as well in performance as in sales. It has now also a very much more nice newly developed (and silent!) 14-140 lens (28-280mm) of wider size, fitting much more decently on the body than the all-too-tiny lens on the G1. I am buyer, as soon as it is realeased in Antwerp, Belgium. And then I will be posting again, after a few weeks to start with.
Problems: None
Opinion: After using my Japanese GH1 for over a month, 20,000+ photos, and a few hours of video, I've found it to be a very solid camera / HD camcorder.
Very briefly, some major points I would emphasize about the camera:
- Very easy to use (especially with the auto mode, face detection and continuous auto-focus in video mode). Would be a great camera for someone transitioning into DSLRs from a point and shoot, except its current price is much too high.
- Very good EVF / Live View LCD, though those used to optical viewfinders will not be impressed. They compare very well to camcorder EVF/LCDs, though.
- Would be good for amateur videographers who want interchangeable lenses on a budget (especially if they are also interested in getting into photography).
- HD quality is very good, though there may be a bit of the jelly effect around the edges when panning very quickly, and sensor noise is noticeable in still, low-light shots (less obvious when panning or the subject is moving). I've only noticed the rolling shutter effect in videos I shot in full manual mode (with non-optimal settings), but am not sure it is totally absent in auto mode.
- Sound quality is very good (pcm_s16le, 48000 Hz, stereo, 1536 kb/s), though an external mic with a real wind guard will be much better than the built-ins with the software wind-cut.
- The articulating LCD makes composing and shooting shots at different angles much easier and less tiring (e.g. holding the camera at waist-height or putting it on the ground instead of kneeling or lying down).
- Build quality is very good, though the body appears to be sturdy plastic instead of metal, and not everyone will like the texture of the camera (skin oils show well on the black version).
Hundreds of photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/retroleum/tags/gh1/ (if the link does not show, search for user "retroleum" on Flickr)
My much more in-depth review: http://blog.lucylou.info/post/115667610/panasonic-gh1-review (if the link doesn't show, visit blog [dot] lucylou [dot] info and search for "GH1 review")
Problems: - Weak in low-light, with visible sensor noise streaks appearing at ISO 1600.
- Japanese version is Japanese language ONLY.
- As of now, there are few lenses for the Micro Four-Thirds system.
Opinion: What is going on with the GH1? Why can't I buy one? Is there some reason Panasonic does not want to sell this camera to Americans? It seems to be available everywhere else.
Problems: I cannot find a GH1 to buy. It seems to be a great camera. Come on, Panasonic, sell it to America.
Reviews and specs
|
Galleries
|
Challenges
|
 | 22.3 megapixels 3.2" screen Full frame sensor |
