Phil Hanson samples Panasonic’s second Four Thirds camera, now upgraded with the SIGNIFICANT NEW ADDITION OF HD video capture
Panasonic’s Lumix G1 received an enthusiastic review in D-Photo 28, and for good reason. The first Micro Four Thirds camera to reach our shores, it delivered important new features and showed huge promise. Hot on its heels comes the GH1, largely the same camera with the notable addition of HD video.
SPOILT FOR CHOICE
Why two choices? Alluring as glorious 1080 HD may ¨be, it eats space on the memory cards and will be ¨more than needed for some users’ requirements, ¨such as posting to the internet or viewing on small screens.
It’s almost like Panasonic is trying to make up for not offering video on the G1, such is the effort that’s gone into making the GH1 video friendly. For example, although the user can make various settings via menus, the easiest way is just to hit the red button on the camera back near the shutter release, and you’re away under the camera’s automatic control.
Prominent on top of the body is a pair of stereo microphones and a 2.5mm jack for external microphones. Sound is encoded using Dolby Digital Stereo Creator.
DIM THE LIGHTS
It’s the result that counts and the GH1 delivers the goods in both 720 and 1080. The results are among the best I have seen from camera-based video. And thanks to those microphones, sound quality is top class. Video recording is possible in either the AVCHD or Motion JPEG formats, although the full 1920 x 1080 requires the AVCHD setting.
NEW PIECE OF KIT
The test GH1 came bundled with the new G Vario 14-140mm f4-5.8 ASPH image-stabilised lens that was apparently designed with HD video recording in mind, offering continuous, silent auto-focusing and seamless aperture adjustment. Whether for video or still, it’s a classy lens that balances beautifully with the body.
The long zoom range, a 28 to 280mm full-frame equivalent, will be a boon to many, and its only real drawback is the relatively modest maximum aperture. However, image quality is already good wide open. There’s minor vignetting and distortion at the wide end of the zoom ” a small price for its overall performance.
THAT VIEWFINDER
Because of its similarity to the G1, this review has been about the GH1’s video abilities. But I can’t resist revisiting the most controversial aspect of Micro Four Thirds ” its electronic viewfinder (EVF). Apart from displaying camera setting information, the roles of a viewfinder have been to focus and frame the picture. 
Today’s autofocus takes care of the first requirement. And an EVF frames the shot as well as ever; the only difference is the way it presents the image to the eye.
Plus, the G1 and GH1 both have a wonderful 3-inch TFT LCD panel that hinges out from the back and adjusts to almost any angle. If only all dSLRs had this feature.
CONCLUSION
The convergence of still and video technology into a single piece of equipment is one of the Next Big Things, and the GH1 is a milestone because of the results it achieves and because it’s such a small, light and compact package.
PANASONIC¨ LUMIX DMC-GH1 – SPECS
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Model: Lumix DMC-GH1
Viewfinder: Colour LCD, ¨1,440,000 dots
Monitor: Free-angle 3-inch TFT ¨LCD, 460,600 dots
Shutter: 1/4000 to 60 seconds, bulb
Aperture: f4-f5.8
ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, ¨1600, 3200
Shooting Modes: Auto, Scene (Sunset/Party/Baby/Pet), Portrait, Scenery, Sport, Night Portrait
Exposure Metering: Intelligent multiple, centre-weighted, spot
Focus Modes: AF tracking, 23-area, 1-area (selectable), face detection
Media: SD, SDHC
File Format: JPEG, RAW, AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Flash: TTL built-in pop-up
Interface: USB 2.0, composite video out, HDMI video out
Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
Dimensions: 124 x 84 x 45mm
Weight: 903g with lens, ¨battery and card
Contact
PROS
- Good image quality
- Ditto for videos
- A light, compact outfit
CONS
- Limited ˜native’ lenses, accessories
- Maybe the EVF
Design 18
Performance 18
Features 18
Image Quality 17
Value for money 16
TOTAL 87/100
This article if from D-Photo issue 31.
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