Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 gets reviewed, recommended

If all those recently unveiled sample shots from Panasonic's Lumix DMC-GH1 have left you wanting more, you're in luck. The kids at Digital Photography Review have got their hands on the thing and have been kind enough to give us an extensive review. Rocking a Four Thirds imaging sensor, HD-video mode (with stereo sound recording), a multi-aspect sensor, and a video-optimized lens, the camera is essentially the G1 with HD-video, according to the review. Not that that's a bad thing, especially when noting that it has "the best implementation of video on a 'non-compact camera' that we've seen so far." Among the camera's strong points are its resolution, size and weight, build quality, image stabilization, and shutter-speed simulation. Still the reviewer didn't look kindly upon the camera's relatively small amount of RAW headroom, fairly low powered flash, poor battery life, and a loud shutter sound for a non-SLR camera. But overall? If you need a camera that performs admirably with video, and are willing to pay the $1500 premium, the GH1 comes highly recommended.

[Az1Z @ Jul 10th 2009 2:51PM]

hate panasonic

[Bluecold @ Jul 10th 2009 3:00PM]

Care to explain why or is it just blind hate without reason?

[Markarian @ Jul 10th 2009 3:30PM]

Well, for starters, I wouldn't exactly call a 4/3 sensor "rocking." While I think Panasonic's decision to use Oly's anemic sensor format is misguided, I don't think it makes them hate-worthy tho.

[Az1Z @ Jul 10th 2009 4:20PM]

well i hate it because of the camcorder i bought 4 years ago that decided to spontaneously combust(battery literally melted) and customer service denied my claim and everything so screw them and all their worth

[John @ Jul 28th 2009 8:07AM]

@Az1Z

than you must also hate the new iphone 3GS by apple cause apple says that it is the user fault for the batter exploding

[Markarian @ Jul 10th 2009 6:10PM]

@John: I had a batter explosion once when I tried to make Pop Rocks Pancakes.

[Jorvay @ Jul 13th 2009 11:15AM]

Just forget the fact that Panasonic makes some of the nicest cameras on the market in every P&S class. There isn't a super-zoom P&S on the market that can come close to my FZ18...except for Panasonic's newer version (FZ28) and level up (FZ50).

[dey4gotaus @ Jul 10th 2009 3:00PM]

I still cant decide between this or canon's T1i/500d D:

i like canons wide range of lenses that are already available but idk this is so intriguing

[Pretol @ Jul 10th 2009 7:46PM]

if video (stereo 1080) and small size (smaller than nicon-canon-etc) and lotsa money is your forte go with g1....

If photo quality (better high iso) and lens selection (gobs of lenses) is it, then go with 500d... or d6000 (if nikon rocks your boat)

Most people don't need extra lenses (14-140mm is a VERY versatile lens). The viewfinder is digital, but it's MUCH bigger than any beginner camera, and resolution is VERY HIGH (no EVF that I've seen even compares, well, maybe minolta a2, but not even that). 1500 bucks is a lot of money. If you have that much on reserve and photo is your primary goal, I'd go with the 500d. If extra compactness and video are a priority, you don't have a choice. 1500 though... too much money...

[TheTenant @ Jul 10th 2009 3:01PM]

I'd rather buy a Leica (analog) or one of the post -2000's Bessa's from Voightländer and a decent lens if I had such an amount of money to spend on a camera.

[CtrlBurn @ Jul 10th 2009 3:20PM]

Yeah, those G37s are crap. I'd rather have a vintage Shelby Cobra, if I had the money.

[CtrlBurn @ Jul 10th 2009 3:27PM]

Sorry about that. Some jerk got ahold of my computer.

[LloydChiro @ Jul 10th 2009 3:41PM]

I would just buy a 370z before buying a g37. Better value for the money.

What were we talking about again?

[JOhn @ Jul 10th 2009 4:38PM]

@LloydChiro

that is the same car but i see your point 370z = g37

[Carniphage @ Jul 10th 2009 3:46PM]

This has the potential to be an awesome camera for film makers.
24fps - @1080p - 48/s shutter. It should be perfect.

But the video image quality is just so goddamn muddy.
There is something happening at the compression stage that just strips detail away from images. And replaces it with a painterly blur.
It's as if the compression hardware just cannot cope with all that data.
The comparison with conventional video cameras, using the same compression bit-rates is quite stark.

I hope this is an issue that can be fixed with a firmware update

C.

[LondonConsultant @ Jul 10th 2009 6:37PM]

That painterly look may be a side-effect from over-sharpening in the image processing algorithm. But the videos samples look pretty good...

[Michael @ Jul 10th 2009 4:24PM]

If you're more into still photography then video, look elsewhere. But if you're one of those people like myself that does indie film and still photography, this is the best bridge camera to date, in its price range. I'd still prefer to see it at least $500 cheaper though.

I'd really like to see these cameras evolve a bit more. I'd love to shoot 2K 4:2:2 with one of these things.

[iKurt 7 @ Jul 10th 2009 6:46PM]

Panasonic doesn't know how to make still cameras. If you want top-of-the-line quality with large image sensor AND 1080p video, go with the cheaper priced Canon EOS 500D or the Rebel T1i. With the Canon EOS (Electro-Optical-System, the most trusted 3 letters in digital photography) you have access to the world's vast array of award winning "L" lenses (which stands for luxury). This Micro-Four thirds standard that Panasonic and Olympus is implementing is doomed for failure due to the lack of choices when it comes to lenses... and an EVF is not going to replace dedicated optical viewfinders.

Sorry Panasonic and Olympus, but your attempts at capturing the professional and consumer enthusiast market is mediocre at best. A small sensor is not going to cut it when it comes to high image quality.

[Bluecold @ Jul 10th 2009 7:07PM]

In every goddamn topic about cameras, iKurt comes along and spews his ill-argumented bullshit about Canon being better. Fuck you, i hope you hang yourself with an EOS neckstrap. Fanboys are the worst.

[Pretol @ Jul 10th 2009 7:33PM]

You're a total consumer whore...

[PhotoFre@k @ Jul 10th 2009 7:43PM]

This guy haven't obviously read the dp review.

[PhotoFre@k @ Jul 10th 2009 6:32PM]

Awesome very high score. I wish I had it but got me a g1 a month back with 2 lens kit for less than 1k and I'm very happy. I guess the GH1 price is for early adopter. Anyone need a liver? Or perhaps an eye?

[Carniphage @ Jul 10th 2009 7:23PM]

This is not a small sensor camera. It has a huge sensor. Much larger than the sensor in some digital movie cameras.

But the problem is what happens after the sensor captures the image.

If you look at the 1080p example of the boat on the Thames. Check out the area behind & below the boat. There is a huge patch of flat brown pixels. No waves, no detail. No nothing.

The images look like they have been run through some enormous compression process. Compare 1080p video from this camera and an old HV20 and you see a remarkable difference in the amount of visual detail.

The GH1 has a truly massive sensor compared to most conventional video cameras. And that is a good thing. The large sensor delivers a much more film-like image than conventional video gear. With shallow depth of field.

But I am worried that Panasonic has deliberately hog-tied the firmware to stop the GH1 from cannibalising the sales of "Professional" HD cameras. They have done this by cranking up the compression to 11.

Canon have done something similar by limiting the 5D MK2 to an incredibly pointless 30fps capture speed.

C.

[chopsui @ Jul 11th 2009 3:03PM]

I don't see what you're talking about regarding the "mass of brown pixels." Perhaps it's your monitor.

[Pretol @ Jul 10th 2009 7:29PM]

I love G1, I've had SLR's. I just bought one (it can be found for a little over 500 bucks with the stock lens).

1500? that's a major NO-NO... it's nice, but it's nowhere near THAT NICE!!!

The 14-140mm lens is 800 bucks ? Insane...

1500 bucks is serious camera category... and this is still a journalist dream, or a very fancy home camera (read: a TOY - a very nice toy, don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing how awesome this camera is)...

That's like a CIVIC that's priced for the price of a Escalade... Both cars are nice in their own category (econo, luxury SUV), but.. arghgh... you just can't do that...

Panasonic go back to the drawing boards... I'll be surprised if these things actually sell... (in other words, I'll be picking up a used GH1 on ebay in a year for 500 bucks)...

[Ruben @ Jul 10th 2009 10:11PM]

For truth.

Hmmm...this or a D300/D90 kit and telephoto/50D kit. Decisions decisions...

[Ken Lin @ Jul 10th 2009 11:39PM]

Really.

How much do you think a the 14-140mm OIS (28-280mm 35mm equivalent with IS/VR) that AUTOFOCUSES silently when shooting video and the only lens of its kinds is worth then?

Remember, there is no other lens (Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc) that can focus automatically and silently when shooting video. Sure, you can pull focus manually but not many of us want to do that all the time.

If you ask a 5D MKII user how much he would pay for that lens - I can see that person say $999. And I can say that as someone who own more than that figure in Canon lens.

[chispito @ Jul 10th 2009 9:19PM]

Multi aspect sensor?

Yes, I can crop pictures in Photoshop Elements, too.

[Wwhat @ Jul 11th 2009 7:47AM]

Well if you use less of the sensor it would be faster and use less space I suspect?
Also I hear the nikon DSLR for instance when it's shooting video skips every 9th line causing staircase effects, so if it could use part of the sensor instead it would prevent such in-camera scaling/adapting.
Just musing.

[derekmjenkins @ Aug 5th 2009 9:47PM]

It doesn't crop, the sensor size is actually 4352x3000

4/3 = 4000x3000
3:2 = 4128x2752 (this could have been 4352x2901 but the math doesn't work exact)
16:9 = 4352x2448
1:1 = 2992x2992 (not sure why the 8 pixel cut)

Careful your facts

[mocax @ Jul 11th 2009 1:26AM]

i'm itching to level up to semipro-ness

should i get this or olympus pen?

or maybe i should stick with my amateur FZ28....

[Wwhat @ Jul 11th 2009 7:44AM]

Wait: loud shutter sound? Is this a SLR? Or what?

[-DUA- @ Jul 13th 2009 12:06AM]

That's to warn the lady in front of you that you're taking a photo of her underskirt with that flip-out display.

[Wwhat @ Jul 13th 2009 4:28PM]

You joke but in some (asian) countries (phone-)cameras actually have to make a sound by law when they make a picture I hear.

[Steven @ Jul 11th 2009 12:34PM]

testing

[Wwhat @ Jul 11th 2009 1:16PM]

Steven eh, you must be some CEO.

[JHo @ Jul 12th 2009 2:20AM]

Their reviews are getting increasingly pointless/worthless, and slow to be published. While their comparisons are somewhat useful what would be more informative would be comparing that against the Olympus E-P1.