How would you change Panasonic's Lumix DMC-GH1?
By Darren Murph 
posted Sep 19th 2009 1:01AM
posted Sep 19th 2009 1:01AM
posted Sep 19th 2009 1:01AM
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I won't.
I'm so bored at work, engadgtet is the only website allowed. Grrrr! I want to go home.
P.S. This is my second comment on this website ;)
"P.S. This is my second comment on this website ;)"
So what, you want a cookie now?
Yes please make sure you give me a glass of milk too as this is my third comment :D
I'll let you know what I need for my fourth comment, ok?
Any first reply with the word 'first' in it should be instantly deleted... >:{
They had the spotlight until Canon announced the 7D. Now all they can do is lower the price by $400 bucks to stay competitive.
This and 7d are differet kinds of fishes.
Weight (inc. batteries) 7D:860g GH1:385g
gives a indication of yhe size difference. 7D weights over twice the GH1 weight.
@newone...
I really don't see that. Everyone I know who was interested or has this camera was so because of it's video capabilities. Nobody was saying... "OMG, the stills from the GH1 are AMAZING. I must own this to take photos." Everything was based on video. It shot 24fps and 60fps in 720p. It's Videos looked almost as good as the $2k more 5d M2 that only shot 30fps. The fact that it was a 4/3 camera was lost on everyone of those video shooters (and there are a lot of them). Take video out of the picture and you just have an expensive point and shoot that you can change the lens on and it would only have a couple blog entries about it. Now... the 7d enters the game and there is no reason to even look at the gh1 any longer. I mean the 7d does more. It is a much better still camera, and a much better video camera to boot. Now at $1500, the gh1 just has a slightly smaller size going for it.
except the 7d is $1700 body only, while the gh1 is $1500 with a 10x lens
the gh1 has usable video autofocus
the gh1 has stereo sound
This is the camera I would run to buy if I could just barely afford it.
The canon 7 is a great shooter too but for all of the reasons already mentioned (size and weight being in the top of the list) I would still choose the GH1.
The only thing they should change is its price to something under 1000 buks , but then I doubt that Pansonic could keep up with the demand of GH1s .
The GH-1 still does have 'real' AF during video and an infinite aperture using the cine-lens. The quality of which is amazing, it does a good job tracking a persona as s/he moves across the frame. This is something that the 7D doesn't have, not to mention that wide-range of lens options (via adapter) due to the short-focal flange distance of the mico-four-thirds system.
However, the 7D have a much superior bit-rate. This is the GH-1's biggest flaw, and there is muddying at 1080p during high motion. If the GH-1 improved on this it would greatly narrow the gap with the 7D, what would be a 'grand-slam' would be if Panasonic added a RAW-video format.
RAW-video, like the Red Scarlet is expected to have (whenever the hell its actually released), would be huge step ahead as far as video on "dslrs" are concerned (the GH-1 isn't a dslr, but you get what I mean).
Its price.
Seriously, the camera is pretty friggen awesome,but I can't even come close to being able to afford it.
I know how you feel... I feel the same way, damn it.
I actually just bought a GH1 to supplement my 5DII knowing that the GF1 just came out and even an EP2 may be around the corner. I wanted a camera that could constantly focus while shooting video without making focusing noise and constantly hunting. I don't trust that Olympus will come through with as good of an implementation as Panasonic.
The only cameras can do it are the GH1 and GF1, and the only lens available that supports it is the 14-140, which can currently only be had with a GH1. The 5DII is great, but for casual use, the lack of continuous AF and noisy AF and IS make it more of a specialty camera.
The focus is very fast and accurate and feature laden. It's the only camera where you can "chimp" without looking like you're "chimping". The zoom during manual AF tweaking is awesome. The swivel LCD is great and sharp.
I may get a GF1 with the f1.7 pancake to complement it. rather than paying $400 for the lens alone. If the GF1 would have had the GH1 sensor, it would have been more tempting.
So far, I wouldn't change anything on it...it's a very well thought out camera.
FYI... You NEVER use autofocus when shooting real video. EVERYTHING is manual... Every sporting event you watch, every TV show you watch, Every movie you watch are all manually focused. This includes handheld as well. The fact you need auto focus is really saying a great deal about the type of video you do shoot. Maybe a camcorder is more fitting for you than that the 5dMii for video. :)
"The only cameras can do it [constantly focus while shooting video without making focusing noise and constantly hunting] are the GH1 and GF1, and the only lens available that supports it is the 14-140, which can currently only be had with a GH1."
Are you saying that the GF1's 14-45mm lens can't "constantly focus while shooting video without making focusing noise and constantly hunting"? I thought the GF1's lens was supposed to be good for video...
Only the new 14-140mm HD is a "cine-lens" designed for video.
The 14-45mm is just a normal kit lens...
Keep in mind those video-centric lenses isn't just about AF, its a whole system that makes the video taking experience better. "HD" lenses have the ultra-silent motor and it has the infinite aperture (aperture has no stops, so it can be constantly changing sizes so that there is no bumps in exposure while taking video). Atop that it has smooth AF- not the quick-but-jerky AF that's prevalent in most dSLRs but is unacceptable for video.
The HD lens is a $850 lens, and it has the 10x equivalent; 28-280mm coverage (in full-frame terms). That lens is what bumps the price of the GH1 so high. The problem is that's the only HD lens available. It would be nice if they had a ultra-fast prime HD lens and cheaper HD kit lens that doesn't cover that great a focal length.
But doesn't the GF1's 14-45mm lens also have an ultra-silent motor, stepless aperature, and smooth AF? So, I'm still struggling to understand why it isn't as good as the GH1's 14-140mm lens for video...
I am personally only interested in the video side of the GH1, so here's what needs:
1. A real 1080/24p mode. The current one is PF24, not true 24p. Which means that it requires pulldown removal to be edited and exported as true 24p. This is a major let down.
2. The bitrate is simply too low. At 17 mbps, 1080/24p, and 720/60p, the footage is having BLOTCHES when viewed at a 1:1 sized monitor (like in my HDTV, or my video editing station). Canon gives 41 mbps VBR for their 5D, and a whopping 48 mbps for their Canon 7D, so at 17 mbps, the GH1 is really low.
3. More color options, so we can configure the "look" at recording time too. I am personally interested in a VERY flat images, so I can color grade in post easier.
4. There is zebra support in that model, no? Sorry, can't remember.
I agree on the comments except for the bitrate. I do most of my shooting between an HVX200 and an HMC150 and if you're shooting properly you shouldn't have blotches in your AVCHD footage. On top of that the extra light sensitivity over the HVX is well worth it. The GH1 is in the same boat as the HMC150 on this issue so I guess my big complaint is that there aren't more lenses available yet. Search around and see the videos that compare the GH1's footage to the Red One. It's pretty convincing.
Sorry, but I find the bitrate to be lacking on the GH1. Even the HMC150 which uses 21 mbps VBR (which is more than the GH1), is still less than the consumer Canon AVCHD cams at 24 mbps. And considering the 7D using 48 mbps, it's just unfortunate for the GH1. The HVX200 is using 100 mbps btw, which is enough, and it has a way better final quality than the GH1 -- even if its imagers are just 540p.
AVCHD is a very efficient codec, but not one I like at all. My Panny shoots 720p30 and will put 2 hours on a 16GB card with AVCHD, only 8 minutes with motion JPEG. I've not been able to comapre the image quality from two identical cameras shooting side by side with different codecs, but what I do know is that the MJPEG footage can be easily viewed and edited on the computer, so that's what I shoot on.
Offering the option to shoot with a high-bitrate MJPEG codec is crucial to a faster post workflow.
IEBA.com
I personally don't like MJPEG, it is not as efficient. I prefer the camera to record in h.264, at high bitrate, and then use Cineform NeoSCENE to transcode that to a lossless AVI file that is easily editable. This way, you get both the easy editing, and the h.264 benefits.
Arrrrrr! It's September 19th, International Talk Like A Pirate Day! Remember me hearties, talk like a pirate!
I still don't understand the price. Why so expensive?
The lens, mainly.
i would make it free to me . cause i dont have a camera and the pirates said they will kill my dog if engadget doesnt give me one ..... :(
Id make it florescent pink.
seconded
Or any other color. It's not fair it only come in Black in the US.
Impossible to get (a second camera). Impossible to get most of the accessories. Panasonic has no idea when they will be available again. It's like they make a batch and give up. Video at night is poor, mostly because of the slow lens and lockup. Anything over ISO in still are noisy and nearly worthless. Mic jack is cool. What this camera needs is better lens options. The GH1 was a great idea, not executed perfectly. Since I can't get another, I'll wait for the Cannon 7D which should be easier to find. And it will have a much better selection of lens. Panasonic is so aggravating to work with.
http://bit.ly/23vOfX
More cocaine!
1. Should had option for body only
2. Make a smaller since it look just same as other dslr
3. improve the sensor
The GH1 is a pretty good option for HD video in a DSLR, actually one of the best currently available. The still image quality, however, is one of its biggest weaknesses. The introduction of a new semi-pro "full-size" Olympus Four Thirds camera is coming soon. It will have HD video, along with excellent still image quality. It will combined everything Olympus and Panasonic have done up until now, resulting in one of the best all around cameras on the market. And, as always, you can quote me on that.
1. Numbering not continiously starts every time with #0000
2. Desparate need headphone out
3. Video out during recording would be ideal They closed this function now
due to import duties but thought price was high enough
4. GH1 + Olympus pancake Lens with latest software update
works perfect see IBC reports: http://vimeo.com/6547602
...and then apparently undeleted?? O.O
Way to go Engadget... :P
I would love:
new software update for:
1. now for continous numbering, now all new cards starts at #0000
2. earphone plug in high output at AV out during filming
3. lower light sensitivity
Also see: GH1 + Olympus Pancake 17mm 1:2.8 + TomRig st.sound + SteadicamJR
in IBC reports:http://vimeo.com/6574284 and http://vimeo.com/6547602
Olympus Rumors just posted an update rumor hint about a recent E-3 price drop: http://43rumors.com/ft3-big-olympus-e-3-price-drop-in-germany-is-that-a-sign/ and here is their source: http://geizhals.at/deutschland/?phist=288957, oh and Olympus has an event press Oct 31st. Like I said in the comments above, a semi-pro FT Olympus camera with HD is coming soon. It will be called an E-5.
I don't see the GH1 as a GF1 or Olympus E-P1 competitor at all. The GH1 has full 1080p recording @24 fps and a rotating screen - two elements that make it suitable for more serious work. The other cams have small size, but they're limited in their video capabilities. I see them much more as noveau-Leicas (or even closer, a new Contax G-series) than combocams.
I think most people don't understand the GH1 (I own one and love it).
It's NOT a DSLR. (think of it as the highest end prosumer "Point & Shoot" you can buy.
What would I change? (wish list)
1) Increase burst rate to 10+ fps (currently 3.5fps)
2) Shoot 720p in 60fps in motion jpeg. (currently only available in AVCHD)
3) Shoot 640x480 at 300 fps.
All the requests I've made rely on the ability to write or buffer massive quantities of data.
So,... PLEASE Panasonic,... make that change and give me all 3 of my wishes. ;)
With #1 it's not just the buffer you have to worry about. The main issue is that the focal plane shutter can only actuate so many times per second. And the rolling electronic shutter, used for live view and video, would "jello" at higher shutter speeds.
The GH1 doesn't have a shutter. It's not a DSLR.
GH-1 DOES have mechanical shutter.
(don't cover up your ignorance by pulling crap info out of your ass, if you don't know, say "I don't know")
What the GH1 lacks compared to a dSLR is an *articulating mirror*.
All cameras need some kind of shutter. Whether it be electronic or mechanical. The latter is still considered superior, and so can be found in any decent digicam. Though usually a leaf shutter placed in the lens assembly is preferred, as it makes less noise (on most modern cameras it's practically imperceptible) and can actually be faster. Unfortunately that type of shutter would add cost and bulk to every µ4:3 lens.
*faster than the focal plane shutters used in most interchangeable lens cameras, I mean.
@Pretol: Oh, man you're so wrong, and even more pitiful is your, wrong too, selfesteem.
Meeka, you have GH-1... go to menu, select "shoot without lens", take of the lens, and shoot a few shots... yup, that's the shutter flying across the sensor...
shutter is completely independent of SLR (single lens reflex), you could have SLR with electronic shutter, or you could have non-SLR with mechanical...
In-body image stabilisation. Panasonic and Olympus really need to start sharing the love here, Panasonic seemed to have better post-processing from the sensor and Oly had in-body IS, both together would be lovely.
faster startup
Proper sensor. Better glass selection.