Panasonic GF1 gets 1080p video recording via firmware hack

By utilizing the same groundwork of this DMC-GH1 hack, a group of crafty coders have devised a way to allow for all sorts of funky tweaks to the beloved Lumix GF1 -- most notably, 1080p video recording. Besides the full HD recording, using a reworked version of the camera's firmware, the micro four thirds shooter has had its video recording bit rates upped, added 4.2.2 color sampling, and looks like it could be getting full manual control and 24p/25p shooting options down the road. Some users are already maximizing their camera's abilities with the hacks, though based on reading we've done in the DVXuser forums, the firmware changes don't seem completely ready for primetime. Regardless, it's pretty encouraging news for those us who are already having a torrid love affair with the GF1. Check out some 1080p examples after the break, and hit the source links for a lot more info.

[GV Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:15PM]

Really love the cat. Meow

[Sled Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:22PM]

@GV
Agreed, that cat is awesome.

[GeneralThade Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:26PM]

@Sled Totally agree. Looks delicious.

[Alexpeegs Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:50PM]

@GeneralThade wait, WHAT?

[seanGadget Posted Jun 18th 2010 6:44PM]

@GV
Looks so real it looks fake

[tekdemon Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:02PM]

@GV I really love the blonde. Yeow!

[BrownSound Posted Jun 19th 2010 3:28AM]

@GV

Good god that video is crisp

[Gatejcr11 Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:19PM]

Is this the camera that they used to record the iPhone 4 demo video here on Engadget?

[Dahis Posted Jun 19th 2010 2:30AM]

Yes.

[neeko18 Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:29PM]

WTF was that girl in black wearing? I just dont get some styles..

[kevout Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:31PM]

@neeko18 It's called "1997 Marilyn Manson"

[Jabberwocky Posted Jun 19th 2010 12:48PM]

@kevout

She is German... that kind of thing is normal here.

If I am not mistaken that tunnel is right in front of the Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof.

[Shalabi Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:35PM]

How much do these retail for?

[jayayess1190 Posted Jun 18th 2010 7:58PM]

@Shalabi $750 down from launch price of $900.

[tylersmyler Posted Jul 21st 2010 2:11PM]

@Shalabi
thats just for a body though

[Patlex Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:37PM]

I wonder if the G10 will get it? I hear they are working on it for the G2, and the G10 is like the G2 but with out the articulating screen, and lower evf. But, wow that video IQ is making me want to get one of Panasonic m4/3 vs the Olympus PEN.

[srghyc Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:40PM]

i really like those tripod zooming tripod shots, looks good.

[liquidkernel Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:41PM]

Very nice. This would be great to complement the 20 lbs of DSLR gear that I carry around. Bringing this along would be much more convenient than a DSLR.

[psychoace Posted Jun 18th 2010 5:54PM]

It looks a little choppy. What's the frame rate on these videos? The Nexus one has a hacked 720p video but it maxes at 18fps. Can the GF1 handle 1080p at 24fps?

[techlord Posted Jun 18th 2010 6:29PM]

@psychoace

u sure is not your pc slow

[eskate Posted Jun 18th 2010 8:27PM]

@psychoace says on the site..24 and 25fps, have the camera, but I'm not sure I want to try this yet

[Shooter McGavin Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:27PM]

@techlord

Not choppy but definitely blurry for supposed 1080p full HD, especially with movement. Color me unimpressed. It's decent.

[psychoace Posted Jun 18th 2010 11:14PM]

@eskate
No it says "24p/25p shooting options down the road" that means not implemented yet. This and not saying it's running 30fps makes me think the only reason they don't have 24/25p is because the camera just can't handle that high of frame rate. Same with the Nexus one.

[Tohe Posted Jun 19th 2010 1:20AM]

@Shooter McGavin

Here you can watch sharp 720p video shot with the GF1 and a Panasonic 20mm 1.7 lens: http://vimeo.com/7033943

I imagine the people in the video were blurred out because they were not the subject on which the camera was being focused. By The Way, it is pretty ridiculous to compare an interchangeable lens camera, with a camera phone.

[Tohe Posted Jun 19th 2010 1:44AM]

Or better yet, check this (1080p) one out : http://vimeo.com/12672918

[usuqa Posted Jun 19th 2010 2:59AM]

@Tohe

This is still uploading, but i did a test the other day with the 1080p hack while out for a walk. Macro handheld so its a bit shaky.. but thought i would share.

I didn't up the bitrate for the 1080p setting like some did as my crappy 16gig card cant cope.

[usuqa Posted Jun 19th 2010 2:59AM]

@Tohe

helps if i add the link lol.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl-YjkGi2H8

[Tohe Posted Jun 19th 2010 5:51AM]

@usuqa

Amazing detail, thanks for sharing.

[Shooter McGavin Posted Jun 19th 2010 8:00PM]

@Tohe

Yeah those look a lot better.

[Philip Han Posted Jun 18th 2010 6:30PM]

MOAR 7D HACKS ! ! !

This thing in my hands has two god forsaken processors ! ! ! USE THEM ! ! !

Oh well, for now I'll just rely on SuperFlat Picture Style and Post Processing.

[Diggler Posted Jun 18th 2010 7:06PM]

Lol did that girl even know you were filming her?

[A Brown Kid Posted Jun 18th 2010 7:12PM]

girl in black = prostitute?

and also, is this thing full time mf?

[bobthemagicman Posted Jun 18th 2010 7:30PM]

It would be super great if Tester 13 could work this same hack on the DMC-G1, but I think the actual hardware is different.

[DaPesto Posted Jun 19th 2010 8:05AM]

@bobthemagicman

That WOULD be something since the G1 doesn't have video.... ;)

[Mr Blurrycam Posted Jun 18th 2010 8:18PM]

Your stockings got a hole on them...

[kevout Posted Jun 18th 2010 9:33PM]

@Mr Blurrycam
Your avatar is blurry!
Fire hot!
Lightning dangerous!

[Mr Blurrycam Posted Jun 19th 2010 1:00AM]

@kevout

/s

[tylersmyler Posted Jul 22nd 2010 10:02AM]

@Shalabi
thats just for a body though