8.1 out of 10

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

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from 136 sources in 24 countries

Great Deal: $1,419.95

User Score (142)

8.6
Expert Score (37)

8.1
Design (6)

8.6
Value for money (12)

5.1
Features (12)

8.2
Ease of use (7)

9.6
Performance (12)

5.8
Picture quality (19)

7.9
Overall quality (2)

8.3
Display (7)

9.1
Ergonomics (8)

8.3
Build quality (3)

6.8

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Pros & Cons

easy to use, interchangeable lenses, comfortable, fast autofocus, lightweight

overpriced

Score Distribution

Experts:

9-10		(12)
7-8		(21)
5-6		(3)
3-4		(0)
1-2		(0)

Users:

9-10		(98)
7-8		(19)
5-6		(9)
3-4		(6)
1-2		(10)

Expert Reviews

DP Review

7.2/10

2 weeks ago
Expensive compared to most comparable SLRs, the key to the GH1's appeal is its class-leading HD movie capture. The fact that it has the best sensor of any Micro Four Thirds camera is just the icing on the cake. Read more
- JPEG output shows impressive detail at base ISO, Good resolution, even slightly more in RAW, Good balance between noise reduction and detail retention at higher ISOs, Good control over high ISO noise reduction, Smaller dim...
Digital Camera Review

9.0/10

21 September 2009
Cameras (like sports cars, camping/adventure gear, professional musical instruments, and top shelf audio/video components) get much more interesting (and expensive) as they increase in complexity - the GH1 is a case in point. Read more
- Best video of any currently available dSLR, Fully articulated live view LCD, Super kit lens
- Expensive, Lacks total functionality of a true dSLR, Current lens lens selection is thin
Camera Labs

8.9/10

1 July 2009
Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-GH1 is one of the most complete cameras we’ve tested, and one that achieves a number of ambitious goals. Unlike many rivals where features like Live View and video recording are often compromised and... Read more
- Compact but comfortable body., HD video with AF and manual control., Excellent EVF and big, flexible screen., Easy to use with intuitive user interface.
- Viewfinder noisy and jerky in low light., AF restrictions in 1080p movie mode., Continuous shooting slower than rivals., Only sold with premium 10x kit lens.
Imaging Resource

8 October 2009
Panasonic's approach to the interchangeable-lens digital camera, the G-series, includes no mirrors or pentaprisms to weigh the system down, making the goal of simple live view easier to realize. Read more
- Good noise performance vs other cameras with Four Thirds sensors, Full exposure control (PASM) in video modes, AF is live during video recording, 720p HD video is quite good, even in AVCHD, MOV (Motion JPEG) video option f...
- Autofocus during video is slow with AVCHD, much faster with MOV file format, Camera strap rings are a hassle, and add noise to video captures, EVF contrast is low, with plugged shadows, Noticeable optical distortion when u...
Steve's Digicams

5 November 2009
The Lumix DMC-GH1 builds off the DMC-G1 with a few new and improved features (HD video and new lens), however is quite a bit more expensive. Read more
- Robust iAuto exposure mode works great in a variety of situations, Produces nice 12-megapixel photos, Speedy shooting performance, Sweet new kit lens, Versatile 3.0-inch, rotating LCD, Excellent ISO performance up to ISO 1600
- ISO 3200 not suitable for prints, Almost double the price of the DMC-G1, Built-in mic picks up wind noise easily
What Digital Camera

8.5/10

8 August 2009
The GH1 is an exceptional camera, but more than anything it is an exceptional video camera. In terms of still imaging it has some improvements on the previous G1 model, though these are not significant enough on their own to... Read more
- HD movie mode, articulating LCD screen, build quality, supplied lens
- High price tag, white balance issues, slow burst mode, shutter lag
PC World

6.0/10

26 August 2009
If shooting HD video is Read more
- Smooth, vibrant HD video, Beginner-friendly menus and controls
- Expensive, with proprietary lenses, Disappointing low-light performance
Wired

2 September 2009
The Lumix GH1 captures Pantone-precise colors and Ginsu-sharp details for both video and stills. Whatever you shoot, it offers the same bucketful of configuration options, including shutter speed, aperture, light sensitivity,... Read more
- Image-stabilized 10X zoom lens. Video mode has autofocus to track fast action. Offers 1080p HD video resolution at 24 frames per second for the most detail, or 720p at 30 fps for smoother motion. Swiveling 3-inch LCD is gr...
- Menus with 1980s arcade-type graphics can be hard to navigate — six clicks just to delete all the pictures. Pricey.
CNET

7.0/10

24 June 2011
If you're looking for a camera that's not quite as big as a dSLR but doesn't skimp on hardware controls or features like an articulated LCD, EVF and stereo full HD video, the G3 is one of my top options. Read more
- The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 delivers great photo quality and useful features like an articulated LCD and extended bracketing in a comfortable--if somewhat big--shooting design.
- While not bad, its performance is in the middle of the pack, and the battery doesn't last long enough.
Digitaltrends

26 September 2009
We haven't had a chance to fully test this product yet, but we've assembled this helpful overview of relevant information on it. Read more

Panasonic DMC-GH1

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Panasonic DMC-GH1

The GH1 utilises the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. lens and supports continuous AF. It also has a 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine HD, with multi-aspect type sensor that allows users to take photos in 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratios with the same angle of view, twin CPUs for processing capabilities, Creative Movie mode which lets the user manually set the shutter speed and aperture, iA (Intelligent Auto) mode like Face Recognition (to prioritize focus and exposure on a specific face), O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) to help reduce blurring from hand-shake; Intelligent ISO Control to help limit motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken; AF Tracking that lets the camera lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves; Intelligent Exposure which optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights, and Intelligent Scene Selector. The camera also has SD card support, as well as an optional mini HDMI™ cable to output the images from the GH1 to the Panasonic HDTV via VIERA Link™, allowing users to view playback and slideshow features on the camera.

Features

Panasonic introduces the DMC-GH1 which utilizes the G Micro System – a digital interchangeable lens camera system that features professional-level functions and performance in a compact camera body. Compatible with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the GH1 features advanced video photography functions, such as the ability to record High Definition (HD) AVCHD 1080p/24p video. In addition, the LUMIX GH1 comes with a long-zoom interchangeable lens – the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. This lens was designed to support HD movie recording and features a silent motor and continuous auto focusing (AF) capability. This allows for smaller camera body and lens sizes. The GH1 provides video recording features, including the ability to record high-resolution full HD (1920 x 1080) video at 24 fps or HD video (1280 x 720) movie at 60 fps using an AVCHD format (MPEG-4/H.264). The AVCHD format provides the benefit of doubling the HD quality recording time compared with Motion JPEG. The GH1 hosts a dedicated video record button on the back of the camera which lets users start recording videos, even while shooting still photos. The LUMIX GH1 also records video in stereo sound via Dolby Digital Stereo Creator.

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Manufacturer's Description

See the difference. A new world of imaging. Creative photos and movies in full HD.With the GH1, shooting incredible photos is only part of the fun. You can also shoot beautiful, richly detailed movies in full HD (high-definition) (1920 X 1080) at 24 frames per second, or smooth HD (1280 X 720) movies at 60 frames per second in AVCHD format (MPEG-4/ H.264) with continuous auto focus.* You can record for a longer time without running out of memory because AVCHD stores…

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Previous questions about this product

GH1 versus GF1 at 720

Is there a difference between 720 HD shot on the GH1 and 720 HD shot on the GF1? At 720 HD is the quality the same on both? Does the GH1 have a higher bitrate? If I won't be shooting 1080 am I just as well off with the less expensive GF1? $800 versus $1500.

(No answers yet. Write an answer!) 2009-11-19

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