Panasonic DMC-GH1 is a 12 megapixel digital SLR with video capabilities matching those of some high end camcorders. The camera has interesting design, high quality screen and full live view.
Panasonic DMC-GH1 pros:
+ Plenty of customizable color modes
+ Nice design, small size
+ 3-inch LCD screen displaying 460,000 pixels
+ 12.1 megapixel photos
+ Sharp images
+ Full HD video recording
Panasonic DMC-GH1 cons:
- Color accuracy below average
- Noise higher than in competition
- Little in camera editing
- Slow burst speed
The design:
Panasonic DMC-GH1 measures 124 x 90 x 45 mm and weighs 930 grams. The camera is available is a few colors and although it might seem to feel a bit cheap it is fact is made of high quality materials. The front of the Panasonic DMC-GH1 features the Macro Four Thirds lens mount, the control dial and the lens release button. Also the AF assist lamp/self-timer indicator is there. The back of the Panasonic camera houses the 3-inch articulated LCD screen, four way controller and plenty of other customizable controls. There is also the electronic viewfinder and the ‚motion picture’ button. The left side of the Panasonic DMC-GH1 features the plug for external microphone and HDMI, USB and AV out connectors, whereas the right side houses the memory card compartment and the DC power cable access. As usual the bottom of the Panasonic camera houses the tripod mount and the battery compartment. The top of the Panasonic DMC-GH1 might seem a bit crammed with the shutter release button, microphone, hot shoe, focus mode dial film mode switch, power switch and the quick menu button. If you think that the amount of controls is too overwhelming, have a look at the Canon PowerShot S90, or Kodak EasyShare Z950.
Performance:
Panasonic DMC-GH1 has a very effective image stabilization system. The resolution achieved by the camera is much better than in the competitive digital cameras, such as Olympus E-P1. The playback mode in the Panasonic DMC-GH1 offers plenty of features and up to 16x magnification. There is also the slideshow feature and a calendar to help you browse your photos by date. However, there is no software for Macs and only few in-camera editing features.
Image quality:
The color accuracy of the Panasonic DMC-GH1 is unfortunately worse than the competition, yet you might influence that thanks to plenty of color modes. The camera produces less noise than other cameras from this range and so the noise reduction does not spoil the images. There is little chromatic aberration in the pictures and the sharpness is outstanding.
Video quality:
In the video mode the Panasonic DMC-GH1 produces accurate colors and little noise. Motion is recorded very well, and the images are sharp. In low light the camera produces slightly worse color than the competition and more noise than in bright light. Thanks to the abundance of manual control you can further improve the video quality.
Selected Panasonic DMC-GH1 features and specifications:
Resolution: 12.1Mp
Sensor size: 17.3x13mm (FourThirds system)
Sensor type: LiveMOS
Image size: 4000×3000
Aspect ratio: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
Focus system: Contrast AF
Focus points: 23 area
Crop factor: 2x
Lens mount: Micro FourThirds
File type: RAW, JPEG
Sensitivity: ISO100-3200
Storage: SD, SDHC
Focus types: Face detection, AF tracking, 23 area focusing, 1 area-focusing
Metering system: 144 zone multi pattern sensing system
Metering types: Intelligent multiple, centre weighted, spot
Exposure compensation: +/- 3EV in 1/3 step increments
Shutter speed: 60sec-1/4000sec
Frames per second: 3fps (frames per second) max.
Flash: Built-in, hotshoe
Flash sync speed: 1/160sec
Image stabilisation: No, lens based Mega O.I.S.
Integrated cleaning: Supersonic wave filter
Live view: Yes
Viewfinder: Electronic, 1.4 million dots
Monitor: 3in low temperature polycrystalline TFT LCD
Interface: USB 2.0, HDMI
Power: ID-security Li-Ion battery
Price: <$1499
Other recently reviewed digital cameras:
Panaconic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Kodak EasyShare Z950, Nikon Coolpix L100, Olympus E-P1, Canon PowerShot S90
