Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Review

When Panasonic officially introduced the World’s first ever Micro Four Thirds camera, the Lumix DMC-G1, in September 2008, they also revealed that a video version would be released in the not-too-distant future. Forward-wind to June 2009, and we’re now reviewing the new DMC-GH1 camera, which as expected can record both stills and HD video. The GH1 does so using Panasonic’s AVCHD format at 1080/25p or 720/50p, and it can also continuously autofocus during recording, importantly something that current DSLR cameras with video functionality can’t offer. The Venus Engine HD image processor at the heart of the Lumix GH1 has two CPUs to provide long-time movie recording in AVCHD with low power consumption. Rounding out the video-specific features are a stereo microphone for higher quality audio, ‘one touch’ Motion Picture button, Creative Movie mode in which the shutter speed and aperture can be adjusted, and a HDMI port. The Panasonic GH1 is only available in kit form with the new 14-140mm F4.0-5.8 lens, which has been designed in tandem with the video mode and features a silent and continuous auto-focusing function and seamless aperture adjustment. The DMC GH1 retains all of the G1’s stand-out features, including a 3-inch swivelling and tilting LCD screen, full-time Live View with contrast auto-focusing, a 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor, electronic viewfinder with a high-resolution 1,440,000 dots, built-in Optical Image Stabiliser to help combat camera-shake, and a Supersonic Wave Filter to remove unwanted dust. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is available now in black, red and gold for $1499.95 / £1299.99 with the LUMIX G VARIO 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. super-zoom lens.


Mark Goldstein


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