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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Digital Camera

(4 out of 5)

An impressive (but pricey) interchangeable lens camera that takes good photos and records Full HD video.

Review by Jeff Keller | Jun 2, 2009 | + Share

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a compact, interchangeable lens camera that does double-duty: it takes photos and high definition video. Unlike most "hybrid" devices, the GH1 pulls both off quite well, though it's not without its issues. The GH1 takes good quality photos, offers a second-to-none live view experience, and has a host of automatic and manual controls. On the video side, you can record at resolutions as high as 1920 x 1080, with continuous autofocus, image stabilization, and all the zooming you can eat, courtesy of the new 14 - 140 mm kit lens. The main downside of the movie mode (at least at the highest resolutions) is that the AVCHD codec is a real pain in the you-know-what to work with (good old Motion JPEG is available for 720p and below, thankfully). Another big issue about the GH1 is its price: at $1500, it costs nearly twice that of the original DMC-G1.

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Pros	Cons
Very good photo quality Compact body by D-SLR standards (though not so much with the kit lens attached) Excellent live view shooting experience High resolution, 3-inch rotating LCD display Ultra sharp and very large electronic viewfinder Super-fast contrast detect autofocus Records movies in Full HD with continuous autofocus, image stabilization, and manual controls available -- unlimited recording time Choice of AVCHD or M-JPEG codecs Adjustable wind cut filter Dust reduction system Full manual controls, including numerous white balance controls RAW image format supported, powerful (but clunky) editing software included Intelligent Auto mode picks a scene for you, detects faces, tracks a moving subject, and brightens shadows -- all automatically Robust face detection feature, now with a "memory" option Custom spot on mode dial, customizable function button, make-your-own grid lines Optional external microphone HDMI output	Expensive Images on the soft side, possibly due to the kit lens Not quite as clean as the competition at highest ISOs Slow kit lens -- bulk takes away from the compactness of the GH1 AVCHD movies are a pain to edit, may require additional software purchases -- bundled software can only trim movies Design annoyances: poorly-placed front command dial and drive switch, small four-way controller buttons, AF-assist lamp easy to block Burst mode could be faster No focus distance shown on lens, or on LCD/EVF in manual focus mode Limited lens selection at this point

Pros

Cons

Very good photo quality
Compact body by D-SLR standards (though not so much with the kit lens attached)
Excellent live view shooting experience
High resolution, 3-inch rotating LCD display
Ultra sharp and very large electronic viewfinder
Super-fast contrast detect autofocus
Records movies in Full HD with continuous autofocus, image stabilization, and manual controls available -- unlimited recording time
Choice of AVCHD or M-JPEG codecs
Adjustable wind cut filter
Dust reduction system
Full manual controls, including numerous white balance controls RAW image format supported, powerful (but clunky) editing software included
Intelligent Auto mode picks a scene for you, detects faces, tracks a moving subject, and brightens shadows -- all automatically
Robust face detection feature, now with a "memory" option
Custom spot on mode dial, customizable function button, make-your-own grid lines
Optional external microphone
HDMI output

Expensive
Images on the soft side, possibly due to the kit lens
Not quite as clean as the competition at highest ISOs
Slow kit lens -- bulk takes away from the compactness of the GH1
AVCHD movies are a pain to edit, may require additional software purchases -- bundled software can only trim movies
Design annoyances: poorly-placed front command dial and drive switch, small four-way controller buttons, AF-assist lamp easy to block
Burst mode could be faster
No focus distance shown on lens, or on LCD/EVF in manual focus mode
Limited lens selection at this point