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Home » Cameras » Digital Camera » Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 » Video

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 video review

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There's no doubt at all that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a very nice camera. Build quality is excellent, and the camera body and control layout are very well designed. Performance is first rate, image quality in both still and video modes is certainly acceptable, and the extensive list of features and options give it a lot of creative potential. The only question is whether you want to pay such a high price for it. Read full review

Overall

9/10

Write your own review

By Cliff Smith
Reviewed 17 October 2009
Updated 26 May 2011

Price as reviewed

£1,300.00

  • Review
    • 1: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
    • 2: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
    • 3: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
    • 4: Features Table
    • 5: Test Shots - ISO Performance
    • 6: Test Shots - Detail and Lens...
    • 7: Test Shots - Exposure Evaluation
  • Video Review
  • User Reviews
  • Comments
  • Specs
  • 27 Photos
  • Reviewed by Cliff Smith
  • 17 October 2009
Read the full Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 review
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Awards

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 details

Value
7/10
Image Quality
9/10
Build Quality
10/10
Overall
9/10

Price as reviewed

£1,300.00

Manufacturer

Panasonic

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jopey

4:45 PM on 17 October, 2009

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I think you've been a little over critical on this camera's video function and whether or not it's going to be used. For the price, such a large sensor and interchangeable lens's aren't anywhere near possible with an dedicated consumer grade video camera.





File size limitations and the form factor might make it a bad idea for longer take, studio type work. But the cinematic effect this camera can achieve is well worth it for film work, which has shorter, but more creative, shots. Vimeo is full of great short films people have done with his camera and the 5DMk2





Here's one beautiful example http://www.vimeo.com/5981422 I'd recommend downloading the file version to watch. The GH1 is seamlessly inter-cut with the Red One and 5Dmk2.





The fact that this camera stands up pretty well with the Red camera and the 5D is amazing. For a small film school that wants to teach students proper lighting opportunities, depth of field effects, lens's and composition, it's unrivalled.

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AlexTighe

6:34 PM on 17 October, 2009

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when will you be reviewing the 500d, if at all

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JMHCC

7:42 PM on 17 October, 2009

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Your comments are interesting; however you seem to have missed a couple of very significant points in comparing GH1 to G1. You state, apparently by assumption, that the still-photo quality is identical and the movie features are the only differences. However, it's well established that the GH1 has a different sensor and produces what most people think are noticeably superior results, especially regarding high-ISO noise. In fact the sensor pattern is also different, with a non-rectangular layout that enables switching of aspect ratio without losing much resolution (i.e. not simply cropping the "native" 4:3 HxV pixel count). The only negative comparison vs. G1/GF1/E-P1 performance are some observations of minor banding in GH1 output. One of the disappointments of the GF1 is that it doesn't use the GH1 sensor.





Also, while I agree that the original G1 is a pretty good value for money (that's the model I have presently), you distilled the GH1/G1 value comparison down to "nearly three times as much for a bonus novelty feature". In fact, the price difference mostly reflects the cost of the 14-140 lens (UK list is 800GBP), which as you noted is very high quality. It is way beyond average kit-zoom performance (in keeping with Panasonic's established tradition of high quality kit lenses), has a huge zoom range and so-far unmatched engineering attention to video-specific requirements in the AF and aperture operation. I'm not trying to advertise or advocate for the GH1, but I think the review doesn't clarify these significant differences in the value comparison. It would help if Panasonic would un-bundle the bodies and lenses (which they do only in some markets if at all). Then the true price difference wouldn't seem so large.

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Noodles

8:28 PM on 17 October, 2009

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@JMHCC: The value of the lens is no longer a justifiable reason for the price of this camera, as the Canon 500D can be bought with the EF-S 18-200mm for £900 all in now. Sadly, even if the GH-1 is worth spending the extra on, people will always buy a Canon or Nikon if they have the opportunity, call it brainwashing or just good marketing if you will.





The only way in which Panasonic can counter this is to undercut the big two's prices, something they have inexplicably never been able to work out yet. The mega flop L1 and L10 digital SLR's are perfect examples of this, where asking for far too much in an ultra competitive industry results in complete failure..

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pmobuvis

8:08 AM on 18 October, 2009

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@Noodles: I do think what JMHCC says is right on. If Panasonic were to un-bundle the GH1 camera, I think people will see the true value of the each of its components. Canon 500D ships with an average kit lens that's not regarded very well by reviewers. Panasonic's 14-140 is a stellar lens, reviewed highly by all...AND it has silent operation, which is necessary for video, unlike all the other DSLRs available now with video capabilities.

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Luis

11:37 AM on 18 October, 2009

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I agree with jopey, the kind of video you can shoot with this camera is very different from that of a dedicated camcorder. Camcorders shoot video that looks like video. But with a DSLR you get a real movie look. Sure, camcorders are still better for hand held shooting of a wedding and a family trip, but people who might buy this GH1 for its video capabilities are not going to shoot those kind of videos and are not going to shoot hand held anyway. They will use special handlers, tripod, steadicam,... So it's a very different animal from a camcorder, appealing to different people with different needs.

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Noodles

5:32 PM on 18 October, 2009

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@pmobuvis: Quality of components does not sell cameras. Pentax and Olympus bundle with their DSLRs lenses of excellent quality, but it doesn't stop the hordes of people buying a Canon instead, with it's not too great 18-55mm lens..





It's all a marketing and price game, one that Panasonic hasn't seemed to have worked out how to play yet. After being asked by clients all the time why I don't shoot on Canon/Nikon, I have realised that public perception of what is "pro" and "the best" seems to be is heavily weighted towards "the big two" brands. For many, Canon/Nikon means expensive camera, like a Hoover vacuum cleaner or Aga cooker etc..





Until Panasonic can break this perception with something that can undercut in price (the big one), or provide truly superior results then it's Canon/Nikon competitors, then it will always be an also ran, along with Pentax/Oly/Sony etc..

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hankb6d

10:32 PM on 18 October, 2009

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It sure looks tacky it has the "Ann Summers" feel.

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Voldenuit

5:23 AM on 19 October, 2009

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@Noodles: without the 14-140mm lens, the GH1 is useless for video, as the rest of the micro 4/3 lineup (including the excellent 20mm f1.7) are too noisy for video recording, unless you resort to manual focusing (and without manual focus detents on the barrel, it's not going to be easy) or pre-focus, which limits them to a very specific role.





Cliff misses the point of movie mode on DSLRs. Unlike HD camcorders, it is possible to obtain a very film-like feel with the DSLRs (including the GH1) because of their large sensors and big-aperture lenses. Meaning they're competing (at least nominally) with professional HD camcorders that cost an order of magnitude more, are bulkier, and less versatile. It's still not something you could or would shoot Lord of the Rings on, but they are a compelling option for film students, indie shorts and commercials (except in Europe where they are often crippled with ridiculous 30-minute limitations by overzealous bureaucrats).





If there is a major shortcoming on the GH1, it's that it's missing in-body IS, which would have made it a killer video app with manual OM and M mount lenses.





Oh, and Chris, the GH1 has a new multi-aspect sensor compared to the G1, which is worth mentioning.

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pmobuvis

8:13 AM on 19 October, 2009

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@Noodles: Unfortunately, re: your comment about how people perceive Canon/Nikon brand over others...yes, it's true -- most people are brand-whores. I really wish Olympus/Panasonic/m43/(even Sony) can put more pressure on Canon/Nikon juggernaut. At the end of it all, good competition is good for us.

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