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Panasonic DMC-GH1 12.1MP Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Camera with 1080p HD Video |  | Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
List Price: $1,499.95
Buy New: $1,149.95
as of 9/10/2010 15:18 CDT details
You Save: $350.00 (23%)
New (25) Used (1) Refurbished (2) from $1,081.46
Seller: Adorama Camera
Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 330
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Number Of Items: 1
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 10
Display Size: 3
Maximum Focal Length: 140
Minimum Focal Length: 14
Maximum Resolution: 12.1
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 8 x 10 x 6
MPN: DMC-GH1K
Model: DMC-GH1K
UPC: 037988989553
EAN: 0037988989553
ASIN: B001WAKSCW
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 12.1-megapixel 4/3-type MOS sensor; interchangeable lens system digital camera | | • | Capture 1080/24p or smooth 720/60p HD (High Definition) movies in AVCHD format | | • | Live View Finder and bright 460,000-dot resolution, 3.0-inch LCD | | • | New Contrast AF (Auto Focus) function; Face Detection and Intelligent Auto (iA) mode | | • | Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included) |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
See the difference. A new world of imaging. Creative photos and movies in full HD.Shoot HD movies with single-lens-reflex photo quality. Full-HD Movie Recording in AVCHD 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 less data than Motion JPEG while maintaining stunning image clarity and detail. A separate button on the back lets you instantly start recording movies while shooting photos, without having to make any extra settings. *Full-HD (1920 X 1080) movies are output by the image sensor at 24p (NTSC)/25p (PAL), and recorded at 60i (NTSC)/50i (PAL). HD (1280 X 720) movies are output and recorded by the image sensor at 60p (NTSC)/50p (PAL).
"AVCHD" and the "AVCHD" logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. Full HD (1920 X 1080) at 24 frames per second faithfully shows every detail. HD (1280 X 720) at 60 frames per second smoothly and carefully reproduces moving subjects. LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./ MEGA O.I.S. for Outstanding HD Movies This kit lens boasts a focal length of 28-280mm (35mm camera equivalent) and supports a continuous auto focus function that works for both photos and movies. The aperture adaptively adjusts to each scene, letting you capture the kind of delicate, softly focused movies that only a digital interchangeable lens camera can produce. Thanks to a silence design that helps suppress lens drive noise, the GH1 with its new kit lens records sounds with amazing clarity. This kit lens also incorporates MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) that helps eliminate blurring from hand-shake. For th
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 44
Excellent for professional video September 2, 2010
D. J. Haynes (Florida, USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This review is for the GH1 in shooting video. Stills-wise, it is very good but doesn't compare to the Nikon cameras and lenses we use for production stills so we've rarely used it for photography.
As a cinematographer and director making broadcast documentaries, I picked up a GH1 a few months ago as a 'suicide camera' - a lock off camera to use in dangerous industrial areas where we didn't care if it survived or not. But the GH1 proved so good that we quickly developed it as a secondary camera on all shoots - it is now a part of our standard kit alongside Sony HDCAM cameras.
There are a lot of indepth reviews on the GH1 so I'll just add some of the most important aspects from our experience...
Video quality is excellent (with the hack) and sits nicely in our shows alongside the main HDCAM footage. We use it for picks ups, awkward/dangerous places, timelapses and B Roll. Converted to ProRes or imported direct to Avid MC the quality is dependable and good.
Choice of lenses. The stock lens is pretty good - we've used it in all sorts of places. But the true gift of the GH1 is being able to use lenses from other systems via adaptors. We use ours with Nikon lenses (70-200, 24-70, macro and superwide angle glass) as well as the Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 - which gives a beautiful look. Adaptors are available on ebay and cheap. Have a play.
The stock lens has stabilisation - which is very good - any other type of lens does not. But use the thing on a tripod - or a mount for mobile work.
Rotating flip out screen - very useful for those awkward spots or lower angles on the tripod. Once you've fitted a Zacuto finder on it though it tends to droop. Jam some gaffer tape on the hinge to help. Using one of the Canon's without a flip out screen is a true pain for real world filming.
Autofocus. We tested it but avoid it. I never use autofocus on our cameras - don't even have it on the high end ones of course. Its nice that you can move the autofocus area around on the screen - so you don't have to keep your subject centered - but ultimately it is too easy for the auto to fix on something else - and in the heat of the action it isn't always obvious that it is shifting focus from one thing to another. Autofocus not available on other brand lenses of course.
No zebras - so use the histogram - it works just fine.
Can set color temp direct - dial in degs K. This is a very nice feature missing on a lot of high end minicams even.
There are a vast array of accessories for the HDDSLR world - largely because they are a pain to use mobile. But you don't need everything you see, tempting tho it is. Essentials are Audio system, ND Filter and Zacuto style viewfinder hood (I know there are other types but the Zacuto seems best to me). That'll give a good working system. Shoulder mounts, follow focus and matte boxes etc depend on your style of shooting - we have them but tend to use the GH1 with just the ND filter and a clip on lens hood.
Takes a Zacuto finder ok - if you use the Jr you'll need the special GH1 mount - available from Zacuto direct. You really do need something like this to be able to use any HDDSLR in the field - and they help in handheld stability as well so are worth the money. You can also switch them between cameras so it's not an investment only for the GH1.
The electronic viewfinder is really very good - and perfectly good enough for a lot of work. But the flip out screen allows better use on a tripod.
ND Filters. Can't get around this - you need one/several depending on type. We settled on the Singh Ray (the Fader ND is cheaper and supposed to be equally good) and it does the job nicely. Buy a clip on lens hood and you can do away with a matte box for a lot of work. The filter rotates but the clip on hood is easy to shift back into position. The 77mm thread of the Singh Ray fits directly to the front of Nikon professional glass, and accepts the Nikon lens cap.
As with audio and Zacuto style finders, your ND filter will work with other HDDSLRs so isn't a wasted investment.
Audio. You need an external recorder and decent mics. Same is true for any of the HDDSLR cams - most of which have worse mics than the built in stereo mics of the gh1. Nothing you can do about it - bite the bullet and pickup an external recorder - we use a Sony PCM-D50 because we had one around - but there are a bunch of cheaper ones available. The GH1 audio track is then used for sync - buy a clapper board and look ridiculous or click your fingers for free.
SD cards are cheap. Very. Buy loads. I love them - and have filmed with P2, SxS as well as every type of tape. Get Class 6 at least to cope with the higher data rates with the hack. Class 10 better.
I've used the GH1 in a range of environments - including the desert in 127 degrees of mid-day heat. It runs hot but still works. Battery life is good - but if it's your main camera then get spares.
It's a little small - easy to hit buttons accidentally as you use it. The menu system is straightforward. This is a very easy camera to use and I remain amazed at the quality of the video.
The poor cousin to the Canon range - and usually ignored in all the books and blogs - the GH1 is a stunning little video camera with a range of features all its own.
 Awesome Camera Loaded w/ Features August 31, 2010
carolina2834
I recently reviewed the E-P1 a couple months ago stating it would be my last camera. Well, I lied. I started getting into video more, so I wanted a camera with full manual control and 24P at an affordable price. That narrowed it down to a 7D, T2i, or GH1. I chose the GH1 mainly due to lens compatability and size. My feelings towards the camera were a bit cold at first. I knew that it was loaded with features, but I guess the E-P1's aesthetics (and my G11) just felt "warmer" when using it. The GH1 is a bit more industrial, but now that I'm used to it, it really doesn't matter much.
The main feature that separates the GH1 from many cameras, not just m43, is the high-bitrate 1080P video (after hacking). I won't get into technicalities, but I will say that most of my footage has been nothing short of amazing. I shot a little movie on backyard bugs (lame, I know) for a couple of days after receiving the camera and the footage really does look like something from National Geographic or Discovery Channel. The only gripes I have about the video is the banding at ISO's past 800. If not properly exposed, the footage is borderline unusable for full-screen viewing. It's not too bad for small-screen web viewing, but if I'm doing something presentable, 500 is probably my limit.
Pictures from the GH1 are pretty nice too, but the JPEGs aren't as good as the PENs. In my opinion, if you're not feeling too inspired to edit each and every photo, and you just want a great out-of-the-box JPEG machine with nice skin-tone, colors and all, get a PEN. You definitely will not be dissapointed. (Who knows? Maybe you'll even find the JPEGs from the GH1 better than the E-Ps.) I've made prints from both the GH1 and the E-P1, and I can honestly say that the E-P1 looks better. If you're shooting RAW, it won't matter. The GH1 has better ISO sensitivity (worse banding control, however), and I wouldn't mind pushing a photo to 1600 or even 2000 since I have Dfine and can easily clean up most of the noise and banding that shows up at high ISOs.
While the GH1 is bigger, uglier (IMO), and less portable than the PENs, it makes up for it with good ergnomics, a swivel LCD, and a nice and bright EVF. The PEN looks better than the GH1 when displaying the two bodies next to each other, but the GH1 feels better in the hand after getting used to it's aesthetics. Although the GH1 really isn't that much bigger than the E-P1, the extra protrusions from the viewfinder, and grip may make it less portable for some who value size over function. It's definitely not as large as my old E-620 or E-510, but it is large enough that I'll consider leaving it at home or in the car if I don't have my messenger bag on me or my girlfriend with me (to use her purse).
Overall, I have to say that I really like the GH-1. Video is amazing, pictures are great, and as of now it's probably the best all-around camera in the m43 range. I honestly can not find a reason to even glance at the GH2 unless if Panasonic can somehow get the AVCHD bitrates remotely close to 35-40MBps. (It won't happen.)
If you're looking for high quality videos at an affordable price, it's hard not to recommend the GH1. If you don't care too much about 1080/24P video and can settle with 720/30P with great JPEGs, then I recommend the E-PL1 or E-P2 (E-P1 has no manual controls for video to stop strobing at high shutter speeds). In the end, I say 4.5 stars, but I'll give it 5 because of Amazon's star rating-system.
The most versatile camera I have used August 22, 2010
George (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Cameras are still at a stage where size matters. I own full frame Canon and the images are stunning but the body and lenses fill a large backpack and weigh a lot. For an easy walking around camera I have a Canon G10 which fits in my pocket but is limited to one lens and the images, though surprisingly good in the right circumstances, are not comparable to the big camera. The G10 is almost useless for shooting children or moving subjects. The Lumix GH1 was designed to fit in between both functionally and in terms of size, and offer a good movie option as well.
It is bigger than a point and shoot but still smaller and lighter than any regular dslr. Easy to carry with a strap over the shoulder or in a small backpack. The kit lens is very good and combined with an equally good 7-14 zoom offers a range from extreme wide angle to long telephoto, way beyond the capability of any point and shoot. It focuses fast and reliably, especially when shooting children with face detection. The stills are better than a point and shoot but not quite as good as a full frame dslr. The colors are deeper and richer than a point and shoot but the color balance is not quite as stunning as the big Canon. Grain and detail are very well controlled up to 800 ISO. The movies are good quality and the sound is captured well both close and far.
But there are compromises. The size is achieved by eliminating the mirror and pentaprism of a dslr using a live electronic image instead. This is generally useful for framing but not for detailed review of the shot beforehand. For example, the effect of a polarizer cannot be seen through the viewfinder. Precise manual focus is difficult or not possible.
It is also difficult to shoot more than one shot quickly. Each shot is frozen in the viewfinder for a few seconds before it returns to live view and another shot can be taken. So the GH1 shoots one shot quicker than a point and shoot but does not allow a fast series of shots like a dslr. This is a real limitation when shooting children or sports.
The biggest challenge I have found is the color. Canon has generally gotten color right. Panasonic has a slightly different balance and though generally very good the prints just don't grab like the big Canon's do. I suspect that it is partly due to the smaller sensor. Getting the color right will likely improve with experience. It is also easy to inadvertently hit the color balance button on the back of the camera. Fortunately the menu is obvious in the viewfinder but you need to learn to pay attention because it disappears as soon as the shutter button is pressed.
So, this is now my main travel camera, what I use to photograph my grandson when the big camera is too big to haul around, and my new movie camera. It is well designed and generally keeps the compromises to a minimum. Face detection and an articulating screen are a real plus. Overall, pricy but good quality and unmatched for versatility.
 picture quality is good but build quality is really bad August 21, 2010
K. Mizoo (Kinnelon, NJ)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have being using this camera for over a year and use it almost everyday.
The body size is good and portable. The picture quality is good for the size, takes good movies as well.
Takes good still photos for the still subjects, but not for moving subjects... the auto focusing of this camera is too slow for moving animals or small kids playing.
The build quality of this camera is the worst part. The strap holder broke off twice. I got a replacement camera in June of 2010 but the left side holder is already loose :(
The lense (14 -140mm) produces very sharp images and quiet. BUT the problem of this lens is that the zoom ring rubber gets loose. When you want to zoom in/out, the operation (rotating the zoom ring) slips and frustrates me. The zoom ring rubber got loosen twice also.
This camera is not tough, rather very fragile. Picture/Movie quality itself is good but the build quality spoils everything.
lovely camera July 24, 2010
K. Strand (Oregon)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I ordered this particular camera for the new micro four thirds format and also thanks to many reviews citing Lumix as the the industry standard in this new format. This is a lovely camera, especially for its performance in low light situations. I am finding it less compact than I had hoped, not that much smaller than a standard DSLR. However, even a small size difference helps when travelling, and I really enjoyed shooting with this camera on my recent trip to Italy.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 44
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