DMC-GH1

The much anticipated Panasonic GH1, which has been simply a forthcoming mention on the horizon, is now well within reach. Panasonic announced pricing and availability this morning. Suggested retail is $1499.95 and will be available in early June.

The kit includes the Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens, designed to support HD movie recording including a silent motor and continuos auto focusing (AF).

Video features:

• record high-resolution full HD (1920×1080) video at 24 fps
• record smooth HD (1280×720) video at 60 fps using an AVCHD format, which doubles the HD quality recording time
• dedicated video record button on the back of the camera–even while shooting still photos, you can instantly jump to video mode
• adjust shutter speed during motion recording for more creative control, especially when shooting fast-moving subjects
• control the aperture while video recording, convenient when there are several subjects at varying distances

Brief Specs:

• 12MP, live MOS sensor
• 1080p Full HD AVCHD Camcorder (Full-HD Movie Recording in AVCHD)
• compact mirror-free design
• micro four-thirds mount

“Since redefining the traditional DSLR category last year with the LUMIX G1 – which eliminated the internal mirror and thus dramatically reduced size of the camera body and lenses – Panasonic has been working to expand its award-winning LUMIX G Micro Four Thirds System line.  Panasonic wants to offer increasingly innovative products and features that make photography fun and easy,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “The introduction of the LUMIX GH1, allows photographers of all levels to take superior quality photos and shoot HD video with a more compact, easy-to-use camera that provides increased creative capabilities.”

We’ll be reviewing the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 just as soon as we get our hands on one. Look for a review on photo.net soon.

I got to play with a “close to production” GH1 at our Panasonic meeting and came away intrigued. Some of the things that caught my eye:

• 1080p 24fps for “movie look”, 720p 60fps for better fast motion
• built in stereo mic
• external mic input
• did not appear to be any audio gain adjust (aside from wind-cut)
• Uses AVCHD video codec (as do many other Panasonic products)
• dedicated video-start button
• can start recording video from any mode
• continuous autofocus during recording
• can adjust shutter-speed and aperture during recording
  

  Two HD video camera choices

• has the same AF lock/tracking feature that I like in the Panasonic LX3
• can use AF lock/tracking in video mode
• appears to be essentially the same size as the G1

Once again, I’m not stoked about the AVCHD codec. At the moment, it’s just too problematic for many users to edit on their current computer systems. That having been said, things are getting better in that regard. And the sheer size of HD video requires some sort of compression. However, until I see some side by side, I’m going to stand by Canon’s choice to use the H.246 codec in the 5d MkII rather than AVCHD. But I am willing to change my mind.

One issue with the micro four-thirds format is that companies like Panasonic see it as a stepping stone between point and shoot cameras and DSLRs. They seem to think that it will be a less scary camera for these advancing-beginners than a DSLR would be. And perhaps they are right. But because the format is aimed at that demographic, I get the feeling that we are going to see a lot of megazoom slow lenses rather than the fast primes that so many photo.net members are hoping for. The new 14-140/4-5.8 (28-240mm in 35mm equiv) is a good example. It’s a fine looking lens and was specifically built for video with a silent autofocus motor. But considering the format, it’s slow and large. Panasonic does have a 20/1.7 (40mm in 35mm equiv) pancake lens on it’s roadmap for the micro four-thirds format, and the Panasonic people tell me that it may be out this summer. But that’s the only fast lens thus far, and the only one on the roadmap at all. I’m afraid it will be just enough for us all to get excited about, but not enough to let us use the camera as a “new era rangefinder” (for lack of a better term).

Still though, I’m quite excited about the Panasonic GH1. They don’t have any firm availability or pricing on the camera yet. But estimates are saying sometime this summer and the the price will be higher than the current G1. We are on the list for a review unit as soon as they are available.