Panasonic DMC GH1K 12.1 MP Lumix-GH1 full HD digital SLR camera w/ 14-140mm lens

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The GH1's Full-time Live View is revolutionary. It lets you see in the LCD how adjusting the exposure, white balance, aperture and even the shutter speed will affect the photo. This kind of super-easy live view shooting has never before been possible with a conventional digital SLR camera. The large 3.0-inch LCD rotates 180° horizontally and 270° vertically, making it easy for you to capture dynamic shots from extreme angles without getting into an awkward position. 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 (MPEG-4/H.264) with a continuous auto focus function. Just press the Motion Picture button on the back of the camera, and shooting begins.

New high-performance kit lens for outstanding HD movies

The GH1 kit is proudly equipped with the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. lens. This compact 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. The GH1's advanced kit lens also incorporates MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) that helps eliminate blurring from hand-shake.

12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine HD

The GH1's 4/3-type Live MOS sensor with 12.1 megapixels gives you the best of both worlds: the superior image quality and the lower power consumption. It also adds a high-speed readout for recording HD movies. You can record images with a 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratio. In each, you get the same angle of view and same outstanding image quality. The Venus Engine HD incorporates two CPUs. This not only boosts image processing speed, it also helps achieve an exceptional noise-reduction performance. Also, the two CPUs of the Venus Engine HD allow long-time movie recording in AVCHD while maintaining low power consumption. And the Venus Engine HD features an HDMI output, too.

Intelligent Auto: no kidding!

If you've hesitated to buy a digital SLR camera because you think they're hard to use, your wait is over. Intelligent Auto mode activates 6 detection and compensation functions that work automatically, leaving you free to just aim and shoot. For shake detection, there is a MEGA Optical Image Stabilization function to prevent blurring for those who may not have the steadiest hand. For moving subjects, there is motion detection with Intelligent ISO control. There is light detection with intelligent exposure to provide beautifully-lit photos in nearly any circumstances. There is also Advanced Face Detection auto-focus and auto-exposure to ensure that your subjects' faces aren't blurry or shadowed. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically chooses the right scene mode for any situation so you don't have to adjust a bunch of settings to get a good picture. Finally auto-focus tracking follows moving targets and adjusts the shot accordingly. No wonder it's called intelligent auto!

HD output for the HDTV age

Just connect your GH1 to an HDTV and you're ready for high definition viewing. If your TV is HDMI compatible, a single HDMI mini cable (optional) is all you need. Even better, with a Panasonic VIERA HDTV, you can also operate the GH1 with the VIERA remote control for even easier viewing. The GH1 shoots wide-screen, 16:9, full-HD images. These images are simply breathtaking when displayed on an HDTV, which handles about four times the data of a standard-definition TV. Enjoy a whole new style of HDTV viewing with family and friends.

Blast from the past

With digital cameras becoming more and more prominent every year, practiced photographers might feel like the "feel" of photography with film is gone. But that's not the case with GH1 from Panasonic. Much like changing the film type in a film camera, you can enjoy a wide range of expression based on six color modes and three monochromatic modes. When the multi-film mode is selected, you can record pictures having up to three different effects with each press of the shutter button. In My Color mode you can freely adjust the color, brightness and saturation of an image, while checking it with Full-time Live View. This gives you the power to control how your image will look. You can even make dramatic color changes. This freedom is a welcome change from typical digital cameras.

Burst!

Sometimes, it's hard to get the perfect shot in one try, especially with quickly moving subjects. Luckily, there's an easier way to get the shot. With burst mode, you can shoot up to three pictures per second, greatly increasing your chances of snapping the pic at exactly the right time. You can shoot up to seven RAW pictures, or until you fill the memory card (or the battery dies) in non-RAW format. This mode is also good for group pictures, when you never know when someone might blink, so you can use burst mode, then choose the best picture later, and delete the rest.

What's in the box?

Your purchase of the DMC-GH1 from Vanns.com includes all of the following: DMC-GH1 Camera (Black), Battery Charger/AC Adapter, Battery Pack, Body Cap, Video Cable, USB Connection Cable, AC Cable, Shoulder Strap, and CD-ROM with PHOTOfunSTUDIO -viewer- 3.1 E, SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.0 SE, and USB Driver.

Write A Review

Happy with dmc-gk1 (March 30, 2010)

Ease of Use		(5/5.0)
Value		(4/5.0)
Performance		(5/5.0)
Overall Rating		(5/5.0)

Reviewed By: Don M. - Redmond, WA

No regrets with this purchase. Both video and photos are great. Also appreciate the compact size, especially compared to the full frame DSLRs I see people lugging around like newborn babies. The Pana is not a pocket camera, but can be carried easily on belt or shoulder with something like a tamrac 5513.

Control layout is good with the most needed features directly accessable. Build quality and feel are good.

The only complaint is high cost, although a comporable Canon or Nikon camera and lens will now cost as much as the $1190 I paid.

So no buyers remorse. Highly recommend.

Finally a good integration of video and still. (March 05, 2010)

Ease of Use		(5/5.0)
Value		(5/5.0)
Performance		(5/5.0)
Overall Rating		(5/5.0)

Reviewed By: Melbourne R. - Colorado City, AZ

This camera does everything its supposed to, and very well too. In considering a micro 43 camera, I was concerned about shutter lag and the lack of an optical viewfinder, since my previous cameras have been DSLRs. I was pleased to find that neither of these were a problem. There is no noticeable shutter lag, and the electronic viewfinder is actually very usable. In fact, in dim light its easier to see than a standard optical viewfinder. Fast motion could be a problem for some, but I seldom use it for sports.

The included lens has a sturdy feel, performs well, and very quiet. The only thing I would prefer is if the zoom ring was easier to turn -- its a bit difficult to zoom smoothly in a video, although this may be in an effort to prevent creeping.

Image quality is on par with other 12MP DSLRs -- nothing to complain about here. I did, however, find the standard film type setting to not be to my liking. I much prefer it on smooth with one step of additional saturation.

One interesting thing I noticed when using the auto or iauto iso setting is that its amazingly conservative in the use of high iso -- something I like myself.

Face recognition is handy at times, especially for the sake of focusing when shooting video. However, it appears that I can only use it if the camera is in full auto mode. I wish it was available in all but the full custom mode.

Now for the video. I think its fairly well known that this is the only DSLR video camera that can smoothly adjust aperture and focus while shooting video, which it does very well. As to the quality of the video, Ive taken it up against a professional level 1080i Sony video camera unfortunately I dont have the exact model, and the image was not only sharper, but it had noticeably less noise. The only shortcoming I saw from the GH1 was the fact the the video wasnt quite as smooth, due to the 24p frame rate. Shooting in 720p60 fixes any frame rate issues and makes for very smooth video. However, you of course lose resolution. Even more importantly, the 720p60 setting had some odd noise patterns in low light that I dont like at all. Its a sort of flickering and banding in the shadow areas. Again, Ive only seen this on the 720p60 setting in low light. All other settings and situations seem fine.

Great Replacement to 1080i HD Camcorder (February 19, 2010)

Ease of Use		(5/5.0)
Value		(3/5.0)
Performance		(5/5.0)
Overall Rating		(5/5.0)

Reviewed By: Kelvin K. - Ottawa, Canada

I sold my trusty Sony 1080i HD camcorder in light of the recent wave of HD-video capable DSLRs. I was deciding between this GH1 and the Canon T1i. The Canon is not a bad camera, but the supported video modes are kind of crippled. E.g., no autofocusing during video, 1080p only at 20fps, etc. This Panasonic has all the features that I normally used on my camcorder. I really like the 720p@60Hz mode, on my PC it plays as smooth as the 1080i clips from my previous camcorder. Optical resolution for video, however, is lower than I expected, but definitely much better than my previous cam. 1080p@24 doesnt work well in my editing environment, and even playback of 1080p footage on the camera is choppy. Due to these reasons, I opt for 720p@60 mode. Works well so far.

Comparison Specifications

12.1 megapixels
Accepts SD, SDHC, or MMC cards
Maximum magnification: Approx. 0.20x / 0.4x (35mm film camera equivalent)
Shooting modes: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
External flash type: TTL auto with FL220/FL360?FL500 (optional)
Movie modes: Standard, Dynamic, Natural, Smooth, Vibrant, Nostalgic, WB/Standard, WB/Dynamic, WB/Smooth, My Film1, MyFilm2, Multi Film
Live View 3" TFT LCD 3:2 viewscreen (brightness adjustment: auto, power LCD, manual - 7 levels)
USB v2.0 and MiniHDMI interface

Additional Specifications

LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.
My Color mode lets you freely adjust color, brightness and saturation
Motion image (AVCHD): NTSC (full HD) 1920 x 1080, 60i/ (HD): 1280 x 720, 60p
MEGA O.I.S. / Live MOS sensor
Intelligent ISO control
Face detection, intelligent scene selector, light detection
Microphone: stereo, wind-cut: on/off
AF tracking / X-sync speed (less than 1/160 second)
Burst shooting modes: 7 pics, unlimited consecutive shooting, 3 frames/sec (high speed ) or 2 frames/sec (low speed)

Manufacturer Specifications

ISO control: Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / Intelligent ISO
Color temperature settings: 2500-10000K in 100K
Advanced scene modes: portrait, scenery, sports, night, close-up
Self-timer: 2 seconds / 10 seconds / 10 seconds / 3 images
Color space: sRGB, Adobe RGB / white balance: auto, daylight, cloudy, shade, halogen, flash, white set 1,2, color temp. setting / white balance adjustment: blue/amber bias, magenta/green bias
Battery life up to 300 images CIPA standard, 330 images with LVF (Live View Finder)
Supersonic wave filter dust reduction system
D-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1250mAh) (Included) Battery Charger/AC Adapter (Input: 110-240V AC, DC Cable is required)
OSD language: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese