Panasonic introduces DMC-GH1 - DSLR Photo Quality and Full-HD Movies PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 03 March 2009

Panasonic DMC-GH1Panasonic has introduced the LUMIX DMC-GH1 as a new member of the LUMIX G Micro System of interchangeable lens cameras. Fully compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the LUMIX G Micro System combines a downsized body with advanced functions that achieve both easy operation and high quality. The new DMC-GH1 is called a CREATIVE HD HYBRID because it records not only high-quality photos but also high definition 1080/24p or smooth 720/60p HD movies in AVCHD format.

Supporting the DMC-GH1's powerful full-HD movie recording function is a newly developed 12.1-megapixel high-speed Live MOS sensor and the Venus Engine HD image processor, which features two CPUs for outstanding processing capability. The new LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S., which is a versatile 10x zoom interchangeable lens, was designed for movie recording by including a silent and continuous auto focusing function and seamless aperture adjustment.

The DMC-GH1 also features D-SLR photo quality. Its newly developed Live MOS sensor renders images with minimal noise even when using high ISO sensitivity. The multi-aspect ratio function of the sensor allows photos to be taken using a 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratio, all with the same angle of view.

In addition to its high levels of performance for both photos and movies, the DMC-GH1 incorporates the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, a hallmark of LUMIX cameras that now includes Face Recognition, a function that "remembers" faces once the faces are registered. When a familiar face appears in the frame, the camera will prioritize the focus and exposure to capture it beautifully. This clever function makes it easy to get sharp and clear photos of special subjects in a group of people. iA mode is also available in movie recording. It automatically selects the most suitable scene mode and helps to correct hand-shake, focus and brightness problems -- making it a one-stop solution for capturing beautiful photos and movies.

Panasonic DMC-GH1 Front

Operating ease is an important element of the LUMIX G Micro System identity, and it is highly evident in the DMC-GH1. For example, the clever design of the DMC-GH1 helps to prevent missed shooting opportunities for both photo and movie recording. To start recording a movie during shooting photos, the user simply presses a special, one-touch movie recording button. Most of the settings used for photo shooting carry over to movie recording without requiring any additional setting.

Technological advantages for 1080/24p full-HD movie recording in the AVCHD format
The LUMIX DMC-GH1 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also beautiful full-HD movies. In addition to Motion JPEG images, the DMC-GH1 can record high-resolution full-HD 1920 x 1080 movies at 24 fps (frames per second) or smooth HD 1280 x 720 movies at 60 fps in AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264)* format. The AVCHD format can record almost twice the footage in HD quality than the conventional Motion JPEG, using the same SD card. A special, separate button on the back lets the user instantly start recording movies while shooting photos without any having to make any extra settings. There are always two options to record spur-of-the-moment scenes -- high-quality photos or movies. The user can simply choose the one that saves precious memories most beautifully.

he LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. kit lens boasts a focal length of 28-280mm (35mm camera equivalent) and supports the continuous AF function of the contrast AF system for both photos and movies. Panasonic considers this function to be indispensable for movie recording from a practical point of view. This lens is also designed for movie recording use by minimizing the mechanical sound generated by the continuous AF/AE action.

The newly developed 12.1-megapixel 4/3-type Live MOS sensor is capable of high-speed 4-channel readout to support full-HD movie recording. This sensor is also advantageous for photo recording with a high signal to noise ratio thanks to a new circuit structure that is totally unaffected by the noise generated in each of the circuits. It results in clear pictures even when taken at high ISO sensitivity. The sensor also allows images to be taken at three aspect ratios – 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 – with same angle of view.

The LUMIX DMC-GH1 also features the Venus Engine HD image processor. The two CPUs in this imaging engine dramatically speed up processing while achieving exceptional noise reduction performance. The Venus Engine HD's excellent energy efficiency supports long-time AVCHD movie recording, and allows the output of both images and sounds via HDMI.

Panasonic DMC-GH1 Top

In addition to recording HD movies– a host of options enhance creativity
The LUMIX DMC-GH1 concept goes much further than simply recording HD movies. Apart from the movie recording capability of conventional digital cameras, the DMC-GH1 also features a Creative Movie mode, which lets the user set the shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive movies. Changing the shutter speed brings special effects to movies, which is especially suitable for shooting fast-moving subject. The ability to control the aperture is convenient when there are several subjects at different distances and it is desired to have each of them stand out. Creative Movie mode gives the user a wider range of expressive possibilities to explore.

iA (Intelligent Auto) mode operates for both photos and movies While featuring a host of creative options to enhance both photo and movie recording, the LUMIX DMC-GH1 also includes the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode that Panasonic developed to give LUMIX cameras the ultimate in operating ease and to reduce shooting mistakes. In iA mode the camera does all the work, leaving the user free to compose shots and capture the moment. All the user has to do is aim and shoot even in situations that normally require complicated settings. For photo shooting, the DMC-GH1 further advances this mode with the inclusion of Face Recognition, an advanced Face Detection function that recognises faces that the user has registered prior to shooting. Once a face is registered, this function will recognize it whenever it appears in the frame. The camera will then display the name that was specified for the person and prioritize the focus and exposure so that the registered face is bright and in sharp focus.

In addition to the advanced functions mentioned above, the iA mode inherits the fundamental functions that users need in a good digital still camera. These include MEGA O.I.S., which helps prevent blurring from hand-shake, and Intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motion blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves as the shot is taken. AF Tracking is also available, which lets the DMC-GH1 lock onto any subject and keep it in focus even if it moves - making it easy to get beautiful, clear shots when a great photo opportunity suddenly arises. Intelligent Exposure optimizes the exposure for each part of an image, preventing blocked shadows and blown highlights and helping ensure that gradation and details are reproduced beautifully. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically detects the five most common shooting situations -- Portrait, Night Portrait, Scenery, Night Scenery and Close-up and switches to the appropriate Scene mode.

The LUMIX DMC-GH1 now makes the popular iA mode available for movie recording. The Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) helps prevent blurring from hand-shake when using the high-powered zoom. Face Detection automatically detects a face in the frame and adjusts the focus, exposure, contrast, and skin complexion to record it beautifully. Intelligent Exposure continually checks the ambient light level and adjusts the exposure setting as conditions change, to prevent blown highlights and blocked shadows. Intelligent Scene Selector automatically switches between Normal, Portrait, Close-up, Scenery, and Low Light modes according to the situation to optimize visual quality.

Panasonic DMC-GH1 Back

The LUMIX G Micro System identity
With the LUMIX DMC-GH1, Panasonic has developed an entirely new concept in digital cameras that comply with the Micro Four Thirds System standard by taking even greater advantage of the compactness and light weight that are made possible by eliminating the mirror box. By increasing the number of electrical contacts between the camera body and the lens, the camera's expandability is also dramatically increased to maximize future potential.

The LUMIX G Micro System’s 1,440,000-dot equivalent Live View Finder retains the outstanding viewability of an optical viewfinder and can also display information about camera settings that the user can see without taking his or her eye from the subject. A clever built-in eye sensor automatically switches on the viewfinder when the user looks into it, then switches it off and turns on the free-angle 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high-resolution LCD (which boasts a wide viewing angle) when the user looks away from the viewfinder. The 60-frames-per-second Live View is made possible by the Live MOS sensor, which takes signals directly from the image sensor and sends them continuously to the LCD, in real time. Both the Live View Finder and LCD provide a 100% field of view. This allows the user, when composing a shot, to check the framing accurately from corner to corner.

The contrast AF system adopted by the LUMIX DMC-GH1 is not only accurate and easy to use, but also very fast. Users can choose from a wide range of AF modes, including multiple-area AF with up to 23 focus areas, 1-area AF with a selectable focus area, Face Detection, and AF Tracking. To deal with dust and other foreign matter entering the body when changing lenses, a Supersonic Wave Filter is built in as part of a Dust Reduction System designed to prevent matter from adhering to the image sensor.

Other options to enhance the fun of photography
The wide range of options available for the LUMIX DMC-GH1 let users customise and personalise their camera. An option for photo shooting lets the DMC-GH1 reproduce a square image with a 1:1 aspect ratio in addition to the 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 multi-aspect ratios.

My Colour mode, which was popular in the DMC-G1, is a special option that gives free reign to the user's creativity. In My Colour mode, the colour, brightness and saturation parameters can be freely adjusted while checking the Full-time Live View image to see how the adjustments affect the picture. This makes it easier and more fun to create interesting, expressive images. The user can adjust the settings that best suit the shooting conditions and his or her expressive intent, for greater photographic control.

HD photos and HD movies with VIERA Link networking
Both still images and AVCHD-format motion images recorded on SD Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV with dynamic full-HD resolution. The user simply inserts the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SDHC/SD card slot) on a VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to play the content. Alternatively, an optional mini HDMI cable can be used to output still and motion images recorded with the LUMIX DMC-GH1 directly to the TV for easy VIERA Link operation. This makes it possible to take maximum advantage of the camera's playback functions, including slideshows in which both still and motion images are played sequentially, or calendar displays and so on. Operation using only TV’s remote controller is super-easy.

Rich options for expandability

  1. External Flash: DMW-FL220(GN22) / DMW-FL360(GN36) / DMW-FL500(GN50)
  2. PL Filter: DMW-LPL62
  3. ND Filter: DMW-LND62 NEW
  4. MC Protector: DMW-LMCH62
  5. Mount Adapter: DMW-MA1
  6. Stereo Microphone: DMW-MS1 NEW
  7. Battery Pack: DMW-BLB13
  8. Soft Case: DMW-CG2 NEW
  9. Soft Bag: DMW-BAG1
  10. Shoulder Strap (Stylish) DMW-SSTG1-A/C/R/K
  11. Shoulder Strap (Woven) DMW-SSTG2-W
  12. Shoulder Strap (Leather) DMW-SSTG3-T
  13. Remote Shutter: DMW-RSL1


Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Specifications

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Image Sensor
  1. 17.3 x 13.0mm Live MOS Sensor
  2. 4:3 aspect ratio
  3. 14.0 million total pixels
  4. 12.1 million effective pixels
  5. Primary Color Filter (RGB)
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds mount
Image Processor Venus Engine
Optical Image Stabilizer Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S)
File Formats Still Image
  1. RAW
  2. JPEG (DCF, Exif 2.21)
  3. DPOF compatible
Still Image with Audio
  1. JPEG(DCF, Exif 2.21) + Quicktime
Motion Image
  1. AVCHD
  2. QuickTime Motion JPEG
Image Sizes
  1. 4:3 (4000 x 3000, 2816 x 2112, 2048 x 1536 pixels)
  2. 3:2 (4128 x 2752, 2928 x 1952, 2064 x 1376 pixels)
  3. 16:9 (4352 x 2448, 3072 x 1728, 1920 x 1080 pixels)
  4. 1:1 (2992 x 2992, 2112 x 2112, 1504 x 1504 pixels)
Auto Focus
  1. Contrast AF system
  2. AF Detective Range: EV 0-18 (F3.5 lens, ISO 100)
  3. AF Tracking/23-area-focusing/1-area-focusing
Focus Modes
  1. Single AF
  2. Continuous AF
  3. Manual
AF Point Selection
  1. Face detection
  2. AF Tracking
  3. 23-area-focusing
  4. 1-area-focusing
Predictive AF Yes (Quick AF/ Continuous AF)
AF Assist Yes, dedicated lamp
Metering
  1. 144-zone multi-pattern sensing system
  2. EV 0-18 (F2.0 lens, ISO 100)
Metering Modes
  1. Intelligent Multiple
  2. Center-weighted
  3. Spot
Exposure Control
  1. Program AE
  2. Aperture Priority AE
  3. Shutter Priority AE
  4. Manual
Exposure Compensation ±3 EV, 1/3 EV Step
AE Lock Yes, AF/AE LOCK button or Shutter button halfway pressed
Exposure bracketing
  1. 3,5,7 frame, in 1/3 or 2/3 EV Step
  2. +/- 2 EV
Sensitivity
  1. Auto
  2. 100
  3. 200
  4. 400
  5. 800
  6. 1600
  7. 3200
  8. Intelligent ISO
Shutter
  1. Focal-plane shutter
  2. 1/4000 ~ 60
  3. Bulb (up to approx. 4 minutes)
  4. Remote control with bulb function by DMW-RSL1 (Optional)
White ballance
  1. Auto
  2. Daylight
  3. Cloudy
  4. Shade
  5. Halogen
  6. Flash
  7. White Set 1,2
  8. 2500-10000K in 100K steps
WB bracketing 3 exposures in blue/amber axis or in magenta/green axis
WB shift
  1. Blue to Amber
  2. Magenta to Green
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Viewfinder
  1. Live View Finder(1,440,000 dots equiv)
  2. Magnification: Approx. 1.4x/0.7x
  3. Field of view: approx. 100%
  4. Eye point: approx. 17.5mm
  5. Diopiter Adjust: -4.0 ~ +4.0 [m-1]
LCD monitor
  1. Free-angle 3.0" Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD
  2. 460 000 dots
  3. 3:2 Aspect/Wide viewing angle
  4. Field of view: approx. 100%
  5. Brightness adjustment
LCD Live view
  1. Digital zoom: 2x, 4x
  2. Extra optical zoom: Max. 2x
  3. Guide Lines (3 patterns)
  4. Real-time Histogram
Languages English,German,French,Italian,Spanish,Japanese
Movie recording
  1. AVCHD: 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720
  2. Motion JPEG: 1280 x 720, 848 x 480, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Playback modes
  1. Normal playback
  2. 30-thumbnail display
  3. 12-thumbnail display
  4. Calendar display
  5. Zoomed playback (16x Max.)
  6. Slideshow (duration & effect is selectable)
Playback features
  1. Image rotation
  2. Playback fav pictures
  3. Title Edit
  4. Text Stamp
  5. Resizing(selectable number of pixels)
  6. Trimming
  7. Aspect conversion
  8. Rotate Display
  9. Print Set
  10. Audio Dubbing
  11. Protect
Flash
  1. Type: TTL Built-in-Flash, GN11 (ISO100)
  2. Mode: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
  3. X-Sync Speed: Less than 1/160 second
  4. Flash output adjustment: ±2EV in 1/3 EV step
  5. Flash synchronization: 1st. Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync.
External flash Hot shoe (TTL Auto with FL220/FL360/FL500(Optional))
Burst buffer 3 frames/sec (High speed) or 2 frames/sec (Low speed)
Orientation sensor Yes
Connectivity
  1. Digital: USB 2.0 (High Speed)
  2. Digital Video: MiniHDMI TypeC (1.3a corresponding)
  3. Analog Video: Stereo Type, NTSC/PAL, NTSC only for North America
  4. Remote/External microphone input: 2.5mm stereo mini jack
  5. Microphone: Stereo, Wind-cut: on/off
Storage
  1. SD Memory Card
  2. SDHC Memory Card
Power
  1. Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1250mAh)
  2. Battery Charger/AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC)
Dust reduction Supersonic wave filter
Standard Accessories
  1. Battery Charger
  2. AC Adapter
  3. Battery Pack
  4. Body Cap
  5. AV Cable
  6. USB Connection Cable
  7. AC Cable
  8. DC Cable
  9. Shoulder Strap
  10. CD-ROM
Included Software
  1. PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.1 HD Edition
  2. SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.0 SE
  3. USB Driver
Weight 385g (13.6 oz)
Dimensions (W, H, D)
124 x 89.6 x 45.2 mm (4.9 x 3.5 x 1.8 in)

 

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment

smaller | bigger

busy
 

Latest Software

News image

Nik Software Announces Plug-in Update for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2

Nik Software has announced that Viveza plug-in filter is now...

News image

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5.3 now available

Adobe has released Photoshop Lightroom 2.3 and Camera Raw 5....

News image

Apple Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.5

Apple has released Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2...

News image

Adobe releases Photoshop CS4 plug-in to disable canvas rotation via trackpad

Adobe has released a Photoshop CS4 plugin to Disable Canvas ...

Latest Canon News

News image

Canon introduces EOS Rebel T1i

Canon has introduced the new EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camer...

News image

Canon introduces Pixma PRO9000 Mark II and Pixma PRO9500 Mark II professional photo printers

Canon has introduced two new printers for professional and a...

News image

Canon EOS-1D / 1Ds firmware updates available

Canon has released firmware updates for the EOS-1D / 1Ds Mar...

News image

Canon PowerShot SD970 IS, SD960 IS, SD780 IS and SD1200 IS Digital ELPH Cameras

Canon has added four new cameras to it's Digital ELPH series...

Latest Nikon News

News image

Nikon Coolpix P6000 firmware update

Nikon has released a new firmware update for the Coolpix P60...

News image

50th anniversary of Nikon F-mount

Nikon has announced the 50th anniversary of its F-mount lens...

News image

Nikon DTOWN website launched

Nikon DTOWN is a weekly show brought to you by Scott Kelby a...

News image

Nikon introduces the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens

Nikon has announced the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens, whi...