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Review Summary
2013-03-25T21:00:00
I picked this up because of all the good things I have heard about the GH2 for video. I am new to this and wanted something relatively cheap that could get me started. It has exceeded my expectations.
Brent L.
2012-04-24T21:00:00
This is my 2nd GH2, a backup body for failure-is-not-an-option gigs. There are better still cams; there are better video cams; but there are no better all-in-one stills+video cams. The GH2's video surpasses that of all other video-capable still cams to date (with the possible exception of the Nikon D800), and especially in good light its stills are superb. Its controls are somewhat fiddly and its back-panel buttons are too easily pressed when simply trying to grasp the camera; I sometimes find I've changed ISO, WB, or the display mode unintentionally just from picking up the camera. But the EVF is superb, and the flip-out, swing-around LCD makes odd-angle shots a piece of cake. High-ISO JPEGs (3200+) suffer slightly from over-aggressive NR, and the camera is a bit limited in dynamic range; highlights blow out a stop or two sooner than with my Canon 5D Mk II. Aside from that I can't find fault with the GH2's pictures. The 14-42mm is the nastiest lens I've ever handled: its grindy plastic-on-plastic zoom and focus rings just feel awful. Its pictures, though, are a lot better than the build quality would lead you to believe, and the lens is exceedingly light; it will probably become my standard walkaround lens when I feel that the 14-140mm would be too heavy or bulky. Fast glass is a bit hard to come by; there are no f/2.8 or faster zooms for MFT cams at this time (April 2012). There are however some reasonably fast primes. I covered NAB this year using the Nokton 25mm f/0.95 and the Olympus 12mm f/2 and 45mm f/1.8; along with the GH2 body, they weighed less and took up less space than my 5D Mk II with a single zoom... and when one is walking continuously for four days straight while carrying gear, that makes a difference. If it sounds like I'm complaining, I'm not, really; I just felt it was more useful to list those few limitations I've run across when using this otherwise-capable camera. I use my Canon 5D Mk II for studio stills and for location work when low-light image quality is paramount. For everything else, I use the GH2.
Adam W.
2012-04-23T21:00:00
I am still learning to use it but love it....so far.
davinsgram
2011-09-05T21:00:00
Really like this camera, only have two things missing and they are minor. I have the GH1 and the GH2. I use them for Video. I had expected them to use the same G series batteries... note, the GH2 uses a whole new battery. The other draw back is that this camera did not come with a ac adapter like the GH1 did, so you will need to get that if you want to be able to run for long periods battery free.
FMCUSA
2011-09-03T21:00:00
Excellent video capability with great stabilization so can hand hold. Overly complex menu, small body means my big hands push buttons accidentally and can't figure out what I did. But over all it is a great camera. Ideal to go on nature works so that you can photograph unobtrusively. If I really want to get wildlife photos, I use a Canon Mark IV. :)
CHRISTIE C.
2011-05-26T21:00:00
I was lucky enough to purchase one of these just after Christmas and only a week before going to Nicaragua for 3 months. The camera is incredible and was exactly what I was looking for- something that could easily take great stills and at the same time function as a powerful but compact camera for filming amateur documentary work. I purchased this along with the Panasonic external microphone and could all this gear and a computer in a normal backpack. Not only is the camera light and compact but it takes amazing video with excellent audio in a package that is the ultimate for shooting discreet documentary footage. I have previous experience with more complex shoulder mounted cameras. The Gh2 is far simpler and yet has plenty of depth for those who want something more substantial. Incredible and I look forward to seeing more like this from Panasonic.
Nica
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16.05 megapixels
17.3 x 13.0mm Live MOS sensor
Still Image: JPEG (DCF, Exif 2.3), RAW, DPOF compatible MPO (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard)
Motion Image: AVCHD/QuickTime Motion JPEG
[4:3] 4,608 x 3,456 (L), 3,264 x 2,448 (M), 2,336 x 1,752 (S), 1,920 x 1,440 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard)
[3:2] 4,752 x 3,168 (L), 3,360 x 2,240 (M), 2,400 x 1,600 (S), 1,920 x 1,280 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard)
[16:9] 4,976 x 2,800 (L), 3,520 x 1,980 (M), 1,920 x 1,080 (S), 1,920 x 1,080 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard)
[1:1] 3,456 x 3,456 (L), 2,448 x 2,448 (M), 1,744 x 1,744 (S), 1,792 x 1,792 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard)
[4:3] VGA: 640 x 480, 30 fps / QVGA: 320 x 240, 30 fps
[16:9] WVGA: 848 x 480, 30 fps
[HD] 1,280 x 720, 30 fps
sRGB, Adobe RGB
(Still Image & Movie) Expressive / Retro / Pure / Elegant / Monochrome / Dynamic Art / Silhouette / Custom (Color / Brightness / Saturation adjustable)
Color: Standard / Dynamic / Smooth / Nature / Nostalgic / Vibrant
Black and White: Standard / Dynamic / Smooth
Others: My Film 1 / My Film 2 / Multi Film / Cinema
Mega O.I.S. in compatible lenses
Not included in this body only version
3x 28-84mm (35mm equivalent)
Micro Four Thirds mount
Contrast AF system
1' (0.3 m) to infinity
Auto / Intelligent ISO / 160 / 200 / 250 / 320 / 400 / 500 / 640 / 800 / 1000 / 1250 / 1600 / 2000 / 2500 / 3200 / 4000 / 5000 / 6400 / 8000 / 10000 / 12800
1/4,000 - 60 and Bulb (up to approx. 2 minutes)
144-zone multi-pattern sensing system
Program AE / Aperture Priority AE / Shutter Priority AE / Manual / Auto
Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash / White Set 1, 2, 3, 4 / Color temperature setting 2,500 K - 10,000 K in 100 K, with Blue/amber bias, Magenta/green bias adjustment and white balance bracket--3 exposures in blue/amber axis or in magenta/green axis
SH: 40 frames/sec (4M), H: 5 frames/sec, M: 3 frames/sec (with Live View), L: 2 frames/sec (with Live View) 7 recordable images (when there are RAW files with the particular speed) and unlimited consecutive shooting (when there are no RAW files) (depending on memory card size, battery power, picture size and compression)
10 sec, 3 images / 2 sec / 10 sec
Remote control with bulb function by DMW-RSL1 (Optional)
Yes
Hot-shoe: TTL Auto with FL220 / FL360 / FL500 (Optional)
TTL Auto with FL220 / FL360 / FL500 (Optional)
Less than 1/160 second
SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
AVCHD / QuickTime Motion JPEG
Yes
Motion JPEG: [4:3] VGA: 640 x 480, 30 fps / QVGA: 320 x 240, 30 fps, [16:9] WVGA: 848 x 480, 30 fps, [HD] 1,280 x 720, 30 fps
NTSC: [Full HD] 1,920 x 1,080, 24p (24H: 24Mbps, 24L: 17Mbps), [Full HD] 1,920 x 1,080, 60i (sensor output is 60p) (FSH: 17 Mbps, FH: 13 Mbps), [HD] 1,280 x 720, 60p (sensor output is 60p) (SH: 17 Mbps, H: 13 Mbps)
PAL: [Full HD] 1,920 x 1,080, 24p (24H: 24 Mbps, 24L: 17Mbps), [Full HD] 1,920 x 1,080, 50i (sensor output is 50p) (FSH: 17 Mbps, FH: 13 Mbps), [HD] 1,280 x 720, 50p (sensor output is 50p) (SH: 17 Mbps, H: 13 Mbps)
AVCHD with picture quality set to [FSH]: Approx. 70 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 65 min with H-VS014140Motion JPEG with picture quality set to [HD]: Approx. 75 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 70 min with H-VS014140
Live View Finder (1,533,600 dots equivalent)
Approx. 100%
3" TFT LCD with Touch panel with 460,000 dots
Yes
USB 2.0 High Speed, AV output, mini HDMI TypeC, 2.5 mm, stereo mini jack stereo mic input
32 deg.F to 104 deg.F (0 deg.C to 40 deg.C)
ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1,200mAh) (Included)Battery Charger
Camera body: 4.88 x 3.53 x 2.98" (12.4 x 8.96 x 7.58 cm)
Lens: 2.5 x 2.39 x 2.39" (6.36 x 6.06 x 6.06 cm)
Camera Body only: 13.82 oz (392 g)
Incredible
By Nica
I was lucky enough to purchase one of these just after Christmas and only a week before going to Nicaragua for 3 months. The camera is incredible and was exactly what I was looking for- something that could easily take great stills and at the same time function as a powerful but compact camera for filming amateur documentary work. I purchased this along with the Panasonic external microphone and could all this gear and a computer in a normal backpack. Not only is the camera light and compa...
View full Review
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Digital Camera has a large 17.3 x 13.0mm Live MOS sensor that records 16.05MP of high resolution goodness, (lens not included in this version) 1920 x 1080 60i HD Video with Dolby stereo sound, a multi-function Touch Screen for control of both stills and video and extremely fast auto focus in a camera 1/3 smaller (4.88 x 3.53 x 2.98"/12.4 x 8.96 x 7.58 cm) and lighter (13.82 oz/392 g) than most DSLRs.
It has MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) to eliminate blurry photos from low shutter speeds/shaky hands, a 3" free-angle LCD with 460,000 dots, high sensitivity up to ISO 12800 and an advanced dust reduction system to protect image quality. RAW capability in still images gives you ultimate control for the best pictures possible.
There's a lot more, of course. Like 3D shooting capability with the Lumix G 12.4mm/F12 interchangeable lens, a built-in flash with 1st and 2nd curtain sync and iA (Intelligent Auto) mode that makes all settings automatically to give you optimal results without worrying about shutter speeds or exposure. Both stills and video can be customized with Scene and Color modes for a vast range of creative options.
A Cinema mode allows you to shoot 1080/24p video with 24Mbps, a Variable Movie mode lets you choose the frame rate, from 80% to 300%, there are a variety of color modes (including 3 different black and white settings) and, you can even shoot a high resolution 14MP photo at the touch of the shutter button, while recording video! A wide range of optional accessories such as an external stereo microphone, a zoom lever for smoother zooms in video recording, external flash, HDMI cable, etc. might make the DMC-GH2 just right for you.