Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 at a glance:

• 16.05-million-pixel Four Thirds Live MOS sensor
• 3in articulated touchscreen
• Full HD (1920×1080-pixel), 60i video capture
• New Light Speed AF system
• Street price around £800 including 14-45mm kit lens

When the Lumix DMC-GH1 was released in March 2009, it was only Panasonic’s second Micro Four Thirds camera. It is easily distinguished from the preceding DMC-G1, as the GH1 uses a slightly larger sensor and has the ability to shoot HD video footage.

Yet with the introduction of the G10 and G2 models, the lines between Panasonic’s G-series cameras became a little blurred. These cameras are aimed at entry-level and enthusiast photographers but, like the GH1, both are capable of shooting video – the G2 even has a touch-sensitive screen.

The Lumix DMC-GH2 re-establishes the G-series hierarchy by employing the best features from each camera, such as the touch-sensitive screen, while also introducing some new features of its own.

These include a sensor with an effective resolution of 16.05 million pixels and a powerful processing system that enables more advanced video capture and faster contrast-detection AF. It also adds the option of capturing 3D images via Panasonic’s new H-FT012E 3D lens.

With this host of new features, the GH2 is at the pinnacle of Panasonic’s G series, but is it the best Micro Four Thirds camera currently available?