Featuring a brand new sensor capable of producing 16.05-million-pixel images, could the GH2 be the pinnacle of the Micro Four Thirds system? We find out
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?
- Video: Full 1080p 24fps HD, 1080i 50/60i (30/25fps output), AVCHD, 1280x720, 30fps MJPEG
- Built-in Flash: Yes, GN 13.9m @ ISO 160
- Dioptre Adjustment: ±4
- White Balance: Auto, 5 presets, 4 custom, Kelvin, all with fine-tuning
- External mic: Yes
- Shutter Type: Focal-plane shutter
- Memory Card: SD/SDHC/SDXC
- Viewfinder Type: EVF with 1,533,600 dots equivalent
- Output Size: 4608x3456 pixels
- White Balance Bracket: 3 frames
- AF Points: 23-area, face detection, AF tracking, 1-area, touch
- LCD: 3in, 460,000-dot touchscreen LCD
- Field of View: 100% on LCD
- Max Flash Sync: sync 1/160sec
- Sensor: 16.05-million-effective-pixel Live MOS
- Weight: 392g (body only)
- Exposure Modes: Program, aperture priority, shutter priority, Manual, iAuto, 22 scene modes, 3 custom settings
- Focal Length Mag: 2x
- Drive Mode: 5fps for 7 frames in raw, or unlimited JPEGs
- Power: Rechargeable Li-Ion
- Shutter Speeds: 60-1/4000sec
- File Format: JPEG, RW2 (raw), raw + JPEG, MPO (when attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds-system standard), AVCHD
- Colour Space: Adobe RGB, sRGB
- Dimensions: 124x89.6x75.8mm
- DoF Preview: Yes, with shutter speed simulation
- Compression: 2-stage JPEG
- Connectivity / Interface: Mini HDMI, digital/video out, mic in
- Metering System: 144-zone multi-pattern sensing system
- Exposure Comp: ±5EV in 1/3 steps
- RRP: £969.99 with 14mm-45mm kit lens
- Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
- Focusing Modes: Single, continuous, manual
- ISO: 160-12,800