Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Overview

There's something more than a little familiar about the Lumix GH1. In size, shape and weight it's virtually identical to the G1. Even the color schemes are 66% the same; the G1 comes in black, red and blue, the GH1 comes in black, red and gold. Not that there's anything wrong with that — we are fans of both the look and feel of the GH1, with some stylish lines to add a bit of eye appeal and a sculptured body that fits surprisingly well in both large and small hands.
 

Meet the new Lumix, same as the old Lumix

Front

The camera grip is nicely designed, with a comfy spot to balance the weight against your index finger. The metal strip, incidentally, is purely a dash of bling, with no functional value. The camera has a single control dial, located near the top of the grip, which we find problematic. The dial can be clicked to enter exposure compensation mode, which is potentially convenient, but far too easy to press accidentally and foul up your exposure with a misplaced finger-flick.
 

To the right of the lens is the autofocus assist lamp/self timer indicator. Below that is the lens release button.
 

The control wheel positioning isn't ideal

Back

The back of the GH1 is identical to the G1 with one key distinction: the alluring red button on the top right, used to shoot video. The 3-inch LCD screen pivots away from the body horizontally and swivels up and down, a very advantageous feature when you're trying to shoot overhead, or off to the side, or from a low angle. That mounting also lets you turn the screen to face the camera body, leaving only the solid back facing the elements.
 

The controls are all well labeled and spaced far apart for easy access. The LVF/LCD button on the top left is used to toggle between having the display show up in the eyepiece or on the large LCD screen (LVF stands for Live View Finder, BTW).
 

The four-way controller is used to navigate menus, and also allows direct access to (from top, clockwise) ISO settings, white balance, FN (a programmable function button) and autofocus mode. The DISPLAY button above this group changes the on-screen display layout, the button below is used for Preview while shooting and erasing images during playback.
 

The back layout is functional and uncluttered

Sides

On the left side there are two I/O ports covered with doors that snap tightly to keep out water and dust. The smaller one at the top conceals a connector for an external microphone, the longer one opens to reveal a mini-HDMI port for connecting to a high-definition TV and a proprietary USB/standard AV connection.

 

Optical image stabilization is turned on and off with a switch on the lens.

The right side has the memory compartment, with a door the slides back and swings out to accept SD and SDHC cards.

The SD card door is unlikely to open accidentally.

Top

The new feature here is the stereo microphone mounted in front of the hot shoe. To the left of the central hump is the knob that selects autofocus mode, to the right is the mode dial. Two switches are positioned to the right of the mode dial. The front one controls drive mode, the one toward the rear is the sliding on-off switch.
 

The Q. MENU button turns the on-screen LCD information display into an interactive control panel. The FILM MODE button allows on-screen selection of one preset image style combinations; more on that feature later.

There's a stereo microphone in front of the hot shoe.

Bottom

The camera bottom includes a metal tripod mount centered under the lens, and the locking battery compartment door.

The metal tripod socket appears durable.