Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Recording Options (8.00)

Like the Panasonic GF1 and GH1 before it, the G2 offers two compression options for recording HD video: AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG (MJPEG). These two options are identical to what Panasonic included on the GF1. The AVCHD Lite compression is essentially the same as regular AVCHD compression, which is popular on consumer HD camcorders. We did, however, run into some compatibility issues with the AVCHD Lite compression system. When we played back AVCHD Lite clips on our computer, the videos played at double speed, which we think is a problem associated with the 60p frame rate the camera uses in AVCHD Lite mode (the sensor output is 30 frames per second). AVCHD Lite clips played back on a television looked fine, though, so this issue only came about after we imported the video clips to a computer.

If you want to avoid the problems with the AVCHD Lite compression, you can record video using the G2’s Motion JPEG compression option. We found the MJPEG videos to have a bit more artifacting than the AVCHD Lite videos, but color accuracy, noise levels, and low light sensitivity all came out nearly identical with the two modes. Find out how the DMC-G2 performed in our video image quality test.

Format	Resolution	Codec	Bitrate
SH	1280 x 720	AVCHD Lite	17 Mbps
H	1280 x 720	AVCHD Lite	13 Mbps
L	1280 x 720	AVCHD Lite	9 Mbps
HD	1280 x 720	M-JPEG	unknown
WVGA	848 x 480	M-JPEG	unknown
VGA	640 x 480	M-JPEG	unknown
QVGA	320 x 240	M-JPEG	unknown

Video Controls (5.75)

Auto Controls

The Panasonic G2 does have a continual autofocus system, which is something that is becoming more common to find on video-capable DSLRs (especially on Micro Four Thirds models). The autofocus doesn’t work nearly as fast as it does on most consumer camcorders, but it does produce accurate results and smooth focus transitions. If you’re looking for snap-like focus changes, however, then you will be disappointed with the G2. Of the video-capable DSLRs we’ve tested, the Sony NEX-5 had the best autofocus system.

Auto exposure also works smoothly and accurately, although it only does this during recording. Prior to pressing the record button the camera will quickly change exposure levels when moving from light to dark scenes (or vice versa). This may be a problem if you are trying to plan out a shot with exposure changes. The other auto controls on the camera, particularly the auto white balance, all seem to work without any glaring weaknesses.

Zoom

Zoom is controlled by using the zoom ring on the G2’s attached lens. The amount of zoom offered is entirely dependent on what lens you have connected, but the kit lens is a 14 – 42mm lens, which translates to a 3x optical zoom.

The camcorder also has an extended optical zoom setting that can be turned on in video mode. What this does is it bumps up the magnification right off the bat (before you start recording or zooming with the zoom ring). This setting increases the amount of zoom possible with the camera to 9.4×. There are also two digital zoom options on the camera that allow you to increase zoom by 2x or 4×. According to Panasonic there should be no deterioration in image quality when using the extended optical zoom feature, but the digital zoom options will degrade picture quality.

Focus

As we stated above, the G2 does have a live autofocus function. You can also set focus manually using the lens ring, or you can activate an autofocus by pressing the shutter halfway down. Since the autofocus sometimes works slowly, you may want to use manual focus if you’re recording a planned-out shot.

Exposure Controls

Exposure can be set on the camera quite easily, and it can be done so during recording (always a good thing). When you set the exposure manually, it does take the camera a bit of a moment to adjust the levels. There isn’t too much of a delay, it’s just that the levels don’t change instantaneously.

There is no manual shutter speed control on the camera in video mode, but aperture can be set using what Panasonic calls ‘peripheral defocus’ control. This feature can only be set in movie mode and you don’t actually see the f-stop values you are setting the camera to. All you see is a little bar that shows depth of field. While this simplified system may be helpful for some users, we find it a bit odd. We wish Panasonic would include regular aperture control (with f-stop values) in addition to the ‘peripheral defocus’ option.

Other Controls

There’s no manual ISO control in video mode, but you can set white balance manually or select a specific Kelvin color temperature. The full set of color controls (called film modes) are also available when recording video. You can see examples of these color modes in the Video: Color section of this review.

Other controls that work in video include a stabilization setting, three levels of intelligent exposure (low, medium, and high), and three exposure metering modes (spot, center weighted, or multi).

Audio Features (2.75)

While the built-in microphone on the Panasonic G2 isn’t anything to write home about, the fact that the camera has an external microphone input is something rather unique for a camera of its class. The built-in mic on the G2 records mono audio and it picks up tons of extraneous operational sounds during recording. If you want to capture stereo audio, however, you can purchase the optional DMW-MS1 microphone that attaches to the G2’s accessory shoe and via a cable into the camera’s external mic input. It is unclear as to whether a third-party microphone is compatible with the camcorder, but the external mic input is not the normal 3.5mm size (it is a smaller, 2.5mm jack).

In addition to the external mic jack, the Panasonic G2 also has a wind cut feature that can be turned on to reduce wind noise. You can read a complete list of audio features in the table below.