Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Speed and Timing

The first time we tested the GH1 burst mode we were concerned, getting only about two shots per second. Then Panasonic issued a firmware update and, lo and behold, the camera now squeezed out 3.13 shots per second, not particularly quick compared to the competition (see below) but acceptable, and a hair above the promised 3 shot per second rate.

There are two burst mode speed settings, High (claimed to be 3 frames per second) and Low (2 frames per second). While you can technicallly shoot as long a sequence as you like, we found that when shooting large JPEGs the camera nearly ground to a halt after nine shots, or four shots when shooting RAW, even with a fast memory card.

There are three self-timer modes: 2 second, 10 second, and 10 second/3 pictures (after waiting 10 seconds takes 3 pictures at approximately 2-second intervals).

An optional remote control is available for shake-free shooting, but the DMW-RSL1 (about $80) is a cable unit that connects via a dedicated port on the left side. There is no wireless remote option.

Focus Speed

The autofocus system that made the G1 a breakthrough camera is alive and well in the GH1. Like the Live View mode provided with many SLRs today, Panasonic uses a contrast detect autofocus system, as opposed to the speedy phase detect system used when shooting through an SLR’s optical viewfinder. Unlike the SLRs we’ve tested, though, the Panasonic system is fast and reliable, able to keep up with fast action which would completely flummox other Live View focus systems. You can actually take the GH1 to a soccer game and shoot the action in Live View, something we’d never consider with an SLR Live View implementation.

The autofocus system offers four modes: 23-Area, Single-Area, Face Detection, and AF Tracking.

Focus can be set to single (acquires focus when the shutter button is pressed halfway and maintains that setting), continuous (attempts to adjust focus as long as the shutter button is halfway down) and manual, using a small dial at the top left. If you’re particularly worried about catching a shot,you can turn on the Pre AF setting in the Custom menu. With Pre AF set the camera doesn’t wait until you have the shutter button held down, but goes ahead and focuses whenever the camera is held still (in Quick AF mode) or at all times (Continuous AF). As you’d imagine, you take a battery life hit when this feature is turned on.

A small red aufocus assist lamp sits at the top right of the camera front. It proved more effective than we expected, given its small size. Panasonic gives the range as about 3.28 to 9.84 feet (1.0m to 3.0m) when using the kit lens at its widest setting.

When focusing manually, an enlarged focus assist display is available, though optional. It magnifies an area you select (the size of this area is also adjustable) by up to 10x, on the Live View screen or in the electronic viewfinder. There is no focus confirmation indicator in manual mode, a feature found on many higher-end SLRs. The camera can also be set to AF+MF, allowing fine manual adjustment using the focus ring after the autofocus system has set the focus automatically and the shutter button is halfway down.