Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Recording Options (11.00)

The Panasonic DMC-GH1 has the distinct recognition of being one of the few cameras or camcorders to offer two options for compressing HD video—AVCHD and Motion JPEG (MJPEG). The AVCHD codec is the same compression system used in Panasonic’s HD camcorders and it is essentially the standard in the consumer HD market. MJPEG is commonly used in digital still cameras to record video and it is also the codec featured in the Nikon D5000. Essentially, AVCHD is the newer, more complex codec of the two, which means it should produce higher-quality video than MJPEG (it’s also the only option for recording full HD on the GH1). MJPEG, however, is simpler and more compatible with a variety of software. It also isn’t as taxing for your computer to handle, while AVCHD is notoriously difficult to edit on a computer, due to its large file size. We applaud Panasonic for including two compression options, and the move significantly improves the camera’s video recording versatility.

Using the AVCHD codec, the Panasonic GH1 offers four quality options. Only one of these options, FHD, offers full 1920 × 1080 recording. The FHD setting records HD video at a bitrate of 17Mbps. When the video is played back, it has the slow, cinematic look of a 24p mode. In actuality, however, the video is captured at 60i and then down-converted to 24p inside the camera (much like Panasonic’s Digital Cinema Mode on its consumer camcorders). This is something that sets the GH1 apart from the Nikon D5000 and Canon T1i, both of which record natively progressive video.

The rest of the AVCHD quality settings on the GH1 record at a 1280 × 720 resolution with a native 60p frame rate. These videos have a smoother, more natural look than the full HD 24p mode, but the quality is not as good (due to the lower resolution). Using the MJPEG codec, the camera offers four more quality options, ranging from 1280 × 720 video (HD mode) to 320 × 240 (QVGA mode). All the MJPEG formats capture video using a 30p frame rate. Find out how the DMC-GH1 performed in our video image quality test.

Format	Resolution	Codec	Bitrate	Frame Rate
FHD	1920 x 1080	AVCHD	17 Mbps	60i (24p output)
SH	1280 x 720	AVCHD	17 Mbps	60p
H	1280 x 720	AVCHD	13 Mbps	60p
L	1280 x 720	AVCHD	9 Mbps	60p
HD	1280 x 720	MJPEG	no data	30p
WVGA	848 x 480	MJPEG	no data	30p
VGA	640 x 480	MJPEG	no data	30p
QVGA	320 x 480	MJPEG	no data	30p

Video Controls (8.75)

The Panasonic GH1 is the first DSLR camera to offer a wide range of manual controls. The camera’s features and options for recording video are extensive and can be rather overwhelming and complicated for first-time users. Still, it is exciting to finally see a DSLR camera that gives you the opportunity to precisely adjust and control the video image. Not to mention, all controls can be adjusted either before shooting has begun or during video recording—something that many dedicated camcorders don’t even allow for.

Auto Controls

Another feature that separates the GH1 from the rest of the DSLR crowd is its ability to perform a live autofocus while shooting video. While autofocus is a staple of any consumer camcorder, it has been noticeably lacking on video-capable DSLRs. The GH1 solves this issue by providing numerous auto focus modes and a sharp, accurate focusing system. Our only complaint was that the auto focus mechanism occasionally worked too slowly, but it wasn’t too bad most of the time.

Auto focus can be set to face detection, 23-area weighted, and spot. With face detection, the camera hones in on faces within the video frame and focuses the subjects correctly. The 23-area weighted focus makes numerous measurements within the frame in an attempt to provide the best focus for the entire image. Spot focus allows you to pick one spot on the screen (by moving a small box with the d-pad) and the camera will use that specific area to determine focus.

Auto exposure on the GH1 also worked pretty darn well. The camera produced smooth adjustments between light and dark, although we occasionally noticed an ND filter automatically clicking on when we pointed towards the sky or brightly-lit subjects. The camera’s metering mode can be set to center weighted (bases exposure on the center of the frame), spot (like spot focus), or multiple (makes exposure adjustment based on brightness of entire frame).

Video can be recorded in any of the GH1’s shooting modes. This means the various scene modes on the camera can also be used in conjunction with video. You don’t have full access to manual video controls unless the camera is in Creative Motion Picture mode, however. The various scene modes available for use with video are Sunset, Party, Baby, Pet, Night Portrait, Close-up, Sports, Scenery, and Portrait.

Zoom

The amount of zoom available on the GH1 is entirely dependent on what lens you have attached to the camera. The kit lens is a Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm, which features a 10x optical zoom. There are a number of lenses available that fit Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds mount system, however, so if you want a different zoom ratio you can always buy an additional lens.

Zoom is adjusted using the inner lens ring on the GH1’s lens. It is pretty comfortable to adjust zoom this way, but it does require the use of two hands and it isn’t as simple as the tiny zoom toggles featured on most consumer camcorders. The lens ring does make for more accurate adjustment, though, and the numerical listings on the lens itself makes it easy to replicate zoom lengths. The camera also has a 2x and 4x digital zoom option, but you have to go into the menu to turn them on and off (they are not controlled with the lens ring).

Focus

There are a lot of focusing options on the GH1. We must reiterate that the most impressive focus control on the camera is its ability to produce a live autofocus—something that both the Nikon D5000 and Canon T1i were not capable of doing. We tested the GH1 with another Micro Four Thirds lens and the live autofocus continued to work well, although it seemed to take a bit longer than with the kit lens.

You can also use the lens ring to perform a manual focus, just like you would on a regular DSLR camera. There’s a focus assist setting that can be engaged when you use manual focus. The assist simply adds a digital zoom while you focus so you can get a better look at your subject as you rotate the focus ring. Strangely, the camera’s default setting doesn’t engage live auto focus until you start recording. You can turn on pre-recording auto focus in the camera’s menu, however. AF tracking is not available in video mode.

Exposure Controls

In Creative Motion Picture mode (the icon with a camcorder and an ‘M’ on the mode dial), the GH1 allows you to set exposure, aperture, and shutter speed. Each can be set independently or adjusted as priority settings (i.e. aperture-priority and shutter-priority). Aperture can be set with a range of f/4 – f/22 and you can even adjust the settings while video is being shot. The same goes with shutter speed, which can be set as low as 1/30 of a second and as high as 1/4000 of a second. We’re a bit disappointed that Panasonic didn’t include any ultra-slow shutter speeds in manual mode, but the absence isn’t that significant. Exposure can be set when the camera is in Program mode, Aperture-priority, or Shutter-priority mode, although it cannot be controlled in full Manual mode. All of these settings are manipulated by rotating the adjustment dial on the front of the camcorder (below the shutter button).

The AF/AE lock button can be used in Program mode or any auto mode if you want to lock the camera’s exposure level so it doesn’t change while you move the camera around during recording. You can also turn Intelligent Exposure controls on, which are designed to improve scenes that have a lot of contrast.

Other Controls

The GH1 has so many manual controls for video, it even includes ISO. ISO, which is just like gain for camcorders, can be set to auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, or 1600 on the GH1. You can even notice the boost it gives the video as soon as you change the values. The camera has the same white balance settings for video as it does for still images—including two manual settings, auto controls with four presets, color temperature adjustment, and direct Kelvin control from 2500K to 10,000K.

There’s also the film mode options, which we went over in our color testing. These film modes allow you to adjust picture controls and fine tune your image using contrast, sharpness, saturation, and noise reduction (each offering -2 to +2 adjustment). Also available in video mode is a live histogram, three different guide line options for framing, and optical image stabilization.

Audio Features (3.00)

The Panasonic GH1 has a built-in stereo microphone that will record audio in conjunction with video and can also be used to record voice memos or sound while taking still photographs. The camera also includes a 2.5mm external microphone jack, which is something not present on the Canon T1i or Nikon D5000. Using the external mic jack, the optional DMW-MS1 microphone can be mounted to the camera’s accessory shoe. This external microphone jack gives the GH1 professional audio options, although the camera is still rather limited when it comes to audio features. The camera has no manual audio level adjustment or audio level display. On a positive note, there is a wind cut feature that offers three levels of wind noise reduction.The GH1 also has an audio dub feature that allows you to add audio to a selection of photographs or video after you’ve shot them.

The built-in mic is located on the top of the camera, which is out of the way from wandering fingers or noisy adjustment dials. It does, however, point straight up, so the audio it picks up up may not necessarily be coming from the subject that you’re shooting. Still, the fact that the camera has a stereo mic that actually records quality audio makes the GH1 a far better audio device than the rest of the video-capable DSLRs out there. Unfortunately, the built-in speaker for playing back audio is only monaural, so you’ll have to hook up the camera to a computer or television to hear your stereo sound.