Panasonic has announced a price for the forthcoming Lumix GH1 Micro Four Thirds HD-capable digital camera. The Panasonic Lumix GH1 will be available in June with an MSRP of $1499.95. That price includes the new image-stabilized Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 10x zoom lens. The 14-140mm lens was specially developed for the Lumix GH1 camera. It has a silent auto focus motor to work with the camera’s HD video capture.
The Panasonic Lumix GH1 was announced at the annual PMA tradeshow in early March and was arguably the biggest announcement of the show. It’s the follow-up to Panasonic’s 12-megapixel Lumix G1 – the world’s first Micro Four Thirds digital camera. The Micro Four Thirds format was a joint creation of Panasonic and Olympus. It uses a Four Thirds sensor and eliminates the SLR mirror for a very compact camera body and smaller lenses. The new Panasonic Lumix GH1 adds full 1080p HD video capture at 24 FPS using the AVCHD format. So far, all the DSLRs that offer video capture can only be focused manually. The GH1, on the other hand, has continuous auto focus in the video mode, making it much more user friendly. The new 10x Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 MEG O.I.S. zoom lens (28-280mm equivalent) has a silent auto focus motor that won’t interfere with video sound, a problem common with many consumer digital video cameras. The GH1 also has an accessory microphone input and Panasonic was showing a hot shoe-mounted zooming boom mic at their PMA booth.
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I’ve had a chance to use the Panasonic Lumix G1 and I thought it was pretty good. The EVF (electronic viewfinder) worked pretty well, image quality was good (much better than compact cameras and fair compared to consumer digital SLRs), and you can’t beat the compact size and flexibility. I’ve been shooting more and more video and I like the look of the new Lumix GH1 for a compact all-purpose event rig. The new silent AF lens and continuous auto focus might seal the deal for me. My experience so far with video-capable digital SLRs has been a bit mixed. The video quality is great but the usability for a hack like me is pretty poor. At least on paper, it looks like Panasonic has got it right for consumers with the GH1. I am really looking forward to testing one and I think I might just pull the trigger and buy one as soon as it becomes available.
Panasonic Lumix GH1 Price Press Release >>
Related Content:
Panasonic Lumix GH1 At PMA Tradeshow
Panasonic Lumix G1
Panasonic Digital Camera User Reviews
Digital Camera Forums
Micro Four Thirds Announcement
Panasonic Digital Cameras Web Site
Thanks for the info and your thoughts. I’m really looking forward to this camera, and being able to jump into video.
What did you mean by your statement that “for a hack like me the usability is poor?”
Bob-
To answer your question – I am a not very experienced with video. I know a ton about still photography, but until recently, video has remained an unexplored arena. But with the popularity of video on the Web I’ve found that it’s worth my while to start creating and adding some video content to the site. Then Nikon introduced the D90 and I felt like I had to start really learning. As far as usability goes, the Canon and Nikon video-enabled digital SLRs (VSLRs – can’t remember who coined that term – sorry) aren’t so great. You can only use manual focus and if you aren’t a Mac user, editing the Canon video files is a big hassle. The final quality is excellent if you put in the effort, though. But I’d prefer something simpler and with more consumer-friendly features. The GH1 looks like it might be that camera.
Want.
Yeah, Patia. I think this may be the perfect camera for you. It falls in between a digital SLR and a superzoom size-wise. But as far as performance and functionality, it’s a lot closer to a digital SLR. Plus, it looks like the video features, performance and quality are going to be very, very good.
Hi,
This is the one! i am using the LUMIX camera’s for years now, great pictures.
Started with a FZ 10, then a short period with an FZ 20 and FZ 28, and the last 2 years the amazing FZ 50.
Panasonic has chosen the rigth lenses, Leica deliveres great qualtiy.
The GH1 gives me a new still camera and a video camera.
I can’t wait until it arrives over here in Europe.
Peter-
The image quality from the GH1 is going to blow away anything you’ve seen from your other Panasonics. The larger Four Thirds sensor delivers way better low light performance and better noise control at all ISO settings. I think you’ll be really, really happy if you upgrade to a GH1.
Nice idea…but I’m unconvinced 4.0-5.8 will offer quality hand held indoor light (sports, reportage) situations without–ugh–flash. The lens needs to be at least 2.8, preferably through the entire range…as in a quality 28-200 optic–or offer the bayonet optional lens that does. No doubt a more upscale optic–but optics are still what it’s all about. I think the problem with a lot of these type hybrid cameras will be planned obsolescence, niche market, dedicated manufacturer features. All well and good camera–but 5.8 at zoom won’t cut it. Maybe I’m expecting too much…
i like lumix series cameras