Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 adds full HD video to Micro Four Thirds system

[David Rasnake]

When Panasonic launched its unique, even revolutionary Lumix G1 using the newly developed Micro Four Thirds system last fall, they didn't try to hide the fact that HD video capture was in the works for a future interchangeable-lens Lumix.

Panasonic's Ichiro Kitao holds up the new Lumix GH1 at this morning's press conference.

At a press conference this morning, Panasonic revealed tech specs for its latest Micro Four Thirds camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 – and though it's hardly surprising, the big news here is undoubtedly the camera's video capabilities.

Sharing the stage with the G1
For a "new" model, you won't find a lot that we haven't seen before on the GH1. That's because Panasonic's latest shares its basic platform with the previously launched Lumix G1. As part of Olympus/Panasonic's jointly developed Micro Four Thirds system, the GH1 – like the G1 before it – saves space by doing away with the mirror box of a traditional DSLR. The result? A compact interchangeable-lens camera that operates in full-time live view mode, just like a point-and-shoot.

On the exterior, the GH1 looks very much like the G1; presumably the two are built on the same chassis, with a footprint slightly smaller than a conventional SLR.

The GH1 uses Panasonic's 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, combined with the company's Venus Engine HD dual-core image processor. Like the G1, the GH1 sports a high-res, 460,000 dot swivel LCD, and one of the most crisp and fluid electronic viewfinders we've seen on a still camera – thanks in no small part to the camera's very fast 60 fps display refresh rate.

The GH1 also uses the G1's contrast-detection auto focus system. The G1's point-and-shoot style AF was impressive to say the least, capable of speeds that matched other consumer DSLRs using typically faster phase-detection systems. The GH1's implementation of the system features 23 user-selectable focus areas as well as Panasonic's point-following AF Tracking function.

Full HD video comes to the Lumix line
Of course, the GH1 isn't just a still camera. A dedicated button on the back panel provides instant access to the camera's video capture functions. Four-channel sensor readout allows the GH1 to shoot full HD (1920x1080) video at 24 fps, joining a very exclusive club of interchangeable-lens cameras with this functionality (at the time of this writing, only the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the GH1 are capable of full HD video).

The GH1 can also shoot 1280x720 HD video at 60 fps. In both cases, video is captured using the AVCHD format, which produces smaller files than equivalent Motion JPEG video. A top-mounted stereo mic, positioned atop the pop-up flash, provides camcorder-style audio to match the GH1's impressive video capture, and users can opt for an optional external mic as well for even better audio performance.

Another key component that makes video capture on the GH1 possible is the camera's newly developed Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 kit lens. Low-noise drive motors in the new lens provide quick real-time focusing for video capture while minimizing noise that could potentially spoil a video. (Read more about the new lens in our Lumix 14-140mm lens announcement.)

G1 carry-over tech
The rest of the GH1 as presented follows closely in the G1's footsteps. As before, the GH1's Micro Four Thirds lens mount provides compatibility (including AE/AF support in some cases) with both the few compact Micro Four Thirds lenses currently on the market, and with the much broader range of full-size Four Thirds glass via an adapter.

Because of its full-time live view operation, the GH1 is also able to draw on many of the user-friendly "Intelligent" technologies developed for Panasonic's Lumix point-and-shoots. Most notably, the GH1 is equipped with Panasonic's iA Intelligent Auto mode. According to the manufacturer, iA offers an integration of several key technologies – including Intelligent ISO, Intelligent Exposure, automatic scene selection, AF tracking, and face detection – designed to improve the auto-exposure shooting experience. And iA isn't limited to still shooting, either: a Motion iA mode carries over the same advantages to the GH1's video capture function.

Pricing and availability
Preliminary information about the GH1 didn't offer clues as to when the GH1 might be available, or for how much. We'll see if we can uncover more retail details during this morning's press event.

[DavidNJ]

Can you find out if:

1) The HDMI outputs uncompressed video in realtime like a camcorder or the reduced resolution screen displayed Liveview image like the Canon?

2) If the gain can be manually controlled in addition to the shutter and aperture. If not, it will still be changing the image dynamically, also reducing image quality. The SX1 allows an AE lock, the 5D Mark II doesn't.

The first item is VERY important. The Canon records 40-45Mb/s. Even the small sensor, inexpensive fixed lens SX1 has huge detail (captures all the chromatic aberration ) However, the GH1 only records 17Mb/s, the same as consumer camcorders and less than the HMC150 and HF S10/100 which support 25Mb/s, and the Canons which support 40-45Mb/s.

The output would allow it to be captured in a very high quality (uncompressed with 4:2:2 chroma subsampling) vs the compressed image with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling. 4:2:2 matches what is captured by the Bayer filter.

[David Rasnake]

I'll swing by Panasonic's booth today and see what I can learn...

dr

[DavidNJ]

Thanks alot, I am looking forward to hearing the answer.

[xyzabcd]

If somebody still wonders about pricing and availlability here's a hint from the german site

http://www.panasonic.de/html/de_DE/2...#anker_2126474

"Die LUMIX DMC-GH1 wird zusammen mit dem Objektiv LUMIX G VARIO 14-140 mm / F4.0-5.8 Asph. / OIS ab Ende Mai in den Farben Schwarz und Rot für UVP 1.550 Euro im Handel erhältlich sein."

which translates roughly into

"The Lumix GH-1 will be availlable in black and red from end of May together with the LUMIX G VARIO 14-140 mm / F4.0-5.8 Asph. / OIS lens for a suggested retail price of 1.550,- EUR."

The german wording doesn't make it 100% clear if the price includes the lens, but I think that's obviously fact since even with the lens the price tag is not as low as I would have wished :-). I suppose the steet price will be a bit less and it will certainly be less in the U.S. and then go down from there, but it's still serious money. Now we'll have to wait for the first real judgement of the image quality from independend sources and I hope that somebody will provide that info as soon as possible ...

[DavidNJ]

( (

Still no answer...

[Bertus]

Can you find out if:

1) The HDMI outputs uncompressed video in realtime like a camcorder or the reduced resolution screen displayed Liveview image like the Canon?

2) If the gain can be manually controlled in addition to the shutter and aperture. If not, it will still be changing the image dynamically, also reducing image quality. The SX1 allows an AE lock, the 5D Mark II doesn't.

The first item is VERY important. The Canon records 40-45Mb/s. Even the small sensor, inexpensive fixed lens SX1 has huge detail (captures all the chromatic aberration ) However, the GH1 only records 17Mb/s, the same as consumer camcorders and less than the HMC150 and HF S10/100 which support 25Mb/s, and the Canons which support 40-45Mb/s.

The output would allow it to be captured in a very high quality (uncompressed with 4:2:2 chroma subsampling) vs the compressed image with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling. 4:2:2 matches what is captured by the Bayer filter.

DavidNJ
These are excellent questions, I am eagerly waiting with you for the answers. Have you by any chance gleaned the info somewhere else?

[DavidNJ]

Item 1) nothing conclusive...it turns out the be the key one.

Not the others...but I have a two new ones.

3) Does it really try to record 1080p24 4:2:0 over 1080i60? If so, there are unavoidable (mathematically unavoidable) saw tooth chroma artifacts every fourth frame. That is probably why the Canons are 30p.

If it is true, does the US camera output PAL?

4) Did any specify the number of photo sites for video? The sensor can do 4352x2448 in 16x9 for stills. However, for video that would require interpolation of multiple photo sites between pixels in the image. If they used 3840x2160 they would have an even mapping of 4 photo sites per pixel in 1080p and 9 photo sites per pixel in 720p.

Thanks,

David