Panasonic GH1 VS Panasonic HMC150

[Nik Manning]

Ok so has anyone who was considering a HMC150 or other panasonic camera temped to switch to the GH1? I am wondering if this camera could really steal sales from panasonic video department. I own a HV20 but I would have bought a Scarlet when it was released. Now I am going to buy a GH1. Maybe 2. It seems that this GH1 is what most independent filmmakers really wanted Great DOF,Cheap recording,long recording,solid state, better than hdv format (which I think is pretty good), cheap price,interchangeable lens, and a slr. That is a pretty impressive list for a camera that costs under $2000. If panasonic released the same product in a video camera body for $7000 I believe it would have been a winner. So has anyone been swayed by this amazing digital camera?

 

[dcloud]

ill buy the gh1 as a companion to my hmc150

I've always wanted an slr but i didnt want to buy something expensive i couldnt use for work.. now i can.

 

[SPrimeau]

My dSLR camera is a Canon 30D. So, If I want a dSLR that does video recording, I'll go with a 5D MarkII, not only because of the video mode, but for the full frame still camera recording and low light performance.

But, for long video recording, a video camera like the HMC150 has much more manual controls, better audio, etc.

 

[DavidNJ]

The GH-1 will probably distance the HMC-150 by a bit, especially with HDMI capture. Bigger sensor, better glass, full oversampled resolution (It cuts down on artifacts if the Nyquist limit the filters are using is twice your output), a little less flexiblity and not quite as good AVCHD. However, if you are capturing HDMI that doesn't count.

One look at Canon 5DM2 footage tells you it is a different a different world. The GH-1 AVCHD isn't as good, but every other part of the processing should be better.

Notes: It is still an early DSLR (really rangefinder) video camera. Over the next two years other cameras will come out, many with larger APS-C or full frame sensors, more frame rates, and even better on camera capture.

But for now, the GH-1 seems to an excellent compromise for less than half the cost of a 5DM2.

With HDMI capture the images should rival the Canon, especially if a good prime lens is used.

 

[Hidef1080]

Am I the only one who thinks a still camera should take still photos?
Nikon 300 and 700. Yes.
Sony Alpha 900. Yes.


I see these dslr/video cameras as a hook more than anything else.
In my somewhat jaded little opinion there is a difference between a true pro/prosumer video camera and dslr's that can shoot video and chip size is not the main factor in getting a good camera.
How much video can you shoot on a dslr before it over heats or hits the 4gig limit?
Panasonic 150 and 170. Yes.
Red Scarlet.... Maybe but right now I don't know.
Sony EX 1 and 3. Yes.

I see these new dslr/video cameras as something I'd take with me on vacation and not much more than that if that.

My 2 cents.

 

[dcloud]

exactly

 

[Zacatac]

ill buy the gh1 as a companion to my hmc150

I've always wanted an slr but i didnt want to buy something expensive i couldnt use for work.. now i can.

Why would you spend <$1500 On a camera thats lenses are hard to find and expensive, when the D90 is right there, takes amazing stills? I mean not even caring about video, its a DSLR, much better than the GH1

 

[dkamisat]

Unless the video quality is much better than the D90 (which is nowhere in the same league as the HMC150), I agree with Zacatc.

 

[Justyn]

I too think of this as a little swiss army knife for vacations and covert productions and would use it primarily for stills and video as an afterthough. I would find the controls too bidly and too many compromises and I'm sure it'd have some jello-type video.


I want to have a bit of a seperation of church and state here. Let things function good at one thing and not be a jack of all trades and master of none..


Also having used the HV20, then I might see this camera as compelling as the HV20 is a giant PITA to shoot vith. That camera has some serious limitations, really really bad in low-light, and the worst jello vision ever. Before I sold my HV20, I was able to get the video to actually do that wayne's world flashback look.. with a bit of vibration and camera panning.. I think that if you have tollerated the HV20 and the like.. then still cameras will work, but if you have used the HV20 and are not happy with it, as I was.. then these cams will be a bit more of a carnival sideshow..


The other big issue would be how the audio would get recorded. I think you'd have to go split system for sure and there goes the fun portability nature of things.

 

[dcloud]

Why would you spend <$1500 On a camera thats lenses are hard to find and expensive, when the D90 is right there, takes amazing stills? I mean not even caring about video, its a DSLR, much better than the GH1

I do care about both the video and stills. I dont plan on going pro with stills though

 

[DaFireMedic]

No way would I give up the HMC for a DSLR right now. Too few manual controls and not practical for anything long form. It simply can't do what the HMC150 can do.

 

[John Caballero]

Ok.

 

[D.R. Gates]

Ditto everything Justyn said.

 

[13th Judas]

my first cellphone can only do voice call and text messaging. it had an added feature, though: an alarm clock. now i've got a fancy cellphone with video mode, 8megapix still and internet browsing capability. i have put together some video clips of my child using it. most of my facebook photos were taken by that camera phone of mine. i also printed some of them and they really came out nice. i also made some internet shopping using that little thing that they called phone. amazing isn't it?

now with this GH1 micro 4/3 sensor, interchangeable lens and HD video mode recording @ 17mbs AVCHD ... hell, this cam will be definitely useful to me. (but how i wish i can also browse internet through it ) but it's just me: a soccer dad

but i think GH1 can also be useful for some narrative works and interviews. with its slr ergonomics, using it for documentaries and events would be awkward. personally, i wouldn't use it for a paid gig. i'll use it for my short narrative, why not? but if somebody has commissioned me to do a feature, hell no.

the bottom line is: GH1 is not for professional use

 

[studio1972]

Does it have built in ND filters like a camcorder? That would be a really good feature on one of these DSLR video cameras.

 

[Justyn]

This is for getting great looking video at theme parks and on ski trips and such. Either way... this 10 years ago would be unheard of. Time and progress are good for the indi-filmmakers.


I believe the quality on my 400 dollar HD cam is better than the image I had on my 3500 XL1.. from 10 years back.

 

[Kholi]

This is for getting great looking video at theme parks and on ski trips and such. Either way... this 10 years ago would be unheard of. Time and progress are good for the indi-filmmakers.

That's what they all say... until someone who realizes that a camera is a camera and what really matters is the person behind it gets ahold of one or two, shoots a feature, sells it and completely smashes the mold.

You think it's JUST for vacay videos? Tell these guys that:

http://www.qmediasolutions.com/guest/CAMERA_TESTS/HEIST_Grade2_640.mov
http://www.vimeo.com/3519976

Only thing missing from that second one is 24P.

 

[Hidef1080]

Only thing missing from that second one is 24P.

And all of those other little things built into those pesky pro and prosumer cameras.

In the end it's always about the film but having the right tools to do it is where I see the difference.

I can drive a nail with a rock BTW......

Vacation. Yes.
Real jobs. Nope.

 

[Kholi]

You keep saying that like the other guys said that about "prosumer". LoL. The "Film guys".

I wonder why this trend continues to roll over on itself? It only takes someone with the vision and talent to produce content on one of these things, then the rest are all over it claiming you don't need this and that.

Sure, I won't trade in my HPX170 for a 5D MKii. But I'll sure-as hell acknowledge that the terminology "real jobs" is fading. With so many tools available and getting better, it just can't stay that way, man. No matter how bad we want it to.

I did just read 24 Redemption employed a 5D MKii with Canon lenses? Not sure how TRUE that is, we're waiting on confirmation... but would you call that a real job?

 

[Hidef1080]

...would you call that a real job?

Yes I would....
Dream job actually.rogar-Love(DBG):

No doubt things are moving at lightspeed and there will always be people doing things first and the others saying "Wow, I didn't think about that"

Let's see where this all goes but outside of a small task or someone pushing things outside of the "norm", these cameras don't stack up in my view.

I got another one for you.....

I can hit a golf ball with a baseball bat.:beer: