China vs Japan made GH1, any quality differences?

[panamamike]

Wondering if anyone has found a difference between the China vs Japan made GH1 cams.

I must admit I was letdown when I got a China made GH1. However, I don't know what Panasonic has done to ensure QC.

Mike

 

[Cassius]

In theory there is not, and Panasonic is a company one would expect to be consistent. However, some people believe mud is worse on certain GH1's, but no one knows why. That could be the difference.

 

[emory]

According to this source, sensors made at the new Tonami plant in Japan are supposedly better than the older ones:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=34564834

The question is, do the newer GH1's made in China (and I believe the PAL versions are all made in China) have the "new Tonami sensor"?

Any "inside information" ?

 

[raymondluo]

Out of pure speculation the idea of PAL/NTSC made in Japan/China holds no ground when we've already ascertained that a simple firmware tweak (or an accidental 'upgrade' at a Panasonic Service Center) can allow a switch between formats. They are after all, software.

In any case I suspect while the sensors are manufactured in Japan, the body and hardware is assembled in China perhaps? Now we know where the strap lugs came from.

 

[MR Fanny]

i would say not the location but the date of manufacture would be more accurate in ascertaining a difference. earlier models not so consistent. could go deeper and determine what day too, friday being the one to avoid because the workers are slacking off anticipating the weekend..lol well thats how it works here in Australia =)