D90 to GH1?

1

1150A

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Still new to all this, but recently picked my brother's D90 and played around with it. Recorded a few things and edited some short videos and had a ton of fun.

That being said, I'm interested in the GH1. The D90 I'm using is great, and I honestly have no problems with it so far.. but then again, I've only messed around with it for a few days. While the D90 isn't mine, let's just say I can borrow it for a lonngg time.. :) I found a GH1 locally for a great price and am wondering if I should pick it up. How does it compare to the D90? What features does the GH1 have that the D90 doesn't? I'll be recording video primarily.

Basically I can use this D90 for free, or spend ~ 1k on a GH1. I don't mind spending the money if the GH1 has many advantages over the D90.. but if they're close in quality, saving money is always nice.. :)
 
Differences:

Plus
1. Long recording time with GH1 up to whatever card size
2. Autofocus with kit lens
3. Ergonomics - Articulating screen, dedicated record button
4. Can use many lens with adapters
5. Can record video through the lcd viewfinder
6. Framerates & 1080
7. Stereo sound onboard
8. Live histogram while recording video
9. Size and weight - lighter and more stealthy

Minus
1. Limited choices of lens with autofocus
2. No battery grip option
3. Only Panasonic battery - expensive
4. External mike input is 2.5mm - not the usual 3.5mm
5. No external live monitor feed during video recording

But, I would hang on to the d90 and wait until Feb (new models get announced) which could lead to price drops. And you can still learn video with the d90
 
Yeah if it's Free vs buying a GH1, I'd hold off...but as others have said, the GH1 just really shines in many many ways for video.
 
jamesjjs said:
Differences:

Plus
1. Long recording time with GH1 up to whatever card size
2. Autofocus with kit lens
3. Ergonomics - Articulating screen, dedicated record button
4. Can use many lens with adapters
5. Can record video through the lcd viewfinder
6. Framerates & 1080
7. Stereo sound onboard
8. Live histogram while recording video
9. Size and weight - lighter and more stealthy

Minus
1. Limited choices of lens with autofocus
2. No battery grip option
3. Only Panasonic battery - expensive
4. External mike input is 2.5mm - not the usual 3.5mm
5. No external live monitor feed during video recording

But, I would hang on to the d90 and wait until Feb (new models get announced) which could lead to price drops. And you can still learn video with the d90
Click to expand...

In my opinion the most important advantage is having manual control over ISO and shutter speed, which I can't believe you forgot to mention, like omagaw!!!!
 
My nephew came to stay recently and brought with him his D90 and some nice lenses, and the photo quality was very impressive. However, I was pleased, and he was miffed, to see just how much better the GH1 video was - simply a different thing altogether. He really was quite stunned the first time I ran some GH1 video on our 42" Bravia.
 
nice Oz.....though, the GH1's still-photo capabilities are nothing to scoff at. man, the RAW's look amazing on a large LCD.
 
I disagree, the resolution of the photos from the GH1 is better than the D300. Video - no comparison. The fact you have the option to record for hours on a single card and auto focus with a flip screen is invaluable. No other camera does these things. Very happy with mine.
 
GH1 is lighter! Lets me do unusual angle shots easily. However, if you want still more than video go with D90. For video there is no contest. GH1 wins easily.
 
Thanks for the tips everyone.

Think I'll keep using the D90 for now....doesn't hurt to learn on it, plus, the price will hopefully drop on the GH1 soon.

Unless $1k for a GH1 is an outstanding deal?
 
Nothing wrong with stills on the GH1 but the shortage of AF lenses is sad.
I had the D90 and I now have a GH1 and they don't even compare when it comes to video.
GH1 is so much better.
 
What are all of you smoking? :P

D90 BLOWS GH1 out the water! The things the GH1 has going for it is less jello, less moire, and manual control. None of this really is a problem for most projects, and if you use the D90 sensibly anyway.

The colour on the D90 and the grain is the most pleasing out of all the cameras. It's like a love hybrid between betacam and 16mm.

The GH1 looks like videotape, but with more pixels. I'm serious. It looks so much late 80s video, it even has that "colour laser printer" style grain/streak across the entire image. And when conditions are best, it looks like Living TV to me. Not that it's bad... afterall most people here like that look. But I will disagree .


If I were you I'd just borrow your brother's d90, or wait, or plunge for a 7d.
 
BandanaDan, I think it's wonderful of you to stand by your D90 like that in spite of all the shortcomings you've listed. There's a lot to be said for that kind of loyalty and persistence. It's rare these days.
 
What are all of you smoking? :P

D90 BLOWS GH1 out the water! The things the GH1 has going for it is less jello, less moire, and manual control. None of this really is a problem for most projects, and if you use the D90 sensibly anyway.

The colour on the D90 and the grain is the most pleasing out of all the cameras. It's like a love hybrid between betacam and 16mm.

The GH1 looks like videotape, but with more pixels. I'm serious. It looks so much late 80s video, it even has that "colour laser printer" style grain/streak across the entire image. And when conditions are best, it looks like Living TV to me. Not that it's bad... afterall most people here like that look. But I will disagree .


If I were you I'd just borrow your brother's d90, or wait, or plunge for a 7d.
Click to expand...

Yeah right, sure, aha.
 
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I was one of the first to buy a d90 simply because of the video recording,but after shooting video with it i found the quality TERRIBLE!!! switched to a gh1 and the difference is like chalk and cheese ,recently bought a mark II and still i find the gh1 gives the best video
 
My God, you guys are bringing back memories of film school when my peers would used to cream all over the Sony Z1 and wanted to shoot on that because it was "HD" rather than shooting 16mm. "oh no, 16mm is only standard def and it's all grainy and mushy"

This is the same argument. The GH1 is definately the most feature packed and easiest camera to use. Excellent if you're going to go into documentary, soap, corporate, weddings, or cheap porn: It's more compact, it doesn't overheat, more is in focus, longer recording times. It most definately shoots better video, but that's not a good thing for most other types of work.

Hell, I'm also including home videos. At our home we've got a GH1 and a D90. I always use the D90 to capture the moments. It makes things look more like a memory, how I saw it, rather than a doc ;)

The d90, for the price, you could buy extra lenses and support systems to minimise the jello and you could put in slight extra effort to get near manual control. Just go to the d90 board of DVX to see the fantastic work produced. And then go to the GH1 stills and motion gallery to see the other fantastic work produced. It's your choice and taste in what you believe "looks" best.


And on a more serious note, sod these two cameras get a 7D ha. The only reason why I haven't jumped ship to Canon is because I love my d90 too much and the ergonomics feel nicer in my hands. Unless somehow TVs are going to be Ultra Definition TV, I'm in no rush to upgrade. It's not like any of the current DSLRs are proper HDTV ready anyway.
 
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