Differences between GH1 & GH2

Compared to GH1 - key differences

The GH2 might look very similar to a casual glance but there are some major differences between the two models. Let's have a look at the main changes:

New sensor - multi-aspect Live MOS with 18.3 million total pixels
ISO range 160 - 12800 (vs 100-3200)
Sensor capable of 1080p at 60 or 50 fps (rather than 24 or 25 fps), still output as 60i/50i
Faster sensor read-out promises faster AF and smoother viewfinder image (less tearing)
Larger EVF coverage to match multi-aspect shooting (852 x 600 rather than 800 x 600 pixels)
Touch-sensitive LCD screen (same as G2)
New, more modern looking menu screens
G2-style combined AF mode/pattern control on top plate
Direct movie shooting button moved to top plate from rear of camera
Control dial moved from front of handgrip to rear of camera
Dedicated metering and 'film mode' buttons replaced by highly customizable Fn buttons
Q menu button moved from top plate to rear of camera
New battery (DMW-BLC12E) with fractionally smaller capacity (1200mAh vs 1250mAh)
Slightly heavier (394g compared to 385g body only)

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcgh2/
 
Or should I buy a hackable GH1? Want a second cam to the AF100 and not really into what these GH13, GH1, GH2's offer.
 
You know there are way too many differences to list here. I will just list the ones that are entirely new.

16 megapixel sensor vs. 12 megapixel sensor
Touch Screen LCD vs. Non touch screen LCD
Supports autofocusing for almost all 4/3s lenses vs. supports autofocus on only a few 4/3s lenses
Fastest light speed Autofocus(Whatever that means) vs. Less than the fastest light speed autofocus
MAX ISO 12800 vs. MAX ISO 3200 for stills
MAX Video ISO 3200 vs. MAX Video ISO 1600
5 FPS 16 megapixel capture vs. about 2.5 FPS
40 FPS 4 megapixel capture for up to 40 frames using a silent electronic shutter vs. "N/A"
True 1080i/60 video vs. 1080i/24p video
True 1080p/24 video vs. 1080i/24p video
Realtime lossless HDMI output while recording video vs. HDMI output of playback only
2.6x and 3.9x Theoretically lossless Extra Teleconversion feature for 1080i/1080p and 720p video respectively vs. 2x or 4x lossy digital zoom
Rear mounted Control wheel vs. Index finger placement Front mounted Control Wheel
Intelligent Resolution for both video and stills vs. no Intelligent Resolution for stills or video
DMW-BLC12 battery with extra special 3rd party detection vs. DMW-BLB13 battery which does not neccessarily have 3rd party detection
 
Last edited:
swanny said:
Or should I buy a hackable GH1? Want a second cam to the AF100 and not really into what these GH13, GH1, GH2's offer.
Click to expand...

If you are getting an AF100 and you don't know the differences between a GH1 and GH2 then maybe you should be asking yourself do you really know the differences between an AF100 and a GH2? The difference in price between the GH1 and GH2 is insignificant when compared to the price difference between a GH2 and the AF100.
 
I know the upsides of the AF100 compared to the GH2, and what it offers that the GH2 does not, which outweighs the price for me. The GH2 is cheaper BEFORE making it ready to shoot. I don't want to get in this DSLR vs AF100 debate again. The offerings of the AF100 are great in the price point, in my opinion. I just want to know which, out of the GH1 and GH2 is worth the money. The AF100 is a better looking to tool to ME. You may be different, but I want the offerings of a VIDEO camera for the majority of my shooting. I know this is blasphemy here in the DSLR forum.
 
By all means, enlighten me on the things the GH2 offers that the AF100 does NOT....NOT being the key word. This is not meant to sound like I'm bashing the GH2. I just wanted to ask, since there may be things that I don't know the GH2 can do, that would give it a leg up over the AF100.
 
swanny said:
By all means, enlighten me on the things the GH2 offers that the AF100 does NOT....QUOTE]

GH2 can

1. Take full resolution stills. Which can be shot in RAW.
2. Sensor crop mode while shooting video, allowing use of c-mount lenses, and extreme telephoto capability. This is cool!

AF100 cannot do these.
Click to expand...
 
I know this is an old thread but much has happened hacking happened since then and both cameras have had their full potential maximized. Since I´ve been toying with the idea of the a GH camera for shooting video I would really like to hear what else do people have to say.
- If both cameras are hacked is there any difference in IQ?
- If both cameras are hacked is there any difference in sound?
- Does one have more sound controls over the other?
- With the hack is it now possible for the GH1 to output image via HDMI while shooting?
- Do either of these cameras have a zoom in manual focus assist? In the NEX system you click a button and you see the image magnified on the LCD so you can manually focus.
- Any other relevant differences?
 
rawfa said:
I know this is an old thread but much has happened hacking happened since then and both cameras have had their full potential maximized. Since I´ve been toying with the idea of the a GH camera for shooting video I would really like to hear what else do people have to say.

- If both cameras are hacked is there any difference in IQ?
Click to expand...

My GH1 and GH2 are unhacked - but I predict that you will get advocates for both the GH13/17 and the hacked GH2 for "best" IQ. To me, that means they're both pretty darned good.

rawfa said:
- If both cameras are hacked is there any difference in sound?
Click to expand...

The hacks don't defeat AGC. There is the option to increase the audio bit rate, but the GH1's AGC is still a problem.

rawfa said:
- Does one have more sound controls over the other?
Click to expand...

The GH2 has a 4 level AGC that allows you to turn down the input level and eliminate a lot of background noise. The GH2 also has on screen LED audio meters. The GH1 has no sound controls and no onscreen audio level meters.

rawfa said:
- With the hack is it now possible for the GH1 to output image via HDMI while shooting?
Click to expand...

No.

rawfa said:
- Do either of these cameras have a zoom in manual focus assist? In the NEX system you click a button and you see the image magnified on the LCD so you can manually focus.
Click to expand...

The GH2 has a similar magnification feature for manual focus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEn9ISykI4Q
The GH1 does not.


rawfa said:
- Any other relevant differences?
Click to expand...


The GH2 produces better images in low light, even after the hack. And, independent of the hack, the GH2 has an Extended Tele Converter sensor crop mode that gives you a relatively clean 2.6x magnification on all of your lenses. The GH1 does not.

Both are great cameras, but if I was buying a GH for the first time, and I could afford it, I would buy the GH2.

Bill
 
GH1 has the same manual focus assist magnification as the GH2, it is just activated from a different button. On the GH1 pressing the leftmost navi button (left from Menu button) in manual focus mode activates about 5x magnification. I have not checked if the magnification ratio can be changed, because it is already excellent focus aid.

GH1 is a good low cost entry to GH cameras. It can not achieve the same as GH2, but often I see GH2 material that I am sure the GH1 would have produced similarly. Then again, as often I see GH2 material that the GH1 could not produce. The same problems that plague GH1 exist in GH2, just in lesser magnitude. Banding and posterization as well as low color resolution can not be fixed by the hacks, they are camera features that need to be addressed using suitable filming and grading techniques.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top