GH1 vs Canon T2i

J

JPUSC

Active member
Hey all,

I've been looking through DSLR footage and am contemplating on getting one. I have a HPX170, but it seems like the images from DSLRs look clearer.

I'm deciding between the GH1 and Canon T2i.

Any idea on using an external monitor for these cameras?
Which is the better buy...I heard you can get a GH1 body for $300??
Can you use a portable hard drive, like the Firestore?
Are all GH1s 'hackable'? or do you need to get one from a certain date?

Thanks!
 
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There are quite a bit of posts around here on that very subject. My personal opinion would be to go with the GH1 because of a few major points -
1. They are ALL hackable now
2. You can almost buy 2 for the price of a T2i (I think T2i's are about $600 now...)
3. AVCHD is (in my opinion...) a much better codec. And it doesn't do line skipping like the T2i so you get real HD.

Neither camera can use a firestore or external storage, and it wouldn't be a good idea to use an external video recorder because of the HD outputs on the cameras aren't very good quality. Also, the GH1 does not have monitor capabilities while recording. Just playback. The GH2 does, but its about twice as much as the GH1. Also, keep in mind that lenses are what make the cameras look so sharp. You can pick up a GH1 for $300, but you can expect to spend 2 or 3 times that at least to get some real nice glass and adapters (not to say you can't get a good image off of the kit lens or older cheaper lenses). Like I said, it's all a matter of personal opinion. But if I had the option between the two cameras (I own a 7D and 2 GH1's) I'd never use my canon for video if I can shoot the same thing on a GH1.
 
twotonepunkkid said:
2. You can almost buy 2 for the price of a T2i (I think T2i's are about $600 now...)
Click to expand...

The t3i is about that much, but a refurb or used T2i can be around $400-$500. Only slightly more than a GH1.
Now, that being said, the GH series has better video IQ (no line skipping as previously mentioned, yielding higher true resolution with less moire and aliasing), but the T2i has some pretty advantages as well. For starters, if you plan to record audio internally, the Magic Lantern suite of firmware add-ons supports audio monitoring in camera (plug headphones into the AV cable, and monitor with headphones in real time). Also allows fine tuning of audio gain levels (analog and digital), and includes a whole bunch of really cool additional features missing on most DSLRs coming from bigger cameras (live exposure histograms, exposure zebras, false colors, focus peaking, etc).
The other advantages to the Canon series are that the sensor is actually bigger (wider FOV) and there are more native lenses available for the EOS mount. They also produce aesthetically pleasing colors that some user just prefer to the GH series. Speaking of lenses, as previously mentioned as well, lenses are arguably more important than the camera body. The $300 GH1 may be the price of entry, but you may need to spend double that in good lenses to get the image you want. The stock lens is very limiting- slower F-stop than many consumer camcorders, and changes light as you zoom (not constant aperture).

That being said, the Canon series suffers from line skipping off the sensor, which results in an upsampled image (not true HD) and artifacts like moire and aliasing. Neither of these options are necessarily better than the other, they both have their pros and cons that need to be weighed. And also, keep in mind the cost involved is going to be more than just the price of the body.
 
I'll just add that some people prefer the images from the Canon, even with all the aliasing and moire: colors, specially skin tones, are an important thing to look at too
 
(silly me: I missed it in the middle of comments about lenses: lenses lenses color lenses lenses lenses...)
 
I had a T2i and sold it last year because of the moire, lack of autofocus in video mode and 12 min. time limit (without Magic Lantern).

I bought a GH2 before I got the GH1, but I'd choose either one of them for video over the T2i.

The GHs are smaller & lighter, they autofocus in video mode (with m43 lenses), and their LCDs flip forward for low/high angle shots & self-portraits. And once hacked, they rival much more expensive cameras for resolution.

Best price I could find today for the GH1 was a used body from Amazon for $400

With the GH3 on the horizon, though, if you can wait a few months, you might be able to get the more capable GH2 for a similar price on closeout. That's how I got my GH1 :-)

If you do decide to get a Canon, spend 50 extra bucks over the B&H price for the T2i and get the T3i - the flip out LCD is really useful - and so is the crop zoom mode.


Good luck with your decision,

Bill
 
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brunerww said:
I had a T2i and sold it because of the moire, lack of autofocus in video mode and 12 min. time limit (non ML).

I got the GH2 first and a GH1 second, but I'd choose either one of them for video over the T2i.

To be completely honest, though, I sometimes miss the Canon for stills :-)

Bill
Click to expand...


Yeah, if you want both a stills and video camera, go for the t3i all the way. Video is great for the cost, stills are awesome and you have access to all of Canon's lenses (natively I mean :)


If you're mainly doing video, the GH1 can't be beat in terms of bang for your buck. You can get a used one with a kit lens and a couple batteries for around $350.
 
Where can you buy at GH1 for $300? Is that a standard used 'ebay' price or the price you can get it at a store?

Like brunerww mentioned, the price I'm seeing is $400 - $600 for one (on ebay)! I read in an older post that the Panasonic site was selling it for around $300, but I can't find it.

If the best price for a used GH1 is around $400+, I'm more enticed to get the GH2 or the Canon, especially since I read they are capable of an external monitor output which the GH1 does not allow during shooting.

Also, I have these lenses. Would any of these make a good image?

Tamron SP AF, 28 - 75mm 1:2.8 Macro (zoom)
Nikon Series E, 1.8, 50 mm (prime)
Canon FD Zoom Lens 100-300mm 1:5.6 (zoom)
 
JPUSC said:
Where can you buy at GH1 for $300? Is that a standard used 'ebay' price or the price you can get it at a store?

Like brunerww mentioned, the price I'm seeing is $400 - $600 for one (on ebay)! I read in an older post that the Panasonic site was selling it for around $300, but I can't find it.

If the best price for a used GH1 is around $400+, I'm more enticed to get the GH2 or the Canon, especially since I read they are capable of an external monitor output which the GH1 does not allow during shooting.

Also, I have these lenses. Would any of these make a good image?

Tamron SP AF, 28 - 75mm 1:2.8 Macro (zoom)
Nikon Series E, 1.8, 50 mm (prime)
Canon FD Zoom Lens 100-300mm 1:5.6 (zoom)
Click to expand...

If you can afford it, the GH2 (especially hacked) is the best "value for money" interchangeable lens motion picture camera you can buy.

Best price new is about $810. Occasionally, you can find GH1/GH2 deals on eBay or, locally on craigslist, for less.

I can't speak for the Tamron (what mount? does it have a manual aperture ring?) - but I use Nikon and Canon FD lenses on my GHs and they create very nice images - still and video.

Cheers,

Bill
 
First of all, never buy anything from a no name website.... You will never get your camera and have to deal with trying to get your money back.

Gh1 don't do it , that camera is hit or miss. Especially with the banding that occurs with the footage in any low light scenario. If you are considering a Panasonic dslr, I would go for the gh2 if not the t3i or 60d.
 
vision_filmz said:
First of all, never buy anything from a no name website.... You will never get your camera and have to deal with trying to get your money back.

Gh1 don't do it , that camera is hit or miss. Especially with the banding that occurs with the footage in any low light scenario. If you are considering a Panasonic dslr, I would go for the gh2 if not the t3i or 60d.
Click to expand...

vf - when you say "...no name website...", are you talking about Unique Photo and/or 42nd St Photo? If so, you should know that their reseller ratings are pretty good - and I only link to stores I've done business with and been satisfied.

Cheers,

Bill
 
$350 is the used price on ebay (not the inflated ebay sellers)
I'm just glad I got mine when they were $375 with lens being blown out from Panasonic

I'll take banding over moire
 
I have both GH1 & GH2, and the T3i & 7D. The softer image from the Canon's work better on people, and the much sharper image from the Panny's are great for everything else.

ML works great on the T3i - there's even more features on the T2i. I especially like focus peaking. There's also a much better selection of fast zoom lenses.

The GH1/2 have workable AF, sharp video (too sharp at times), and a great choice of vintage primes - just nothing wide.
 
It's a fine camera for video, if you're ok with 1080p at 20fps and no external mic input. From cameralabs.com:

"There were however three additional operational caveats...that you should know about. First, the ‘Full HD’ 1080p mode shoots at 20fps, which is just a little too slow for smooth action, and as such, the 500D / T1i should only really be described as a 720p model. Secondly, the 1080p mode requires a fast SD card to record more than a few seconds of footage. And third, there’s no option to connect an external microphone, so you will inevitably pick-up the sound of the lens stabilisation or any adjustments to the focusing and zoom rings."
 
I had one. I used it only as a 720p 30fps camera, and that wasn't the standard 29.97fps, it was really 30fps. To this day I have problems with it's footage interfacing properly with 30p footage from the T2i or 7D.

I considered it's video implementation so horribly crippled I wonder why Canon even bothered to market that model. When the 7D was introduced I put my name in for one with B&H and as soon as I could sold off the T1i.

In addition to the awful 20fps at 1080p, and the non standard 30fps, this model had NO PROVISION for manual control in video mode. There were two "workarounds" to effect manual aperture, one involving the use of non Canon lenses with manual aperture rings and the other being the "unlock and twist" method to disconnect the electronic contacts between Canon lens and camera body.

I do not advise this model for any video application.
 
I had the GH1....I think it's a great camera to shoot video with, even with the slow 14-140. The plus side of the 14-140 is that the GH1/2 become almost camcorder like,except with a different way of holding the camera. It's a satisfying combo to do it all (stills and video) with though for just walking about. Attatch a fast lense for lower light/shallower dof and you're good to go with either one- GH1 or 2- great cameras IMO.
 
Buying a GH1 is a gamle. I've had 4 units. One of them was excellent. The others not.

GH13 is a hardcore camera. If you're just starting out with dslr's, do buy a Canon instead. There's quite a chance you'll loose interest with all the nasties that GH1 may bring upon you.

Most common problems: Fixed pattern banding (completely gone on GH2). Shadow noise/banding unless slight overexposure. Colors have a hazy tint to them on most units.
 
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