GH2 - Worth waiting for?

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dominichicks

Active member
I've been going back and forth between the GH1 and the 7D for some weeks now (like many others) and I think the cause of my indecision is really because both products have serious limitations.

I don't think I can really justify the extra cash (£1250 compared to £650) on the 7D for the strength of the codec, especially since I'll lose quality slow-mo and a moveable LCD screen, but at the same time I feel like (even at the now quite decent price) the GH1's codec is a serious problem... I want the freedom to do quick movement and whip pans etc - I don't want my equipment to limit me in those ways.

Basically, do you guys think that, at this point, it's best to wait for the GH2 - and what sort of improvements do you think we can expect? If you don't think waiting is the best idea at this point, then should I go for the GH1 and work within the limitations in order to save £600? Of course the £650 GH1 is body only - which two lenses could be recommended to me - I need a good zoom lens with a wide look, and a very fast prime lens... Along with adapters etc (which I haven't really understood!).
 
There is no such thing as a GH2. It hasn't been announced, only imagined. If you have something to shoot now, buy a camera, otherwise, yet, new releases will always be coming down the pipe.
 
philiplipetz said:
or know to avoid wipe pans, complicated backgrounds, and fast action so you can film at the much superior 1080p
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The 1080m is not much superior.
Because you get much less information per second:

720: smaller image but more information per second. True 50p
1080: bigger image, but only 25 or 30 frames per second.

I found the movements in 1080 24p not smooth, which I find much disturbing.
Much better in 720 p50
 
The 1080p is superior as far as resolution & detail goes it is about twice the information as 720p. That's a big noticeable difference. You get twice the spatial resolution if you go 720 60p but that is the 'video look' that no one likes for the most part and that none of the online websites support anyway. There are no sites that support 60p currently so most people are converting to 720 24p anyway and throwing out the extra motion data. 1080p looks better on the modern larger computer screens and tv screens of today. Plus, don't you want to slightly future proof your productions? Monitors, TVs, and resolutions are only getting bigger, and soon your 720p production is going to look like VHS blown up on a 3k lcd screen (not very far off.)

Shoot 1080 24p, and if you must do slow mo or fast whips, use the 720p and uprez it to your 1080p timeline. That's the best way to go imho right now.

Don't wait for the next level of camera... you'll always be waiting and there will always be another issue. Get the camera, do what you can with it while it's hot, then get the next one when it's here.

The GH1 (now at $1300 for the kit!) is peanuts as far as price goes for the level of production you can get out of it in stills and video. Does the codec suck and need to be upped? YES. But, you can work around it pretty well till then.
 
1) Will the codec be sorted with a firmware upgrade
and 2) Will my slo-mo be good enough with a PAL gh1 (which only records in 25 frames 1080p or 50 frames 720p)?
 
dominichicks said:
1) Will the codec be sorted with a firmware upgrade
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Nobody knows. Don't count on it. And look at good footage (like "Dispatch" from MonsterFest) or "Night Light" from QuestFest, to see how good a GH1 can look. The codec issue is real, but very much overblown.

2) Will my slo-mo be good enough with a PAL gh1 (which only records in 25 frames 1080p or 50 frames 720p)?
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It would take a trained eye to see a difference. 50fps slow-mo looks very much like 60fps.
 
I think I've seen almost every video produced with a GH1 now! And yes, Dispatch was particularly fantastic. I'll be outputting to SD on DVD anyway (until Blu-ray recorders are the norm), so I imagine those sorts of issues would be masked anyway.

Good to hear about the Pal slow mo- it's only 8% I suppose.

I've decided that, at double the price, the Canon just ain't worth it for me. I'll get the GH1 and some good lenses, and when the GH2 comes along I'll get that too and share equipment between them.
 
I doubt there be a major improvement in technology other than a better codec. Which could also be why they haven't done a firmware update, if they did there wouldn't be a need for a new product.

Heck, even if they had just a pure firmware improvement, 24Mbps, HDMI out, improved lcd and no pulldown I be psyched already. Ability to use a cropped 1:85 aspect ratio? A tad bit crazy, but definitely possible- after all they were the ones who did a multi-aspect ratio sensor. That would cull all talk about DOF and churn them into the aspect ratio wars.
 
And once the GH2 is out, you'll be wondering whether you should wait for the GH3, which will be better than the GH2, of course. In the meantime the rest of use continue pioneering with the GH1.

I love my two GH1s.
 
D90GH1_eric said:
Didn't GH1 sort of like just came out? ...
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Depends on how you define "just": The GH1 went on sale in Japan in late April '09, and in the US & elsewhere in June '09 (although it was in _very_ short supply in the US until at least late Sept.)

D90GH1_eric said:
... So when do you think a GH2 will ever arrive?
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There's been no public announcement. A "GH2" doesn't exist, at least as far as the public is concerned.

I've posted some speculation about when a new version of the GH1 _might_ be announced, but it's just that: Speculation.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=194635

Panasonic could make a new product announcement any minute. Or not for several months or more. There's no fixed, public schedule -- yet.

In the meantime, the current-model GH1 is a fantastic value. But if you don't need a camera today, wait. They'll only get better.
 
I pre-ordered my GH3 at Adorama this morning. Adorama rules. 24mbps, AF-S during video, and an ice cream maker on the side.

Last night, my GH1 froze up while shooting....couldn't turn it off...had to remove the battery to reset it. Lost the shot. Thank goodness it was one of the few shots I was going to throw out anyways (some goofballs dancing)...and not a 50 minute wedding ceremony that failed at the end.

It's a scary business shooting on flash cards...but I'm learning to love my GH1. She just needs a cursing out every now and then.
 
If you are going back and forth between 7D and GH1, just flip a coin for it. You will be fine no matter which one you get. You'll love them for their pros and be disappointed in their cons. But in the end, you will look at the footages they produce and you will SMILE.
 
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