GH13 Is buying a newer GH series camera really worth it?

K

Kyle Kearns

Active member
I've been shooting with a hacked GH1 for the past three years and it's been a really great camera.

Lately I've been thinking about buying a GH2, but from what I've seen/read the only real difference is maybe a sharper image and better low light performance.


The only reasons I really would want to upgrade cameras would be for:

-better low light shooting
-better dynamic range
-and better color rendering.

Do you think the GH2 is worth buying? I was thinking about just buying a speed booster to gain the extra stop of light instead of buying a new camera.

I've also heard some people say that the GH2 has slightly less dynamic range than the GH1.
 
haha. I can't really afford it right now....the only thing I can afford would be the GH2. Maybe I should just wait it out and save for the GH4?
 
haha. I can't really afford it right now....the only thing I can afford would be the GH2. Maybe I should just wait it out and save for the GH4?

Nah. Your original plan was way better. Get the speedbooster. That you can use it down the road no matter what other m4/3 camera you'll get including anything from the GH series. So that's a no-brainer move. You can't lose. Meanwhile, it'll speedboost your GH1.

Now about the GH1 vs GH2 etc.. I'd say: hang onto the GH1 and pass on the rest for now. The GH1 is doing everything you need. You'll get a bit better low light performance with a SB, and that's fine. You don't need more at the moment. Save your money. You already know the GH1 inside out. You can use it. Keep using it as long as possible and as long as it doesn't limit you. Get creative. Don't worry about keeping up with new models. One day, there will appear a cam that really picks it up onto a new level, and then you'll be ready. The GH4 is a good camera, but unless you need 4K, why get it. Here, I tell you a dirty secret: shoot some involving footage/short etc. with both cameras GH1 and GH4 and nobody in the audience will be able to tell them apart. So why worry?

I tell you when it'll be time to upgrade (unless your GH1 breaks down, of course). When the GHx (5, 6, 7, x etc.) is enough of an improvement that it's compelling. For example, if ease of use is improved, including auto ISO and various other things. When the GHx has 5 stops more DR. When the low-light performance is so good that you don't worry about noise at ISO 6400 (you don't need it to be Sony A7s levels). When it has global shutter, or at least jello and moire have been beaten down much more. And it costs $1,500. Then buy it. But for now? Stick with the GH1.
 
Skip the GH2 .. It eats batteries fast, you should hack it at have it's quirks.. Go for GH3 .. it is way better !!!
 
OldCorpse said:
haha. I can't really afford it right now....the only thing I can afford would be the GH2. Maybe I should just wait it out and save for the GH4?

Nah. Your original plan was way better. Get the speedbooster. That you can use it down the road no matter what other m4/3 camera you'll get including anything from the GH series. So that's a no-brainer move. You can't lose. Meanwhile, it'll speedboost your GH1.

Now about the GH1 vs GH2 etc.. I'd say: hang onto the GH1 and pass on the rest for now. The GH1 is doing everything you need. You'll get a bit better low light performance with a SB, and that's fine. You don't need more at the moment. Save your money. You already know the GH1 inside out. You can use it. Keep using it as long as possible and as long as it doesn't limit you. Get creative. Don't worry about keeping up with new models. One day, there will appear a cam that really picks it up onto a new level, and then you'll be ready. The GH4 is a good camera, but unless you need 4K, why get it. Here, I tell you a dirty secret: shoot some involving footage/short etc. with both cameras GH1 and GH4 and nobody in the audience will be able to tell them apart. So why worry?

I tell you when it'll be time to upgrade (unless your GH1 breaks down, of course). When the GHx (5, 6, 7, x etc.) is enough of an improvement that it's compelling. For example, if ease of use is improved, including auto ISO and various other things. When the GHx has 5 stops more DR. When the low-light performance is so good that you don't worry about noise at ISO 6400 (you don't need it to be Sony A7s levels). When it has global shutter, or at least jello and moire have been beaten down much more. And it costs $1,500. Then buy it. But for now? Stick with the GH1.
Click to expand...


+1 well said
 
If you're upgrading from the GH1 now, I would go for a GH3 at least. Skip the GH2 - it is still a great camera, but I wouldn't buy another now that the GH3 has come down in price.
 
What type of projects do you shoot with your GH1? That could make a difference in the advice you get. Personally, I feel the skin tones are a weak point of the GH1 in the sense that it creates a blue line on the transition from midtones to shadows.
Do you have an external monitor to check focus? If not, The GH2's EVF has more resolution than the GH1's EVF. The GH2 was and is legendary in terms of image quality vs. price. If all you can afford is a Gh2, I say go for it, hack it and you'll have a very powerful tool to make images with.
The GH4 has a fabulous EVF and has focus peaking. Focusing on the GH4 is way, way easier than it was on the GH1. And it has zebras to help with exposure. And a little feature called 4k. It's a pretty freaking amazing camera for the price, too. Just remember that, in 2007, the only digital camera that could shoot 4k was a RED One, and at the time the basic package was $35,000.

$1699 for a camera that has pretty much the same abilities is mind blowing.
 
leteeci said:
Go for GH3 .. it is way better !!!
Click to expand...

This is pretty good advice. If you "haunt" the buy/sell forums on this site and on mu-43.com you can find lightly used, close to "mint" condition GH3's for attractive low prices. As low as $700 although average now seems to hit around $750.

I have two of them, when I got my GH4 I sold one for $750 but it came back to me. Buyer could not work with the EVF (you have to get your eye right in the "channel") so I took it back and refunded. Put it back into service. But the GH3 is many times better than the GH1 and quite a bit better with both stills and motion picture than the GH2.

Low light performance of the GH3, especially with "fast" glass like the Lumix 20mm f1.7 or the Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4, and with the various Olympus f1.8 optics is some of the best I've seen in this price range.
 
dvbrother said:
What type of projects do you shoot with your GH1? That could make a difference in the advice you get. Personally, I feel the skin tones are a weak point of the GH1 in the sense that it creates a blue line on the transition from midtones to shadows.
Do you have an external monitor to check focus? If not, The GH2's EVF has more resolution than the GH1's EVF. The GH2 was and is legendary in terms of image quality vs. price. If all you can afford is a Gh2, I say go for it, hack it and you'll have a very powerful tool to make images with.
The GH4 has a fabulous EVF and has focus peaking. Focusing on the GH4 is way, way easier than it was on the GH1. And it has zebras to help with exposure. And a little feature called 4k. It's a pretty freaking amazing camera for the price, too. Just remember that, in 2007, the only digital camera that could shoot 4k was a RED One, and at the time the basic package was $35,000.

$1699 for a camera that has pretty much the same abilities is mind blowing.
Click to expand...

I shoot a lot of skateboarding, I've been doing weddings, some interview videos and the occasional short film....I may have a music video shoot coming up as well.

I do some still photos as well as timelapses, which is also part of the reason why I was thinking about upgrading, the noise in the photos even at 100 ISO at night is pretty terrible.

I think I may just go for the speedbooster for now and save for the GH3 later.
 
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