Moving from Sony EX1 to Panasonic GH1

[Essami]

I have both cameras now and use the GH1 for second/third camera angle. But it's no match for the fluid workflow of the EX1 in FCP, and audio is a huge factor for me. The next generation DSLR's will address audio better, but for now, it's about pretty pictures. No mud issues on EX1, either, so it's a better A camera on multicam shoots. I would think music videos would have a lot of fast movement--and the GH1 and d5 are not ready for that yet with the rolling shutter issue. Think hard before you unload your EX1, which is already a perfect camera setup for everything you do.

Yep, Ive been doing side by side comparisons today and I do agree with you. For the money its amazing though. For now Im making my decision to sell EX1 purely for financial reasons and will try to get by with the GH1 for a while. Soonish there should be some options on par with EX1+Letus combo for half their current price and thats when I will have a chance to jump in to "pro" gear again

 

[Essami]

Interesting that you are finding Jello to be such an issue as others have found it comparable to cameras known for their lack thereof (RED ONE, etc.)...

Maybe firmware will help?

Firmware is up to date. The jello is definately a factor for me when shooting 1080. On 720 50p it seems to be quite alright.

 

[Gweilo66]

Anyone try that input box that tricks the AGC audio circuitry?

 

[Carlos_Nieto]

Keep the EX1 and sell the Letus. Do some more extensive testing with the GH1 and then decide to get rid of the EX1 or not. In any case, and if I were you, I would keep the EX1. I'll buy the GH1 as soon as I can to use it with my Leica R glass and some of my Canon and Olympus lenses but I'm still thinking about getting the HMC-151 or the HPX-171 to outsolve some of the issues (being audio the main one) of a combo cam like this.

 

[tony240sx]

I agree with Carlos. That's what I did. I had an HMC150 Letus setup. I sold the Letus and ordered the gh1. I will keep the HMC for anything where audio is critical and if I get a long form gig. I just didn't like the setup and weight of the rig. I feel like with the gh1 I will shoot a lot more footage than I would have before. I can take it wherever I go and get great images on the fly. I can't wait to get it.

 

[chrisccw]

That's a great idea! Let the Letus pay for the GH1 and keep the EX1. You'll have the best of both worlds. Good thinking, guys!

 

[Ben_B]

Totally.

Gh1 footage looks great but when you play it full screen it doesn't hold up quite as well as it could vs EX1...but it's still amazing.

 

[ryansheffer]

Yea. I'm going through a project I just shot in Africa which is half GH-1, half 5d. I wish I liked the GH1 more than I do. I will be selling it, especially if even half of the 7d specs are accurate.

My thought: 5d> ex1 +letus > GH1

That said - I was never a fan of the Ex1

 

[Essami]

EX1 alone never did it for me, DOF is not shallow enough and the image looks very digital.

 

[Essami]

Some very quick tests. First two shots with the same lens Canon 24mm f1.4 aperture at 2.8. Here you can see also the field of view is not that much wider with the EX1+Letus combo.

For the next three screenshots I rigged both EX1+Letus and GH1 together so I could do jello tests. 720 produces similar results to EX1 which Im happy with.

One question, how do I get more detail on the blacks with GH1? It seems to crush them a lot more compared to the EX1 and it would be nice to have some detail so I have the option to crush them in post or leave as is.

 

[Ian-T]

The EX-1’s FOV is slightly larger and the image seems warmer than the GH-1. But the GH-1’s image looks sharper (but a little darker) and is much cleaner.

 

[Essami]

The EX-1’s FOV is slightly larger and the image seems warmer than the GH-1. But the GH-1’s image looks sharper (but a little darker) and is much cleaner.

Yes, the white balance was on auto on GH1 and 5600K on EX1+Letus so that could explain the color difference. But here's shots with both at 5600K, theres still a big difference in colors.

The GH1 image looks much sharper and cleaner. I think the GH1 colors seem a little more blocky and less defined but more saturated? Or is this due the fact that there is more noise in the EX1+Letus images and that creates an illusion of more shades of color?

 

[Martti Ekstrand]

Or is this due the fact that there is more noise in the EX1+Letus images and that creates an illusion of more shades of color?

Bingo. Try add some grain to GH1 clips and you'll see.