PAL GH2 First Impressions

K

kainekainekaine

Well-known member
Got my Euro GH2 on Thursday. Some first impressions.

6400 iso is possible using the GH1 low light iso trick.

Low shutter down to 1/2 is possible in all modes (Think GH1 it was only available in 720p).

Constant preview option is now available so you actually see what image will look like.

Continuous Focus off and on is now an option so lens wont hunt when recording unless you press shutter.

Tele 1:1 option isnt available in HDMI mode.

HDMI monitor mode has no options to configure, it seems automatic, just displays as soon as you switch camera on.

Only mode that has the option of 24p 24mbs is creative movie mode all other modes record in maximum 1080i.

No AC adapter like you got with GH1.

They have moved the dial from the front to the back, which I dont like so far and it is very awkward to move as there is a ridge under it towards the right.

GH1 feels nicer, better to hold.

Burst mode now has ability to show liveview preview, so you can see what your shooting, GH1 didnt have this, it blacked out when shooting so you couldnt track an object.

Touchscreen focus pull. You can select a point on the screen in video mode and focus to it, slightly back and forth but it is good and locks if you want no hunting. Then move to another point on the lcd and focus to that. Either by clicking shutter or continuous change to the point.
 
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thanks for your review.

I had second thoughts too when i found out they moved the dial from the front to back.
 
Burst mode now has ability to show liveview preview, so you can see what your shooting, GH1 didnt have this, it blacked out when shooting so you couldnt track an object.
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This is a welcome improvement for stills shooting. Thanks for your thoughts on the camera, have fun!
 
kainekainekaine, could you clarify please what framerates and modes does the camera have? Are there 1080@50i and 720@50p there?
 
1080 24p, 1080 50i, 720 50p Pal version.
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Hopefully the 720 will be the same as it was in the GH1, as the 1080 is obviously interlaced from what I've now seen.

* Referring to the 1080 50i and not the 24p obviously
 
Unless it's hacked pretty quick, will it be better than the GH1-3 at 30Mbps?

Not much. And in some ways, not in the least.
 
Lucas Adamson said:
Unless it's hacked pretty quick, will it be better than the GH1-3 at 30Mbps?

Not much. And in some ways, not in the least.
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Should be... the numbers AND footage point to such...

Matthew P said:
I've been trying to work out what the bitrate the GH1 would have to be to match the GH2.

There's 20% less data to encode in 24p (as it's native, not wrapped in 30i).
There's a 20% boost in encoding efficiency down to B-frames.
There's 30% more bitrate than the GH1 (at default 17Mbit).

So, for the GH1 to match the GH2's video, it would have to run at 31Mbit, if my calculations are correct. Not too shabby, really, especially as it would be 100% reliable.
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Matthew P said:
Should be... the numbers AND footage point to such...
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Sure, but the GH1-3 can do 31Mbps and more wrapped in 50i/60i all day long no probs. Other than high detail static shots causing 24pN to crash, it can do much much higher than that in native mode.

Like I say, will it be better? Not much. With regard to 30 minute record limit in Europe, 3rd party batteries, 25p - not in the least bit better. It will be better in low light though, which has to be a VERY good thing.
 
Lucas Adamson said:
Sure, but the GH1-3 can do 31Mbps and more wrapped in 50i/60i all day long no probs. Other than high detail static shots causing 24pN to crash, it can do much much higher than that in native mode.

Like I say, will it be better? Not much. With regard to 30 minute record limit in Europe, 3rd party batteries, 25p - not in the least bit better. It will be better in low light though, which has to be a VERY good thing.
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you never know. maybe Gh 2.13 someday ;)
 
Thanks for this review. I don't suppose you could post a quick clip of the flickering you're seeing in the auto 24p modes?
 
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