Panasonic GH2 w/ 1:1 Cropping, etc. = Ultimate Still/Video Hybrid

[treehorn]

Thanks to everybody in this thread, first of all....

It came right on the heels of someone telling me how my boss should get a DSLR to augment his camera 'library,' and while the information and links here made me realize that a DSLR wouldn't work for anything we do (too shallow a depth of field, too slow a response to changes in light, too limited in length of time one can record), it would be something for me to look into for myself.

And this seems like a perfect "It would be good everywhere - especially vacations" camera.

B&H has started pre-ordering and I'm curious what people think would be the best lens options. Everything I read mentions the 14mm pancake lens and the 100-300mm zoom lens as being a great combo. Nothing has been written at all about the 14-42mm Hybrid lens that usually comes with it (unless you order it with the zoom lens). Is 'stock' lens worth getting, or should one get it with the zoom and get the pancake lens as the secondary?

 

[fivepoint]

Full thorough review by CameraLabs:
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_GH2/index.shtml

he Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 delivers one of the most satisfying and uncompromised experiences from a hybrid camera to date. Still photo quality is as the best we've seen from the Micro Four Thirds standard and keeps-up with APS-C sensors at low to mid sensitivities even with its boost in resolution, while autofocus is very snappy, proving contrast-based systems can actually out-perform phase-change systems while avoiding potential front and rear focusing errors.

The video is the real highlight though, with the GH2 sporting Full HD capture with 24p and variable speed options, genuine continuous autofocus, manual exposure control, and very neat touch-screen focusing which lets you pull-focus between subjects without changing the composition or turning a manual focusing ring. And thanks to the design of the lenses, the autofocusing is quiet too. The absence of a motorised zoom aside, the movie experience is as usable as a modern camcorder, but with the benefit of a big sensor and interchangeable lenses.

Like all hybrid cameras, you'll find areas where a more specialised model will out-perform it. The 100% Live View system isn't suited to following fast or unpredictable action, and the continuous shooting speed is slow when coupled with continuous AF. In very low light, the electronic viewfinder becomes slower and noisy, and at high sensitivities, a good APS-C camera will deliver cleaner results. The bottom line is if you're into action or low light photography, you'll find a traditional DSLR preferable.

But for stills under general conditions, the GH2 performs very well with clean, detailed images and the benefit of the ultra-fast AF system mentioned earlier. And again the movie capabilities are some of the best we've tested to date.

If you want a camera that's good for day-to-day stills and excellent for video, the GH2 is therefore an ideal choice, but you should also compare it closely with its big hybrid rivals from Sony, the Alpha SLT A33 and A55. Each delivers faster continuous shooting, built-in stabilisation, an array of clever shooting modes, and in the case of the A55, built in GPS, all at a comfortably lower price point. But again in our side-by-side tests, the Lumix GH2 delivered a more sophisticated experience, especially for movies. So if video is your priority in a hybrid camera, it's worth spending the extra on the Lumix GH2 - it easily earns our Highly Recommended rating as one of the most successful hybrid cameras we've tested, and one that's a joy to use.

Overall:
Build quality: 18 / 20
Image quality: 16 / 20
Handling: 17 / 20
Specification:18 / 20
Value: 17 / 20

86%

Thanks to everybody in this thread, first of all....

B&H has started pre-ordering and I'm curious what people think would be the best lens options. Everything I read mentions the 14mm pancake lens and the 100-300mm zoom lens as being a great combo. Nothing has been written at all about the 14-42mm Hybrid lens that usually comes with it (unless you order it with the zoom lens). Is 'stock' lens worth getting, or should one get it with the zoom and get the pancake lens as the secondary?

I'm planning on getting the 14-140 kit lens then adding a 20mm 1.7 Pancake for faster work. the 14-140 is supposed to be the ultimate video lens with it's quite auto focusing, etc. I've read many people taking this route for their first two lenses.

 

[Chaos123x]

Check this out the Gh2 beats the AF100!

http://www.eoshd.com/content/549-Panasonic-GH2-AF100-pixel-peeped-AF100-loses

 

[fivepoint]

Check this out the Gh2 beats the AF100!

http://www.eoshd.com/content/549-Panasonic-GH2-AF100-pixel-peeped-AF100-loses

Just read that yesterday... amazing how much better the GH2 did considering the price of the competing equipment. Wow. Biggest problem with this rig at the moment seems to be that you can't find them anywhere to purchase!

 

[fivepoint]

A couple of new reviews...

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/digital_cameras/panasonic/lumix_dmc-gh2/376869

The bottom line is that the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH2 Micro Four Thirds camera is an excellent product. Its combination of manual and automatic features make it ideal for any type of user and if you want to make the most of its manual features the learning curve isn't too high -- all the manual features you'll need to change will be right at your fingertips. It takes clear and vibrant images and its video mode is also very good (as long as you keep the camera still). Basically, if you're in the market for an interchangeable lens camera that can capably shoot Full HD video, the GH2 is well worth considering.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2011/02/14/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GH2/p1

The GH2 is an incredibly versatile camera, offering image quality that comes close to a DSLR but in a body that's lighter and more compact. What's more, the flip out touchscreen, mass of manual controls, and instant-on video capabilities make it not just a jack but nearly a master of all. However, there is one whopper of a stumbling block, and that's price. At around £700 for just the body and £1,000 with the versatile 14-140mm lens, it's put in competition with some very capable DSLRs, such as the Canon 550D that do outstrip it on image quality, performance and lens options. Ultimately, it comes down to which you prioritise; all-in-one ease of use, or a more powerful photographic tool.