Panasonic's
Micro 4/3rds range of cameras and lenses just keep getting better and
better.
This new GH2 promises to deliver excellent 'stills images' combined with
probably the finest video HD system yet produced in a camera in this
price range and matching cameras and video equipment costing much more!
I love the manual control switches for the 'old timers' like me, yet
this camera also has the latest touch screen technology for the
youngsters of today............the best of both worlds!
Flip the LCD screen into the camera and use the switch controls just
like cameras in the 1960s, including bracketing. Flip the LCD screen
outwards and modern 'touch' screen technology is at the end of your
fingers!
The GH2
This is one compact, lightweight and yet very powerful digital camera.
It uses
Panasonic
autofocus 'inter-changeable' lenses but also delivers a 'killer
punch' because it can also use manual focus 'legacy' lenses such as
Leica M, Nikon, Minolta, Canon, Voigtlander and Zeiss as well as other
brands. Each type of lens can be fitted using an adapter mount which is
manufactured by many leading third party vendors, including Voigtlander
and of course, Panasonic themselves.
The GH2 also has HD video which ranks as one of the finest systems in
the world and is quite incredible that it is delivered in such a
reasonably priced camera.
The GH2 has a micro 4/3rds digital sensor with a 2x crop which means a
25mm lens will provide a 50mm 'field of view' on the camera.
The professional reviews for this camera are thin on the ground but from
what little I have read, it looks very promising.
A quote from Panasonic's website - "The
high speed Live MOS Sensor realizes burst shooting in 16.05-megapixel
full resolution at 5 fps with mechanical shutter and even 40 fps in
4-megapixel recording mode. The DMC-GH2 also features fast, accurate
Light Speed AF. The DMC-GH2 employs an 18.31 mega total pixel sensor.
Using only about a 16.05-megapixel area of sensor makes it possible to
give three aspect ratios – 16:9, 3:2, and 4:3 – the same angle of view.
The image processing LSI, Venus Engine FHD assures high picture quality
in both photo and movie recording".
Purchasing a Panasonic GH2 Camera
I usually wait about 6 months after a camera is released before I
purchase it. This way, I trust that any niggles have been ironed out by
the manufacturers and any changes to the firmware are either upgraded at
point of manufacture or can be upgraded by myself, using a computer and
a memory card.
If I were purchasing any photographic equipment from a store on the street
or on the internet, I would make sure it was from a reputable company with a long
history of 'no quibble' guarantees and an excellent replacement service.
What Lenses for the GH2?
This is a tough choice as Panasonic have already released a fair number
of lenses that compliment it's micro 4/3rds (MFT) range of cameras.
The GH2 camera is released with two styles of 'kit' lenses. The compact
and lightweight standard zoom Lumix G Vario 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. /
MEGA OIS lens with a 28mm to 84mm 'field of view' and the
Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm
OIS lens which is recommended for those photographers who also record in
video mode. and has a 28mm to 280mm 'field of view'.
I already use a Panasonic GF1 MFT camera which is similar to the GH2 but
smaller and more compact. The GH2 has a 16 MPixel sensor and a one stop
advantage in noise v resolution over my 12 MPixel sensor GF1.
For more information on my lenses, please click on my
GF1 Diary!
I am considering the
GH2 with the Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm f4-5.6 OIS Zoom Lens mainly for
casual use for 'wildlife shots' at the local zoo where I am a member. It
offers a very long reach with a field of view starting at 200mm to 600mm. The
GH2's sensor at 16 MPixels will allow the image to be cropped in post
processing, which should produce an extended field of view of around
750mm whilst still retaining very reasonable image quality.
The lens is not that much shorter in length than it's equivalent APS-C
sensor 70-300mm lenses from Nikon and Canon but it is lighter to carry.
Is the Panasonic GH2 for You?
How to decide if the GH2 is for you? You first have to decide
what you want from a camera and for someone who is just starting
photography or perhaps purchasing their first digital camera with
inter-changeable lenses, the task can
be somewhat daunting!
A modern micro 4/3rds digital camera usually has a myriad
of technology to break through before you can understand it. Menus,
buttons and switches. I have tried to explain this with an article on my
articles page
'Selecting a Camera' and hopefully it
will help with checking out the reviews about the GH2?
Reviews to Read
For some unknown reason at this time (24th February 2011) the GH2
professional reviews are nowhere to be found. Most of my knowledge on
the camera comes from 'previews' and 'gear' forums. I have listed the
websites to watch and hopefully their 'full' reviews will be released
quite soon?
The Luminous Landscape
have released their findings and it is worth a read! You may have to
search their website, the article is presently on the 'Home' page but it
may move at a later date? Their article is called Panasonic GH2
Revisited!
What Digital Camera have
produced a nice review on the Panasonic GH2 and it is worth reading!
Please click on my
Gear Forums & Review
Sites
for a complete list of the sites I have used
that might be of assistance!
Panasonic
autofocus 'inter-changeable' lenses but also delivers a 'killer
punch' because it can also use manual focus 'legacy' lenses such as
Leica M, Nikon, Minolta, Canon, Voigtlander and Zeiss as well as other
brands. Each type of lens can be fitted using an adapter mount which is
manufactured by many leading third party vendors, including Voigtlander
and of course, Panasonic themselves.