Panasonic DMC-GH1 4:3 ViDSLR

Panasonic has started shipping the DMC-GH1, a 12.1mp ViDSLR which can shoot 1080/24p and 720/50/60p, all in AVCHD PsF 60i. Unlike the previous ViDSLR from Canon (5D2,T1i/500D) and Nikon (D90,D5000), the Panasonic GH1 has manual modes in HD shooting for more image control. With Creative Mode and using the G lenses, you can now change shutter speed and aperture and also set ISO. Finally a real Video camera control in a DSLR. Even better, it has continuous AF mode to track subjects in video mode, the only ViDSLR to do so.

The codec is the AVCHD at 17mpbs, which is significantly less than the H.264 Canon codec, which is 35-40mbps. Still with 720 at 50/60p, you can get up to 1/2.4 slow motion at 25fps. Best of all there's no limit to recording time unlike Canon's 12 minute and Nikon's 4 minute clip limits.

Being a 4/3 mount, the sensor is smaller than the sensors of Canon and Nikon. However, the sensor is still bigger than many video cameras, especially the consumer camcorders. With a bigger sensor than all consumer camcorders and many professional HD cameras, real manual controls and slow motion ability, the Panasonic GH1 promises to be a serious performer as a ViDSLR for underwater use.

If more lenses supports the HD function (presently only the 14-140 f4-5.8 does), this platform will force Canon and Nikon to take the video market seriously. Personally I think the 720p is the key feature on this camera.

Now housing manufacturers have yet another camera to think about. Best of all, the Gh1 comes in flashy red and bling gold as well!

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamer.../gh1/index.html

Here is Phil Bloom's quick and dirty first shots with the GH1:

Bloom Test

Btw you can download the bigger Bloom file once you sign up.:

HD 1080 Bloom GH1 file at 280MB!

Very interesting and exciting, thank you for the info. I would be curious of the boards thoughts on whether this is the future of underwater photography/ video for high end results. hmmm

17 mbs sounds a bit low for shooting at 1080p...? It is an awesome time at the moment for video, it seams every week there is a new cutting edge product.

Btw you can download the bigger Bloom file here:

HD 1080 Bloom GH1 file at 280MB!

Drew, is there a 280mb file we can download, did not seem to see it there.

I forgot to add you need to sign up on xposure room to download. Opps

17 mbs sounds a bit low for shooting at 1080p...? It is an awesome time at the moment for video, it seams every week there is a new cutting edge product.

No more than any other camcorder shooting at 17mbps AVCHD at 1080p. The better side is the 720p at 60... which means 2.5x slow motion at 24fps. That is very compelling especially for a camera which doubles as a DSLR. Many documentaries shoot at 75fps for dolphins etc to get the slo mo. As Phil Bloom shows, it works pretty well via FC Compressor.

Here is a cross announcement on Panasonic adapters for leica lenses:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30525

One of the attractions of video DSLR's that the video folks cite is the different perspective one can achieve with a full frame sensor and the respective lens options. Is this likely to be less evident with a 4/3 sensor? Any advantages of 4/3 vs FF?

Topside that is a plus for shallow DOF. Underwater, it can be a liability as you'd have to focus with the LCD in liveview, which can be a PITA. With 4/3, you get back up to 1.5 stops of DoF which is desirable for video.

The ONLY lens that supports manual video mode is the 14-140. Otherwise it's like the Canon/Nikon cameras.

However, there are adapters which allow it to use Olympus Zuikos, Leica D, M & R series and Sigma as well.

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/connect/g1.html

Fisheye Japan

Fisheye/Seatool started making the housing

Panasonic press release:

"...there’s also the Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4.0 ASPH which brings wide angle to the G series of cameras."

Apparently same video mode functions as the 14-140mm on the DMC-GH1...but I'm not sure about this.

Can anyone confirm that AF does indeed work in video mode...

Fisheye Japan

 

Fisheye/Seatool started making the housing

To be more accurate, they started development on the housing... It's a tempting camera to upgrade to, but the price is putting me off... sigh...

Panasonic has started shipping the DMC-GH1 [...]

Does anyone know more on the status on housing for this camera?

It seems to be a more than affordable way to get 720p underwater, and judging by the footage I have seen shot above the surface the quality looks amazing.

Does anyone know more on the status on housing for this camera?

 

It seems to be a more than affordable way to get 720p underwater, and judging by the footage I have seen shot above the surface the quality looks amazing.

Any news on housings for this camera?

Bye

Any news on housings for this camera?

 

Bye

The housing by Seatool is on production already though a bit expensive.

http://www.seatool.net/list/GH1.html

Works with my Olympus lenses and even in AF mode with the 14-42 and 9-18mm. Hmmm this thread might cost me some money.

Works with my Olympus lenses and even in AF mode with the 14-42 and 9-18mm. Hmmm this thread might cost me some money.

How is depth rated the housing?

Hummm... the japanes site it's impossible to decode

The USA site does not list this housing.

Browsing their site I noticed they never declare hteir housing depth rating. Very strange

I made a quick search and it seems that in Italy it's hard to find it.

I hoped on a more common brand

Bye

How is depth rated the housing?

 

Hummm... the japanes site it's impossible to decode

The USA site does not list this housing.

Browsing their site I noticed they never declare hteir housing depth rating. Very strange

I made a quick search and it seems that in Italy it's hard to find it.

I hoped on a more common brand

 

Bye

Which housing? Do you mean GH1 housing by Seatool? The depth rating is 60m.