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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2: An Innovative Still Camera for Video by Best Laptopbattey
It may not be a "true DSLR," but the interchangeable-lens Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 has features that outclass some of today's DSLRs, and the camera may indicate where future DSLRs are headed with regard to controls and video options.
The GH2 offers touchscreen controls to accompany more-traditional buttons and knobs, and those touch controls are all the more engaging in a camera equipped with a large sensor, a high-quality lens, a fast autofocus, and high-end image quality. The result is a unique camera whose touch-to-focus controls enable you to pull off complex focusing tricks with ease.
Beyond the touchscreen, the GH2 is the most DSLR-like compact interchangeable-lens camera we've tested, due to its larger size and design. The Lumix GH2's video performance is very impressive, but its still-image quality is a notch below that of a true DSLR: Colors and exposure quality tend to look muted unless you dive into the camera's array of manual controls, which is a bit disappointing for a camera of the GH2's size and price. That said, the kit lens we tested it with was optimized for video and zoom range, so still-image quality is likely to improve considerably when you use the Lumix GH2 with a bright, prime lens.
Hardware and Design
We tested the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 as a kit with its video-optimized 14-140mm, f/4-5.8 optically stabilized lens. It costs $1500 as a kit in that configuration, $1000 as a kit with a 14-42mm stabilized lens, and $900 for the body only. The camera has a focal length multiplier of 2X for any lens attached.
Though the GH2's 16-megapixel CMOS sensor is the same size as its predecessor's, the Lumix DMC-GH1, the sensor now outputs higher-resolution images, and a new three-core Venus VI FHD engine handles the processing.
The GH2's body is only slightly more compact than that of a typical entry-level DSLR, at 3 inches deep, 4.9 inches wide, and 3.5 inches tall. Its body weighs 13.8 ounces without a lens attached; it's much beefier with the 14-140mm zoom lens mounted, at nearly 32 ounces. This is definitely more of an interchangeable-lens camera along the lines of a small DSLR than a semipocketable model like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 or the Sony Alpha Nex-5. Despite its physical size, it doesn't feel too heavy, and its textured, grooved handgrip is about as comfortable as a grip can get.
The GH2 offers a fast boot-up-to-first-shot time of around 1 second; it rattles off 5 frames per second at full resolution in continuous-shooting mode (or 40 fps at a reduced 4-megapixel resolution); and its autofocus system (dubbed "Light Speed AF") locks onto subjects almost instantaneously. In addition to supporting the traditional shutter half-press for focusing, the camera lets you focus by touching subjects on its 3-inch, tilt-and-swivel touchscreen; the autofocus reacts very quickly.
You can also use the touchscreen to navigate the GH2's in-camera menus, or you can rely on physical buttons for focusing, framing, adjusting, and menu diving. In fact, the top and back of the camera are so loaded with buttons, dials, and switches that the camera is a bit intimidating at first pick-up.
Shooting Modes and Features
Handheld low-light sample (click to zoom).The GH2 has a wide array of higher-end in-camera features found in many DSLRs, including full manual controls, aperture- and shutter-priority modes, RAW/RAW+JPEG shooting modes, ISO equivalencies that range from 160 to 12800, a 23-area focus system, and a motion-tracking autofocus feature that supports a 5-fps continuous shooting mode at full resolution. The GH2 also provides a beginner-friendly collection of scene modes and an Intelligent Auto mode.
The manual shutter and aperture controls carry over to the GH2's high-definition movie mode, making it an extremely versatile hybrid device for both stills and video. The camera captures 1920-by-1080 AVCHD video at a maximum of 60i at 17 mbps, or at 24p at 24 mbps. Alternatively, you can lower the video resolution to 720p and record at 60p at 17 mbps.
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The most innovative video feature is the ability to make smooth transitions between focus points simply by touching the LCD screen while filming, so you can achieve "rack focus" effects easily or maintain focus on static objects that aren't in the middle of the frame. The results raise already-great-looking video to the level of professional-quality film, especially if you record it at 24p. Here's an example of a quick-and-easy touchscreen-controlled focus change in a challenging backlit situation.http://www.bestlaptopbattery.co.uk/hp/pavilion-dv6000.htm
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