Panasonic adds the Lumix DMC-GH1 to the Micro Four Thirds range
This is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Micro Four Thirds camera. Recognise it? Yes, that’s right, it’s the same as the G1 but with an H to indicate that they’ve finally got round to releasing a model of the hybrid shooter that records HD video as well.
It’s not all roses though, as the footage is captured at “1080/24p or smooth 720/60p HD” which suggests that you don’t get the quality you’re after at full HD levels. Still, I suppose we should be glad it’s there.
More important, for me, is the addition of two lenses to the family which was, after all, one of the main reasons we were excited about this format in the first place.
The Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 is an all-rounder offering much more in the telephoto department than the kit lens the G1 has on board. It’s designed with as many silent moving parts as possible to make it useful in HD recording continuous AF mode. It has an equivalent 35mm range of 28-280mm and gives you a much more competitive 10x zoom. No word as to whether this comes standard with the GH1 or not.
At the other end of the scale is the Lumix G Vario 7-14mm/F4.0 7-14mm lens with the 35mm equivalent of a proper wide 14-28mm. None of this pretend stuff you get in compacts. This baby gives you viewing angles of up to 114 degrees ans sounds like my kind of compact but fun glassware.
No word on all the whens, wheres and hows just yet but good to know it all exists. Better get a move on though Panasonic, Samsung’s on your tail.
