Panasonic Lumix
DMC-GH1
 vs
Panasonic Lumix
DMC-GH2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

57

  
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

56

  

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Weight
 Light-weight
430 g
 

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Touch screen
 Touch screen
Less buttons
Supports 24p
 24p movies
For that film look
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
 

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GH1
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 772 ISO vs 655 ISO
Help
 The DMC-GH1 has a slight edge (0.2 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Better image quality 64.0 vs 60.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 21.6 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.4 more bits of color
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11.6 EV vs 11.3 EV
Help
 0.3 f-stops more dynamic range
Lowest price Cheaper $899.97 vs $2,199.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,299 cheaper (2.4x less)
Weight Slightly lighter 430 g vs 444 g
Help
 Almost the same
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GH1

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GH2
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Touch screen Has a touch screen Yes vs No
Help
 Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
True resolution Higher true resolution 15.9 MP vs 12 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Startup delay Less startup delay 1100 ms vs 1800 ms
Help
 Around 40% less delay when turning on
Sensor cleaning Has a self cleaning sensor Yes vs No
Help
 Removes dust from the sensor automatically, avoiding spots in photos
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
 The DMC-GH2's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The DMC-GH2's boost ISO is 2 f-stops better
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 5 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 Around 70% faster continuous shooting
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 330 shots vs 320 shots
Help
 Almost the same
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GH2
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
57 vs 56
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Viewfinder Both have digital viewfinders Help
Digital
Supports 24p 24p support Help
For that film look
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
External flash Each supports an external flash Help
Better lighting
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Thickness Quite thick Help
3"
Size Large Help
Prosumer size 124x90x76 mm
Weight Heavy Help
DMC-GH1:430 g
DMC-GH2:444 g
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
DMC-GH1:3,200 ISO
DMC-GH2:12,800 ISO
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
DMC-GH1:1,600 ISO
DMC-GH2:6,400 ISO
Cross type focus points Few cross-type focus points Help
0
Focus points Few focus points Help
23
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,298 body only

$2,599 with 12-35mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$498 body only

$498 with 14-42mm lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Supports 24p Doesn't record movies in 24p
Compare the Lumix DMC-G5 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Compare the Lumix DMC-G5 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$549 body only

$599 - $649 with 18-55mm lens
Viewfinder Has higher quality type of viewfinder
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix G6

Panasonic Lumix G6

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$749 with 14-42mm lens
Light sensitivity Much higher maximum light sensitivity
Size Is slightly smaller
Supports 24p Doesn't record movies in 24p
Compare the Lumix G6 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Compare the Lumix G6 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$499 body only
Size Is much smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
Supports 24p Doesn't record movies in 24p
Compare the Lumix DMC-G3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Compare the Lumix DMC-G3 vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$699 - $899 body only

$999 - $1,279 with 18-135mm lens
Viewfinder Has higher quality type of viewfinder
Color depth Has slightly more color depth
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Weight Is much heavier
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Compare the EOS 60D vs the Lumix DMC-GH2
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,479 body only

$2,699 - $3,000 with 24-105mm lens
Low light performance Is much less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the Lumix DMC-GH1
Compare the EOS 5D Mark II vs the Lumix DMC-GH2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,100 with 14-45mm lens
Size Much smaller
Battery life Longer battery life
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Viewfinder No viewfinder
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF1 vs the Lumix DMC-GH1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2.

appearance

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

discussion

Showing 12 comments

Macrae1910 (11:11 PM, May 25, 2012)
Pete,, if you had the cash to purchase either the gh1 or the gh2, what would your choice be?
I am looking to purchase but I am finding it hard to decide.
 
Guest (1:33 AM, April 12, 2012)
Your photos are wrong - the real GH2 has the wheel on the back, not the front. Also, the "2" on the top picture is smaller than the "GH", different than on the third GH2 shot. Not very honest of you.
 
Guest (3:40 PM, January 29, 2012)
My friend was trying to get me to buy a gh2, but then I saw the comparison on this site and on quality tests on youtube 
(hacked gh1 vs hacked gh2) and I'm glad I got my gh1!
 
Pete (0:26 AM, December 03, 2011)
I agree.  Resolution is a significant number and should be used in comparison. I Have 2 GH1's.  I sent one in for repair and they replaced it with a GH2.  I just tried the GH2 today in video mode and totally love the resolution and quick auto focus!  Here was a short test I did with it.   I was disappointed that none of my extra batteries will work with it.  So far that is my only complaint.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGyFDk1XuU8&list=LLyj6VBjr8cCMlFymmIK3I3w&index=1&feature=plpp_video
 
Avatar for Marcus Wolschon Marcus Wolschon (6:53 PM, October 04, 2011)
Large/Thick?
This is a micro-4/3 .
Compared to a APS-C or full-frame DSLR with mirror-box and heavier+larger lenses this is tiny and lightweight!
OF CAUSE the lenses have stabilisation. This is a feature of the lens, not of the camera.
 
Avatar for Marcus Wolschon Marcus Wolschon (6:50 PM, October 04, 2011)
DMC-GH1:1080p @ 24fps
DMC-GH2:1080p @ 60fps

The GH1 also does 25fps (PAL, -E versions for Europe) and 33fps NTSC
the GH2 adds 50fps and 60fps but saves as 50i/60i=25/30 times 2 interlaced frames, not 50/60 full frames.
Both do 24fps but the GH2 has he better H264 encoder (less banding in dark areas) and higher bit-rates at 24fps then the GH1.
 
Avatar for Marcus Wolschon Marcus Wolschon (6:47 PM, October 04, 2011)
The GH1 also has the same combined external microphone jack/remote shutter jack.
The display of the GH2 vs. the GH1 deserves a point
 
enim (11:35 PM, August 01, 2011)
"Has an external mic jack: No" for the GH1? Well, that's not true. Looking at it right now. They both have it.
 
Bashar Tahir (3:05 PM, May 03, 2011)
Hi ,
Maybe.. but this is the Higher "True" Resolution' .
So. you will get more details i think !

Best Regards
 
K P Kjolso (9:28 AM, March 17, 2011)
Great side! I seriously considered to buy the gh2 but after your comparison and recommandatins I will stick to my gh1. Thanks for saving my money!
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (9:34 PM, March 11, 2011)
Hi Michael, we purposefully left sensor resolution (megapixels) out of our scores, because we felt that more megapixels isn't necessarily better. Increasing the # of pixels often doesn't increase the detail in the photo, doesn't necessarily have any value (e.g. 8MP is great for most uses), and increases file sizes.

See our articles on megapixels and true resolution.
 
Michael (6:55 PM, March 11, 2011)
Strange - in the final score comparing GH1 to GH2, no score was applied for GH2 having 16 MP vs the GH1's 12 MP.