Panasonic Announces GH1 Micro Four Thirds Camera

Panasonic launched its DMC-GH1 hybrid camera in Japan this week and with it came some news missing from the U.S. launch two weeks ago: the price and release date.

The camera is a follow-on to the company's DMC-G1, which was launched last September and was the first camera based on the new Micro Four Thirds System lens mount, and adds the ability to record video at high-definition resolution. It was previewed first at the PMA show in Las Vegas in early March.

On Wednesday Panasonic announced it in Japan and said the camera with a 45-200-millimeter lens will cost around ¥150,000 (US$1,530). That's about ¥30,000 more expensive than the DMC-G1 kit version that came with a 45-140mm lens.

In Japan it will go on sale from April 24. Panasonic still doesn't have pricing or launch details for other markets.

The new camera was promised back in September when the original model was first announced. It shoots full HD resolution video in the AVCHD format, that is used by many hard-disk camcorders. Video is pulled from the camera's image sensor at 24 frames per second, which is less than the 25 or 30 frames per second used for TV so it's not quite as good as a video camera.

For still images the camera shoots at 12-megapixel resolution and both images and video are stored on an SD card.

Like the G1, the GH1 is aimed at casual users who want to take better pictures than is possible with a compact camera but don't want a bulky SLR.

Panasonic premieres DMC-GH1 with HD video recording

Panasonic today introduced the LUMIX DMC-GH1 as a new member of the LUMIX G Micro System of interchangeable lens cameras. Fully compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the LUMIX G Micro System combines a downsized body with advanced functions that achieve both easy operation and high quality.

The new DMC-GH1 is called a CREATIVE HD HYBRID because it records not only high-quality photos but also high definition 1080/24p or smooth 720/60p HD (High Definition) movies in AVCHD* format. Continuous AF can be used while recording movies, to further boost operating ease. 

Taking advantage of its system camera design, the DMC-GH1 features the potential for unlimited photo expression by allowing the use of different lenses for specific shooting situations and subjects. High-quality sound recording with Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator and a host of other creative options, including manual settings, giving the DMC-GH1 even greater versatility.

Supporting the DMC-GH1's powerful full-HD movie recording function is a newly developed 12.1-megapixel high-speed Live MOS sensor and the Venus Engine HD image processor, which features two CPUs for outstanding processing capability. The new LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S., which is a versatile 10x zoom interchangeable lens, was designed for movie recording by including a silent and continuous auto focusing function and seamless aperture adjustment.

The DMC-GH1 also features D-SLR photo quality. Its newly developed Live MOS sensor renders images with minimal noise even when using high ISO sensitivity. The multi-aspect ratio function of the sensor allows photos to be taken using a 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratio, all with the same angle of view.

In addition to its high levels of performance for both photos and movies, the DMC-GH1 incorporates the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode,** a hallmark of LUMIX cameras that now includes Face Recognition,*** a function that "remembers" faces once the faces are registered. 

When a familiar face appears in the frame, the camera will prioritize the focus and exposure to capture it beautifully. This clever function makes it easy to get sharp and clear photos of special subjects in a group of people. iA mode is also available in movie recording. It automatically selects the most suitable scene mode and helps to correct hand-shake, focus and brightness problems -- making it a one-stop solution for capturing beautiful photos and movies.*

Operating ease is an important element of the LUMIX G Micro System identity, and it is highly evident in the DMC-GH1. For example, the clever design of the DMC-GH1 helps to prevent missed shooting opportunities for both photo and movie recording. To start recording a movie during shooting photos, the user simply presses a special, one-touch movie recording button. Most of the settings used for photo shooting carry over to movie recording without requiring any additional setting.

A choice of body colours also makes the DMC-GH1 highly attractive. Users can select authentic black or active red (which was very popular in the DMC-G1).

Panasonic hopes to bring the fun of both photos and movies to as many people as possible with the LUMIX DMC-GH1, an unprecedented system camera that satisfies even the needs of professionals and advanced amateurs while offering easy operation for entry-level users.

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