One of the most exciting new cameras at PMA 2009 was the Panasonic Lumix GH1, which was a follow-up to the Lumix G1 introduced at Photokina 2008. The GH1 shares most of the same features and specs of the G1; however, it includes one significant improvement – the ability to shoot video in true 1080p HD at 24 fps or shoot 720p HD video at 60 fps. Panasonic uses an AVCHD format for video capture and records audio via Dolby Digital Stereo Creator.
Panasonic has not announced the price of the new GH1, which will initially only be offered in kit form with the 14-140mm HD lens. Panasonic’s reasoning for selling it as a kit initially is due to the specialized silent autofocus functionality of the HD lens. It was designed from the ground up with video in mind, which required Panasonic to overcome some significant hurdles so that AF noise did not interfere with audio capture when recording 1080p video. According to reps at PMA, the kit should be available in May or June 2009.
Panasonic had a couple pre-production models on display at PMA. I was able to get some hands-on time with one and even grab some images and a quick video on my SD card. [Read more…]