Panasonic updates Lumix G1 to HD-wielding GH1
A mere five months after introducing a radical new photographic format in the world's smallest interchangeable lens camera, the Lumix DMC-G1, Panasonic has unveiled the GH1, the same camera with HD recording capability.
- Webby Award honoree, 2x Gold Telly Award winner
PMA 2009 | A mere five months after introducing a radical new photographic format with the micro four thirds-based Lumix DMC-G1, Panasonic has unveiled the GH1, the same camera but with HD recording capability.
The new Lumix GH1 (Credit: Panasonic)
We had our suspicions when we saw the GH1 tucked away in a box at the Lumix event in Singapore back in February, which the company said wasn't going to be launched until later this year.
From the outside, the GH1 looks almost identical to the G1 apart from some branding. So what is new? Well, it has the all-important HD video aspect, at full 1080p in AVCHD format, and above the flash unit is a new stereo microphone. It debuts alongside a brand new lens, the Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 with image stabilisation built-in, and a silent auto focus system designed to make no noise during movie recording.
Inside there's a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor and an updated version of Panasonic's Venus Engine image processing software, to cope with the HD clips.
The GH1 will come in red, black and a hideous gold that we can only put down to a severe lapse in judgement. As yet, no local pricing is available, however it will be available in Australia from late May.