Panasonic’s New LUMIX GH2 Announced

Panasonic announced and showcased the highly anticipated followup to their GH1 camera, the LUMIX GH2, at the latest Photokina, held every other year since 1956 in Cologne Germany.  More of an update than anything else, it appears Panasonic has listened to their customers and improved the features based on customer feedback on the GH1.  In a nutshell, here they are:

• a brand-spanking new 18 MP multi-aspect ratio sensor that offers 16.05 MP output
• ISO range of 160-12800 in 1/3 EV steps
• touch sensitive LCD screen
• HD video at 1080 60p (embedded in 60i stream)/24p with the 24p cinema mode offering a max. bitrate of 24 Mbps (AVCHD)
• HD movie Variable Frame Rate Recording for slow/fast motion effects
• compatibility with Panasonic’s new 3D Stereoscopic Lens for 3D stills and movies
• White Balance fine tuning in 100 Kelvin steps
• an astounding continuous shooting speed of 40 fps at 4MP (2336 x 1752 pixels) or smaller

What I find interesting is the max. 40 fps continuous shooting mode.  That means theoretically you can shoot 2K or even 1080 resolution frames and string them together to get a video stream.  Hmmmm…

What I also find interesting is the inclusion of variable frame rates in HD movie recording.  This is awesome because you can now do real slow and fast motion shooting that was previously only available in more expensive HD video cameras.  As well, it is great to see Panasonic adding the 24Mbps bitrate recording, even if it’s only in the AVCHD 1080 24p mode.  Unfortunately, the other movie modes still record in 17 and 13 Mbps bitrates.

The LUMIX GH2 will be available in black in Canada in early December for a suggested retail price of: $999.99 CAD for the body only and $1,699.99 CAD for the kit (body with lens LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.).

Cheers.

Press Release:

PANASONIC INTRODUCES LUMIX GH2 – HYBRID TOUCH-CONTROL DIGITAL CAMERA COMPATIBLE WITH WORLD’S FIRST(1) INTERCHANGEABLE 3D LENS

The Panasonic LUMIX GH2’s Speed Allows Full HD Video Recording and Professional-Level Photo Capabilities; While Features Like Touch-Screen Operation Make it Easy for Beginners

MISSISSAUGA, ON (September 22, 2010) – Panasonic today announced the LUMIX DMC-GH2, a hybrid touch-control camera featuring full High Definition (HD) video recording and compatibility with the world’s first1 interchangeable 3D lens. The LUMIX GH2 elevates the company’s revolutionary LUMIX G Series, its line of Digital Single Lens Micro (DSLM) cameras that deliver professional-level features and performance in a compact and easy-to-use camera body.

Compatible with the Micro Four Thirds System standard, the lightweight LUMIX GH2 is newly designed with an easy-to-hold grip and includes a refined image processing engine and sensor that delivers fast, sharp photos, full HD video recording, and the ability to take 3D photos with Panasonic’s new interchangeable 3D lens. In addition, the intuitive touch-control operation provides ease of use in shooting and playback.

“The LUMIX GH2 is Panasonic’s most professional-level DSLM camera yet, giving users the option to be more creative than ever, from recording video in full HD with cinematic effects to taking 3D photos with our new lens,” said Darin Pepple, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “At the same time, its compact size can fit in the palm of your hand and its faster auto focus and intuitive touch-control shooting make it possible for even new photographers to literally point-and-shoot for stunning images.”

The LUMIX GH2 combines features for both the videographer and photographer, making it a true hybrid digital camera. A dedicated button on the top of the camera lets users instantly record videos while shooting photos without changing any extra settings. Building on the momentum of its successful predecessor, the LUMIX GH1 – the LUMIX GH2 can now record full HD 1920 x 1080 videos in smooth 60i, doubling the sensor output from 25p/24p to 50p/60p(2). The camera also supports 1080/24p native mode at 24 Mbps, the highest in AVCHD format, for richly expressive video. Other video features in the LUMIX GH2 include:

• New Cinema mode: Record video with rich cinema-like gradation. Added as an option of popular Film mode.
• New Variable Movie mode: Record video in variable frame rate – 80, 160, 200 and 300 percent – speeding up or slowing frames for more creative videos.
• Touch auto focus (AF): Point at the subject on the screen and shift focus to make it stand out against the background.
• Still photos at (16:9): Instantly take a 14MP photo, while recording videos and also save a frame of video as a photo during playback.
• Record high quality sound: With Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator and optional accessory Stereo Microphone (DMW-MS1).
• HDMI output: Monitor images on a separate screen while still recording video.

Speed is at the core of the LUMIX GH2, with technological advancements including a new 16.05-megapixel multi-aspect LIVE MOS sensor for higher image resolution and improved signal-to-noise ratio. The LIVE MOS sensor also allows high speed burst shooting at 5 frames per second in full resolution using a mechanical shutter. Working together with the Live MOS sensor, the new Venus Engine FHD processor manages multiple signals at a high speed, making it possible to record high resolution consecutive shots and full HD video recording. The Venus Engine FHD also features advanced signal processing capabilities, including: separation of chromatic and luminance noise for clear images, prevention of color mixture and selective noise reduction for more crisp photos and video recording. The LUMIX GH2 also features faster AF, reducing detection time for focusing to approximately 0.1 second(3) by doubling the drive speed from 60 frames per second to 120 frames per second.

The LUMIX GH2 features intuitive touch-control operation, made popular with the LUMIX G2 for its outstanding usability in shooting and playback. The LUMIX GH2 combines the easy-to-see free-angle Intelligent LCD with the newly developed Multi Aspect Wide Screen LVF (Live View Finder) for more comfortable shooting from any angle.

The LUMIX GH2’s large 3.0-inch 460,000-dot high-resolution Intelligent LCD allows users to:

• Touch the subject on the LCD to adjust AF. Once a user locks onto a subject, the camera tracks the subject with AF tracking even if it moves. Then, with a touch of the screen, users can select the area of focus appropriate mode (e.g., portrait) and even enlarge an image (1x, 5x or 10x) by dragging it on the screen.
• Touch and view the screen from any angle, rotating the screen 180° side to side and tilting it 270° up and down for approximately 100 percent of field of view.
• Change menu settings quickly by touching the screen, shortcutting the time it would take to navigate using standard cursors.
• Touch thumbnails to play back images one by one or drag images over the screen with a finger to browse the collection of photos, as though flipping the pages of a book.
• View primary colors – red, blue and green – 25 percent more vividly when compared to the GH1, thanks to a newly designed LCD and LED backlight.

The new large, bright Multi Aspect Wide Screen LVF in the LUMIX GH2 features:

• A display area of 1,530,000-dot equivalent resolution.
• 100 percent field of view and 0.71x magnification.
• Reduced color breakup by half for stunning images at any angle.
• Live View at 60 frames-per-second because of the Live MOS sensor, which processes signals directly from the image sensor to the LCD in real time. This allows the user to check the framing accurately from corner to corner when composing a shot.

Continuing Panasonic’s record of 3D technology leadership, the LUMIX GH2 can shoot in 3D (35mm camera equivalent: 65mm(4)) when used with the world’s1 first interchangeable 3D lens LUMIX G 12.5mm / F12 (H-FT012)(5), also announced today. Panasonic’s new compact 3D lens for the LUMIX G Micro System features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses that are then processed with a 3D image processing system. This new compact 3D-capable interchangeable lens is easy to handle and allows instant 3D shooting, without distortion or time lag between left and right images – even when shooting moving objects. The 3D images taken on this camera, even close-up shots, are easily viewed on Panasonic’s 3D VIERA® televisions.

The LUMIX GH2 includes 22 different shooting modes for creative shooting options. When shooting video, users can choose from ten different modes, including the new Cinema mode, and set the contrast, sharpness and saturation levels for each. For still photos the LUMIX GH2 features the My Color mode with a total of seven preset effects – Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette – while also keeping the Custom mode, which lets users manually set the color, brightness and saturation levels and store their favorite settings. With the Full-time Live View function, users can see how these settings will affect the images before they shoot. The LUMIX GH2 also features more shortcut buttons for frequently used settings.

In addition to the advanced functions that will satisfy experienced photographers, the LUMIX GH2 is easy enough for beginners to use comfortably because of Panasonic’s iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, a popular setting in the LUMIX point-and-shoots that automatically engages features and settings for optimal image quality by detecting the shooting environment. The LUMIX GH2 features new additions to the iA mode including Intelligent D-range Control for optimized exposure of an image and Intelligent Resolution for better-balanced sharpness in images for printing at larger sizes.

After users capture images using the LUMIX GH2, it’s easy for them to enjoy their photos or HD videos easily on a Panasonic VIERA HD television. Simply remove the SD Memory Card from the camera and insert it into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD Memory Card slot) on a VIERA HDTV or Panasonic Blu-ray disc player(6) to play the content. Alternatively, an optional mini HDMI™ cable can be used to output still photos and video recorded with the LUMIX GH2 directly to the Panasonic HDTV via VIERA Link™. Using the VIERA HDTV’s remote control, users can take advantage of the LUMIX GH2’s advanced playback and slideshow features. Photos taken with Panasonic’s new interchangeable 3D lens can also be viewed in 3D via the 3D Image Viewer.

Software bundled with the LUMIX GH2 includes:

• PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 BD Edition to easily organize photos and movies.
• SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.1 SE for RAW file development.
• Super LoiloScope (trial version) for high speed HD movie editing.

The LUMIX G Series continues to expand its variety of interchangeable lenses with a total of 11 exclusive lenses, three announced today: the world’s first1 interchangeable 3D lens LUMIX G 12.5mm / F12 (H-FT012), a new single focal length lens LUMIX G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH (H-H014), and new telephoto zoom lens LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS100300).

In addition to LUMIX G lenses, the LUMIX GH2 and other LUMIX G Series digital cameras can use any interchangeable lens that complies with the Four Thirds System standard via an optional mount adaptor DMW-MA1 and with the prestigious Leica M/R Lenses via DMW-MA2M or MA3R(7). Additional accessories include external flashes, filters, a stereo microphone, a remote shutter, HDMI mini cables and a variety of stylish straps and bags. For more information on LUMIX digital cameras and all available accessories, visit: www.panasonic.com/lumix.

The Panasonic LUMIX GH2 will be available in black in early December for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of: $999.99 for the body only and $1,699.99 for the kit (body with lens LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.).

1 For a digital interchangeable lens as of September 21, 2010
2 Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) movies are recorded at 60i (NTSC) / 50i (PAL). HD (1,280 x 720) movies are output and recorded by the image sensor at 60p (NTSC) / 50p (PAL).
3 The time for focusing on the subject is measured with the LUMIX DMC-GH2 attaching LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-VS014140)* to move the lens to “2m” from “infinity” position. The zoom position is in wide range. Panasonic measurement method.*The firmware must be updated to Ver. 1.3 or later.
4 When setting the aspect ratio at 16:9 with the LUMIX DMC-GH2.
5 Compatible with the LUMIX DMC-GH2 and LUMIX DMC-G2 with the firmware ver.1.1. A 3D media player that supports the MP (Multi-Picture) format is required to view 3D images.
6 AVCHD motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD cannot be played on a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.
7 Some functions on the LUMIX DMC-GH2 are not available depending on the lens that is mounted.

* Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds Logo marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Olympus Imaging Corporation, in Japan, the United States, the European Union and other countries.
*The “AVCHD” is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
*Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
*HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.
*All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
*This unit is compatible with both SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. You can only use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are compatible with them. You cannot use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are only compatible with SD Memory Cards. (When using an SDHC Memory Card on another device, be sure to read the operating instructions for that device.)
*Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
*All prices are in Canadian dollars.