Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

    63
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    Highlights

    • 12 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
    • 3.0" 460k dot Fully Articulated Screen
    • Electronic (LVF) Viewfinder
    • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • 30 min Video Recording Limit
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 was announced in 2009 and is a Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) Mirrorless camera with 12 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fully Articulated 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and built-in Electronic (LVF) viewfinder.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Panasonic -GHx series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Panasonic -GHx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GH6
    Compare
    		February
    2022    		 25.2 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 25,600 Articulated 3.0"
    1,840k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GH5 II
    Compare
    		July
    2021    		 20.33 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Articulated 3.0"
    1,840k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GH5S
    Compare
    		January
    2018    		 10.28 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 160 - 51,200 Articulated 3.2"
    1,620k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GH5
    Compare
    		January
    2017    		 20.3 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Articulated 3.2"
    1,620k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GH4
    Compare
    		February
    2014    		 16.05 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 25,600 Articulated 3.0"
    1,036k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GH3
    Compare
    		September
    2012    		 16.05 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 200 - 12,800 Articulated 3.0"
    614k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GH2
    Compare
    		March
    2011    		 16 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 160 - 12,800 Articulated 3.0"
    460k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Panasonic GH1 July
    2009    		 12 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 1,600 Articulated 3.0"
    460k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6 vs Lumix DC-GH5 II vs Lumix DC-GH5S vs Lumix DC-GH5 vs Lumix DMC-GH4 vs Lumix DMC-GH3.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)

    CONS

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low Bit Depth
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 64

    Successor

    In 2011 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 was replaced by Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
    Higher Sensor Resolution 16 Megapixel vs 12 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 1,600
    Max Image Resolution 4608 x 3456 vs 4000 x 3000
    Tracking Autofocus vs
    Face Detection vs
    Touch Screen vs
    Speaker Mono vs
    Longer Battery Life 330 shots vs 320 shots
    DOWNGRADES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
    Higher Native ISO 160 vs 100
    Lower DxO Low Light ISO 655 vs 772
    Lower DxO Color Depth 21.2 vs 21.6
    Lower DxO Dynamic Range 11.3 vs 11.6
    Lower DxO Overall Score 60 vs 64
    Heavier 442 g (0.97 lb / 15.59 oz) vs 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 vs Lumix DMC-GH2.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fully Articulated screen

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a 3.0" Fully Articulated screen with 460k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards. Fully articulated screen makes this camera selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

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    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 with Fully Articulated screen


    Electronic (LVF) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Electronic (LVF) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage.

    Sensor

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 features a 12 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1's Micro Four Thirds sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.3 x 13 mm224.9 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with Venus Engine HD processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4000 x 3000, 4128 x 2752, 4352 x 2448, 3072 x 1728, 2992 x 2992, 2928 x 1952, 2816 x 2112, 2112 x 2112, 2064 x 1376, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080, 1504 x 1504 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1.

    Panasonic GH5
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    20.3 MP

    Panasonic GH5 II
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    20.33 MP

    Panasonic GH3
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16.05 MP

    Panasonic GH5S
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.28 MP

    Panasonic GH6
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    25.2 MP

    Panasonic GH2
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16 MP

    Panasonic GH4
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16.05 MP

    Leica S2
    Image cannot be found

    Medium format

    38 MP

    Canon 5DS
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Sigma sd Quattro
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    29 MP

    Leica M Edition 60
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    23.7 MP

    Samsung GX-1L
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is an HDMI connector for video signal output.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1's shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


    Flash

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 10.50 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has dimensions of 124 x 90 x 45 mm (4.88 x 3.54 x 1.77"). It weighs 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    124 mm (4.88")

    90 mm (3.54")

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    90 mm (3.54")

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    45 mm (1.77")

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    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 dimensions

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    56

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 gets a score of 56 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    55

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 gets a score of 55 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    70

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    84

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 gets a score of 84 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Evaluation

    We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and give score of 63 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    63

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    64

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 a score of 64 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 64

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    57

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 a score of 57 for Photo parameters.

    •   Low Bit Depth
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec

    Video

    BAD
    16

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 a score of 16 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    67

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 a score of 67 for Focusing parameters.

    •   No Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    81

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 a score of 81 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot

    Connectivity

    GOOD
    78

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 a score of 78 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    41

    We give Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 a score of 41 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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