Panasonic 16 Megapixels DMC-GH2 Camera Review by PhotoRadar With Rating 4/5

"In averagely-lit conditions, raw images display no visible noise up until around ISO 800 where slight coloured patches begins to develop in shadow areas. Noise levels continue to rise steadily until ISO 6400 where dense chrominance noise begins to obscure details, and this becomes particularly heavy at the maximum sensitivity of 12,800. Despite this cast, images details are still visible, just obstructed rather than destructed. For such a densely populated sensor, it's remarkable that images are able to maintain such quality at these settings, although, predictably, any attempts at processing away this noise require that some detail be taken with it. In-camera JPEG processing does an excellent job of removing virtually all chroma noise from high-sensitivity images, though images lose a little of their bite because of this. Even so, the overall standard of JPEGs is above average, with fine details compromised to a lesser degree than perhaps expected. We found JPEGs also show pleasing and accurate colour, with the Standard Film mode providing a welcome boost in contrast over Raw files. The choice of black and white modes is also sure to please monochrome enthusiasts, particularly the Dynamic Black and White option which produces high-contrast, atmospheric images straight out of the camera. Exposures are balanced and consistent in a range of situations, and even when challenged with tricky scenarios the metering system can only be persuaded to slightly underexpose. The camera's auto white balance system can also be relied upon to provide consistent results in natural lighting, although some may find the more faithful results lacking a little of the punch of other cameras, where images are optimised a little to be more pleasing to the eye. Under tungsten lighting the camera does impressively well and records the scene as it appears, and even under a mixture of different sources the camera makes good judgements as to an agreeable balance. Only certain fluorescent sources seem to lead the camera's auto white balance astray, although in this respect the GH2 is hardly alone.

As with the GH1, the Panasonic GH2 price will no doubt discourage a few. Current Panasonic GH2 prices are a penny shy of £1100 with the 14-140mm lens, but a significant portion of that cost is accounted for by flexibility and video-optimisation of the optic. Becuase of this, the GH2 can be considered better value if both the video and stills functionality are required, rather than just the latter. A separate kit option with the 14-42mm lens can be found at £799.99, which makes it a little more attainable. That the GH2 can manage such image quality is impressive in itself, but combined with stellar video output and an excellent focusing system really elevates it to a different level. There seems to be little reason not to recommend it for high-quality macro and still-life work; indeed, it could even be argued that the articulated LCD and the breadth of focusing functionality on offer even make it preferable to some DSLRs. Of course, DSLRs will continue to evolve alongside hybrid systems such as these, but if the Panasonic GH2 is a sign of things to come then we should all be looking forward to whatever happens next. With an abundance of functionality and superb image quality, the GH2 is one of the finest hybrid cameras that's we've seen yet."

I wouldnt even recommend this camera to beginners., Blue Motion Studio - May 30 2013
I was making the switch from DV tapes to SD cards and from traditional tape based cameras to all digital, and as a videographer, I was trying to determine which camera would best suit my needs. I mainly film events and weddings. I kept hearing good things about the Canon 60D and the Panasonic GH2, mostly that the GH2 was great for video. So after a lot of homework, I...

Great, E. J. Cunningham "Getgene" - May 14 2013
I shopped the available items and this is the best even for more money. It does movies and photos. Get the Panasonic lens with it as it is automatic. To be honest, it does more than I know about. If you want a simple point and click camera, this is probably too much. The manual is nearly 200 pages. If you want a professional machine, this is excellent...

I thought I needed it... turns out I did!, Neutra-man - Apr 24 2013
Oh DANG. This smexy baby is everything you could want AND MORE. The camera portion of it is alright I guess, but the best, and I mean BEST part, is the footage. I should clarify: the HACKED footage. The regular footage is superb, but the hacked footage; it's almighty. A lot of people claim the kit lens sucks and isn't worth a witch's wart, but it actually works rather we...

Don't pay more than $800!, BroadSword - Apr 06 2013
Why would you pay over $700 dollars for this camera (BODY ONLY). Yes it IS WORTH $700 dollars, maybe even eight! But the sellers here charging MORE than NINE hundred dollars (body only) are ripping you off!!! For only a few hundred dollars more you can have the FAR SUPERIOR GH3. It has more features, better resolution and standard plugs for Mic and Headphone jacks. The GH2 doesn't e...