Panasonic DMC-GH2
Preview based on a pre-production GH2 When Panasonic first launched the GH1, its second Micro Four Thirds camera, it was widely seen as simply being a G1 with video shooting and a considerably more expensive kit lens. And, if your primary concern was stills photography then this wasn't an entirely unreasonable assessment. However, its real appeal was not that it had video, but that it offered what was, at the time, some of the most flexible, high quality video available. Again, the 14-140mm F4.0-5.8 kit zoom may not have been cheap but it had been specifically designed and built with fast, quiet autofocus and stepless aperture control to allow AF during movie shooting and exposure changes without sudden changes in brightness.
Now that the G2 (along with the majority of contemporary cameras) is able to capture HD video, the distinctions between just being able to shoot HD and to really control it become more apparent. Stills shooters may get some advantage from the new, higher resolution sensor but the main differences between the GH2 and G2 are the ability to control the movie shooting process (both in terms of frame rate and shutter speed).
In the twenty five months since Olympus and Panasonic jointly announced the Micro Four Thirds standard there have been eight models launched to date, seven of which share the same 12MP sensor. The only exception was the GH1 which, despite its 12MP output actually featured a 14MP sensor. The sensor was slightly larger than the format's imaging circle, which allowed it to deliver images in different aspect ratios while retaining the same image diagonal. And now the GH2 follows the same pattern, shooting 16MP images using its brand-new, similarly over-sized 18MP sensor.
This sensor is capable of much greater output speed than its predecessor, bringing a host of benefits. Videographers will see an improvement in the quality of the highest quality output - the 1080i output is derived from 60p or 50p capture, rather than doubled-up from 24p or 25p on the GH1. However, the faster readout also means the AF system can more frequently check the accuracy of its focus, meaning faster autofocus (on lenses that can respond quickly enough). Finally, the faster readout means the live view is updated 60 times a second (rather than 24fps displayed at 60hz), giving a smoother viewing experience with less tearing.
The viewfinder has also been slightly widened - it now shows 852 x 600 pixels (rather than 800 across) to allow it to show 16:9 and 3:2 previews without the need for such extensive cropping as before.
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| The G2 alongside one of its current nearest competitors - the Canon EOS 60D. The considerably smaller size and bulk of the GH2 is obvious in this view - one of the advantages of a mirrorless design. |
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Compared to GH1 - key differences
The GH2 might look very similar to a casual glance but there are some major differences between the two models. Let's have a look at the main changes:
New sensor - multi-aspect Live MOS with 18.3 million total pixels
ISO range 160 - 12800 (vs 100-3200)
Sensor capable of 1080p at 60 or 50 fps (rather than 24 or 25 fps), still output as 60i/50i
Faster sensor read-out promises faster AF and smoother viewfinder image (less tearing)
Larger EVF coverage to match multi-aspect shooting (852 x 600 rather than 800 x 600 pixels)
Touch-sensitive LCD screen (same as G2)
New, more modern looking menu screens
G2-style combined AF mode/pattern control on top plate
Direct movie shooting button moved to top plate from rear of camera
Control dial moved from front of handgrip to rear of camera
Dedicated metering and 'film mode' buttons replaced by highly customizable Fn buttons
Q menu button moved from top plate to rear of camera
New battery (DMW-BLC12E) with fractionally smaller capacity (1200mAh vs 1250mAh)
Slightly heavier (394g compared to 385g body only)
Key feature comparison (vs G2 vs GH1)
Like the GH1, the GH2 is distinguished from its G-series contemporaries by its video shooting capabilities. The GH2 is a far more serious video shooting tool than the G2, and indeed the majority of its competitors - both mirrorless and DSLR. The GH2 offers a similar video specification to the GH1 but with one important difference - the sensor no longer doubles-up its sensor output in order to create its highest-speed video (the GH1 sensor could capture at 24 or 25 fps, which was then put out as 60i or 50i footage). Instead, the latest sensor can capture progressive (whole frames) at 60 or 50 fps. Its output is still limited to 60i or 50i because there are no common ways to distribute 60p or 50p footage, but this should certainly improve the output quality. The GH2 also has the ability to save footage at a different frame rate from the one captured - allowing slow-motion or high-speed effects.
From a still photography point of view the GH2 brings very little that is 'new' to the G-series apart from its increased resolution - up to 16 from 12.1MP. This makes the GH2 the highest resolution camera in Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds range, and a maximum ISO of 12,800 makes it (at least on paper) the most versatile too. Like the G2, the GH2's LCD screen is touch-sensitive, but also like the G2, it is not 'mandatory'. In other words, GH1 users upgrading to the GH2 with no interest in experimenting with the touch technology can more or less ignore it if they wish.
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| From the front, the main difference between the GH2 and G2 is that the former is slightly taller, and more of a 'classic' SLR shape. The G2 is a noticeably squatter when viewed in direct comparison, but the family resemblance is unmistakable. |
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| From the top, the GH2 is very similar to the G2. The most obvious difference is the stereo microphone which dominates the top of the flash housing of the GH2 (the G2 makes do with a single, tiny mic aperture just forward of the AF mode switch). Both cameras have a button for direct movie shooting, but whereas the G2 has a dedicated iA mode button, in its place the GH2 has a customizable 'Fn' button. |
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Compared to: G2 and GH1
| |  Panasonic GH2
 |  Panasonic GH1
|  Panasonic G2
|
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| Sensor | • 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')
• 18.3 million total pixels
• 16.0 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array | • 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')
• 14.0 million total pixels
• 12.1 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array | • 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')
• 13.1 million total pixels
• 12.1 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array |
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| Sensitivity | ISO 160-12800 in 1/3EV steps | ISO 100-3200 in 1/3 EV steps | ISO 100-6400 in 1/3 EV steps |
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| Movie mode | • AVCHD :
1920 x 1080p 24fps (Approx 23 or 17 Mbps)
1920 x 1080i 60fps (Approx 17 or 13 Mbps)
1280 x 720p 60fps (Approx 17 or 13 Mbps)
• Motion JPEG:
1280 x 720, 30fps
848 x 480, 30fps
640 x 480, 30fps
320 x 240, 30fps | • AVCHD :
1920 x 1080, 24fps (24 fps encapsulated in a 60i format)
1280 x 720 (60 fps)
• Motion JPEG:
1280 x 720, 30fps
848 x 480, 30fps
640 x 480, 30fps
320 x 240, 30fps | • AVCHD Lite:
1280 x 720, 60p (from 30fps sensor output)
1280 x 720, 50p (from 25 fps sensor output)
• Motion JPEG:
1280 x 720 (30fps)
848 x 480 (30fps)
640 x 480 (30fps)
320 x 240 (30fps) |
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| LCD monitor | • Touch sensitive 3.0" TFT LCD monitor
• Multi-angle swing and tilt (180° swing, 270° swivel)
• 460,000 dots
• Approx 100% frame coverage | • 3.0" TFT LCD monitor
• Multi-angle swing and tilt (180° swing, 270° swivel)
• 460,000 dots
• Approx 100% frame coverage | • Touch sensitive 3.0" TFT LCD monitor
• Multi-angle swing and tilt (180° swing, 270° swivel)
• 460,000 dots
• Approx 100% frame coverage |
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| Microphone | • Built-in stereo
• Socket for external mic | • Built-in stereo
• Socket for external mic | • Built-in monoaural
• Socket for external mic |
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| Dimensions | 142 x 90 x 76 mm
(4.9 x 3.5 x 3 in) | 142 x 90 x 76 mm
(4.9 x 3.5 x 3 in) | 124 x 84 x 74 mm (4.88 x 3.29 x 2.91 in ) |
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| Weight (body only, no card/battery) | 394 g (13.9 oz.) | 385 g (13.6 oz.) | 370 g (13 oz.) |
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 specifications
| Price | • US: $TBC
• UK: £899.99 with 14-42mm lens; £1299.99 with 14-140mm lens |
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| Body material | Plastic |
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| Sensor | • 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')
• 18.3 million total pixels
• 16.0 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array |
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| Image sizes | • 4608 x 3456 (4:3)
• 3264 x 2448 (4:3)
• 2336 x 1752 (4:3)
• 4752 x 3168 (3:2)
• 3360 x 2240 (3:2)
• 2400 x 1600 (3:2)
• 4976 x 2800 (16:9)
• 3520 x 1984 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
• 3456 x 3456 (1:1)
• 2448 x 2448 (1:1)
• 1744 x 1744 (1:1) |
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| Image sizes (Movie) | • AVCHD :
1920 x 1080p 24fps (Approx 23 or 17 Mbps)
1920 x 1080i 60fps (Approx 17 or 13 Mbps)
1280 x 720p 60fps (Approx 17 or 13 Mbps)
• Motion JPEG:
1280 x 720, 30fps
848 x 480, 30fps
640 x 480, 30fps
320 x 240, 30fps |
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| Aspect ratios | • 4:3
• 3:2
• 1:1
• 16:9 |
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| File formats | • RAW
• RAW + JPEG Standard
• RAW + JPEG Fine
• JPEG (EXIF 2.3) - Standard
• JPEG (EXIF 2.3) - Fine |
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| File formats (Movie) | • AVCHD
• QuickTime Motion JPEG |
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| Lenses | • Micro Four Thirds mount lenses
• Four Thirds mount lenses via adapter DMW-MA1PP (AF not available with all lenses) |
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| Focus modes | • Auto Focus
• Manual focus
• Face Detection
• AF Tracking
• 23-Area-Focusing
• 1 Area Focusing (including touch focus selection) |
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| AF assist lamp | Yes, dedicated lamp |
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| Image stabilization | In-lens Optical Image Stabilization (when available) |
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| Microphone | Stereo, plus 2.5mm input |
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| Speaker | Mono |
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| Digital zoom | • Up to 4x |
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| Exposure modes | • Program AE
• Aperture priority AE
• Shutter priority AE
• Manual
• Auto |
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| Scene modes | • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Outdoor Portrait
• Indoor Portrait
• Creative Portrait
• Scenery
• Nature
• Architecture
• Creative Scenery
• Peripheral defocus
• Night portrait
• Night scenery
• Sunset
• Party
• Sports
• Baby 1,2
• Pet
• Flower
• Food
• Objects
• Creative Close-Up |
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| Movie scene modes | • Portrait
• Scenery
• Sports
• Low Light
• Close-up (Flower/Food/Objects/Macro)
• SCN (Sunset/Party/Portrait) |
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| Sensitivity | • Auto
• Intelligent ISO
• ISO 160
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200
• ISO 6400
• ISO 12800
1/3EV steps |
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| Metering range | 0 to 18 EV |
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| Metering modes | • Intelligent Multiple
• Center-Weighted
• Spot |
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| AE Lock | • AEL/AFL button
• With shutter release half-press |
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| AE Bracketing | • 3,5,7 frames
• 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV steps
• +/-3.0 EV max |
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| Exposure compensation | • -5.0 to +5.0 EV
• 1/3 EV steps |
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| Shutter speed | • 60 − 1/4000 sec
• Bulb (up to 4 mins)
• Flash X-sync 1/160 sec
• 1/30 − 1/16000 sec (movie shooting) |
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| White balance | • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Incandescent
• Flash
• White set 1
• White set 2
• White set 3
• White set 4
• Kelvin temp (2500 - 10000 K, 100K steps) |
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| WB fine tuning | Yes (blue/amber bias, magenta/green bias) |
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| WB Bracketing | • 3 shots
•+/-1 to +/-3 in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis |
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| Color space | • sRGB
• Adobe RGB |
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| Image parameters | • Color mode (Standard, Dynamic, Nature, Smooth, Vibrant, Nostalgic)
• Saturation (5 levels)
• Contrast (5 levels)
• Sharpness (5 levels)
• Noise reduction (5 levels)
• Monochrome (Standard, Dynamic, Smooth)
• My Film (2 memories)
• Multi-film bracketing including 'Cinema' mode |
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| Drive modes | • Single
• Continuous SH (40 fps) 4MP or smaller, depending on aspect ratio
• Continuous H (5 fps)
• Continuous M (3 fps)
• Continuous L (2 fps) |
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| Continuous buffer | • 7 RAW images
• Unlimited JPEG images with a fast card |
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| Self-timer | • 2 sec
• 10 sec
• 10 sec, 3 images |
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| Flash | • Manual pop-up
• TTL auto / manual
• Guide no. 15.6 (ISO 200, m)
• Sync modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, On, On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow-sync, Slow-sync/Red-eye Reduction, Off |
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| Flash X-sync speed | 1/160 sec |
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| External flash | • Hot shoe
• TTL Auto with FL220/FL360/FL500 (Optional) |
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| Viewfinder | • Electronic Viewfinder
• Field of view 100%
• Dioptre adjustment -4 to +4 dioptre
• 1,530,000 dots
• Field Sequential (RGB) |
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| DOF preview | Yes |
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| Orientation sensor | Yes |
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| LCD monitor | • Touch-sensitive 3.0" TFT LCD monitor
• Multi-angle swing and tilt (180° swing, 270° swivel)
• Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD
• 460,000 dots
• 60 fps
• Approx 100% frame coverage
• Auto Power LCD (optional) adjusts brightness in bright light |
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| Playback functions | • Single
• Magnify (4 - 16x)
• Index (12-30 frames)
• Calendar view
• Slide show
• Title edit
• Text stamp
• Video divide
• Title edit
• Resize
• Cropping
• Aspect ratio conversion
• Rotate
• Rotate display on/off
• Title edit
• Print set
• Protect
• Face recognition edit |
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| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 (High Speed)
• Video Out (NTSC / PAL)
• Mini HDMI type C
• Wired remote control DMW-RSL1 (optional)
• External stereo microphone socket |
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| Print compliance | • PictBridge
• DPOF |
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| Storage | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
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| Power | • 1200 mAh 7.2v Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (DMW-BLC12PP)
• Supplied charger / AC adapter |
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| Dimensions | 124 mm x 90mm x 76 mm (4.88" x 3.53" x 2.98") |
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| Weight (camera body) | Approx. 392g / 0.86lb |
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| Weight (inc 14-140 lens, card and battery) | Approx. 904 g / 1.99lb |
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| Weight (inc 14-42 lens, card and battery) | Approx. 609 g / 1.34lb |
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 specifications
| Price | • US: $TBC
• UK: £899.99 with 14-42mm lens; £1299.99 with 14-140mm lens |
|---|
| Body material | Plastic |
|---|
| Sensor | • 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')
• 18.3 million total pixels
• 16.0 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array |
|---|
| Image sizes | • 4608 x 3456 (4:3)
• 3264 x 2448 (4:3)
• 2336 x 1752 (4:3)
• 4752 x 3168 (3:2)
• 3360 x 2240 (3:2)
• 2400 x 1600 (3:2)
• 4976 x 2800 (16:9)
• 3520 x 1984 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
• 3456 x 3456 (1:1)
• 2448 x 2448 (1:1)
• 1744 x 1744 (1:1) |
|---|
| Image sizes (Movie) | • AVCHD :
1920 x 1080p 24fps (Approx 23 or 17 Mbps)
1920 x 1080i 60fps (Approx 17 or 13 Mbps)
1280 x 720p 60fps (Approx 17 or 13 Mbps)
• Motion JPEG:
1280 x 720, 30fps
848 x 480, 30fps
640 x 480, 30fps
320 x 240, 30fps |
|---|
| Aspect ratios | • 4:3
• 3:2
• 1:1
• 16:9 |
|---|
| File formats | • RAW
• RAW + JPEG Standard
• RAW + JPEG Fine
• JPEG (EXIF 2.3) - Standard
• JPEG (EXIF 2.3) - Fine |
|---|
| File formats (Movie) | • AVCHD
• QuickTime Motion JPEG |
|---|
| Lenses | • Micro Four Thirds mount lenses
• Four Thirds mount lenses via adapter DMW-MA1PP (AF not available with all lenses) |
|---|
| Focus modes | • Auto Focus
• Manual focus
• Face Detection
• AF Tracking
• 23-Area-Focusing
• 1 Area Focusing (including touch focus selection) |
|---|
| AF assist lamp | Yes, dedicated lamp |
|---|
| Image stabilization | In-lens Optical Image Stabilization (when available) |
|---|
| Microphone | Stereo, plus 2.5mm input |
|---|
| Speaker | Mono |
|---|
| Digital zoom | • Up to 4x |
|---|
| Exposure modes | • Program AE
• Aperture priority AE
• Shutter priority AE
• Manual
• Auto |
|---|
| Scene modes | • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Outdoor Portrait
• Indoor Portrait
• Creative Portrait
• Scenery
• Nature
• Architecture
• Creative Scenery
• Peripheral defocus
• Night portrait
• Night scenery
• Sunset
• Party
• Sports
• Baby 1,2
• Pet
• Flower
• Food
• Objects
• Creative Close-Up |
|---|
| Movie scene modes | • Portrait
• Scenery
• Sports
• Low Light
• Close-up (Flower/Food/Objects/Macro)
• SCN (Sunset/Party/Portrait) |
|---|
| Sensitivity | • Auto
• Intelligent ISO
• ISO 160
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1600
• ISO 3200
• ISO 6400
• ISO 12800
1/3EV steps |
|---|
| Metering range | 0 to 18 EV |
|---|
| Metering modes | • Intelligent Multiple
• Center-Weighted
• Spot |
|---|
| AE Lock | • AEL/AFL button
• With shutter release half-press |
|---|
| AE Bracketing | • 3,5,7 frames
• 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV steps
• +/-3.0 EV max |
|---|
| Exposure compensation | • -5.0 to +5.0 EV
• 1/3 EV steps |
|---|
| Shutter speed | • 60 − 1/4000 sec
• Bulb (up to 4 mins)
• Flash X-sync 1/160 sec
• 1/30 − 1/16000 sec (movie shooting) |
|---|
| White balance | • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Incandescent
• Flash
• White set 1
• White set 2
• White set 3
• White set 4
• Kelvin temp (2500 - 10000 K, 100K steps) |
|---|
| WB fine tuning | Yes (blue/amber bias, magenta/green bias) |
|---|
| WB Bracketing | • 3 shots
•+/-1 to +/-3 in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis |
|---|
| Color space | • sRGB
• Adobe RGB |
|---|
| Image parameters | • Color mode (Standard, Dynamic, Nature, Smooth, Vibrant, Nostalgic)
• Saturation (5 levels)
• Contrast (5 levels)
• Sharpness (5 levels)
• Noise reduction (5 levels)
• Monochrome (Standard, Dynamic, Smooth)
• My Film (2 memories)
• Multi-film bracketing including 'Cinema' mode |
|---|
| Drive modes | • Single
• Continuous SH (40 fps) 4MP or smaller, depending on aspect ratio
• Continuous H (5 fps)
• Continuous M (3 fps)
• Continuous L (2 fps) |
|---|
| Continuous buffer | • 7 RAW images
• Unlimited JPEG images with a fast card |
|---|
| Self-timer | • 2 sec
• 10 sec
• 10 sec, 3 images |
|---|
| Flash | • Manual pop-up
• TTL auto / manual
• Guide no. 15.6 (ISO 200, m)
• Sync modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, On, On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow-sync, Slow-sync/Red-eye Reduction, Off |
|---|
| Flash X-sync speed | 1/160 sec |
|---|
| External flash | • Hot shoe
• TTL Auto with FL220/FL360/FL500 (Optional) |
|---|
| Viewfinder | • Electronic Viewfinder
• Field of view 100%
• Dioptre adjustment -4 to +4 dioptre
• 1,530,000 dots
• Field Sequential (RGB) |
|---|
| DOF preview | Yes |
|---|
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
|---|
| LCD monitor | • Touch-sensitive 3.0" TFT LCD monitor
• Multi-angle swing and tilt (180° swing, 270° swivel)
• Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD
• 460,000 dots
• 60 fps
• Approx 100% frame coverage
• Auto Power LCD (optional) adjusts brightness in bright light |
|---|
| Playback functions | • Single
• Magnify (4 - 16x)
• Index (12-30 frames)
• Calendar view
• Slide show
• Title edit
• Text stamp
• Video divide
• Title edit
• Resize
• Cropping
• Aspect ratio conversion
• Rotate
• Rotate display on/off
• Title edit
• Print set
• Protect
• Face recognition edit |
|---|
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 (High Speed)
• Video Out (NTSC / PAL)
• Mini HDMI type C
• Wired remote control DMW-RSL1 (optional)
• External stereo microphone socket |
|---|
| Print compliance | • PictBridge
• DPOF |
|---|
| Storage | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
|---|
| Power | • 1200 mAh 7.2v Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (DMW-BLC12PP)
• Supplied charger / AC adapter |
|---|
| Dimensions | 124 mm x 90mm x 76 mm (4.88" x 3.53" x 2.98") |
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| Weight (camera body) | Approx. 392g / 0.86lb |
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| Weight (inc 14-140 lens, card and battery) | Approx. 904 g / 1.99lb |
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| Weight (inc 14-42 lens, card and battery) | Approx. 609 g / 1.34lb |
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Source article by : http://www.dpreview.com/ |
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