Panasonic GH2 Hands-On with Sample Footage 

So fun to watch this nine and a half years later! Chris -you have barely changed! Jordan, you looked like an extra from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure! Wish we could all go back in time at the moment!

You can add a hack to the GH2 which will up the data, giving it much sharper video. When hacked, the GH2 is about the best video capture device for under $5000. Jordan @ The Camera Store TV

I agree, great video reviews. Keep up the good work.

awesome wrap guys, thanks

Absolutely stunning video! You know what's funny? I could tell this was shot in Calgary before even seeing that your store is based there. I'm in Paris but lived in Calgary for 6 months and loved it! Anyways awesome review, I got my GH2 based on your review and I am SO pleased with it! God bless!

Top notch! Thank you a lot!

Great video keep up the good work.

LOL great video amazing camera, and a beautiful family. looks like you guys had allot of fun that day :) I just picked up my gh2 today, plan on making some short films and time laps work ~m

Thanks for that review. It's the best one on this camera, yet. Lots of nice practical tests. Most important to me is the camera's ability to shoot low-budget films. But, it's use in more "amateur" environments is nice to see. Especially if you can only buy one camera, like me. I think I'm sold!

@ElJefe20 The GH2 is an awesome choice of camera for low budget independent filmmaking. For more professional work, I recommend using an adaptor and manual focus lenses. I use a Nikon mount adaptor and Zeiss lenses. The concert footage in this video was shot with the Zeiss 100mm F2 lens. When possible, I recommend using prime lenses, and avoid autofocus. Jordan @ The Camera Store

Thanks man!

@SkyFilmography The 5D Mk II doesn't offer a clean line out. You'll capture the camera settings in the frame if you use a capture device. For 4:2:2 large sensor capture, you currently need at least a Panasonic AF100. Jordan @ The Camera Store TV

I always see people say that the low light on the GH2 is horrible. But that concert footage looked great in all honesty.

nicely done. If I had the money, I would buy this or the G2 which are both awesome cameras.

@mYOzZyKaT I love the AF on the Sony A55, but the lack of manual exposure control is a real deal breaker for me. I like the GH2 as it appeals to both casual shooters and enthusiasts who need the extra control. Jordan @ The Camera Store

Thanks a lot, man.

Mr. That is one excellent review. You kept it coming fast and covered a lot of detail and gave us the close picture inspections we all need. Fantastic job. I have one of these cameras and really love it over my older Canon 7D. I have a low light comparison where the 7D gets spanked!

@SachiBahra I have imported the footage with iMovie 11, and Final Cut Pro and Express. For iMovie, simply click the 'camera' button with the camera powered up and in Playback mode. For Final Cut, select 'Log and Transfer' with the same camera settings. Just remember, the files will not play back natively in your browser until they are converted with one of the above editing programs. If you have any further questions, send me a message. Jordan @ The Camera Store

great family

It seems that the images are all grainy, even with low iso! I was thinking of getting a camera like that, for photography only. I already had two Olympus EPL-5 and they photographed very well. Does this Lumix GH2 photograph as well as the Olympus?

I like how the guy at the right always tries not to smile when they're drinking the chocolate :D As always: great review

Thanks for uploading. Iam looking for the best lense for my gh2 to shoot vids...I like this "tutorial" a lot. As a beginner iam realy thankfull for any help. Best wishes from Munich!

@simon44 AVCHD is a wrapper/standard for h.264 video. Canon also shoots to H.264 video but inside of an mov wrapper. The difference is that the GH2 can be hacked to shoot incredibly high bit rates and resolves even greater resolution at 1080p than the Canons can. Which is why the GH2 is the benchmark for all DSLR video right now.

would you choose it over a cannon 5d mark II

I want a camera specifically for independent film making, but I want to be able to change the lenses. Any recomendations?

What kind of camera/lenses would you suggest for low budget but professional filmmaking?

what do you think about this camera vs the nex 7d to shot video?

How unfortunate.. I explored the features of the gh2 and i was really close to make the decision and buy it. Mostly because it offered so much video wise. The auto focus system was very tempting for me as i am a semi pro film maker. However the issue with the 25 p came up and made things once again complex in this dslr hunting process. I am now thinking about the canon 550d and the 60d. Will be there be an update in the Gh2 that will allow shooting 25 p?

Can video from the GH2 be edited in Sony Vegas 6? What about WMM? I imagine not the AVCHD extension . . . what is the other video extension / codec possibility?

Hey mate, so the question what is the best compact camera that has that DSLR vision for still and for Vlogging? Not wanting the bulkiness......is Panasonic GH2 better or go for a Sony NEX5n or something else? Ay suggestions?

@TheBrotherizzy Depends on what I was shooting, I still prefer an Optical viewfinder for action photography, and the Canon lens line-up is much more complete. However, for portability, ease of use, and lens adaptor option the GH2 is a better camera. Like all photographic equipment, the best camera is the best one for you. Jordan @ The Camera Store

@mYOzZyKaT I would say the point is you don't have full manual control nor even proper semi-automatic/automatic modes due the limitations on aperture the PDAF puts for the A55's video mode which I think makes it far too limiting against the benefits PDAF brings.

Can I adjust this cameras auto saturation and contrast?

Which would be better for video (short films). A hacked GH2 or the new GH3 considering the price.

I don't see lack of autofocus an issue. I personally prefer manual focus for video, as you get control over the image. Autofocus, also, is usually not very quick. (while recording video)

Great

@stesca1 No, unfortunately. They kind of stiffed the PAL regions...

@octopusking Unhacked, I think the NEX-7 is a better camera, especially due to its peaking for MF lenses. But a hacked GH2 is currently the best DSLR solution on the market. Jordan @ The Camera Store TV

@SachiBahra Well I wouldn't let the lack of a shutter sound put me off a camera. The very thing I like about the GH2 is its versatility. Its as quick as a compact but produces amazing images close to full DSLR quality.

It does not shoot 25p though does it??

@wonderwall135 Up to $3,000. I was looking at a Panasonic Hmc150, but tthe DOF didn't offer a very "film" look to it. I was thinking about just buting the Panasonic and a lense adapter. But if you have any other ideas, let me know.The camera needs to have XLR inputs, though.

@djkorova A 32GB SDHC card will get you three hours. If you need more than that, then yes, you'll need an SDXC card.

I take it you think the GH2 is worth upgrading to from a GH1?

Simply said a modded firmware that allows you to go as high as 170Mbps data rate in video. And many other options for better video shooting.

@bearwithgun14 Budget?

@SachiBahra The GH2 is amazing. However, you've just identified the biggest flaw with this camera and its video capabilities. Unfortunately most if not all manufacturers use this AVCHD video format. Canon is the only brand that I know of that doesn't. AVCHD makes no sense in this day in age. It was designed to save space on memory cards, but because its a highly compressed video format it makes it very difficult to edit with and computers hate it.

What do you mean, "a hacked GH2"?

Mr. That is one excellent review. You kept it coming fast and covered a lot of detail and gave us the close picture inspections we all need. Fantastic job. I have one of these cameras and really love it over my older Canon 7D. I have a low light comparison where the 7D gets spanked! Just search vimeo video 18232256

Google?

One of your kids is Jordan as your cameraman and the other Kai as DigitalRev? As least you did not name them Canon and Nikon or they will fight forever.

Mr. That is one excellent review. You kept it coming fast and covered a lot of detail and gave us the close picture inspections we all need. Fantastic job. I have one of these cameras and really love it over my older Canon 7D. I have a low light comparison where the 7D gets spanked! Just search vimeo (dot) com/18232256

No, I need an answer.

@albithedirector GH2.

You look like this other film maker on youtube that also films on the GH2 his user name is akirawing. You guys look like twins. akirawing is friends on youtube with another youtuber that also films on the GH2 by the name of eyepatchentertainmen his other channel is eyepatchproductions.

@bearwithgun14 *buying.