Panasonic GH2 Extra Teleconversion(ETC), Resolution, and Auto Focus Samples

This is a collection of Panasonic GH2, GH1, GF1, and Nikon D7000 samples that show the Extra Teleconversion(ETC), Resolution, and Auto Focus of the new GH2 camera.

Here is my opinion on how the GH2 video modes rank in terms of resolution. Please note that these results depend more on the display device than anything else. Your results WILL vary from mine unless you want to come over and see it on my display.

http://vimeo.com/user442745/videos
http://vimeo.com/user442745/videos/page:2/sort:newest

I need to break this down into Horizontal and vertical resolution because the ranking is different for each one.

Horizontal Resolution:
1. 1080p - about 900 lines
2. 1080i and 720p - 800 to 850 lines

I think horizontal resolution is limited much more by the scaling than by final output resolution.

Vertical Resolution:
1. 1080p - 800-850 lines
2. 1080i(Not deinterlaced - Static scene) - 750 lines
3. 1080i(deinterlaced with Yadif deinterlace in VLC) and 720p - 650 lines

Please note that 1080i not deinterlaced is not a realistic scenario because it would have serious interlaced artifacts. It was included to show that 1080i does not contain as much resolution as 1080p period!

Horizontal Resolution:
1. 1080p ETC and 1080i ETC - 750 lines
2. 720p ETC - 600 lines

Vertical Resolution:
1. 1080p ETC - 800 lines
2. 1080i ETC and 720p ETC - 600 lines

As you can see the 720p mode is not desirable for resolution in the ETC mode. That is understandable since it starts with so much less resolution.

1. Moon shot getting progressively zoomed in. I used the 45-200mm and an old Canon 400mm FD lens with a 2x teleconverter for the most zoomed in shot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaOOPEwpAro

2. Indoor shot showing the 20mm autofocus ability and sound. The Santa clip shows that you need a shotgun mic to eliminate back ground noise when shooting at a distance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaOOPEwpAro&t=0m26s

3. GH2 teleconversion feature. Showing Airplanes landing and taking off with 45-200mm and 2.6x and 3.9x zoom. Also shows some outdoor scenes and steaks grilling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaOOPEwpAro&t=1m0s

4. GH2 autofocus samples. Shows that focus tracking only works with still photos. However, continuous autofocus works very well with both video and stills. Face detection focus can be used to track faces during video and stills. It even works with a picture of a face.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaOOPEwpAro&t=4m21s

5. Noise tests. 20mm Focus sound and GH2 and GF1 shutter sound. The GH2 is quieter than the GF1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaOOPEwpAro&t=6m6s

6. Continuous Auto Focus during video with high speed traffic and the 45-200mm. AF on the GH2 is exceptional.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaOOPEwpAro&t=6m32s

8. Resolution chart samples from the Nikon D7000, GF1, GH1, and GH2 for all video resolutions. I used the exact same Nikon 35mm F1.8 lens for all cameras. I manually focused with it for each camera. I had to move the camera back for the m4/3s cameras to account for the 2x crop factor. This resolution chart measures resolution per picture height. I will let you draw your own conclusions about which one is better. I will also post all of the original files to Vimeo for download later this weekend.
Don't forget to hit the 1080p button on the youtube player to see the videos in full resolution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaOOPEwpAro&t=7m26s

9. High detail wide angle scene. The 1080p @ 24 FPS video option is the only one that does not show Mud in this type of scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaOOPEwpAro&t=9m4s

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Panasonic
• GH2
• GH3
• GH1
• GH13
• GF1
• GF2
• GF13
• G3
• G2
• G1
• Nikon
• D7000
• ETC
• Extra
• teleconversion
• Auto
• Focus
• 1080p
• 720p
• science

[milosjanata]

Thanks for AF tests - it's still struggling too much. I am think that GH2+14-42 should be enough for most basic situations thanks to that new ETC.

[mpgxsvcd]

@milosjanata I used the 45-200mm for most of the AF tests. I think it actually does fairly well. Check out the car clips starting at 6:32. I think that shows some very good AF. You can't really expect a camera to never loose focus with the shallow depth of field that m4/3s can produce. I get my replacement GH2(The original one was defective) and the 14-140mm today. I will do some more AF tests with that camera.

[marauda777]

it would have been nice to know which was which in the video

[mpgxsvcd]

@marauda777 All of the test shots at the end are labled as to which camera was used. Everything else was shot with the GH2 with the exception of one scene. That scene was shot with a hacked GF1. I intentionally left out a label for that segment because I want to see if everyone can tell the difference between the hacked GF1 footage and the GH2 footage. The hacked GF1 footage is a lot closer than you would think.

[NewAgeDirector]

Great video keep up the good work.

[HyperColours]

@barneybuffjaws I bought a GH2 after watching these videos on Youtube but I'm just not very good at filming and editing footage.

I'm selling my GH2 on Ebay today.

item=180641864876

[mpgxsvcd]

@barneybuffjaws The first GH2 I had was defective and it would not recognize the Panasonic batteries. It is a stupid copy protection thing that they put on the cameras. I returned it and my new one works perfectly. I have not seen any reports of any other GH2s being defective. I think I just got unlucky on the first one.

[MataneTokyo]

very informative! Thanks

[SentientShadows]

sock over mic will get rid of the wind interference but keep the other noises.

[atomsound]

Really appreciate your work with the Panasonic GH2. I'm looking forward to possibly buying one myself. (Side note: sure looks to me like the Moon has the marks of a cataclysm of immense proportions originating from here on Earth. Just sayin...)

[milosjanata]

@milosjanata Agree, It's not bad. I tried Sony A55 in shop and now my expectations are high :)

I am looking forward your further tests.