I thought I would help amateur "enthusiast" photographers make a decision about the GH2. I apologize for the length of this post, but I do hope it will be helpful to some.
The GH2 is my first SLR-type camera. I had been using P&S cameras plus a Canon "superzoom," but I found that those around me with DSLRs were nailing shots that I missed with my cameras (not through photography expertise, but through faster AF etc.) I mostly take snapshots of my kids in action, plus 10-20 second video clips, but occasionally I get a bit "artsy" and take some nature shots or "street photography." I had held-off on purchasing an SLR-type camera due to cost, size, and lack of quality video, but the GH2 seemed to address some of those issues.
To me, there are three classes of cameras: 1. Not pocketable, 2. Discretely Pocketable (P&S), and 3. Pocketable, but not discretely.
I don't consider any of the Panasonic G-series to be pocketable, even with the pancake lenses. Frankly, I don't consider the GF and EPL cameras to be pocketable either, especially in the summer ("is that a GF2 in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"). The LX5 and XZ1 are pocketable, but not really discretely.
I am not an industry expert, but suspect that the P&S sector is taking a huge hit because of the camera and video capabilities of smart phones (such as the iPhone) and cel phones. Most readers on this forum will scoff at the idea of shooting with an iPhone, but for many consumers they are adequate for casually documenting events, plus they have their phone with them most of the time anyway, and don't see much added benefit in carrying a P&S. So I suspect that this HUGE market sector will look to carry a significantly better camera (e.g. M4/3 or DSLR), or no camera at all! This bodes well for M4/3, considering the size advantage.
For me, I still have a role for my P&S, and still use it 60% of the time, but today I am going to buy an iPhone, so we'll see what happens.
Honestly, I don't really see where the the GF and EPLs fit-in other than being less expensive, because they are not truely pocketable and give up so much in the way of features and video. I didn't consider a Sony Nex camera because the lens sizes have to be large for it's APS-C sensor, so the size advantage isn't as good as with M4/3. I suppose I could have had a look at the mirrorless Samsung, but I felt more comfortable with the Panny/Olympus brands.
So I purchased a GH2 with the kit 14-140, plus the 20 mm Panny. At first I thought I had blown too much cash, and could have done fine with the XZ1, but today I saw the light, and have come to love my GH2. The video at 60 fps is, to me, worth the extra cost and size. The touch-screen focus functions are fantastic, ESPECIALLY FOR VIDEO. The size and weight advantage over DSLR in the body isn't much, but in the lenses it is HUGE! The EVF focus-assist is amazing, and I don't think I would be brave enough to use manual focus as much without it! Being able to shoot in low light with the 20 mm and higher ISOs is adequate for me. For those amateurs who are thinking about making the leap from P&S, I see no better alternative. Carry your iPhone or P&S for casual shots, and a GH2 when you want to nail the birthday shots or get a little serious with photos and movies.
I am not accustomed to a manual zoom, and my biggest GH2 struggle is trying to zoom smoothly while shooting video, but I'm hoping this will improve with practice. Smooth zooming was so easy with my superzoom.
Most amateurs will struggle with the price, but if you want great video then you have no other choice! If you want to upgrade from P&S now, but find the GH2 prohibitively expensive, then buy a G1 and start accumulating M4/3 lenses, then upgrade the body in a few years. If you are concerned about the cost of RAW conversion software then purchase Aperture for $79.99 (Mac users).
Why was today a breakthrough for me? I have incurred a sports injury (if you call pulling a groin while putting on a ski boot a "sports" injury). I have been forced to slow down and take time to "smell the roses," so I took a stroll around a nearby lake. I brought with me the GH2 with the 20mm pancake. Not only did I nail "large sensor" shots that I could not get with my P&S, but I found the size and weight barely noticeable on an hour long walk. One day I might have the courage to post my photos for your comments!
I struggled with my upgrade decision, and I hope this helps other amateurs that are considering making the plunge. When shooting in difficult situations (low light, moving subject etc.) I found that with my P&S one out of every ten shots was a "keeper." With my superzoom, it was one out of every 7. With my GH2 it's one out of every 4...not perfect, but neither is the operator!
PK
The GH2 is my first SLR-type camera. I had been using P&S cameras plus a Canon "superzoom," but I found that those around me with DSLRs were nailing shots that I missed with my cameras (not through photography expertise, but through faster AF etc.) I mostly take snapshots of my kids in action, plus 10-20 second video clips, but occasionally I get a bit "artsy" and take some nature shots or "street photography." I had held-off on purchasing an SLR-type camera due to cost, size, and lack of quality video, but the GH2 seemed to address some of those issues.
To me, there are three classes of cameras: 1. Not pocketable, 2. Discretely Pocketable (P&S), and 3. Pocketable, but not discretely.
I don't consider any of the Panasonic G-series to be pocketable, even with the pancake lenses. Frankly, I don't consider the GF and EPL cameras to be pocketable either, especially in the summer ("is that a GF2 in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"). The LX5 and XZ1 are pocketable, but not really discretely.
I am not an industry expert, but suspect that the P&S sector is taking a huge hit because of the camera and video capabilities of smart phones (such as the iPhone) and cel phones. Most readers on this forum will scoff at the idea of shooting with an iPhone, but for many consumers they are adequate for casually documenting events, plus they have their phone with them most of the time anyway, and don't see much added benefit in carrying a P&S. So I suspect that this HUGE market sector will look to carry a significantly better camera (e.g. M4/3 or DSLR), or no camera at all! This bodes well for M4/3, considering the size advantage.
For me, I still have a role for my P&S, and still use it 60% of the time, but today I am going to buy an iPhone, so we'll see what happens.
Honestly, I don't really see where the the GF and EPLs fit-in other than being less expensive, because they are not truely pocketable and give up so much in the way of features and video. I didn't consider a Sony Nex camera because the lens sizes have to be large for it's APS-C sensor, so the size advantage isn't as good as with M4/3. I suppose I could have had a look at the mirrorless Samsung, but I felt more comfortable with the Panny/Olympus brands.
So I purchased a GH2 with the kit 14-140, plus the 20 mm Panny. At first I thought I had blown too much cash, and could have done fine with the XZ1, but today I saw the light, and have come to love my GH2. The video at 60 fps is, to me, worth the extra cost and size. The touch-screen focus functions are fantastic, ESPECIALLY FOR VIDEO. The size and weight advantage over DSLR in the body isn't much, but in the lenses it is HUGE! The EVF focus-assist is amazing, and I don't think I would be brave enough to use manual focus as much without it! Being able to shoot in low light with the 20 mm and higher ISOs is adequate for me. For those amateurs who are thinking about making the leap from P&S, I see no better alternative. Carry your iPhone or P&S for casual shots, and a GH2 when you want to nail the birthday shots or get a little serious with photos and movies.
I am not accustomed to a manual zoom, and my biggest GH2 struggle is trying to zoom smoothly while shooting video, but I'm hoping this will improve with practice. Smooth zooming was so easy with my superzoom.
Most amateurs will struggle with the price, but if you want great video then you have no other choice! If you want to upgrade from P&S now, but find the GH2 prohibitively expensive, then buy a G1 and start accumulating M4/3 lenses, then upgrade the body in a few years. If you are concerned about the cost of RAW conversion software then purchase Aperture for $79.99 (Mac users).
Why was today a breakthrough for me? I have incurred a sports injury (if you call pulling a groin while putting on a ski boot a "sports" injury). I have been forced to slow down and take time to "smell the roses," so I took a stroll around a nearby lake. I brought with me the GH2 with the 20mm pancake. Not only did I nail "large sensor" shots that I could not get with my P&S, but I found the size and weight barely noticeable on an hour long walk. One day I might have the courage to post my photos for your comments!
I struggled with my upgrade decision, and I hope this helps other amateurs that are considering making the plunge. When shooting in difficult situations (low light, moving subject etc.) I found that with my P&S one out of every ten shots was a "keeper." With my superzoom, it was one out of every 7. With my GH2 it's one out of every 4...not perfect, but neither is the operator!
PK
