Base / Tripod Mount

The GH1 has a metal tripod mount, which should reduce concerns about stripping its thread. It's perfectly lined up with the lens but the camera is so small that you can give up on the idea of changing batteries with most tripod plates attached.

Pop-up Flash

The GH1's rather small flash has a Guide Number of just 10.5, rather than the 12 or 13 we're used to seeing on entry-level DSLRs. The flash synch speed is 1/160 sec. Due to the slightly bulky kit lens at wide angle the lens partially shades the flash. However, the problem disappears pretty quickly as you zoom in a little.

AF Assist

The GH1 has a small orange lamp on its left shoulder, meaning you don't have to flip the flash to gain focus in low light. It's not the most discreet solution but it's less disturbing than having a strobing flash pointed at you.

Flash Hot-shoe

The GH1 includes a hot shoe that will work with the dedicated DMW-FL220 flash unit.

Lens Mount

After the G1 the the GH1 is the second camera to make use of the new, miniaturized Micro Four Thirds mount. Remove the lens and you'll be confronted with an exposed sensor - it's of the familiar Four Thirds size but rather disconcerting to see it in the nude. The focal plane shutter stays open until the point an exposure is made.

The sensor is of conventional Four Thirds size but is left exposed when the lens is removed. Panasonic appears to have concluded that the low-pass filter assembly in front of the sensor is more resilient than the shutter mechanism. It'll be interesting to see if this practice continues or other designs introduce some kind of Safety Curtain that activates when the lens is removed (though it could be that we're worrying too much).

Supplied In the Box

The GH1 will initially be available as a kit with the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. lens. The camera is available in black, red or gold.

The DMC GH1 kit is supplied as:

  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 body
  • LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. lens
  • BLB13PP Lithium-Ion battery pack
  • DE-A49C battery charger
  • AC cable
  • Video cable
  • USB connection cable
  • Software CD
  • Strap
  • Lens hood
  • Lens cap
  • Lens rear cap
  • Lens storage bag
  • Body cap
  • Manuals