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Panasonic GH1 vs G10

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in March 2009 and March 2010. Both the GH1 and the G10 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 12 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Panasonic GH1
versus
Panasonic G10
Panasonic GH1   Panasonic G10
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
12 MP – Four Thirds sensor 12 MP – Four Thirds sensor
1080/24p Video 720/30p Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200) ISO 100-6,400
Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots) Electronic viewfinder (202k dots)
3.0" LCD – 460k dots 3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 2.6 shutter flaps per second
300 shots per battery charge380 shots per battery charge
124 x 90 x 45 mm, 385 g 124 x 84 x 74 mm, 388 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Panasonic GH1 and the Panasonic G10 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The GH1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, red), while the G10 is only available in black.

Size Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic G10
Compare GH1 versus G10 top
Comparison GH1 or G10 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic G10 is notably smaller (7 percent) than the Panasonic GH1. However, the G10 is slightly heavier (1 percent) than the GH1. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the GH1 nor the G10 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic GH1 124 mm 90 mm 45 mm 385 g 300 n Mar 2009 899ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic G10 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 388 g 380 n Mar 2010 499ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-P1 121 mm 70 mm 36 mm 355 g 300 n Jun 2009 799ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-P2 121 mm 70 mm 36 mm 355 g 300 n Nov 2009 799ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic LX100 115 mm 66 mm 55 mm 393 g 300 n Sep 2014 899ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic GF5 108 mm 67 mm 37 mm 267 g 360 n Apr 2012 499ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic G3 115 mm 84 mm 47 mm 336 g 270 n May 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic GX1 116 mm 68 mm 39 mm 318 g 320 n Nov 2011 699ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic G2 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 428 g 360 n Mar 2010 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic GF2 113 mm 68 mm 33 mm 310 g 300 n Nov 2010 549ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic GH2 124 mm 90 mm 76 mm 442 g 330 n Sep 2010 899ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GF1 119 mm 71 mm 36 mm 385 g 380 n Sep 2009 749ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic G1 124 mm 84 mm 45 mm 360 g 410 n Sep 2008 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The G10 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 44 percent) than the GH1, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a Four Thirds sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Panasonic GH1 and Panasonic G10 sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 12 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the GH1 and the G10 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the G10 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year) than the GH1, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

GH1 versus G10 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the GH1 provides substantially higher image quality than the G10, with an overall score that is 12 points higher. This advantage is based on 0.4 bits higher color depth, 1.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.9 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Panasonic GH1 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/24p21.611.677264
2.
 
Panasonic G10 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.141152
3.
 
Olympus E-P1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.410.453655
4.
 
Olympus E-P2 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.450556
5.
 
Panasonic LX100 Four Thirds 12.7 4112 30884K/30p22.312.555367
6.
 
Panasonic GF5 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i20.510.057350
7.
 
Panasonic G3 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60i21.010.666756
8.
 
Panasonic GX1 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60p20.810.670355
9.
 
Panasonic G2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.349353
10.
 
Panasonic GF2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i21.210.350654
11.
 
Panasonic GH2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60i21.211.365560
12.
 
Panasonic GF1 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.351354
13.
 
Panasonic G1 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000none21.110.346353
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the GH1 provides a higher video resolution than the G10. It can shoot video footage at 1080/24p, while the G10 is limited to 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the GH1 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the G10 (1440k vs 202k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Panasonic GH1 and Panasonic G10 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Panasonic GH11440 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Panasonic G10202 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
3.
 
Olympus E-P1none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
4.
 
Olympus E-P2optional n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
5.
 
Panasonic LX1002764 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
6.
 
Panasonic GF5none n3.0 / 920 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
7.
 
Panasonic G31440 n3.0 / 460 swivel Y 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
8.
 
Panasonic GX1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
9.
 
Panasonic G21440 n3.0 / 460 swivel Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
10.
 
Panasonic GF2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
11.
 
Panasonic GH21534 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
12.
 
Panasonic GF1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Panasonic G11440 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The GH1 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the G10 does not have a selfie-screen.

The GH1 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the G10 uses SDXC cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Panasonic GH1Ystereo / -Y-mini2.0---
2.
 
Panasonic G10Ymono / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Olympus E-P1Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
4.
 
Olympus E-P2Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
5.
 
Panasonic LX100Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Panasonic GF5-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Panasonic G3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Panasonic GX1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Panasonic G2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Panasonic GF2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Panasonic GH2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
12.
 
Panasonic GF1Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Panasonic G1Y- / ---mini2.0---
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It is notable that the GH1 has a microphone port, which is missing on the G10. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Both the GH1 and the G10 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The GH1 was replaced by the Panasonic GH2, while the G10 was followed by the Panasonic G3. Further information on the features and operation of the GH1 and G10 can be found, respectively, in the Panasonic GH1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic G10 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Panasonic GH1 and the Panasonic G10? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1:

  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (12 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (1.5 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.9 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/24p vs 720/30p).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (1440k vs 202k dots).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.52x).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 2.6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in March 2009).


Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10:

  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (380 versus 300) out of a single battery charge.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (44 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GH1 is the clear winner of the match-up (11 : 3 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

GH1 11:03 G10

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic GH1 and the Panasonic G10 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the GH1 or the G10. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic GH1..+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 899ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic G103/5....70/1004/54/5 Mar 2010 499ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-P1..+..66/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2009 799ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-P23/5+..69/1004/54.5/5 Nov 2009 799ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic LX1005/5+ +..85/1005/55/5 Sep 2014 899ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic GF53/5......4.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 499ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic G33/5+ +..75/1004.5/55/5 May 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic GX13/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2011 699ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic G2......72/1004/54.5/5 Mar 2010 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic GF23/582/100..70/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2010 549ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic GH25/5+ +..79/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2010 899ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GF1..85/100..69/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2009 749ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic G1..+ +..70/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2008 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic G10

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Panasonic GH1 Panasonic G10
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date March 2009 March 2010
    Launch Price USD 899 USD 499
    Sensor Specs Panasonic GH1 Panasonic G10
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 pixels 4000 x 3000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.33 μm 4.33 μm
    Pixel Density 5.34 MP/cm2 5.34 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/24p Video 720/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 3,200 ISO no Enhancement
    Image Processor Venus HD Venus HD II
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 64 52
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.6 21.2
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11.6 10.1
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 772 411
    Screen Specs Panasonic GH1 Panasonic G10
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.52x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1440k dots 202k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Panasonic GH1 Panasonic G10
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 2.6 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Panasonic GH1 Panasonic G10
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Panasonic GH1 Panasonic G10
    Battery Type Panasonic DMW-BLB13 Panasonic DMW-BLB13
    Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots per charge380 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 124 x 90 x 45 mm
    (4.9 x 3.5 x 1.8 in)
    124 x 84 x 74 mm
    (4.9 x 3.3 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 385 g (13.6 oz) 388 g (13.7 oz)
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