Panasonic Lumix DMC G10 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Standard HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G10
40
SCORE
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1
42
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC GH1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC G10 are Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras sharing the same lens mount, so Micro 4/3 lenses fit either body. The GH1 arrived in 2009; the G10 followed in 2010. Their footprints match at 124 x 90 mm, but the G10 is the deeper body at 74 mm against 45 mm for the GH1, and it weighs just 3 grams more at 388 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 7, 2010 | March 3, 2009 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 124 x 90 x 74 mm | 124 x 90 x 45 mm |
| Camera weight | 388 g | 385 g |
| Optics | 44/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsResolution is a similarity, so a distant bird or a large group portrait gets the same 12.1 megapixels from either camera's CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensor, with no extra cropping room on either body. The two also share 23 autofocus points, in-body stabilisation and a 1/4000 second maximum shutter for daylight exposure control. The GH1's electronic viewfinder is far sharper for composing and checking focus, showing 1,440,000 dots against 202,000 on the G10. The G10 counters with a 6400 ISO ceiling against 3200, a wider range of settings for dim scenes, and slightly faster burst shooting at 3.2 fps against 3 fps. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.1 MP050 | 12.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3.2 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine HD II | Venus Engine HD |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
230300 | 230300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 20200009900000 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 34/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GH1 is the stronger camera for moving footage. Its maximum video resolution is Full HD, recorded in AVCHD and MP4, while the G10 tops out at Standard HD in MOV. The GH1's maximum video frame rate is 60 fps, twice the G10's 30 fps, for smoother rendering of fast motion. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | No |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1280 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV | AVCHD MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch) |
| Features | 36/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GH1's flip-out screen is its most practical advantage, letting you frame from waist level, overhead or at awkward tripod angles, while the G10's screen is fixed. Their 3-inch, 460,000-dot panels match, and both cameras have a built-in flash, support for an external flash and live view. Neither has a touchscreen, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
4600001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe G10 has the advantage for storage and battery. Its battery is rated at 380 shots against 320 for the GH1, and it accepts SDXC cards while the GH1 supports only SD and SDHC. Both cameras use a single card slot, and neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLB13PP | DMW-BLB13 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
380 shots1505000 | 320 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the GH1 for filmmaking and handheld composition. Its Full HD recording, 60 fps maximum frame rate, articulating screen and 1,440,000-dot viewfinder together make it the stronger tool for movies and eye-level shooting. Choose the G10 when stills come first, since its longer rated battery life, SDXC support and 6400 ISO ceiling suit a full day of photography in varied light. Neither body has weather sealing, so both belong in fair-weather conditions.