Panasonic Lumix DMC G2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Standard HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G2
44
SCORE
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2
47
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2 and Panasonic Lumix DMC G2 are both 2010 mirrorless cameras on the Micro Four Thirds mount, so one native lens range serves either body. The GH2 was announced in September 2010, six months after the G2's March announcement. Physically the G2 is the smaller and lighter body, at 124 x 84 x 74 mm and 428 g against the GH2's 124 x 90 x 76 mm and 442 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 7, 2010 | September 21, 2010 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 124 x 84 x 74 mm | 124 x 90 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 428 g | 442 g |
| Optics | 44/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GH2 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, offering 16.05 megapixels against the G2's 12.1, roughly a third more pixels to work with. Its native ISO range reaches twice as high, up to 12800 rather than 6400, giving extra settings when light fades. Continuous shooting runs faster too, at 3 fps versus 2.6 fps, and its electronic viewfinder shows 1,533,600 dots against 1,440,000 for a finer view. The G2 holds one optics advantage in its 100 ISO base sensitivity, against 160 on the GH2, which helps when using wide apertures in bright daylight. Both use CMOS sensors in the Micro Four Thirds format, so the same lens frames the same way on either body. Both bodies also offer in-body stabilisation, 23 autofocus points and the same 1/4000 second top shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.1 MP050 | 16.05 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 | 4608 x 3456 |
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. |
2.6 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 FHD |
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 | 16030200 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 16030200 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 144000009900000 | 153360009900000 |
| Video | 47/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFull HD output makes the GH2 the better pick for video destined for a large screen or serious editing, while the G2 tops out at Standard HD. Both support frame rates up to 60 fps and record in MOV, with the GH2 using full AVCHD and the G2 the AVCHD Lite format. Neither camera has a built-in intervalometer for timelapse work. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
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. |
60 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 Lite | MOV, AVCHD |
| Features | 49/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesA flip-out, touch-controlled 3-inch TFT LCD on each camera makes waist-level and overhead framing easy, with the same 460,000-dot count on both. Each also has a built-in flash and supports external flash units. Neither body offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and neither is weather sealed, so geotagging and wireless transfer are unavailable on both. | ||
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 | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| 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. |
 Yes | 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 BatteryBoth cameras record to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so there is no second slot for overflow or backup on either. The batteries differ in model, DMW-BLB13PP for the G2 and DMW-BLC12PP for the GH2, but both carry the same 330-shot rating. Neither camera charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLB13PP | DMW-BLC12PP |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the GH2 if you crop wildlife or sports shots heavily, print large, or shoot video alongside stills: its extra pixels, higher ISO settings, faster burst and Full HD recording all serve those jobs directly. The G2 keeps a place for travel or everyday carry as the lighter, slimmer body, and its ISO 100 base helps when using wide apertures in strong sunlight. For most photographic situations, though, the GH2's broader stills and video capabilities make it the recommendation here.